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Free Singapore Tour

Capture the spirit of singapore during your transit.

Be enthralled by the sights, sound and colours of Singapore during your next layover. Take a walk through history at the Merlion Park. Experience a multi-sensory buzz in vibrant Chinatown. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city, with a backdrop of the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay. Discover what it feels like to live as a Singaporean at our Changi Precinct or discover a wondrous world and immerse into a lush green sanctuary at Jewel Changi Airport. 

Choose between four different tour routes during your transit if your transit is more than 5.5 hours and within 24 hours. Each tour is 2.5 hours long, and jointly organised by Singapore Airlines, Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group. Tours are conducted in English only. 

Changi Precinct Tour

Once covered by forests, swamps, rubber plantation and sand quarries, Tampines today is one of four regional centres in Singapore. This special town won the United Nations World Habitat Award, for being an exemplar of high-quality, high density and affordable housing. 

City Sights Tour

The Jubilee Bridge connects two famed landmarks - the Esplanade Theatres and the Merlion, giving you an unhindered view of Marina Bay.

Heritage Tour

Who is eligible for the tour?

The Free Singapore Tour is open to all travellers transiting in Changi Airport. Valid for passengers with layover of at least 5.5 hours, and less than 24 hours, and with flight schedules that fit the tour timing requirements.

How To Register ?

• Singapore Airlines and Scoot passengers can pre-book the tour via online booking page . You may scroll down to view and book all the tour types.
• Please note that while making the booking, you will have to input the name of all passengers going on the tour so that we can reserve the corresponding number of spaces.
• When you arrive at Changi Airport, please remain in the transit area and do not clear immigration as the registration booths are located at the transit area.
• Terminal 2 transit, Near Skytain to Terminal 3, Gate F50
• Terminal 3 transit, Near Transfer Lounge A, Gate A1-A8

Important Things To Note:

• Registration will close 1 hour before the tour start time and participants will be guided as a group to clear immigration before the tour starts.
• Availability of seats is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Transit passengers are allowed to enter and exit Singapore only once during their layover period, as per guidelines stipulated by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. Therefore, passengers are not able to join more than one tour.
• Tour itinerary is subject to changes, depending on weather and traffic conditions.  
• Should you have cabin baggage, you are encouraged to leave them as Left Baggage counter located here prior to registration at the Free Singapore Tour booth.
• There are food sampling segments on some of the tour itineraries. If you have any food allergies, please take precautions and sign up at your own discretion. Please also inform the tour guide before the tour starts. 

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Free Singapore Tour for transfer and transit passengers returns from 3 April

Transit and transfer passengers flying through Singapore Changi Airport can once again experience the Free Singapore Tour, this time with refreshed itineraries and a new Changi Precinct tour.

Photo credit: Changi Airport Group

SINGAPORE, 3 April 2023 – Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) re-launched the Free Singapore Tour today after a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19. Three of the existing tours available since pre-Covid-19 - the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour – have been refreshed to include new points of interest. A brand-new Changi Precinct tour will introduce travellers to the interesting sights and sounds of the eastern region surrounding Singapore Changi Airport. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours and will be available daily, with plans to progressively increase to nine tours a day.

With transit and transfer passengers accounting for about 30% of passenger traffic at Changi Airport pre-pandemic, the tour was first introduced in 1987 to enhance the airport’s attractiveness as a transfer hub and to entice transit and transfer passengers to visit Singapore as a holiday destination. In 2019, over 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour. The top markets were India, Australia and Indonesia, with Indian and Australian travellers making up more than one third of the total participants.

New Changi Precinct tour to showcase eastern Singapore

The Changi Precinct Tour is a new itinerary that will bring participants to the eastern part of Singapore to visit local community spaces such as the Tampines heartland, and to admire the rustic charms of Changi Village and Changi Beach. It offers a glimpse of how local residents live, and tells the tale of Singapore’s history on this part of the island, away from the usual hustle and bustle of Singapore’s city centre.

