Singapore Changi is one of the few airports in the world where you don't mind arriving significantly earlier than your departure time. Or where you won't get bored during a long layover.

We did this on purpose - we left downtown about 5.5 hours before our flight to check out the iconic Jewel Building and other attractions.

Well... We could have left a bit earlier as we didn't get to do all the shopping and shopping properly before flying home 😂

If you have a longer layover between flights, you might as well do it anyway. You definitely won't get bored at this airport.

A night transfer? Find a hotel near SIN Airport

How much time do you need

This will decide what you can do.

2-3 hours

• stay in transit
• short break, food, gardens.

Jewel is already unnecessary stress.

4-6 hours

• Jewel + waterfall
• smaller attractions
• food

Ideal option (we had a similar time).

8+ hours

• Airport + possibly downtown
• combination with Marina Bay or Gardens by the Bay
• 👉 Read our article with tips on what to see in Singapore during your layover

Public area vs transit

Various attractions and points of interest are scattered throughout the airport.

Some in the transit area (airside), others in the public area (landside).

The public area

• Jewel Changi Airport (main attractions, Rain Vortex, restaurants, shops, Canopy)
• Digital waterfall over the arrivals exit
• Airport board with custom outline
• Commemorative boarding pass with custom photo

👉 Must pass immigration control

Transit

• Gardens
• Pool
• relaxation zones

👉 ideal for short transfers

Can you stay at the Jewel during a layover?

Yes, but only if you enter Singapore.

This means:

• pass immigration control.
• meet the conditions of entry

👉 see the article on visas for Singapore for details

When is it worth it

• you have at least 4-5 hours
• you want to see the Jewel as one of the main attractions in the whole of Singapore

When you prefer to stay in transit

• transfer in under 3 hours
• you don't want to stress about having to go through security

What to see and experience in Jewel

The Jewel building sits between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and has direct access to all of them.

Rain Vortex (the main reason to come here)

This is one of the icons of all of Singapore, not just the airport.

The waterfall is huge (measuring 40 meters), in the middle of a glass complex and visible from several floors.

The best way to view it is to take it one step at a time - first from the bottom and then go higher and view it from different angles.

In the evening, a light show is switched on. If you have the chance to be at the airport after dark, it's worth it - the atmosphere is completely different from the daytime.

• The light show takes place daily at 20:00 and 21:00
• on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus 10:00 p.m.

Canopy Park (when you have extra time)

Canopy Park is up above the waterfall and functions as an entertainment floor.

Here you will find:

• nets that you walk on several meters above the ground
• a mirror and live maze
• a view down to the Rain Vortex

I find it a nice addition especially for bigger kids.

Restaurants and shops

Jewel is not just an attraction, but a place where you can normally stop.

There are many restaurants, local eateries and shops on several floors. We were particularly interested in these shops:

• Uniqlo
• Muji
• Apple Store
• but there's a plethora of them

Commemorative boarding pass

At Jewel, we came across the option to create your own boarding pass with a photo.

• Free
• ready in 1 minute
• a great good souvenir

The store is one floor above the Apple Store - can't remember the name now, but you'll find it quite easily when browsing.

Other attractions in the public area

If you have time for more, be sure to stop by Terminal 2 as well.

The Wonderfall

If you walk through Terminal 2, you'll come across another "waterfall" - this one digital.

It's called The Wonderfall, and it's a huge LED waterfall-style installation that's several stories high.

Unlike Jewel:

• it's not real water, it's a projection
• is right in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2.

The whole panel is surrounded by greenery and periodically a short "show" is put on where the water starts to move in a different way than just down, and the whole thing is quite spectacular.

It's in the public section of Terminal 2, so you can get in without a ticket - similar to the pre-security section of the airport.

For me, one of the most spectacular things in Singapore, comparable to Rain Vortex at Jewel or Gardens by the Bay downtown.

Flap Pix

You stand in front of an old departure board and it uses flip-flops to create your outline.

The whole thing takes a few seconds and the result is more stylized than realistic - but that's what's fun about it.

You'll find the board on the 1st floor of Terminal 2 between the check-in desks and the Jewel Building.

Attractions in transit (without immigration control)

If you don't want to leave the transit area, there are a few attractions here as well.

Rooftop pool

One of the most interesting things you can do at the airport - swim with a view of the planes taking off.

The pool belongs to the Aerotel and is in the transit area of Terminal 1, so you can get here during your layover without leaving the airport.

The pool is small and more for refreshing yourself than swimming, but there are comfortable loungers around and towel hire and a shower are included.

• 25 sgd (Aerotel guests get in free)
• 12:00-22:00

For me, the pool is a great option if you want to relax and shower at the same time and don't have access to the lounge.

Book a room at the Aerotel

Sunflower garden

Roof terrace with sunflowers in Terminal 2.

• View of the airport apron
• Ideal for a short stop

Butterfly garden

A small tropical butterfly garden right in Terminal 3.

• A real "piece of nature" in the middle of the airport
• suitable for a short break

Does it make sense to go downtown?

• within 5 hours → no
• 6-8 hours → maybe
• 8+ hours → yes
• 👉 Read our article with tips on what to see in Singapore during your layover
• 👉 our experience with transport from Changi Airport

Where to put your luggage?

If you're connecting on one booking, you don't have to worry about your luggage at all. It will be transferred automatically between flights.

Otherwise, there are luggage lockers at many airport locations. We write about these specifically in the Singapore Airport Services article.

Common mistakes

1️⃣ Little time to return
Checkpoints in Singapore are only at the departure gates. Some of them are far away, so always allow at least 45 minutes from the public area to the departure gate.

2️⃣ Confusion between Jewel and terminals
Jewel is a separate building in front of terminals 1, 2 and 3.

3️⃣ Underestimating the time
The airport takes longer than you expect. It took us over 2 hours just walking around the shops in Jewel.

What to deal with before your trip?

If you will have a long layover in Singapore, it pays to check before you travel:

• you do not need a visa for Singapore (most countries in the world do not)
• which terminal you are departing from
• how to get from the airport to the city centre

What to arrange in advance?

• eSIM to stay connected to the internet when travelling from the airport
  • I personally use airalo.com
• A card to pay on the spot (you don't need cash at all in Singapore, even for a metro or taxi ride)
  • I've been using Revolut for a long time.

Looking for destination information?

Singapore is just a transfer point for you.

But we have visited many places in the world and bring you our personal experiences.

You can travel through Singapore to places like these, where we have been:

• What to see in Kuala Lumpur
• How to get to Borobud Temple in Yogyakarta
• Melbourne - the best places to visit
• Where to stop on the Great Ocean Road
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