If you have travelled through Singapore Changi Airport before, we hope that you had the chance to experience some of our state-of-the-art facilities, marvel at the airport’s stunning architecture and works of art, while enjoying our high quality of service at the same time!
Since its inception in 1981, Changi Airport has continually innovated to design and deliver the best possible experience for all its visitors. The pandemic has not stopped our quest to provide a personalised, stress-free and positively surprising Changi Experience, and we are excited to welcome even more passengers, now that travel is resuming.
As we celebrate our 12th Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airport’ award this year, we would like to share some of the best things you can do at Changi Airport - including the newest ones that you might not know about. So sit back and read on to discover what makes Changi Airport the world’s most awarded airport, and how you can create some memorable moments here!
1. Get close to nature at the Shiseido Forest Valley in Jewel and countless gardens in the airport
The Shiseido Forest Valley in Jewel is one of Singapore’s largest indoor gardens.
Whether you’ve been to Changi Airport or not, you must have seen photos and videos on social media of Jewel - the multi-faceted lifestyle destination that’s located right next to T1, and connected via link bridges to Terminals 2 and 3. Within this dome-shaped architectural marvel is the Shiseido Forest Valley featuring a wide variety of plants that are not to be missed. Experience it for yourself the next time you are at Changi Airport and immerse in the lush green sanctuary.
Take lots of photos as you hike up the forest valley and find the perfect photo spot!
With two walking trails (at opposite ends of level one within the forest valley) connected to the topmost level at Jewel, you can take a leisurely hike and have a closer look at the many plants and shrubs here. It could even be a fun hiking workout as you ascend the five levels of the forest valley, and be treated to a bird’s eye view of the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, when you reach the topmost level.
Did you know: More than 900 trees and plants, and about 60,000 shrubs make up the indoor forest valley. There’s also soothing music playing in the background, paired with the signature scent of Shiseido Ultimune, to truly delight your senses.
The Arrival Garden at T1 welcomes visitors to Changi Airport and tropical Singapore with majestic palm trees that are 12m to 15m in height.
If you are transiting or transferring to another flight at Changi Airport and do not have sufficient time to visit Jewel (we recommend at least five hours of transit time to comfortably visit and experience Jewel as you would need to go through immigration clearance), there are numerous gardens worth visiting in the terminals.
There are as many as 40 species of butterflies at the Butterfly Garden at T3 Transit.
See the butterflies up close in the colourful garden of flowers, right before your flight!
The Butterfly Garden at T3 Transit is one of the most popular among passengers - it is the world’s first butterfly garden in an airport with over a thousand tropical butterflies.
Catch sunflowers in full bloom at the Sunflower Garden located at T2 Transit (level 3).
Admire elegant glass dandelion sculptures at the Crystal Garden in the Central Piazza of T3 Transit.
Some of the other gardens in the airport that you could visit to snap some photos and fill your Instagram feed include the Cactus Garden (T1 Transit), Crystal Garden (T3 Transit) and the Sunflower Garden (T2 Transit).
Make sure to cater more time during your next visit to Changi Airport to fully explore the gardens across all our four terminals and immerse yourself in nature.
2. Bounce and play your way through Jewel’s Canopy Park
The Canopy Park at Jewel has a wide range of ticketed play activities, gardens and attractions suitable for the young and young at heart.
If you are looking for a day of fun at Changi Airport, a visit to the Canopy Park at Jewel is a must. The Canopy Park located at level 5 of Jewel features a range of play attractions that are perfect for all ages.
Hop and leap onto the Bouncing Net and you will feel like you can reach the sky! You can also get some of the best views while you are on the net.
One of the most popular (and thrilling) attractions is the Bouncing Net - an enormous net suspended 8m above ground at its highest point, allows visitors to bounce, leap and jump to their heart’s content.
The Walking Net is suspended 25m above ground and going on it will be an experience you won’t forget!
The Discovery Slides is an interesting structure with multiple slides for maximum joy, plus you can reach one of the highest points in Jewel from the viewing deck.
If you are looking for something less thrilling, you can go onto the Walking Net, which provides you with a unique perspective of Jewel as you walk across the netting suspended over the complex.
The Discovery Slides is one of the most versatile attractions at the Canopy Park. It is a viewing deck, and also a play attraction with four slides - a family slide, a drop slide for those looking for a thrill, and two glass-covered spiral slides - for the young and young-at-heart.
