While going to Kuala Lumpur recently for an IEEE event, my flight was via Singapore. It was a three hour long layover on the way, while returning from KL, it was almost five hours. This was my first visit to Changi, and it was really mesmerizing. If you happen to be there like me on layover, few suggestions to plan your time in the best possible way is mentioned below.
1. Jewel Changi
Please get Singapore visa done. It doesn't cost much. I missed this point before traveling. This would help you checkout from Singapore and visit the famous Jewel Changi, the huge waterfall within the dome. If you carry Singapore visa, you need to get out of Terminal 1 and go through customs gate to land right into Jewel Changi. For rest who are not carrying Singapore visa (like us) and is running short on time, there is a work around. Please board the skytrain from Terminal 2 and go to Terminal 3. This would cut through the Jewel Changi and you can get a view of it.
2. Skytrain
The driverless trains connect the three terminal of Changi airport. They come at regular frequency. If you need to move from one terminal to the other to board next flight, don't worry. Just follow the signages to reach the skytrain terminals and board the train (for free). They would take you to the next terminal within 1-4 minutes.
3. Butterfly park
Its in terminal 3. The place is small, where you need to walk down the stairs to reach the bottom. The variety of butterflies is quite mind blowing. You can spend 15 minutes at this garden for some quick snaps.
4. Enchanted garden
This didnt appear to be too exciting. Good for a click or two.
5. Sunflower garden
Sunflowers are strewn at many places in Changi, may be Singaporeans have some connections with Sunflower? You would get lots of sunlight and few good frames if you are a photo enthusiast.
6. Dreamscape
This is really amazing. It is in T2 and you should not miss it. It requires a bit of walk but it would be worth it. The ceiling has been used as a digital display which shows sky, waterbody, splash of rain etc. There is a glasstop over which you can walk and see flora and fauna below the glass sheet. The rainwaters keep dripping from the vertical garden.
7. Shopping
There are too many places to shop from at Changi. Its easy to get confused with the options unless you know what you are looking for. I found T3 to have more options, in Oct 2024. Apart from the duty free shop (which exists in all the terminals), there are various other shops where you can look at based on your interest.
8. Food
There are restaurants, Singapore local food area and lounges. I availed the Marhaba lounge in T2 and T3. Food options are decent there and offers good brands of alcohol.
9. Fun elements
There are fun elements everywhere. Keep an eye and have fun.
10. Map
Its a huge airport and its easy to get confused with the layout, unless you know the overall map.
We ended up walking almost 7km at Changi in 4 hours, which included all of the above places and shopping. So gear up, keep the map handy and have fun at Changi!
