Your ultimate Singapore layover guide - completed with Visa application info, baggage storage, and public transport tips.
Airport layover is usually the least exciting part of travelling. But, you certainly would not say the same if you are at Singapore’s Changi Airport. It is probably the best place you can be for a layover.
Why? Because, while you wait for your next flight, you will be spoilt for choice on what to do - from shopping at over 400 retail stores (local gifts shops to international brands), dining (local cuisine to Michelin-starred restaurants), entertainment (self-guided gardens and art installations tours, spa, pools, and movie theatres) to transit lounges and hotel accommodations.
You probably wish you could stay here longer.
Tip:
There is even a Free Singapore Tour that brings you out to our sunny island if your layover is more than 5.5 hours.
Whether you intend to just stay within the transit area for a few short hours, or if you have more time for a quick tour in Singapore, here is our step-by-step ultimate Singapore Changi Airport Transit Guide and Singapore’s public transport tips to help you plan your transit needs and time.
TRANSIT TIME REQUIRED
There are 4 Terminals in Changi Airport: Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 2 (T2), Terminal 3 (T3), and Terminal 4 (T4)
TRANSITING WITHIN TERMINAL 1, 2, AND 3
If your luggage is checked through: 45 mins
If you need to visit the transfer counter (transit area) to print boarding pass or to request for your checked-in bags to be transferred: 1 hour 15 mins
If you need to clear custom and recheck-in: 2 hours 30 mins
TRANSITING FROM TERMINAL 4 TO TERMINAL 1, 2, OR 3
If your luggage is checked through: 2 hours (to T1 or T3) 1 hour 40 mins (to T2 2)
If you need to visit the transfer counter (transit area) to print boarding pass or to request for your checked-in bags to be transferred: 2 hours 20 mins (to T1 or T3) and 2 hours (to T2)
If you need to clear custom and recheck-in: 3 hours 20 mins (to T1 or T3); and 3 hours (to T2)
Read on to find out why?
You will be glad if you are transiting in Terminal 1, 2 or 3 because these three terminals are inter-connected in both the transit and public access areas. Hence, you can transit across seamlessly by walking or hopping on the complimentary Skytrain.
Skytrain's journey time (include walking to the Skytrain): 15 mins
The Skytrain operates every 3 - 6 mins from 5:00 am — 2:30 am. It takes 1 - 3 mins to travel between each terminal. Walking distance to the Skytrain is 5 -10 mins.
Tip:
As Terminal 1, 2, and 3 are inter-connected, you can enjoy the airport facilities across all three terminals - shop, eat, and play to your heart’s delight - before your connecting flight.
I would recommend taking the Skytrain instead of walking. You can refer to the map below for the walking time to get across terminals. Do note that both Jewel Changi Airport and the link bridges are not within the transit area.
Credit: Changi Airport
Shuttle bus journey time (include walking to the bus): 50 mins
As the Skytrain is not available at Terminal 4, if you are transiting to/from Terminal 4, you will need to take the 24-hour shuttle bus. The bus connects Terminal 4 to Terminal 2 (see map above). The frequency is every 24 mins and the journey takes about 12 mins.
Click here for the shuttle bus location.
Important Note:
For transferring to/from Terminal 4 within the transit area, do check that your itinerary is through checked to your final destination.
If applicable, estimated waiting time for:
Transfer counter (within the transit area) for printing of boarding pass or to request for your checked-in bags to be transferred: no more than 30 mins
Clear Singapore's Immigration: best to cater 45 mins
Airline counter check-in at Departure level: 30 mins
Immigration check-in: no more than 30 mins
Time to arrive at the boarding gate: 20-30 mins before departure time
You will need to cater time for security clearance at the boarding gate as Changi Airport's security clearance is not at the check-in immigration area.
The above serves as a guide for the minimum time required, do buffer more time in case of any delays.
VISA APPLICATION AND CHECKED-IN BAGS FOR LAYOVER
FOR LAYOVER WITHIN THE TRANSIT AREA
Luggage Checked Through?
If you intend to stay within the transit area for your layover (if you do not have to clear Singapore Immigration), generally, you do not need a visa if you have your luggage checked through to your final destination.
This means that you are either transiting within the same airline or airlines with interline agreement. Do request the check-in staff at your originating airport for a straight through tagging where possible.
Luggage Not Checked Through?
You can proceed to your nearest transfer lounge/counter within the transit area, to request for your checked-in bags to be transferred. There, you could also get your boarding pass for your connecting flight.
