Layover lowdown: Singapore Changi Airport
While many people understandably try to minimize the time they spend at an airport, long connections (especially on international flights) are inevitable at some point in your journey. Many airports have gone above and beyond to make the passenger experience more enjoyable, but there's only one airport I can think of that has taken this to the next level and worked to attract customers who aren't even flying to come visit the airport (just don't try and visit a lounge if you aren't flying!). I'm talking about Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), voted the Skytrax World's Best Airport seven years in a row. Today, we're going to take a look at why this airport keeps winning awards, and how you can pass a layover of any length here.
At the airport
Earlier this year, Changi opened The Jewel, a 1.46-million-square-foot shopping and retail complex connected to the airport. The Jewel is home to the world's largest indoor waterfall, the 131 foot tall HSBC Rain Vortex, which dumps over 10,000 gallons of water per minute through the center of the building.
Changi has four different terminals that are connected by a light rail system that runs right through the center of The Jewel. I was lucky enough to get to spend a day wandering around The Jewel shortly after it opened in April, and can easily say that most people could pass a full 24 hours wandering, shopping, eating and taking endless photos here without getting bored.
Long before this crown jewel opened its doors to visitors, Changi already boasted a long list of attractions to keep passengers busy including:
- Butterfly garden (T3)
- Cactus garden (T1)
- Enchanted garden, orchid gardens, koi pond and sunflower garden (T2)
- Movie theatre (T2 & T3)
- Changi aviation gallery (T3)
- Zone X arcade (T3)
Terminal 3 is also home to a 39-foot tall slide that can help kids and adults quickly transit between the different levels.
In addition, all four terminals feature baby changing and care rooms, music lounges, prayer rooms, massage chairs and free Wi-Fi stations.
Airport hotels
Changi airport has plenty of hotels to pick from, no matter your budget or what type of accommodation you're looking for. There's a YotelAir in The Jewel, which is fairly cheap with "cabins" starting at about $100 per night, but the rooms are incredibly tight.
Changi is also home to a Crowne Plaza for those looking for a full-service hotel experience, with rooms starting at about ~$200 or 40,000 IHG points per night. The Crowne Plaza sells day room passes for those simply looking for a quiet place to shower and recollect before their next flight, while the YotelAir sells rooms by the hour for the same purpose. Terminals 2 and 3 also feature an Ambassador Transit Hotel.
Shopping
Between The Jewel and the four airport terminals, Changi has a wide range of shopping options including duty free, high-end luxury brands, and even consumer favorites like an Apple store and a multi-story Nike store. In addition to the wide variety of options, there's one thing that makes shopping at Changi more rewarding than other airports: the Changi rewards program.
Changi rewards members can earn anywhere from 10 to 60 points per SGD$10 spent and can redeem their points for KrisFlyer miles, discount vouchers, travel accessories and more.
Getting downtown
Changi is well-connected to Downtown Singapore, and you have several options for getting to and from the airport. The easiest might be to hail a taxi or call a Grab, a popular ridesharing option in Southeast Asia similar to Uber. When I was in Singapore over the summer I found the prices to be fairly similar between taxis and Grabs, so you can pick whichever option is more convenient.
If you're looking to save money and take public transit instead, the 36 bus will take you from Changi to the marina area, with stops at the Ritz Carlton and the Esplanade mall. The bus costs about $1.60 each way. Another option is to take the MRT, which involves going two stops over to Tanah Merah and connecting to the east-west line, which runs downtown. The price depends on how far you travel, but one-way tickets will be about ~$2.
For those with a longer layover who are looking to see the city, Changi also offers free guided Singapore tours in under 3 hours. You must be a transiting passenger with between 5.5 and 24 hours until your connecting flight in order to qualify, and you can choose between a "city sights" tour that will take you by the iconic Supertrees at the Gardens by the Bay, or a heritage tour through Chinatown and Little India.
Bottom Line
Long layovers don't have to be a dreaded and unpleasant part of the travel experience, and airports like Singapore Changi are proving that they can actually be an enjoyable part of the trip. Whether you're transiting Changi on your way somewhere else or simply arriving or departing from Singapore, this is one of the world's most enjoyable airports in which to pass the time. I've been to Singapore twice in the last year, and on both occasions I left feeling like I could happily come back and spend a full day at Changi without leaving the airport once.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.