Singapore Changi Airport

One of the great airports of the world is Singapore Changi Airport. And it has been for decades. This airport understands its consumers and how people move through airports, what they want to do there and how, and uses that information to provide this outstanding airport experience consistently overtime. It constantly works on improving the experience for all and it works. Singapore Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines flying to some 380 cities in about 90 countries and territories worldwide. This translates to approximately 60million passengers in the last year. It is also one of the busiest cargo hubs globally moving around 2 million tonnes in the last year. All flights are international as the country is so small that there are no domestic flights.

The concept of a line at this airport is almost non existent. It is very common to not need to wait at airline check in counters and immigration lines. Of course there are lines sometimes but they are short and the staff are very efficient. One process which is quite different at Singapore Changi Airport is that the security processing takes place at the gate. This improves efficiency at immigration for sure. Make sure arrive at the departure gate with more time than you would in other airports to allow time for security checking which is also very efficient.

Singapore Changi Airport is served by 3 teminals which are connected both internally and externally with a monorail that runs continuously. The Skytrain, as it is called, has separate cars for airside (internal) and landside (external). The trains stops at each terminal and in Terminal 3 (the largest) stops at the outlying boarding gates so that passengers do not have as far to walk. A 4th terminal for discount airlines will open end 2017 and Terminal 5 in under construction to meet the growing needs of passenger travel for the future. It is scheduled to open mid-2020’s.

Singapore Changi Airport has a well presented and comprehensive website which will be useful for pre-planning your stay at the airport www.changiairport.com

Getting to and from the airport

The airport is 20km from the city. It is well served by Mass Rapid Transport system which serves all of Singapore. The trains run at very frequent intervals and you can access all areas of the city from Changi Station. Follow the signs in all terminals to the station. The fare depends on where you are going but even at distant suburbs in Singapore, it is around $2.00. To Orchard Road Station (the tourist district of the city) is 15 stops, takes around 35minutes and costs $1.70. This is the most efficient way to get to the city. Once you are on the train you can look up where to transfer to other lines or pre-plan using the journey planner on this site www.smrt.com.sg

Buses also service the airport to some destinations in Singapore but usually the train is the best alternative. Use the Journey planner on this site to determine if the bus is a better option than the plan www.smrt.com.sg . Buses to Johur Bahru (across the border in Malaysia) also leave from the airport. All buses leave from the basement of all terminals.

Taxis are relatively cheap and available from each terminal. Join the queues across from arrivals hall at Terminal 3 and well signed at the end of the arrivals in terminal 1 and 2. The Taxi line moves fast and is well managed as is the speed and security with the way the taxis are managed. The Taxi costs between $20-40 and takes 25-40 minutes, depending on what time you are travelling and where you are going.

Facilities at Singapore Changi Airport

This airport is extremely well serviced with everything you will need at arrival, departure and in transit. Highlights:
• Shopping. All the name brands and more are available at each airport. The airport bookshops are well stocked with books and magazines and much on the Singapore and its key historic and current contributors
• Bathrooms are immaculately clean and refreshed often
• Airline lounges and pay per use lounges are available in all terminals.
• Luggage storage facilities in all terminals for short term and long term storage
• Business Centers in all terminals with passenger meeting facilities available
• Free Wifi for your personal devices and Free Internet connection stations throughout the terminals
• Free City Sight-seeing Tours. This tour is run exclusively for passengers in transit and so long as you have the required in transit time available, you can take the tour of the city and be returned to the airport in time for your onward journey.
• Sculpture and art exhibits including an aviation art gallery and massive installations throughout the terminals, galleries in themselves
• Gardens to wander around in including the butterfly garden
• Swimming pool and Jacuzzi which is most unique. It is outdoor so allows you to get outside the terminal and remember, the weather is always warm. It costs around $17 and includes showering facilities.
• Movie Theatre and TV Lounge which is something not available at other airports
• Entertainment deck with latest games centre
• Hair, Beauty and spas to get your hair cut/blow dried, nail salon, massage and other beauty services
• Hotels. Airside there is a hotel which can be booked by the hour in case you need a few hours sleep while in transit and there is a 5 star hotel landside which is connected to Terminal 3 (no bus ride required!)
• Free to Use Rest Areas with lounging chairs that have let supports and lie back to allow better rest and sleep
• Prayer Rooms which are useful as quiet spaces also
• Medical Clinics and pharmacies with pharmacists on duty at all times
• Wheel Chair and Special Needs Support which can be pre-booked
• ATM machines and money changers throughout all terminals
• GST refund facilities at each terminal
• Local SIM card Purchase are for sale at each terminal
• Post offices and postal and courier services from vending machines
• Telephone services including pay phones and fax facilities
• Ground Transportation Concierge to help you get where you need to go
• Hotel Reservation Counters for making reservations at all types of hotels throughout Singapore
• Information and Customer Service Counters which are always manned
• Convenience Stores with a range of groceries!
• Lost and Found with very helpful staff
• Baby care rooms in all terminals which are much more than a shelf
• Family activity stations including the Slide @T3, a very fun airport experience
• Children’s playgrounds of all descriptions and include activity stations for drawing and the like