If in any case that the above does not work, depending on the carrier (do check with your airline on this before travelling), transit passengers connecting to budget airlines might be required to clear the Singapore Immigration. This is where you need to check your visa requirements. Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. Passengers of eligible nationalities may also qualify for VFTF (Visa Free Transit Facility) if the prevailing entry requirements are met. Click the respective links from ICA for more information. After clearing the Singapore Immigration, you can pick up your luggage at the conveyor belt right after the immigration counters. Thereafter, you can proceed to the check-in counters at the Departure level for your bags checked-in and to get your boarding pass.
CLEARING IMMIGRATION FOR A SHORT VISIT TO SINGAPORE
If you are joining the Free Singapore Tour organised by Changi Airport, or if you wish to venture out on your own, you will need to check on your visa requirements and eligibility for the VFTF (Visa Free Transit Facility).
Luggage Checked Through?
If your bags are checked through and you have your boarding pass for your connecting flight, you can simply clear the immigration and proceed on your layover tour.
Luggage Not Checked Through?
Do proceed to the nearest transfer lounge/counter within the transit area, to request for your checked-in bags to be transferred and to get your boarding pass for your next-flight.
Depending on the carrier (if you are travelling on budget airlines, please check with your carrier before travelling), if you are not able to get your bags transferred to your next flight, you have to pick up your bags at the conveyor belt after the immigration. Thereafter, proceed to the check-in counters at the Departure level for your early check-in (check if this service is available for your carrier here).
If early check-in is not available for your carrier, there is a 24-hour Baggage Storage service that charges S$5 - S$18 per baggage. Thereafter, you can continue on your layover tour.
GETTING AROUND SINGAPORE DURING THE LAYOVER
From the airport, there are many forms of public transport to get Downtown. For layover, time-saving takes priority over dollar-saving, hence, my recommendation in priority are as follows:
1. Taxi
Cost: Around S$30/trip, excluding airport surcharge of S$3-S$5 (max 4 passengers)
Payment Mode: Cash/credit card (note: there are additional surcharges for credit card payment)
Travel Time to Downtown: 45 mins
Pros: Easiest to find in the airport. Fastest way to get to hotels and tourist attractions. After leaving the Arrival Hall, walk straight ahead and you will not miss the taxi queue line. The queue is typically a walk-through, no more than a 3-min wait.
Cons: It is the most expensive transport of all.
Cost: Around S$20 - S$40/trip (max 4 passengers)
Payment Mode: Cash or link your credit card to the App
Travel Time to Downtown: 45 mins
Pros: Fast way to get to hotels and tourist attractions. Do note that this is the fastest way to get from a tourist attraction back to the airport as sometimes it is difficult to find a taxi during peak hours.
Cons: During peak hours, it could be more costly than the taxi. You will need to buffer a waiting time of average 12 mins and to find the pick-up location. Do note that Grab/GoJek is not able to pick up passengers at the airport taxi queue line; hence, you will need to cater a 10-min walk (indoor) from the airport's Arrival Hall to the designated pick-up points.
3. MRT Train
Cost: Around S$2/ride/pax
Payment Mode: Cash to buy single ticket. Unless you are visiting multiple tourist attractions, you will not need to get the Singapore Tourist Pass.
Travel Time to Downtown: 1 hour 15 mins
Pros: If you are not travelling with luggage, taking the MRT is cost-effective. You get to experience the local transport. The journey from Changi Airport to Downtown brings you through the heartlands of Singapore and you will get to see the iconic HDB flats that local Singaporeans live in (not what is in the movie, Crazy Rich Asians).
Cons: You need to figure out the map on train transfers to reach Downtown. It is not advisable to take the MRT if you are traveling with luggage as the MRT does not reach all the hotels directly. Moreover, during the peak hours, it would be extremely difficult to maneuver your luggage in the train.
Cost: S$8.80/pax
Payment Mode: Pre-book in advance
Travel Time to Downtown: Slightly over an hour
Pros: Cost is reasonable, especially if you are travelling solo or as a couple.
Cons: This transport mode is not applicable for visits to tourist attractions. The shuttles only service designated hotels. You will need to do some walking with your luggage if your hotel is not in the list. You will need to find its airport pick-up location and wait for other passengers to board or align at other terminals and hotels before arriving at your hotel.
5. Bus
Cost: Around S$1.50 - S$3/ride/pax
Cons: It is not advisable to take buses if you are not familiar with the routes.
To save your time, my recommendation would be to take a taxi out of Changi Airport. You can return by Grab/GoJek if you are at a tourist attraction or by taxi if you are at your hotel. Take the MRT if you are getting from one tourist destination to another.
My Travel Kakis Singapore Travel Blog - Singapore Layover: Changi Airport Transit Guide and Public Transport Tips