Singapore Changi Airport is one of the world's clearest and best-organised airports.

The most common question is: How much time do I need to change planes?

👉 Short answer:

• 45-60 minutes - no problem (one ticket)
• 90+ minutes - comfortable transfer
• 3+ hours - if you have two separate tickets

Hotels near Changi Airport

Singapore Airport Terminals

The airport has 4 terminals + the JEWEL complex.

• Terminals 1, 2, 3 - interconnected (airside and landside)
• Terminal 4 - separate (shuttle bus)
• Jewel Changi Airport - public area between T1-T3

Basic orientation

• Airport is open 24/7
• everything is perfectly signposted
• distances can be longer (expect to walk up to 15 minutes to the furthest departure gate)
• security check is just outside the gate (there is no central security for each terminal)

Which terminal?

In total, Changi Airport consists of 4 terminals and the central JEWEL building.

• JEWEL - a large building full of shops, restaurants and services in the public area between terminals 1, 2 and 3
• Terminal 1 - Air China, Air France, Air Niugini, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cambodian Airways, China Southern Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, Emirates, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Hebei Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Myanmar Airways, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Starlux, Thai, Turkish Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Zipair
• Terminal 2 - Air India, Air Macau, ANA, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Firefly, Indigo, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines (flights to: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam), Swiss, United
• Terminal 3 - Air New Zealand, Aircalin, Asiana Airlines, Batik Air, Biman Bangladesh, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Citilink, Drukair, Eva Air, Garuda, Gulf Air, Lion Air, Myanmar National Airlines, Saudia, Singapore Airlines (all destinations except flights from Terminal 2, see above), SriLankan, T'way Air, US-Bangla Airlines, Vistara, Vietnam Airlines
• Terminal 4 - AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, GX Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Jeju Air, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Korean Air, Pacific Airlines, Spring Airlines, Vietjetair

Airport map

An interactive map of the entire airport and each terminal can be found on the airport's official website: changiairport.com/en/maps.

Transfer between flights

Upon arrival, just follow the "Transfer" signs .

Standard procedure:

1. you follow the "Transfer"
2. you go to the gate
3. go through security

❗ Important:

• security check is at the gate (not centrally)
• you do not go through immigration control at the gate
• you stay in the transit zone
• your baggage is transferred automatically

Book a hotel near Changi Airport

The transfer is very well signposted and organised and the only obstacle can be the longer distances between terminals.

In most cases, however, you will only have to transfer within one terminal or between terminals 2 and 3, which are right next to each other.

💡 Don't know how to transfer at the airport? Check out our general guide to transferring between flights.

Transferring between terminals

Use the following options to transfer between terminals.

• On foot using mobile travelators
  • Terminal 1 <-> Terminal 2: time 15-20 minutes (transfer possible via public and transit zone)
  • Terminal 2 <-> Terminal 3: time 5-20 minutes (transfer possible via public and transit zone)
  • Terminal 2 <-> Terminal 3: time 5 minutes (for transfer via public area), 35 minutes (for transfer via transit area - must go via Terminal 1)
• Automatic SkyTrain
  • Between terminals 1, 2 and 3: runs through transit and public area, travel time 2-10 minutes, frequency 2-6 minutes, free ride
  • Between Terminals 2 and 3: runs only in the public area, travel time 2 to 5 minutes, frequency 2-6 minutes, free ride
  • SkyTrain runs 4:30-1:30
• Shuttle bus
  • Terminal 4 <-> Terminal 1 / JEWEL building (public area)
  • Terminal 4 <-> Terminal 2 / subway station (public area)
  • Terminal 4 <-> Terminal 2 (transit zone on the tarmac)
  • Frequency 10-25 minutes, ride is free
  • Shuttle bus runs 24/7

Continuing your journey?

On our website, you'll find detailed guides on how the airport shuttle works and what to do once you arrive at other destinations:

Most common onward connections from Singapore:

• 👉 Transport from Jakarta Airport to downtown
• 👉 Kuala Lumpur - top places to see
• 👉 Visa to Indonesia - how to pay and fill out your arrival card

If you're changing countries, it pays to have mobile data ready before you land:

Get your eSIM before you arrive

Is it worth going into town during a layover?

Long layovers during the day and night are very common in Singapore.

👉 It is often worth visiting the city, but it depends on the time:

• < 5 hours - stay at the airport
  • 💡 My tips on how to have fun at Changi Airport
• 6-8 hours - short visit to the city centre
• 10+ hours - full mini-trip
  • 💡 Itinerary for a day visit to Singapore

Reality

• 30 min drive to downtown
• 30 min back
• 2 hours reserve before departure

👉 Out of 8 hours you have about 4-5 hours clear time

Free city tour

During transfers longer than 5.5 hours, take advantage of free organised city tours.

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and runs 9 times a day. Registration takes place one hour before departure at the Free Singapore Tours booths in Terminal 2 and 3.

Official information can be found on the airport website: changiairport.com/free-singapore-tour.