Categories > Guides and Tips
Free Things to Do in Changi Airport for the Thrifty Explorer
- Take a free tour
- Keep yourself occupied with games or a movie
- Get up close and personal with dinosaurs
- Slide down the world’s tallest airport slide
- Take Instagram-worthy photos at the Crystal Garden
- Watch butterflies flutter around you at the Butterfly Garden
- Enjoy some peace and quiet at the Shiseido Forest Valley
- Watch the HSBC Rain Vortex come to life
- Take in some sunny views from the Cactus Garden
- Discover the beauty of the tropics at the Tropical Rainforest Vivarium
- Wander around the Enchanted Garden
- Take in more sunshine at the Sunflower Garden
- Score a free bicycle ride
- Meander through Discovery Garden’s elevated walkways
- Explore artworks
Singapore Changi Airport is the best airport in the world for a reason. There’s so much you can do here without even stepping foot outside the terminals!
From catching a free movie to exploring verdant garden attractions, it’s a dream to spend a long layover in the world’s best airport. Best of all, a lot of them are free of charge (goodbye, ATMs and foreign exchanges)!
If you have a long layover in Singapore coming soon, use this list of free things to do in Changi Airport as a guide and keep yourself occupied until your next flight!
Take a free tour
Address: Terminal 2, Level 2, Departure Transit Hall (Near Gate F50) or Terminal 3, Level 2, Departure Transit Hall (Near Gate A1-A8)
Contact Details: +6565956868
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Do you have several hours to spare before your connecting flight? Don’t miss your chance to explore the Lion City with Changi Airport’s free Singapore tours!
The airport’s free tours are available for travellers with at least six hours to spare between flights. Just make sure you have a transit hotel booking and your luggage has been checked in for your next flight!
There are three bus tours available that will take you around the East Coast Region, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, and a quick visit around top heritage districts like Chinatown and Kampong Glam.
| Tip: If you prefer not to leave the airport, there’s a free tour around Jewel Changi Airport to keep you occupied. It’s a walking tour, so all you need to do is show up to the Tour Kiosks located at Terminal 2 and 3, and sign up for the walking tour! |
Keep yourself occupied with games or a movie
Address: Level 2, Terminal 2, Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Contact Details: +6565956868
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Got nothing else to do besides shopping and dining? Changi Airport has multiple entertainment lounges scattered across its terminals, offering opportunities for video gaming and movie watching to kill time before your next flight.
Terminal 4’s lounge features sports games on the Xbox Kinect like football, wake surfing, target shooting, and bowling, that you can play with a friend or two.
There’s also a large television screen located at Terminal 2, where you can have a TV break with other fellow passengers. If you’re looking for a more cinematic experience, Terminal 3 has a movie theatre that screens movies for free, 24/7.
| Tip: Aside from video games, there’s also a foosball table available for use next to the vintage arcade games section. |
Get up close and personal with dinosaurs
Address: Airport Blvd., Singapore Changi International Airport, Singapore 819666
Contact Details: +6565956865
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Changi Jurassic Mile is one of the most unique free attractions within the airport complex. It’s not every day you find a whole stretch lined with life-size dinosaur statues that’s not in an amusement park!
The attraction spans a mile-long walking path just next to Terminal 4. If you have some spare time, you can jog a couple of rounds here before your next flight.
It’s an exciting place for kids, especially those who love Jurassic Park. You’ll find velociraptors, a T-rex, and even dinosaur eggs to see!
| Tip: The Changi Jurassic Mile can also be accessed via Hub and Smoke at Terminal 2. Just follow the big red signs pointing towards the walking path and walk all the way until the end! |
Slide down the world’s tallest airport slide
Address: Terminal 3, Level 1, 70 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819661
Contact Details: +6565956868
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Changi Airport’s Slide@T3 is the world’s tallest airport slide, taking up almost four floors! While the height doesn’t sound extreme, it’s a completely different experience knowing you can’t see a thing from the inside!
The whole slide is covered and turns like a spiral. It’s easily one of the most popular free attractions in the airport, so make sure to try it out while you’re at Terminal 3!
Just note that you need to be at least 1.3 metres tall and no taller than 2 metres to hop on the slide. It’s for safety reasons, obviously––nobody wants to get stuck inside a slide and miss their flight!
| Tip: You’ll need to sign up for a Changi Rewards Membership to get 10 free slides down Slide@T3. Simply head over to this page to sign up and redeem your free rides. |
Take Instagram-worthy photos at the Crystal Garden
Address: Terminal 3, Level 2, 70 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819661
Contact Details: +6565956868
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Crystal Garden, with over 1,700 hand-blown Bohemian glass dandelion spheres, is a captivating installation in Terminal 3’s Central Piazza. It serves as the main attraction for travellers moving between terminals.
