10 Fun Things to Do at Changi Airport If Your Flight’s Delayed

(SPOT.ph) Airports are transitionary spaces. A place you typically spend three to five hours in before flying to your next destination (or more if you’re on a layover). These places have everything you need for a quick stay that you either forget later on—seats, decent toilets, and dining outlets for snacks. But Singapore Changi Airport is a different story. 

Ranked several times by Skytrax as the "World's Best Airport," Changi Airport caters to travelers worldwide through its more than 100 airlines. It currently has four terminal buildings and three runways that serve thousands of passengers flying in and out, day in and day out, too. According to their 2019 records, Changi Airport served 68.3 million travelers to and from Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. 

One can say that Changi Airport is more than a transit point or a gateway, but an actual destination all on its own. It features a number of indoor and outdoor attractions, shops, and restaurants that passengers may opt to go there hours before their flight or even stay longer once arrived. 

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Here are 10 things to do at Singapore Changi Airport:

Enjoy the airport’s pocket gardens and floral-inspired installations

Airports are usually seen as cold monoliths of steel and glass—but not Changi. It features pocket gardens, some have live plants while others have floral-inspired installations.

The Arrival Garden at Terminal 1 welcomes visitors with a splash of color and lush greenery. The 460-square-meter garden, which emulates a dragonfly habitat, is well known for its towering Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia Robusta). 

Terminal 1 has a Cactus Garden at its rooftop where you can check out more than 100 species of cacti and other arid plants from Asia, Africa, and America. Some of the signature plants are the Barrel Cactus, Sago Palm, and Century Plant. 

Terminal 3 has the Butterfly Garden, the world's first inside an airport. It's home to over 1,000 tropical butterflies and flowering plants such as the Red Powderpuff Plant, Egyptian Star Cluster, and Indian Holly.  

Also at Terminal 3 are Han Sai Por’s "Floral Inspirations," which are larger-than-life installations with corrugated surfaces to resemble seed pods. It is a tribute to the Garden City that is Singapore.

Terminal 4 has "Steel in Bloom," which explores human interaction with nature, and is a blend of live plants and metallic structures. In addition to a koi pond, the compact garden features a six-meter piece decked with ornate botanical motifs made of steel. 

Marvel at art pieces 

Aside from being a garden airport, Changi is also a veritable museum. Its four terminals are dotted with artworks from paintings to sculptures, art installations to a replica of a Peranakan heritage zone.

Each terminal has its own centerpiece art. Terminal 4, for example, has the mesmerizing “Petalclouds,” a kinetic sculpture comprising six structures suspended across the Central Galleria. A coming together of art, music, and physics, its movements are seamless and synchronized with animated lighting and music. 

You may also be familiar with the “Kinetic Rain” sculpture at Terminal 1. It's made up of 1,216 bronze droplets, all of which move in harmony with the other "raindrops." The installation is a sight to behold, especially if you need a breather during frantic travels. We highly recommend looking at it and just waiting for abstract shapes to appear, including a hot air balloon or even a dragon, from its patterns. 

Terminal 3, on the other hand, has the massive “Coming Home'' sculpture by Chinese artist Han Meilin that depicts the idea of being homebound. The 9,000-kilogram piece highlights the Confucian theme of family. It uses three types of metals: steel for the father, bronze for the mother, and gold for the child.  

Play video and arcade games

Have a few—or several—hours to kill before your flight? Fret not as you can while away the time at Terminal 4’s Entertainment Center.

The area has Xbox consoles and Kinect with games that rely on body movements and voice activation. With options from soccer to climbing, bowling to racing, you’ll be able to stretch those languid muscles before that long flight home.

They also have old-school arcade machines and retro driving games, which are very near where Cebu Pacific flights usually dock. 