Refreshed itineraries to offer travellers new experiences

At the Jewel Tour, in addition to visiting popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex, participants can now discover more about Singapore’s food heritage through local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden, and sample local snacks at the same time. Another new component of the tour is a free guided walkthrough of a digital attraction - Changi Experience Studio - for participants to experience some of its airport-themed games and interactive exhibits.

New pit stops in the City Sights Tour include the Civic District, where travellers will get an introduction to Singapore’s urban development through visits to various national monuments including the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge and The Padang. The bus route will also pass through the new Marina Bay Financial District enroute to Gardens by the Bay. The Heritage Tour, available from June, will feature places of interest such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street and Haji Lane, for participants to gain a more in-depth understanding of Singapore’s unique and diverse multi-cultural heritage.

The refreshed itineraries also highlight sustainability features at some of the locations featured in the tours, to give participants an overview of Singapore’s sustainability efforts. These include the Eco Community Garden at the rooftop of Our Tampines Hub (as part of the Changi Precinct Tour), environmental sustainability initiatives implemented at Gardens by the Bay (as part of the City Sights Tour) and Jewel (as part of the Jewel Tour).

Monster Day Tours has been appointed by CAG, SIA, and STB to run the Free Singapore Tours.

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President of Air Hub & Cargo Development at CAG, said, “The Free Singapore Tour was very popular among our transit and transfer passengers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel. For travellers who choose to transit or transfer at Changi Airport, the Free Singapore Tour is designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer, including the unique attractions and offerings at Jewel Changi Airport and the neighbouring Changi Precinct which has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Together with our partners, SIA and STB, we hope to welcome more passengers who fly through Changi Airport to enjoy a slice of Singapore through our new tours and world-class attractions and facilities.”

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, Singapore Airlines, said, “We welcome the timely relaunch of the enhanced Free Singapore Tour, which offers a unique transit experience for our customers. We are pleased to continue working closely with CAG and STB to promote the sustainable growth of travel to and through Singapore.”

Mr Chang Chee Pey, Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Singapore Tourism Board , said, "We are delighted to bring back the Free Singapore Tour through our long-standing partnership with CAG and SIA. It is imperative for us to refresh our tourism offerings to meet the demand for wellness and eco-conscious travel, and cater to travellers seeking deeper experiences. We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in future, and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer.”

Book a tour in advance on new portal

Advance booking is now available on Changi Airport’s website. Transit and transfer passengers who wish to join the Free Singapore Tour must have a layover period of at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours. Participants will need to have a valid entry visa for Singapore to take part in the tours.

For more information, visit the Free Singapore Tour page here .

For the detailed tour itineraries, click here – City Sights Tour , Jewel Tour, Changi Precinct Tour , Heritage Tour .

About Changi Airport Group   

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) ( www.changiairportgroup.com ) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.  

As one of Asia’s most connected international aviation hubs, Changi Airport links Singapore to some 140 cities globally, with over 90 airlines operating more than 5,500 weekly flights. Jewel Changi Airport, a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination, opened in April 2019, adding to Changi Airport’s shopping and dining offerings of over 550 F&B and retail outlets across the airport. The world’s most awarded airport, Changi has won over 650 accolades for its consistent and excellent airport staff service, passenger experience and safety standards.   

Follow Changi Airport on social media: Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Telegram | TikTok   

About Singapore Airlines

The SIA Group’s history dates back to 1947 with the maiden flight of Malayan Airways Limited. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways Limited and then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). In 1972, MSA split into Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysian Airline System. Initially operating a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to 22 cities in 18 countries, SIA has since grown to be a world-class international airline group that is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership and Network Connectivity. For more information, please visit www.singaporeair.com.

About the Singapore Tourism Board 

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More:  www.stb.gov.sg  or  www.visitsingapore.com

About the Organisation

What industry does your organization fall within, what best describes the key intent of the project that your organisation is seeking funding for, is your organisation a singapore-registered legal entity, is your organisation an association, is the project able to achieve one or more of the following outcome.

• Increase no. of sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of foreign cruise passengers to Singapore through sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of pre/post nights for cruise passengers sailing to/from Singapore
• Increase capability of industry players via cruise-specific industry training programmes
• Strengthen the potential/ attractiveness of cruising in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia

Is the project able to achieve one or more of the following?

