Singapore Airport Guide: Terminals, Attractions & Travel Tips

Singapore is a small island nation in Southeast Asia, famous for its modern skyline, beautiful gardens, diverse neighborhoods, and top attractions.

For many travellers, Singapore Changi Airport is their first glimpse of the country. The airport brings together attractions, gardens, shopping, dining, and easy transport all in one place.

This guide will help you get to know the Singapore airport code, terminal layout, main attractions, lounges, shopping, transport options, and practical tips for navigating Singapore airport with confidence.

How Many Airports Are There in Singapore?

So when people ask how many airports in Singapore serve commercial flights, the answer is one: Singapore Changi Airport.

Seletar Airport also exists in Singapore, but it serves only general aviation, private aircraft, and charter operations. You will not find commercial airline services there.

Since Singapore is a city-state with no other cities to connect to internally, there are no domestic flights operating from the Singapore airport.

What Are Singapore Changi Airport's Terminals?

Singapore Changi Airport operates across four terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each handles international flights only.

Your boarding pass will show the Singapore airport code SIN, while WSSS is the ICAO code used by air traffic control.

Getting between terminals is simple:

• T1, T2, and T3 are connected by a complimentary Skytrain, running in both public and transit (airside) areas.
• T4 is not on the Skytrain route. A free shuttle bus runs between T4 and T1/T3 around the clock.
• Jewel Changi is a separate retail and attractions complex in the public area, directly connected to T1 and accessible from T2 and T3 via link bridges (5-10 minute walk). Note: Transit passengers must clear immigration upon arrival to enter Jewel, as it is a landside facility.

Terminal 2 fully reopened in November 2023 after a major upgrading programme.

Here is a quick look at what each terminal handles:

Knowing your departure or arrival terminal makes navigating inside Singapore airport much easier. All flights use the Singapore airport code SIN on boarding passes and baggage tags regardless of which terminal you depart from.

Note: Butterfly Garden (T3) is in the transit area and requires a boarding pass. The Slide and free cinema at T3 are in the public area.

Tribe Travel Tip: Airline terminal assignments change. Confirm your terminal on the official website or your boarding pass before travel.

What Is Inside Singapore Airport?

Everything inside Singapore Airport is designed to make spending time there enjoyable.

Singapore Airport Waterfall: Rain Vortex and The Wonderfall

There are two Singapore airport waterfalls, each offering a unique experience.

Rain Vortex sits inside Jewel Changi, connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. At 40 metres tall, it is the world's tallest indoor waterfall and opened in 2019. It is surrounded by a lush indoor forest called Forest Valley.

The Wonderfall is a 4-storey digital waterfall inside the Terminal 2 Departure Hall (transit area, airside). It features scheduled multimedia shows throughout the day and evening. Check the official Changi Airport website for the latest show timings before your visit. 

Both waterfalls are free to visit. Which one of the Singapore airport waterfalls you see depends on which side of the airport you are on.

Butterfly Garden Singapore Airport

The butterfly garden at Singapore airport is inside Terminal 3 Transit. 

It holds over 1,000 tropical butterflies from up to 40 species. A 6-metre grotto waterfall sits at its centre.

Educational corners let you watch butterflies breed and feed up close.

This is one of the most distinctive Singapore airport attractions and the world's first butterfly garden inside an airport.

• Location: T3 Transit (airside)
• Access: Transit passengers only
• Cost: Free

Other Attractions Inside Changi

Besides the butterfly garden at Singapore airport and the Singapore airport waterfalls, there are plenty of other things to see in the terminals.

What Are the Top Things to Do in Singapore Airport?

The things to do at Singapore airport go beyond shopping. You can easily fill a short layover or several hours between flights without leaving the terminals.

