Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
First 24: Changi
When’s an airport a destination in its own right? When it’s Singapore Changi. As the flight hub bags yet another gold gong, Olivia Lee spends 24 hours under its tropical glass sky...
Admire the ‘jewel’ in Singapore’s crown – without leaving the airport
Before you arrive
Singapore might be the only country in the world that considers a day trip to the airport a fun way to spend a Saturday. When that airport has a sunflower garden, a giant slide and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall though, it’s easy to understand the appeal.
Changi International Airport, located in the east of Singapore, has just secured ‘World’s Best Airport’ for the 19th consecutive year in our Reader Travel Awards. Our readers aren’t alone in this opinion – Changi has received more than 600 ‘Best Airport’ awards since it opened in 1981, making it the most decorated airport in history.
Perhaps that’s because it’s home to the only airport butterfly garden in the world, or Singapore’s largest hedge maze. Or maybe it’s because of the free movie theatres and the rooftop pool that overlooks the runway. Whatever the reason, Changi definitely deserves all the praise it gets. After all, there aren’t any other airports we’d happily suggest you spend 24 hours in.
The layout
Changi Airport has four terminals, plus the newly-built Jewel Changi Airport – a 10-story glass-domed retail complex connected to terminal 1, packed with eateries, gardens and shops. Many of Changi’s sights are beyond security, aimed at
transit passengers or those departing Singapore. Jewel, though, is pre-security; geared towards day-trippers and those with enough time before or between flights.
Getting around
As many of the sights are within the terminals, you’ll need to travel to see them all. T1, T2 and T3 are inter-connected, so you can walk between them (or take the Skytrain). Passengers flying from T4 – a 12-minute bus ride away – can visit attractions in all terminals, but not vice versa. Jewel can be accessed by anyone, but transit passengers (with at least five hours to spare) will need to clear immigration to visit.
ASK A LOCAL
“Singaporeans love Changi Airport – it’s so clean and green. People often go for the day, especially to Jewel Changi Airport for all the gardens and cool restaurants. If you’re there in the evening, make sure you watch Jewel’s light show.”
Stefanie Bay-evitt, who’s visited Changi Airport over 70 times.