From afar, the Crystal Garden looks like a giant dandelion field. However, if you look closer, each sphere is individually designed with some of them seemingly dispersing seeds.
The installation is meant to symbolise the hundreds of passengers that travel from one corner of the earth to another.
| Tip: The Crystal Garden is one of the newer additions to Changi Airport’s collection of gardens, and when they renovated the Central Piazza, they added seating areas nearby. Feel free to sit on the benches or lounge chairs at the back as you post your new IG photos! |
Watch butterflies flutter around you at the Butterfly Garden
Address: Terminal 3, Levels 2 and 3, 70 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819661
Contact Details: +6565956868
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Another mesmerising garden attraction at Changi Airport is the Butterfly Garden located at Terminal 3. It’s known as the first airport butterfly garden in the world, dedicated to tropical butterflies and flower species endemic to the tropics.
One whole wall features a cascading waterfall adorned with lush greenery and unique plants like the red powder puff, Egyptian star cluster, and Indian holly.
There are over 1,000 butterflies around the garden, and you’re free to interact with them as much as you like. Just be very gentle with them and their floral habitats; they don’t sting or bite, but it won’t hurt to be careful!
| Tip: There are designated viewing areas within the garden for visitors to witness butterfly breeding and feeding live. Don’t pass on reading the educational pamphlets there too; you might learn a new thing or two about these gentle insects! |
Enjoy some peace and quiet at the Shiseido Forest Valley
Address: 78 Airport Blvd., Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Contact Details: +6562202623
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Stepping into Jewel Changi’s Shiseido Forest Valley will feel like you’re entering a completely different world. The area doesn’t look like an airport; it looks like it came straight from a fairytale storybook!
That’s because the garden attraction seamlessly blends modern architecture and lush greenery, with over 900 towering trees surrounding a cascading indoor waterfall, covered by a glass roof.
On the ground, the forest valley houses over 60,000 species of flora that you can inspect via walkways that go around the whole garden. Mist clouds often form around the canopies, adding to the whole rainforest atmosphere.
| Tip: Within the forest is the SENSE installation, sponsored by beauty brand Shiseido. Once the night sets in, the installation lights up and illuminates the trees with dancing lights, almost resembling fireflies (or faeries—up to your imagination!) flying around the canopies. |
Watch the HSBC Rain Vortex come to life
Address: 78 Airport Blvd., Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Contact Details: +6562202623
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Visit Shiseido Forest Valley in the evening and stay past 7:00 pm for the HSBC Rain Vortex’s captivating light and sound show. The illuminated forest valley and the cascading waterfall at its centre create a mesmerising visual experience for visitors.
The HSBC Rain Vortex is the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, cascading down nearly seven storeys high from Jewel Changi’s glass roof. It’s majestic during the day, but the light and sound show that runs nightly offers a completely different visual experience.
Lasers project different colours onto the waterfall, creating images like waves and swirls that change to the beat of calming music. The first show usually starts at 7:30 pm and runs every hour until 10:30 pm.
| Tip: Jewel Changi Airport announces the start of each light and sound via speakers, so keep your ears peeled in the evening. They often change the schedule, so stay tuned on this page for any upcoming or ongoing changes during your layover! |
Take in some sunny views from the Cactus Garden
Address: 80 Airport Blvd., Terminal 1 Singapore Changi International Airport, Singapore 819642
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Need a little breather from the indoors? Head out to the Cactus Garden for some fresh air and sun while you wait for your next flight.
The Cactus Garden is a rooftop garden located in Terminal 1, and it offers breathtaking views from the deck. The garden is relatively smaller than its indoor counterparts, but at least you can spot Marina Bay Sands from there!
Aside from the views, the Cactus Garden houses over 100 landscaped cacti species, ranging from barrel cacti and sago palm. It’s a relaxing place to chill out and hang around with fellow travellers, even over a craft beer or two from the Cactus Garden Bar.
| Tip: The Cactus Garden also doubles as a smoking area, so if you’re sensitive to smoke, we recommend staying away from the designated smoking area in the garden. |
Discover the beauty of the tropics at the Tropical Rainforest Vivarium
Address: Terminal 1 Transit, Level 2, Singapore 819642
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Singapore is a tropical country, so it’s not surprising to find many tropical-themed attractions on the island. Singapore Changi Airport has no shortage of attractions that display the beauty of Singapore’s biodiversity.
If you’re only in Singapore for a few hours but want to explore its tropical rainforests without stepping out, head over to the Tropical Rainforest Vivarium at Terminal 2.