Find your way through Singapore’s largest hedge maze and you will be rewarded with great views from the watchtower at the end of the maze (the spot where this photo was taken!)
Other unique play attractions at the Canopy Park include the Hedge Maze and Mirror Maze where you can get lost in endless fun and challenges! The play attractions at Jewel are a great addition to your travel itinerary, either before you depart from Changi Airport, or for a full day of fun with family and friends.
Pro-tip: Purchase bundle deals to the attractions at Jewel’s Canopy Park, for endless fun at a discount!
3. Slide to your heart’s content at the world’s tallest slide in an airport
Located at T3 basement 1 and 2, you can slide down the world’s tallest slide in an airport.
There are multiple slides at Changi Airport and Jewel but there’s one that you would need a try to whizz down from - Singapore’s tallest slide and the world’s tallest slide in an airport. At 12m tall (approximately four storeys high), The Slide@T3 (at the public area of T3) is easily one of the most distinctive attractions at Changi.
Laughters and screams of excitement are common at the attraction as visitors take the plunge and proceed to take the slide down.
Pro-tip: To slide down from level 1 to basement 3, you have to present your Changi Rewards e-Card on the iChangi app at the T3 Customer Service Counter at basement 2 to redeem 10 slide rides. To ride down the shorter slide (basement 2 to basement 3), no redemption is required.
Speaking of slides, there’s another slide experience at T4 transit area that you should try if you have the chance to. Watch the video on how the slide transports you to Chandelier - a five-storey netted playground!
Chandelier at T4, a 16m-tall structure that brings fun to a whole new level.
The Chandelier is the newest attraction introduced in T4 for passengers to climb, have fun and enjoy the unique play experience. It is located at level 1 of the T4 Departure Hall, near the Heritage Zone - do check it out for yourself!
4. Shop till you drop
From travel essentials to luxury goods and unique retail experiences, some describe shopping in Changi Airport to be ‘World-class Shopping’.
Shopping in Changi Airport is an experience in itself, with a plethora of retail options for passengers at Jewel, and within the airport terminals, even if you are not travelling. From high-end luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci to affordable stores like Uniqlo and Muji, you are bound to find something that catches your eye.
The Dior Boutique is one of the newest stores in T1 Transit, for passengers to indulge in some serious retail therapy.
Some of the newest shopping concepts and stores include Don Don Donki at Jewel Changi Airport; Dior, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. at T1 Transit and the world’s largest Bacha Coffee store at T3 Transit.
If you are looking to bring some authentic Singapore flavours away with you , you can also shop for the best food souvenirs in Changi Airport and Jewel. From the signature Pandan Chiffon Cake from Bengawan Solo to the finest tea from TWG Tea, you can do all of your souvenir shopping before you depart.
Pro-tip: To complement your duty-free shopping spree, you can shop 30 days in advance and up to 12 hours before your flight in the comfort of your own homes on iShopChangi, and enjoy tax- and duty-free prices. Shopping on iShopChangi allows you to browse all the products across the four Changi terminals, and enjoy a fast check-out! You’ve got to check out the exclusive deals and promotions available.
5. Excite your taste buds with food from all around the world
Feast on local dishes and cuisines from around the world at Changi Airport.
You can find a wide range of uniquely Singapore dishes at Straits Food Village (T2 Transit), Singapore Food Street (T3 Transit) and International Food Hall (T4 Transit).
The incredible selection of food and dining options available at Changi Airport is also one of the reasons why many passengers love the Changi Experience. If you are looking for another uniquely Singapore meal, or want to try cuisines from around the world, Changi Airport has it all.
Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen is a Halal Japanese ramen restaurant at T3 basement 2 (public area), serving up umami-filled broth with springy noodles.
From a wide range of Halal food options to authentic dining experiences, you have got to try them out for yourself. Terminals 2, 3 and 4 have entire food courts featuring local fare like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Satay (meat skewers), Roti Prata (flat bread, usually served with curry on the side), Bak Kut Teh (peppery pork ribs soup), and more, where you can indulge in yummy Singapore fare before you depart.
The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck is a popular dining spot for passengers who want to enjoy a hearty meal or relax with a drink at the bar before their flight.
You can also find signature fare at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck at T3 Transit where you can get to taste some of the finest dishes from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck right before your flight, or chomp down some favourite dim sum items at Crystal Jade GO at T4 Transit (opening in April 2023).
