How to spend a long stopover at Jewel Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore is a hub for travellers flying to and from Australia. If you travel overseas, you will inevitably land a stopover at Singapore Airport at some point in time. Depending on how you like to travel, you’ll either go for the shortest stopover you can manage or add to your trip and stay a few nights at your stopover location to experience somewhere else in your travels or to help with adjusting to new time zones. If you are going for the cheapest flight or booking with points, you may end up having to take a long transit in Singapore, like I did when I flew to Lapland in autumn. Read on so you know how to spend a long stopover at Jewel Singapore Changi Airport.

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Singapore Arrival Card

First things first, everyone who is exiting the airport and going through immigration (which you are if you are going to Jewel) needs to have completed an online Singapore Arrival Card. You can do these ahead of time so I would recommend doing it before you leave Australia (or wherever you’re coming from) because it makes the process so much easier once you get to the airport.

Singapore International Airport is nothing less than exceptional. It is so efficient and easy to get through immigration (this has been our experience). The more organised you are, the more you’ll enjoy it!

Jewel Changi

Fortunately, Changi International Airport, is home to the Jewel where individuals, families or friends have opportunities for entertainment all day long! Singapore is typically an expensive destination for travellers but like all places you visit, you can visit Singapore on a budget. Changi Airport is no different. You can spend within your means and have yourself a great experience!

HSBC Rain Vortex

Jewel Changi is by far the highlight for travellers, and it is the location that is most frequented by visitors. Boasting to be the home of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a trip to Changi Airport is incomplete without seeing the HSBC Rain Vortex! It is quite a sight from head to toe and seeing it from all levels brings a level of uniqueness that makes you “WOW” every time you see it! The Rain Vortex is free to see and there is ample seating at each level from which you can enjoy the masterpiece.

Food at Jewel Changi

Jewel Changi is full of restaurants and cafes, with choices from one end of the scale to the other. For the more budget and/or health conscious, there is a supermarket on the lower level where you can buy ready made sandwiches (among other items) and fresh fruit and vegetables. There are bakeries with ready to eat options, take-away, sit down cafes and restaurants. Everything is in English so it is easy to order and know what you’re getting. Everyone speaks very good English in Singapore, too, which makes it very easy for Australian travellers to get by in a foreign country.

Additionally, throughout the complex nearby to the toilets, there are ‘pantries’. There you will find a tap for boiling water and cold water, as well as a sink. If you wanted to buy yourself a cup of noodles you could use the free hot water to complete your meal. This is a great option for anyone travelling on a budget!

On level 5 there are a great number of boutique restaurants and bars. There is a great vibe up there and the views of the Rain Vortex are not to be missed.

Changi Lounge

The Changi Lounge is a great option for travellers who are on an extended layover during the day. You can buy a three-hour pass (of varying levels) that allows you to access comfortable lounge seats, free flowing bar snacks, a bar, nap pods, meals and showers (dependent on your choice of pass).

The Hub and Spoke

An alternative location to take yourself for a shower if you have an extended stopover in Singapore is The Hub and Spoke where you can pay buy the shower.

Yotelair Changi

The Yotelair is located on the top level of Jewel Changi and a fabulous option for travellers who are staying overnight or want to have a little extra time to experience what Jewel has to offer. It has its own rooftop pool, restaurant and bar and bathrooms on the complex levels just for hotel guests.

Jewel Changi Activities

If you want to make the very most out of the Jewel experience, be sure to explore all of the levels to get access to the amazing list of activities available:

• The cinema
• The Canopy Park
• The Canopy Bridge
• Changi Experience Studio
• Shiseido Forest Valley – another free activity for travellers to enjoy.
• Sky Nets
• Foggy Bowls
• Discovery Slides
• Topiary Walk
• Hedge Maze
• Jewel-rassic Quest

You can buy tickets to all the attractions online ahead of time or you can buy on the day from each activity office.

Transport

Conveniently located on the edges of Jewel are the tunnels and transport to get to the other Terminals. Taxis and rideshares are also readily available for the main doors.

If you decide you want to get out and enjoy more of what Singapore has to offer but you’re concerned about timing, you could consider renting a transfer or driver from Singapore airport. and/or driver to help you out.

What to wear

If you are in Singapore for an extended layover, don’t be fooled by the idea of being ‘indoors’ at Jewel. It is kind of and kind of not ‘indoors’. Dress to be outdoors which typically means dress for hot! Don’t be like me and fail to wear appropriate clothes and almost end up with heatstroke!

There are literally hours of entertainment at Changi International Airport. As always, a lot of it comes with a price tag, so I recommend you plan ahead to get the most out of your day!