• Improve visitor satisfaction (especially foreign visitors)
• Increase footfall
• Increase revenue
• Significant branding and PR value

Is the project able to attract foreign visitors and contribute to foreign visitors' spend?

Who will be the main target audience of your project, is your project innovative and/or a new event in singapore with tourism potential, what best describes your project, does the event have proven track records in singapore or overseas, and/or growth in tourism value such as growing foreign visitorship, and/or enhancement of precinct vibrancy etc, does the project have a clear tourism focus (e.g. tourism-related trainings, tourism companies taking on capability development initiatives or technology companies creating technology products and services for the tourism businesses), what best describes your market feasibility study project.

Based on your selection, the following STB grant/s may be applicable for your project:

Please note that projects that have commenced prior to Singapore Tourism Board's offer may not be eligible for grant support. Examples where projects are deemed as having commenced include:

• Applicant has started work on the project e.g. tender has been called.
• Applicant has made payment(s) to any supplier, vendor or third party.
• Applicant has signed a contractual agreement with any supplier, vendor or third party.

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• Singapore Sightseeing | Free tour of Singapore while transiting through Changi Airport

How to score a free tour of Singapore while transiting through Changi Airport

12 Dec 2019

Heard about Singapore,  but haven’t had the opportunity to visit? Or perhaps you’ve transited at Singapore Changi Airport, but never got to see the country? Well, don’t miss out the next time you have a stopover at the airport in Singapore!

This ethnically diverse island city-state is culturally rich with lots to see, eat and do. Given its small geographical size, you can actually get to do quite a bit of sighting-seeing while on a layover ! Simply sign up for a free city tour when you’re at Changi Airport. And who knows, this glimpse of the city may just inspire you to plan for a proper trip to Singapore in the future!

The Free Singapore Tour is a special programme for Changi Airport’s transit passengers. It brings tour participants who have a minimum of 5.5hrs of transit time on a 2.5hr guided tour of Singapore. There are seven daily tours to choose from and seats are on a first-come-first-served basis.

There are two types of bus tours to choose from – a Heritage Tour that offers a glimpse of the different cultures that can be found in Singapore; and a City Sights Tour that offers a quick summary of key tourist attractions.

1. Heritage Tour – for an immersive, cultural experience

Get a glimpse into Singapore’s various cultures on the Heritage Tour route.

As the name suggests, this tour gives you a glimpse of the various cultures that make Singapore a melting pot. This tour brings you to Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and the Merlion Park, with a short stop at Kampong Glam and Merlion Park for photo-taking! Chinatown, like all other international cities around the world, is where you’ll get a full-blown experience of the local Chinese community and its heritage. Little India is the heart of the Indian community and Kampung Glam is the Malay-Muslim quarter in Singapore. Each of these places has unique characteristics representing the different cultures – a must visit if it’s your first time here!

Pro-tip: if you are transiting through Singapore during the festive periods of Lunar New Year, Deepavali or Ramadan/Hari Raya, these areas will be decked out with colourful lights along the streets. There will also be night markets set up to celebrate these important cultural events. Tours to these locations will give you a fantastic opportunity to take lots of photos as you breeze through the streets in the Free Singapore Tour bus.

2. City Sights Tour – for lovers of modern architecture

Night shot of Singapore’s CBD area at night

The Singapore skyline is a sight to behold and you’ll be amazed to hear the story of how this bustling modern city was once a small fishing village. Singapore is also often voted as one of the best cities for international businesses. This tour route will bring you to the Central Business District, parts of the renowned Orchard Road shopping belt, the Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay . Participants can expect a short stop at Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay for photo-taking.

Excited to hop onto the Free Singapore Tour bus? Here are some other information you’ll need to know before your adventure begins.

How do I register for the Free Singapore Tour?

In case you’re wondering how the sign up booth looks like, this is it!

As this tour is highly popular, reservations are not allowed to avoid no-shows. You are encouraged to head to the tour counters as soon as you arrive to book the tour slots. If you have some time before the tour, you can also explore other parts of the airport to find out why it’s been so highly rated by travellers around the world.