Yun Nans’ flagship outlet at Jewel is the perfect spot for dining in big groups with signature dishes such as the Steam Pot Chicken Soup. Image credit: Yun Nans
Reserve your table early for TONITO Latin American Kitchen to secure views of the HSBC Rain Vortex while you enjoy your spread of Latin America-inspired dishes. Image credit: TONITO Latin American Kitchen.
At Jewel, there are many spots that you have to visit for a gastronomic treat. Some of our favourites include Yun Nans - serving up dishes that originate from Yunnan, a province in Southern China, TONITO Latin American Kitchen and Mamma Mia Trattoria E Caffe that serves Italian fare done well.
6. Have a drink on us, served by a friendly robot
Get a drink personalised to your taste preferences from a robot bartender on shift at Lotte Duty Free (T1 Transit).
One of the newest experiences at Changi Airport is the AI-powered Martell Boutique at Lotte Duty Free at T1 Transit. Find out which cognac best suits your taste preferences, get a drink recommendation and have it prepared for you by a robot bartender on shift!
Pro-tip: Download the iChangi App and sign up for an account to be eligible to redeem the complimentary drink at the boutique.
The Cocktail Bar at T4 Transit Lotte Duty Free also offers complimentary cocktails for passengers, made by friendly bartenders on shift (not robots). So do visit the bar before your flight and pick out your favourite alcohols and bottles before you depart.
7. Marvel at larger-than-life art pieces
If you are someone who takes the time to soak in the sights, you would have noticed the many works of art in Changi Airport that can make your journey to the boarding gate much more interesting and engaging.
Les Oiseaux (The Birds) are works you wouldn’t want to miss at T4.
The sculptures are handcrafted by French artist, Cédric Le Borgne.
At T4, passengers are greeted with the ever elegant and bright Les Oiseaux (The Birds). It comprises three contemporary bird sculptures made from stainless steel wires. One of the birds is perched at the T4 Arrival Hall, while the other two can be seen soaring mid-air at the T4 Departure Hall.
At T3’s South Arrival Immigration Hall stands a 7.5m-tall bronze sculpture. Named Coming Home, it has become synonymous with returning home for many, as it showcases a family surrounded by a flock of colourful birds.
The art pieces that capture the hearts of many passengers have got to be the larger-than-life kinetic artworks - Kinetic Rain in T1, Daisy at T3 and Petalclouds in T4.
The Kinetic Rain bronze droplets can form 16 different shapes collectively, with its fluid movements and choreography.
The Kinetic Rain is a mesmerising installation of 1,216 bronze droplets that move gracefully, creating patterns of flight objects such as a plane and a hot-air balloon at T1’s Departure Hall. It is a true masterpiece of engineering and artistry, and also the largest kinetic art sculpture in the world.
Daisy at T3 stands tall at the entrance of the departure hall and welcomes visitors to the terminal.
The Petalclouds is a centrepiece of T4, with its movements synchronised with lighting and music.
Daisy at T3 is a 13m-tall flower-shaped propeller in red and white, representing the diverse flora in Singapore. The Christian Moeller piece is powered by motion sensors and the propeller moves in response to the movements of travellers in its immediate environment.
At T4, the Petalclouds take centre stage of the entire terminal, as it can be seen from the departure hall and transit area. The petal-shaped sculptures move in a fluid and graceful motion. We just can’t stop looking at the installation that has such a calming effect.
8. Dream of your next holiday while plane-spotting
If you are an aviation enthusiast or simply love to watch planes go by, you can spot planes at multiple spots in the airport and dream of your next holiday.
Catch some of your favourite planes at the viewing galleries in the airport.
There are viewing galleries located across the public areas of T1 to T4 and you can enjoy unparalleled views of the airside. In addition to the viewing galleries, there are places within the transit area where you can also spot planes. For example, the large floor-to-ceiling viewing windows at the T1 transit area overlook several aircraft parking stands and the taxiway and you can catch planes as they taxi into the cul-de-sac and into their aircraft stands.
Floor-to-ceiling viewing windows that allow light into the terminals, and also perfect for plane spotters to admire the views.
The next time you’re departing from Changi Airport, spend a few moments to find a good spot and look out for planes with interesting liveries.
9. Count and name the dinosaurs along Jurassic Mile
Catch more than 20 different dinosaur displays along the 1km-long Jurassic Mile path.
Jurassic Mile is Singapore’s largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs, stretching over the 1km-long cycling and jogging path of the park connector that links all the way from Changi Airport to the city.
