Changi Airport — Yes, It's Actually a Destination
Who says airports can't be fun? Changi Airport in Singapore genuinely proves the opposite. Whether you're stuck on a long layover or just want a reason to get out of the house, Changi offers hours of things to do, most of it completely free. Admittedly, I didn't take photos of everything, but you get the idea! It's a must visit...and linger longer, type of place!
The Gardens
Changi has multiple themed gardens spread across its terminals, a butterfly garden, home to over 1,000 tropical butterflies, a cactus garden, a sunflower garden, and an orchid garden with its own koi pond. Nervous flyers especially seem to appreciate the calm of wandering through greenery before a flight instead of just sitting at the gate.
Free Movie Theatres
Two free cinemas run 24 hours a day, one in Terminal 2, one in Terminal 3, playing films around the clock at no cost. Perfect for killing a few hours on a delayed flight or a long layover.
The Rooftop Pool
Yes, Changi has a rooftop swimming pool, located at the Aerotel in Terminal 1. A genuinely refreshing way to pass time between flights, especially in Singapore's heat.
Gaming, Play Areas, and Hang Outs
Beyond the gardens and the movies, Changi has gaming consoles and play areas scattered throughout the terminals, easy ways to keep kids entertained without ever needing to leave the airport itself.
Changi consistently ranks among the best airports in the world, and once you've spent a few hours here, it's easy to see why.
Coming back to update: The biggest change by far is Jewel Changi Airport, an entirely new glass-domed complex that opened in April 2019, after this article, connecting Terminals 1 through 3. Jewel is home to the Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 40 meters, surrounded by the Shiseido Forest Valley, a five-story indoor forest with walking trails and 3,000 trees. At night, the waterfall becomes a full light and sound show. The top level, Canopy Park, adds slides, a hedge maze, and sky nets suspended 25 meters up, on top of shopping and dining. If you're flying through Changi now, Jewel alone could be worth building extra layover time around.