First of all, Changi Airport is an airport. But it is also a shopping mall, a museum, a theme park, and a garden all wrapped up in one. After you finish exploring all that Changi has to offer, the flight might feel like the least interesting part of your trip.
The Shopping Hustle
Before I even start to talk about waterfalls and gardens, let’s talk about shopping. Changi Rewards is the best – any purchase at more than 85% of the stores gives you points. Collect them, swap them, feel fancy. And every purchase at Changi is tax-free. If you’re feeling too lazy to walk around, iShopChangi is there for you. Just order online anywhere from 3 days to 12 hours prior to your flight and then pick up your order at the airport or if you are staying in Singapore, have it delivered. Easy.
Some of the hottest brands you can find in iShopChangi include Apple, Samsung, Sony, Oppo, DJI, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, SK-II, La Mer, Johnnie Walker, Martell, and, you guessed it, Moutai. It is basically a techie and beauty-lover’s paradise in a terminal.
Hangout Spots You Might Get Lost In
Let’s get to the attractions. Jewel Changi Airport is the jewel (pun intended). Picture yourself relaxing by the HSBC Rain Vortex – the tallest indoor waterfall in the world – complete with a Shiseido Forest Valley. On top of that, you have Canopy Park with slides and mazes, Terminal 3’s Butterfly Garden or Dreamscape Garden, Wonderfall at T2 – you start to see this is more.
And if you’re into those history types the Changi Chapel and Museum is sitting there too. If not, they still have arcades, TV lounges, and playgrounds to keep the spirit alive.
The Hunt For Food & Coffee
But hold on – don’t just think it is all shopping bags and waterfalls. Are you hungry? You can get Paris Baguette or Swensens out in the public zone, or go to Starbucks in transit. If you want something more local, then Bee Cheng Hiang’s bak kwa or Bengawan Solo’s cakes are like edible souvenirs, while coffee connoisseurs are obsessed with Bacha Coffee or TWG. Got a sweet tooth? The Cocoa Trees is practically heaven disguised as duty free.
A Brief Overview of the Airport Complex
Here’s a short reference on where to spend your money (or points):
Transiting Area Marks
- Bacha Coffee
- Lotte
- Shilla
- Starbucks / Starbucks Reserve
- The Cocoa Trees
- TWG
Public Area Marks
- Bee Cheng Hiang
- Bengawan Solo
- Guardian
- Paris Baguette
- Swensens
- Jewel Marks
- FairPrice
- Rich & Good
- Sushiro
- Uniqlo
In a Nutshell (Before You Even Board)
So the punchline is, if you are worried about “killing time” at Changi, you are doing it wrong. Between selfies with the waterfall, parks with mazes, luxury shopping, local snacks and points-hoarding at iShopChangi, you might actually want your layover to last even longer. Now that is the way an airport should be!