It is a unique and exciting experience for both children and adults. Try counting the number of dinosaur sculptures along the entire stretch and pose for a photo with the largest dinosaur that stands at 3.2m tall and 5.5m long! (Hint, it is the largest predator of its times.)
Gather your cycling buddies and cycle along the Jurassic Mile that connects Changi Airport to East Coast Park and the Park Connector Network.
Pause and pose with the dinosaur displays along the way!
A wide variety of plants and trees also line Jurassic Mile, with some looking like they were from the prehistoric eras. For those looking to work up more sweat - the outdoor attraction also doubles up as a cycling track, connecting it directly from the airport to the city area. Cycling from T2 to Gardens by the Bay will see you cover about 25km of distance.
If you are looking for an outdoor exercise experience before or after your flight, or want to spend some outdoor bonding time with your family, this is the perfect spot.
Pro-tip: If you want to freshen up after your adventure, there are toilets and shower facilities at Hub & Spoke - a cafe between Jurassic Mile and T2.
10. Cool off in our rooftop swimming pool
Take a dip in the pool and relax at Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel.
If going for a dip in a pool right before you board your flight sounds like an impossible thing to do, we have made it a possible thing to do here at Changi Airport. Located at Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel at T1, there is an outdoor swimming pool with a jacuzzi and poolside bar for those who want to relax and take a dip before they depart.
@changiairport Reply to @robbertjimquirimi This is your sign to head for a dip before your flight 🏝 #tiktoksg #fyp #ChangiAirport #hiddengems ♬ Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy
If you are not a guest of the transit hotel, fret not - you can pay to use the swimming pool facilities, with towels and shower facilities provided for all guests. If you have some time to relax and unwind before your flight, why not consider taking a dip at the rooftop pool - something not possible at every airport. Do have a sip from the cocktail bar at the pool while you are at it.
11. Rest and recharge at snooze lounges
Catch up on rest at the quiet snooze lounges located around the transit areas of the airport.
We know that a power nap is essential to catch up on rest in between flights, or to prepare for your travel journey ahead. There are many comfortable spots within the airport for you to rest and recharge, some with well-cushioned chairs and others with stylish couches with ergonomic design for optimal comfort.
For those looking to take a longer nap, there are snooze lounges and resting areas across terminals that are hidden away from the main shopping and dining areas for you to catch up on sleep.
Pro-tip: Set an alarm so that you can wake up on time to catch your flight. There are charging points and power sockets located across the airport - at seating areas, in every gate hold room, in business lounges and more.
12. Get up close with the HSBC Rain Vortex in the Skytrain
Catch close-up views of the HSBC Rain Vortex from the Skytrain service connecting T2 and T3.
If you think that you have found the spot for the best view of Jewel’s HSBC Rain Vortex - the world’s tallest indoor waterfall - we have an ultimate recommendation for you to get up close with the majestic waterfall.
Hop onto the Skytrain service connecting T2 and T3 (works for both public or transit services) and you will be in for a treat. The Skytrain travels through Jewel, allowing you an up-close and unique view of the HSBC Rain Vortex.
The Skytrain passing through Jewel is a sight to behold - take lots of photos and tag us @changiairport and #changiairport on social media!
Prepare your phones to capture the moment when the Skytrain travels through Jewel.
If you are a transit or transfer passenger with insufficient time to clear immigration to visit Jewel, this could be something to add to your itinerary at Changi Airport.
However, note that the HSBC Rain Vortex only operates from 11:00am to 10:00pm on Monday to Thursday, and 10:00am to 10:00pm on Friday to Sunday and on Public Holidays.
Here are just 12 of the things you could do at Changi Airport during your next visit. There are many more shopping, dining and play activities for you to explore in the terminals and at Jewel.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Changi Airport or a frequent flyer, be sure to cater enough time for you to explore all that Changi Airport has to offer. Most airports would encourage you to check in about two to three hours before your departure time so that you would have sufficient time to check in and explore the airport. But we would advise you to cater even more time, to explore Jewel and Changi Airport - there’s just simply too much to explore, see, eat and do!
Pro-tip: Check in your baggage from three hours to up to 24 hours before your flight’s departure time at Jewel Early Check-in Facility (level 1, opens daily from 12:00pm to 8:00pm), and explore Jewel and the airport without the hassle of bringing your baggage around.
For those who have voted for Changi Airport to be the Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airport’, a big thank you from all of us here at Changi!