Pro-tip: if you’re flying with Singapore Airlines or SilkAir, you can contact your local Singapore Airlines office to make a booking for you.

Do I need a visa?

Citizens of certain nationalities require a visa for the Free Singapore Tour, while some nationalities are eligible for a Visa Free Transit Facility. You may visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s website to check on visa requirements.

Can I leave the tour midway and venture around Singapore on my own?

You are not allowed to leave the tour midway as the tour operator must send everyone back to the airport. However, once you return to the airport, you are free to continue your adventure in Singapore should you wish to. Wherever you go, please ensure that you factor enough time to return to the airport for your connecting flight.

Plan early for best results

To make the best of your Free Singapore Tour, do plan your trip early and do some research. Check out what other tour participants have posted on Instagram using #FreeSingaporeTour and on TripAdvisor - both are good resources for reading about their experiences. (P/S: Do share the love by contributing a review on TripAdvisor so other travellers can hear about your experience too.)

Got more questions?

Most of the commonly asked questions and answers on Changi’s website should address your needs. If you have other questions on the tours which are not found online, send your questions to [email protected] and the team will be happy to assist.

Happy travels!

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Be rewarded when you shop at Changi!

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Free Singapore Tour for layover travellers resumes, visits to local residences now included

SINGAPORE - After a three-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Free Singapore Tour for layover travellers resumed on Monday, comprising four daily guided tours of less than three hours each.

For the first time, visits to local community spaces and residences will be among the itinerary options for transit and transfer visitors who are here for 5½ to 24 hours.

The newest addition is a 2½-hour-long Changi Precinct Tour, which includes stops at Tampines New Town to see local housing, and at Tampines Central Park to catch uniquely designed playgrounds.

Other stops include Singapore’s first integrated community and lifestyle hub, Our Tampines Hub; Changi Chapel and Museum; Changi Village; and Changi Beach Park.

Three returning tours – City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour – will have new points of interest.

The City Sights Tour will now include a stop in the Civic District to take in the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge and the Padang. The bus route will also take visitors through the Marina Bay Financial District en route to Gardens by the Bay.

The Heritage Tour, which will be available from June, will stop at multicultural destinations such as Chinatown, Arab Street and Haji Lane.

On the Jewel Tour, tourists will visit popular Changi Airport attractions such as the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex, as well as sample snacks and learn about Singapore’s food heritage through local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden.

The free tours, which will be run by home-grown company Monster Day Tours, can be booked on the Changi Airport website.

The bus tours – Changi Precinct, City Sights and Heritage – take up to 40 visitors each session, while the Jewel Tour, a walking tour, accepts up to 25 persons for a round.

There are plans to progressively increase the frequency to nine tours a day, from the three starting on Monday, said Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in a joint statement.

Transit and transfer passengers accounted for about 30 per cent of passenger traffic at Changi Airport prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, they said.

Over 80,000 passengers went on the free tours in 2019, with travellers from India and Australia making up more than one-third of the total participants.

“The Free Singapore Tour was very popular among our transit and transfer passengers prior to the pandemic, and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel,” said Mr Lim Ching Kiat, executive vice-president of air hub and cargo development at CAG, adding that the tour is designed to give travellers a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer.

Mr Chang Chee Pey, assistant chief executive of the marketing group at STB, said: “It is imperative for us to refresh our tourism offerings to meet the demand for wellness and eco-conscious travel, and cater to travellers seeking deeper experiences.

“We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in future, and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer.”

Before the start of the pandemic, Changi Airport was the world’s seventh busiest in terms of international passenger traffic, managing a record 68.3 million passenger movements in 2019.

The recovery of passenger traffic is on track, with Transport Minister S. Iswaran saying in March that it is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.

STB’s forecasts for visitor arrivals in 2023 are bullish, with 2022’s 6.3 million figure expected to double and hit 12 million to 14 million.

Singapore’s international visitor arrivals grew to 957,605 in February, up from 931,652 in January.

While the February figure set a new record since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, it is still significantly below the 1.7 million visitors recorded in January 2020.