Free activities:

• Free cinema: Available at T3 (Public area, Basement 2), open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. No booking needed. Check the official Changi Airport website for the current screening schedule.
• Wi-Fi and internet kiosks: Free across the airport.
• Snooze lounges: Free reclining chairs with charging points in every terminal. No reservation required.
• Free Singapore Tour: For transit passengers with 5.5 to 24 hours between flights. A 2.5-hour guided tour of the city, available in four itineraries: City Sights, Heritage and Culture, Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands, and the new Sentosa Discovery Tour. Register online in advance from the official Changi Airport website or at the Free Singapore Tour booths in T2 or T3 transit, subject to availability. Note: Indian passport holders require a valid Singapore entry visa to participate.

Paid activities:

• Rooftop pool and gym: Terminal 1. Open to transit passengers only. It is complimentary for guests of the Aerotel hotel; non-guests pay an entry fee.
• Canopy Park, Jewel: Sky nets, bouncing nets, and hedge maze.

Singapore airport offers plenty to keep you busy, even if you have a short connection.

Which Singapore Airport Lounge Should You Choose?

Access to a Singapore airport lounge depends on your ticket class, airline membership, or a paid day pass. Singapore Changi Airport offers options across both.

Airline Lounges

Singapore Airlines operates two lounges at Terminal 3:

• SilverKris Lounge: For business and first class passengers
• KrisFlyer Gold Lounge: For KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members

Both are in the T3 transit area.

Pay-Per-Use Lounges

You do not need airline status to access a Singapore airport lounge. Both options below are open to any passenger with a paid day pass:

For pay-per-use access, the Marhaba Lounge at T1 and the Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge at T4 are open to any passenger with a day pass. The Ambassador Transit Lounge at T2 and T3 is another pay-per-use option, with a gym, shower facilities, workstations, and private napping suites.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport at T3 offers day-use room rates and is accessible from T1, T2, and T3 via Skytrain. T4 guests should take the free shuttle to T3.

All the lounges mentioned above are in the airside transit area unless stated otherwise. If you have airline status or want to buy a day pass, you’ll find Singapore airport lounge options in every terminal.

What Can You Expect from Singapore Airport Shopping?

Singapore airport shopping includes both duty-free stores and regular retail outlets. Duty-free purchases are available for eligible product categories, while qualifying tourists may also claim GST refunds on eligible purchases made in Singapore through the Tourist Refund Scheme. Terminal 3 has the largest concentration of retail within the terminal building.

Jewel Changi is home to over 280 retail and dining outlets, including flagship brands and local Singapore labels. Jewel is in the public area, so no boarding pass is needed to enter and shop. Changi Rewards members can earn points on eligible purchases at participating stores.

Singapore airport offers great local gifts as well as duty-free shopping. Try to set aside some time before boarding for Singapore airport shopping at Jewel and across the terminal stores.

What you can shop for at Changi, by zone:

• Duty-Free (all terminals): Perfumes, cosmetics, and electronics
• Luxury (T3 and Jewel): Fashion, watches, and jewellery from international labels
• Local Singapore Brands (Jewel and T3): TWG Tea, Bengawan Solo, Charles and Keith, Love Bonito, Eu Yan Sang
• Food Souvenirs (all terminals): Locally packaged snacks, teas, traditional pastries, and confectionery

How Do You Get to and from Singapore Airport?

The easiest way into the city from Singapore Changi Airport is by MRT.

The Changi Airport MRT station is in the basement of Terminals 2 and 3. Take any train to Tanah Merah, then change platforms for the East-West Line. You reach City Hall in around 30 to 40 minutes.

If you are at Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus to T2 or T3 before heading to the MRT.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek are available from all terminals at Singapore airport, with an airport surcharge on departing rides.

City shuttle buses run at fixed per-person rates to major downtown hotels. Book at the ground transport counter in the arrival hall.

Final Takeaway

Singapore airport is much more than just a stop before your next flight. With its well-designed terminals, comfortable lounges, famous Singapore airport waterfalls, gardens, shopping, and dining, it makes every part of your journey better. If you know what to expect before you arrive, you can make the most of your time, even on a short layover.

If you’re planning a getaway to Singapore, Holiday Tribe can help you with personalised itineraries and expert advice. That way, you can relax and enjoy every moment, from the airport to your destination.