It’s also the airport’s first-ever paludarium, which is a display that houses both land and aquatic animals and plants native to tropical countries. You’ll find over 50 species of tropical flora and a few tropical fauna roaming around the vivarium.
| Tip: The Tropical Rainforest Vivarium is a little tricky to find, as it’s located in the Transit section of Terminal 1. It sits right by the Skytrain that takes travellers to Terminal 2. |
Wander around the Enchanted Garden
Address: Terminal 2 Transit, Level 2, Singapore 819642
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Enchanted Garden at Terminal 2 looks like a mini oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy airport. If you’re a transit passenger looking for a place to unwind before you explore the rest of the airport, this garden is perfect for you.
The Enchanted Garden boasts a tranquil stone pond inhabited by koi fish, surrounded by vibrant flowers, towering Tasmanian tree ferns, and lush foliage. Among its prominent attractions are four big sculptures resembling exquisite bouquets.
You can sit around the benches and relax with the change of scenery that this garden offers, or walk around and take as many photos as you can to fill up your Instagram feed!
| Tip: If you look closely, the koi ponds have lots of coins in them. People throw in coins for good luck, but it’s actually highly discouraged by the management. Keep the change! |
Take in more sunshine at the Sunflower Garden
Address: Aft Changi Airport PTB2 Terminal 2 Transit Level 3, Singapore
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Changi Airport’s Sunflower Garden is a popular destination for travellers arriving in Singapore just before sunrise or sunset. The views from the garden deck are phenomenal, coupled with rows of huge sunflowers in the foreground.
Aside from the sunflowers, another great thing about this rooftop garden is its unobstructed views of aeroplanes landing and taking off from a close distance. Despite its close range to the tarmac, it’s fairly peaceful here!
You can sit back and relax with a book in hand or simply soak in the sun with the sunflower blossoms around you. Everyone needs their dose of vitamin D now and then, after all!
| Tip: If you only have time to wander the garden at night, fret not. The Sunflower Garden remains open and very well-lit at night! The sunflower beds are lined with lighting installations that emit sound effects, turning the garden into a nightly light and sound display. |
Score a free bicycle ride
Address: Multiple locations around Changi Airport
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Need to break a sweat and work your legs after a long flight? You don’t need a paid gym membership here at Changi Airport; they offer free bicycle rides around the airport’s outdoor attractions!
Download the Changi Airport App, book a free two-hour bicycle ride from the Attractions Page, and explore the Changi Airport Connector path, passing by Changi Jurassic Mile, East Coast Park, Changi Village, and Marina Bay!
Of course, that depends on your speed as you only have two hours to complete the whole route. Nonetheless, a quick bicycle ride around the nearest attractions still beats sitting around the airport if you’ve got so much time to spare before your next flight.
| Tip: Certain terms and conditions apply for travellers who wish to book a free bicycle ride. First, you’ll need to show proof that you’re a transit passenger after booking your slot via the app. You’ll need to show your flight itinerary at the GoCycling kiosk near Hub and Smoke. Second, only passengers with at least six hours of layover are allowed to book a ride! |
Meander through Discovery Garden’s elevated walkways
Address: Terminal 1, Transit Level 2, Changi Airport
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Who says jungle gyms are only for children? At Changi Airport’s Discovery Garden, travellers can increase their step count and meander through elevated (almost two storeys!) walkways while exploring giant tree-like structures.
Each structure is covered in lush foliage, a sight similar to what you can find in the SuperTree Grove of Gardens by the Bay. The walkways traverse around the garden at various heights, so it’s a gentle workout even for elderly travellers.
It’s not as grand or large as Gardens by the Bay, but we think it’s a worthy replica to visit, especially if you don’t want to step out of the airport during your layover.
| Tip: The Discover Garden is located right next to the taxi areas of aeroplanes, so you might hear a lot of engines rumbling. It’s not the quietest garden in the airport, but it gives you front-row seats to how engineers and technicians prepare a plane to take off! |
Explore artworks
Address: Multiple locations around Singapore Changi Airport
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Calling all art lovers! Changi Airport’s collection of impressive sculptures has caught the attention of thousands of travellers from all over the world, and appreciating them in person is a must when you’re there!
The breathtaking sculptures and art are scattered across the airport’s four terminals, with a few notable ones like the Les Oiseaux, an elegant bird installation, Yip Yew Chong’s 37-metre-long mural at Terminal 4, and the Daisy at Terminal 3.
Many of the lobbies at Changi Airport are integrated with sculptures as well. The stunning installations only add to the airport’s pristine reputation as the best airport in the world; that’s why we think it’s worth appreciating them!
| Tip: Use this interactive map on the Changi Airport’s website to help you navigate through the airport’s best art installations and sculptures. Just type in the artwork you want to see and the map will show you where to find it! |