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Explore Changi International Airport – Including the Free Tours

Changi International Airport is the home of Singapore’s airport waterfall. Yes, a waterfall inside the airport and not a tiny trickle of water flow. It is the tallest inside waterfall in the world, and it free falls from the sky!

Even if you are not familiar with Changi International Airport, I bet you have heard that Singapore’s airport is voted the best in the world. Skytrax rated the World’s Best Airport (known initially as Inflight Research Services) for seven consecutive years. Statistically, the airport holds this award for the World’s Best International Airport by passenger numbers. Currently 50 million-plus passengers. However, most know it and marvel at it because it is home to Singapore’s airport waterfall , inside the Jewel.

Changi International Airport is a hub to all of southeast Asia . It has become a tourist attraction of its own. One that almost all explores, even if passing through on a connection. You need to see for yourself to comprehend why it consistently ranks as one of the best airports in the world.

If you want to come to Singapore for a vacation and think how it will be most profitable to get to the Changi International Airport, then I suggest you use the search form below, which will offer you the cheapest and best flight options.

Changi International Airport is overloaded with attractions such as a sprawling mall, a four-story slide, the swimming pool on the rooftop, a butterfly garden, movie theaters, one of which is 4D, and the waterfall inside the Jewel.

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How to Spend Your Layover at Changi International Airport

Despite its status as one of the region’s busiest airports, Changi Airport is a comfortable place to wait out one’s long layover.

Explore the Jewel

Launched in 2019, Jewel cost US$1.3 billion to build. It is five stories tall, spans 1,453,127 square feet, and is open to flying passengers and non-flying visitors.

The Jewel is best known for the Rain Vortex, commonly known as Jewel’s waterfall, the airport waterfall, and Singapore’s airport waterfall. The waterfall is surrounded by the Shiseido Forest Valley, one of Singapore’s largest indoor plant collections.

Free Sightseeing Tour of Singapore

Changi International Airport offers three free tours to choose from:

City Sights Tour​

If you have a layover at least five and a half hours long, you can participate in this tour. You must stay in the transit area and not clear immigration if you want to take this tour.

The tour is two and a half hours long. It hits all of the highlights, such as Marina Bay Sands , the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, and the central business district. A “City Lights” tour takes place after dark, and the tour circles around the Marina Bay district, Bugis Village, and the Raffles Hotel. The tours run seven times a day, seven days a week, and there are two bus tour itineraries to choose from.

Heritage Tour

If you have a layover that is a least five and a half hours long, you can participate in this tour. You must stay in the transit area and not clear immigration if you want to take this tour.

The tour is two and a half hours long. This tour shows you the architectural brilliance of Singapore’s past and present as you visit colonial and cultural districts—Chinatown, Little India , Kampong Glam, and the iconic Merlion Park.

Discover a wondrous world where nature meets retail through this 2.5-hour walking tour showcasing Changi Airport’s latest development, Jewel. Immerse into a lush green sanctuary as you hike through the Forest Valley, marvel at the Rain Vortex, and sample local delicacies at Five Spice. Traverse through Canopy Park and discover the many attractions housed within the park!

Free Tour Registration Booths

• Terminal 2: Level 2, Transit Area, (between Transfer Lounge F and Skytrain to Terminal 3)
• Terminal 3: Level 2, Transit Area, (near Transfer Lounge A and Gate A1–A8)
• Other Terminals: Take the sky train within the Transit area and proceed to Terminal 3 for registration.

The Free Singapore Tour booths are open daily. The operating hours for the booths are:

• Terminal 2 booth: 7:00 AM–6:15 PM
• Terminal 3 booth: 7:00 AM–6:30 PM

Required Documents For Free Tours

Passport, boarding passes, and entry visa (if applicable)

Luggage Storage Inside Changi International Airport

If you plan to head to the airport early to explore the airport, you may be too early to check your bags.

TIP : Ticket counters typically don’t open until two hours before flights depart.

There are plenty of luggage storage facilities that allow you to store your luggage for a few hours or overnight.

