Beat Stopover Boredom at Singapore Changi Airport

Airport layovers are the bane of International travellers, particularly those heading between Australia to Europe or Asia.
There’s only so long that your phone battery will last, usually cutting out half way through a level of Angry Birds or Candy Crush, and only so many times you can wander the terminal before boredom sets in and you wish you’d coughed up the extra money to fly direct.

There is an exception to this rule; an airport where there is so much to do you will be rushing to catch your plane after being caught up in it all… Beat Your Stopover Boredom with a Stopover at Singapore Changi Airport

I spent 72-hours in Changi Airport and still found that I haven’t done everything on my Changi Airport Virgin checklist, but for now here are my top tips to beat the dreaded stopover boredom.

Take the Free Singapore Tour!

Not much in life is free, even less when travelling abroad, so when I saw the sign saying ‘FREE Singapore Tour’ I had to wander over to see if free really did mean free.

For those who have a stopover of 5-hours or longer a 2-hour guided tour is provided for guests flying on any airline. Running four times a day, the tour will give you a brief insight into Singaporean’s multicultural society, a chance to see some of the cities most talked about sights – including the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and of course a stopover at the famous Merlion statue.

The tour is quite brief but a good snapshot into what you can see and do on a trip to Singapore and of course a chance to stretch your legs!

Visit the Butterfly Garden

If there were two things I’d recommend while visiting Changi Airport it would be the Free Singapore Tour and a visit to Terminal 3’s butterfly garden.

Step outside into the topical oasis and watch as thousands of butterflies fly, rest of pineapple slices or seek nectar from the flowers.
It’s a great place to visit, particularly for those travelling with kids, not just to see a butterfly up-close but there is a transparent box housing hundreds of cocoons so they can witness the various stages of a butterfly’s life – from cocoon to flight.

If you’re not in Terminal 3 there’s an outdoor Cactus Garden in Terminal 1 (with a great bar!) and a choice between the Enchanted Garden, outdoor Sunflower Garden or Orchid Garden & Koi Pond in Terminal 2.

Soak Up Some Sun by the Pool

Don’t forget to pack your bathers into your carry-on so you can enjoy the swimming pool and jacuzzi atop Terminal 1.

If you’re staying at the Ambassador Transit Hotel pool entry is free of charge, otherwise a usage fee of SGD$13.91/AUD$11.97/GBP£9.97 gets you access to the pool ad jacuzzi, use of the shower facilities, a towel and complimentary non-alcoholic drink from the bar – sounds like a small price to pay for a few hours of relaxation!

Enjoy Baby Soft Feet after a Fish Spa

Originating in Turkey, Asia has gone made for fish spas. So mad that there’s even one inside Changi Airport.

It’s a little odd to begin with as dozens of fish tickle your feet but after a while it becomes relaxing and when the 30 minute treatment is up your feet will be soft and pretty – ready to wear a pair of sandals in your next destination!

Open 24-hours in Terminal 1 consider pairing with a massage to help beat jet lag and feel more relaxed while you’re waiting for your connecting flight.

Take a Ride on the Slide

I’m a big kid at heart so let loose your inner child like I did and take on a giant slide!

At 12 metres high – that’s four storeys! – The Slide@T3 is the world’s tallest slide in an airport and it’s waiting for YOU in the T3 arrivals area.

Currently, to obtain a ticket for the full-size slide you need to spend SGD$10 at Changi Airport and can redeem up to 10 rides per receipt.
There is a one-and-a-half-storey tall slide available in the Basement 2 area which requires no minimum spend.

Now it’s over to you:

Who gets your vote for best airport?

What service would you like an airport to provide
that would make your stopover more comfortable?

 

Many thanks to Changi Airport for supporting my trip to Singapore.
All opinions, as always, are my own.

Image credit: Changi Airport/Manju/Business Insider/With Kids We Go/