Watch planes fly by

You need not be an aviation enthusiast to enjoy watching planes fly in and fly out of Singapore. Changi Airport has Viewing Malls, which are designated spots at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 where visitors are allowed observe aircraft ground operations on the tarmac. The cozy areas allow you to sit back, relax, and take in the flurry of all the airport action.

Get ready for your next stops

Travelers will find comfort in knowing that Changi Airport lives up to its reputation of being one of the world’s best gateways, making it an ideal starting point—not just an entryway—for any trip to the maritime city-state. 

Upon arrival at any of its four terminals, seek out their respective welcome desks at the arrival hall where you can purchase travel essentials for a more seamless trip. Buy your SIM card, EZ-Link card, which is an electronic travel card accepted on most public transportation, and your Singapore Tourist Pass cards, which offer unlimited travel on buses and trains and come in one-, two-, or three-day options. Don’t be shy, ask for current deals and discounted prices. 

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Explore the airport’s "jewel" 

Directly connected to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Jewel at Changi is touted as a “multidimensional lifestyle destination” that is more than just a shopping and dining complex. This area has a host of attractions to keep travelers busy and entertained.  

Its best-known and most photographed attraction is the breathtaking Rain Vortex, which is the world's tallest indoor waterfall at seven storeys. This centerpiece of Jewel Changi Airport is surrounded by a terrace of lush greenery. At night, it transforms into a colorful attraction with a lights and sound show that happens hourly from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

Kids and kids-at-heart will delight in Jewel’s many fun-filled attractions like its Bouncing Net, which can make you jump for as high as eight meters; and Discovery Slides, which is more than its name as it’s both a work of art and a viewing deck. 

Make sure your phone has enough storage space as you won’t be able to resist taking loads of IG-worthy shots at the Topiary Walk, Canopy Bridge, Petal Garden, and Foggy Bowls. 

Even more astounding is that this airport has its very own hedge garden, which also happens to be the largest hedge maze in Singapore. Once you reach the watch tower at its center, you will be rewarded with a bird's eye view of the maze's intricate pathways.  

Immerse yourself in a virtual experience

Located at the Jewel Changi Airport, Changi Experience Studio is a fun and interactive attraction that allows guests to take a peek behind the scenes at what goes on at the world’s most awarded airport.

Immerse yourself in projection experiences and interactive games and shows at this unique digital attraction. While marveling at the magic of technology you can learn more about the ins and outs of the aviation business and the daily operations of airports.  

Stuff yourself before a long flight 

There is no risk of going hungry at Changi Airport. With over 200 dining options spread across its four terminals, your taste buds are sure in for a gastronomic treat for all types of budgets.  

From airport staples such as fast food giants McDonald’s and Burger King, to those that cater to different tastes like Ippudo and Din Tai Fung, you won’t run out of choices at Changi Airport. This is great news, especially because most airplane menus usually don't count among the best in the world, so you can stuff yourself full before your flight.  

Shop…

Shopping at Changi Airport goes way beyond the usual duty-free shops and smattering of luxury boutiques. With the opening of Jewel at Changi Airport, there are now more options for jet-setting shopaholics not only for pasalubong but also for their own pleasure.  

It has a branch of Bath and Body Works for last-minute presents, sports shops like Nike, Asics, Puma, Adidas, Onitsuka Tiger, Foot Locker, and most other brands you will find at the usual mall in Singapore. Fans of Japanese brands would be happy to know that the Jewel has Tokyu Hands, Muji, and Pokemon Center Singapore. 

Take note though that even if the Jewel at Changi operates 24/7, most shops run the usual hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

…Until you drop 

When you have already done all of the above and more, then you can take some well-deserved rest before your flight at this ultra-cozy airport. 

Find a spot at one of its many plush sofas or reclining chairs, and you’ll be well rested in no time. You can put your feet up and snooze until that boarding call at any of the free lounges across all terminals. Just make sure you set your alarm at full volume because we don’t want you to get too comfy and deep in your sleep that you’ll miss your flight.

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