Here are 2020 rates per 24 hours (inclusive of GST)

• Loose items: S$5.00
• Small items (below 10kg): S$10.00
• Big/Odd items (above 10kg): S$15.00
• Extra-large-sized items: S$18.00

Storage exists in all four terminals, including Jewel. To view where baggage storage locations are inside Changi International Airport, see here.

Changi International Airport Code, Location, Contact Information

• Airport code: SIN
• Address: Airport Blvd, Singapore on the eastern end of the island of Singapore, about a thirty minutes drive from Marina Bay Sands .
• Phone: +65 6595 6868
• Website: www.changiairport.com
• Tracking information:  Track Changi Airport arrivals and  departures .

Hotels at Changi International Airport

There are several hotels inside the airport and one outside.

Inside the Airport

• Aerotel Transit Hotel –  Terminal 1
• Ambassador Transit Hotel – Terminal 2
• Ambassador Transit Hotel – Terminal 3

These hotels are only available to passengers in transit before clearing immigration and customs. All three terminals are connected to the airside (departure transit area) and landside. Passengers can move freely between the terminals within the transit area.

• Jewel Changi Airport – YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport

Opened in 2019, this hotel offers compact cabins inside the Jewel Changi Airport shopping and dining complex. It is directly connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Outside the Airport

• Terminal 3 – Crowne Plaza Hotel Changi Airport

Next to Terminal 3, you can reach the hotel from Terminals 1 and 2 via Changi Airport SkyTrain.

Public Transportation & Taxis from Changi International Airport

The airport is located approximately 40 minutes from downtown.

There is no Uber in Singapore, but getting from the airport to your hotel is simple.

• Taxi: By far, the easiest way to get where you are going. It only costs about $20 to go from the airport to downtown. Taxi stands are located outside. All taxis use a meter system, and all accept credit cards.
• Bus: The terminals are in the basements of T1, T2, and T3. They provide direct access to Singapore. Bus #36 loops from the airport to Marina Bay Sands , Orchard Road, and back.
• Train – MRT:  The train known locally as the MRT is in the basement of terminal T2. You can take a train almost anywhere see the SMRT page to view the routes.

Shopping Inside Changi International Airport

Changi International Airport is home to over 550 stores. You can find everything from tax-free designer gear, electronics, alcohol, and tobacco. Here is the complete directory of shops Inside Changi International Airport.

If you want to pre-order and avoid strolling through the shop, visit  iShopChangi  and purchase in advance.

TIP: You can buy up to 30 days in advance of your flight or up to 18 hours before and you choose where you collect from or have the items delivered to.

Tea anyone?

Collecting a GST Refund at Changi International Airport

Shopping in Singapore is duty-free, and you can receive a 7% goods and service tax (GST) refund from all eligible purchases at the airport.

• You must spend at least $64 or SGD100 for each purchase in a shop to be eligible. *Note , there is a maximum of three receipts per day per store.
• Some shops use the eTRS system. If they do, they will provide you with an eTRS ticket. If the store does not use the eTRS system, show your passport and ask for a GST refund voucher. This is easy; almost all shops encourage you to buy by reminding you how much GST you get back.
• Once at the airport, go to the eTRS self-help kiosk. There are two kiosks at the airport. One before check-in and one after in case you have items that need checking. At the booth, swipe your passport, then scan your eTRS tickets. You can then choose your refund options. Refunds can be claimed in cash, credit to your credit card , or shopping vouchers.
• Once you have checked in, head to the Global Refund counter or Premier Tax-Free counters in the departure lounge to collect the actual refund.

Just know that a handling fee will be deducted from the total refund amount.

I know some of you will appreciate this information. For me, it’s far too much work, and I don’t buy enough expensive items for this to be worth my time.

Food and Drinks Inside Changi International Airport

Changi Airport boasts over 200 dining options that cover every genre of food and every price point. For a complete listing of food and drink options, see the directory of restaurants .

Lounges Inside Changi International Airport

There are lots of airport lounges! As a holder of Priority Pass, I had high hopes for our pre-flight time. Unfortunately, I choose the wrong lounge.

Avoid SATS Premier Lounge. It was dirty, it stunk of dead fish, and I had one bite of a steak stir fry that I have still not recovered from — no kidding. Three weeks in Asia, and no issues. One bite at SATS, and I’ve had “Delhi Belly” ever since.

