Your Complete Travel Guide to Singapore Changi Airport: Tips for a Smooth Journey for Travellers
Every airport around the world boasts about its facilities related to commuting. However, Singapore Changi Airport is one of a kind that has everything that a wild imagination dreams.
Apart from providing efficient conveniences, like dining, shopping, lounges, and high-tech ticket assisting systems, they also have Reliable airport transfers in Singapore.
But how is it different from any other airport? Well, it also has an indoor forest area with a waterfall, popularly called as the Jewel as well as a pokemon fun center.
They offer a smooth experience to travelers from arrival to ticketing or layover, and departure facilities, which we are going to explore in this travel guide.
Arriving at Changi Airport
According to their recent stats, Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines flying to 400 cities in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Needless to say, it’s a busy place and therefore understanding the requirements is necessary to ensure an easy check-in process.
- Set aside 2-3 hours of arrival time at the Airport to clear the immigration process without any hurry.
- Be sure of your Terminal number and bulk baggage while also following airport authority rules.
- You should have your nationality ID, passport, visa, eHDC or electronic Health Declaration Card via the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) e-Service.
- If you have any goods to declare then pass through the Red Channel otherwise you can pass through the Green Channel.
- In case of any damaged baggage, you can contact the handling agent of your respective airline.
Exploring Changi Airport Terminals
Having an idea about the number of terminals an airport has makes it easier to navigate through the large hallways.
Singapore’s Changi Airport has three interconnected terminals T1, T2, and T3. You can either walk through each terminal or take a Skytrain to arrive quickly while also enjoying shopping or lounge-hopping.
There is a fourth terminal, T4, which requires a bus ride because it is in a separate section. It is the newest one and may require a separate boarding pass for access.
FUN FACT
Changi Airport has a 40 meter tall HSBC rain vortex which is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, inspired by Singapore’s tropical rains.
Making the Most of Your Layover
Whatever your business as a traveller, it’s always convenient to have retiring rooms apart from luxury lounges for flight layovers.
Now, most of the world’s airports have affordable rooms available inside the airport vicinity.
However, at Changi Airport, if you have a long layover with no additional immigration checks, you get a free 2.5 hour tour of Singapore.
It requirements include:
- Layover should be somewhere from 5.5 to 24 hours between flights.
- You need to be eligible to enter Singapore.
- Pre-registration for the tour is necessary to avail these benefits.
- Or sign-up can be done at the T2 and T3 terminals.
- The meeting points are near these terminals, so avoid exiting the immigration area.
- There is a Heritage Tour and a City Sights Tour.
Dining and Shopping at Changi Airport
While transiting through the huge Airport, passengers might get hungry. There are endless rows of food courts located on the first floors of all terminals.
You can find popular food chains as well as street meals to replenish your thirst and hunger pangs.
There are also facilities for late night dining and bars perfect for frequent flyers or business people.
In addition to all this, all shops at terminals that are duty-free, tax-free, and GST relief. You can indulge in international brands
There are regular promotions and attractive reward points easing the stress of shopping internationally.
DO YOU KNOW?
Changi Airport is famous for its indoor forest sanctuary with over 2,000 different trees and palms and more than 100,000 shrubs spanning approximately 21,000 square meters.
Departing from Changi Airport
In our Travellers guide to Singapore Changi Airport, we will now talk about the departure procedure.
There are 5 things to review before departing from Changi Airport:
- Always check the travel advisory of your visiting location provided on the Airport’s website according to the country.
- Pay heed to the pre-flight checks such as usage of overseas Wi-Fi router, luggage allowances, excess baggage and gift shipping facilities.
- Check-in procedure does not take time with online features, however, it’s advised to cooperate patiently with the airport authorities.
- At the immigration center of Changi Airport, there’s an automated clearance system to make the process smoother. If you have purchased something from Singapore, you can get a refund on your GST through The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). Travellers exceeding a cash amount of $20,000 need to report it to the immigration officers.
- Always be careful of baggage restrictions which will speed up the security screening process.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Experience
Here are some quick tips to help you navigate through the Singapore’s Changi Airport:
- You can use the screens in the terminal to find your airline’s departure gate. There is an early check-in facility as well to get a boarding pass way before the departing time.
- There is a security screening at the front gate of the Airport. However, after check-in, you will be directed straight to the immigration section to speed up the procedure.
- Most of the check-in and bag drop at Terminal 4 is self-serve. It also has an automated immigration and boarding facility.
Conclusion
As you must have figured out by now that Singapore’s Changi Airport has everything for a comfortable arrival and boarding experience.
It is a mini world within the trainsits with gardens and entertainment centers. It also has an efficient check-in procedure and tech-driven ticketing system.
We hope this complete travel guide to Changi Airport will assist you in smoothly taking off toward your destination.