• Airline Lounges : Changi International Airport Lounges .
• Priority Pass Lounges: Changi International Airport Priority Pass Lounges
• Pay-Per-Use Lounges: Changi International Airport Pay-Per-Use Lounges .

If you don’t have access to these lounges, don’t worry. There are free lounges throughout Changi Airport in all terminals. Here is a list of the free “snooze lounges”: Changi International Airport Free Snooze Lounges .

Closing Thoughts

Our approach to exploring Changi International Airport was to arrive several hours earlier than our departing flight. This was easy to do as our departing trip was at 10:30 pm. We arrived, stored our luggage in the terminal we were departing from then went straight to the Jewel.

This airport is impressive. It’s not only a marvel to view, but it’s immaculate and organized. For example, getting through security took a total of ten minutes. Where we live in Orlando , an hour is considered decent (SMH).

You could spend hours upon hours exploring it all, but realistically, the main attractions are the shopping and the waterfall inside the Jewel.

If you are connecting through or heading to Singapore, you need to make a point of exploring Changi International Airport.

Once you’ve experienced it, well, you will forever see our airports as “blah.”

Looking for more posts on things to do in Asia ? Start here:

• 10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Singapore
• Top 15 Things To Do In Bali
• The Best Guide To The Floating Villages of Siem Reap Cambodia
• The Chadar Trek – India’s Frozen River
• The Marina Bay Sands Pool: Is It Worth the Cost of Staying?
• Three Weeks in Asia – How To Travel For Free

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Brit On The Move™ Travel Resources

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• Travel Insurance :  Don’t leave home without it. View our suggestions to help you decide which travel insurance is for you:  Travel Insurance Guide .
• Want to earn tons of points and make your next trip accessible?  Check out our recommendations for Travel Credit Cards.
• Want To Take A Volunteer Vacation or a Working Holiday?  Check out the complete guide to how here!
• Want to Shop For Travel Accessories?  Check out our  Travel Shop .

Need more help planning your trip?  Check out our  Resources Page , highlighting the great companies we trust when traveling.

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Nikki Webster is a travel writer who covers how to travel while grinding a day job without breaking the bank. Nikki is always in search of off-the-beaten-track experiences and unique stays. She is particularly fond of Florida and writes extensively about the state. She flies around 60,000 miles annually and has visited 74 countries, 50 states, and six continents. You can read all about her travels at www.britonthemove.com or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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Wish I would have read your article about Changi Airport before visiting Singapore, I never would have imagined there are so much things to do there! It was one of my favourite airport even before the Rain Vortex opened but ever since I saw some photos of this waterfall I wanna go back and have a long layover in Singapore :)

Hi there Kriszti – ditto! Who knew right? I’m actually thinking of using this as my new connection via Asia as it’s so cool. And, the idea of taking a free tour and not even having to go through customs and all that… no brainer… Let me know if you do a long layover and do the free tour :) Nikki

Wait, what…? An AIRPORT WATERFALL?! That’s so amazing! I would love to go there one day! Your post is so thorough that I would just literally print it off and take it with me as my guide! :) Magda https://www.gloryofthesnow.com/

Thank you! Hope it helps and if you do go and only via a layover do the free tour for sure :)

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City Sightseeing

DISCOVER SINGAPORE ON AN OPEN-TOP BUS TOUR

The best way to see Singapore is on the City Sightseeing open-top bus tour. With one bus arriving every 15 minutes, the hop-on and hop-off bus system allows you to tour major attractions at your own pace. City Sightseeing tickets and major attraction tour packages are available at our counters located in Terminals 2, 3 and 4.

[Notice] T2 and T4 operations are temporarily suspended until further notice.

Sightseeing Tours

Combination tours, wrs packages.

Please visit  https://www.safarigate.com  for more information.

*Please note transfers included in WRS packages depart from Suntec City to the parks and back.

Arrival Hall

Opening hours: 07:00 AM–11:00 PM

+65 6546 5910

+65 6214 9123

+65 9321 7400