Singapore Changi Airport in 6 Hours: What You Can Realistically See During a Layover (March 2025)
Last updated on : January 14, 2026
Why a Layover in Singapore
When we booked our return itinerary from Bali with Air France, Singapore ended up on our route almost by accident – a simple logistical coincidence. It was just the second layover of the trip: after Paris and before Amsterdam. Nothing planned, nothing intentional. Just the option that naturally came with the flights available that day.
At first, we didn’t think much about it. Since our arrival in Singapore was scheduled for the end of the day, we assumed we wouldn’t be going out to explore the city. So instinctively, we were considering short layovers – just enough time to switch planes.
And then a colleague told me something that changed everything: “Julie, have you ever heard of Singapore Airport? Go look it up… it’s incredible. If you only have two hours, you’re going to regret it.“
Of course, I went to check. And… wow.
The more I read, the more I realized that Changi wasn’t an airport like the others: gardens, waterfalls, immersive installations, peaceful spaces… a destination in itself. Some travelers even plan a long layover on purpose, just to enjoy everything it offers.
So we looked at our options again. We noticed that leaving Bali a bit earlier didn’t affect us at all – in fact, it made things easier. We had to leave our accommodation in the morning anyway, and would have been stuck figuring out what to do with our luggage. Leaving earlier simplified everything. And most importantly, it gave us a six-hour layover in Singapore… just enough time to discover this incredible place without rushing.
So it became not only a necessary stop, but a chosen one. Thanks to that recommendation, I felt the pull to extend our layover, look into everything we could do, and finally decide that if life was bringing us through Changi… we might as well enjoy it to the fullest.
How I Prepared for my Layover in Singapore
Once I realized that a longer layover in Singapore was truly worth it, I started researching everywhere: travel blogs, Google, and especially the official Changi Airport website, which is incredibly well designed. That’s where I discovered the world of Jewel, the heart of the airport, along with all the facilities available to transit passengers.
I checked opening hours, free areas, paid attractions, and – most importantly – what actually fit with our schedule. With only six hours on site, and in the evening, we had to be realistic: we couldn’t do everything. So I made a small list of must-sees, focusing on what seemed the most interesting… and the most reasonable budget-wise.
Arriving with that little plan in mind gave us a clear idea of what we wanted to see, while still leaving enough flexibility to enjoy the moment without rushing.
Entry Requirements for a Layover in Singapore
During our outbound trip, we had a short 2h15 layover at Changi Airport, simply transferring between two Air France flights. Since our checked luggage was handled from start to finish and we were not entering Singapore, we didn’t have to go through immigration and therefore didn’t need a visa.
However, on our way back from Bali, our 6-hour layover required us to leave the transit area in order to visit Jewel Changi Airport. As Canadian travelers, here are the requirements we had to meet:
- a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Singapore;
- no visa is required for stays of 30 days or less;
- the “SG Arrival Card (SGAC)” with electronic health declaration must be submitted within three (3) days – including the day of arrival – before entering Singapore.
It can be completed online at: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard or through the MyICA mobile app, and it is free of charge.
In our case, we completed the “SG Arrival Card” on-site, using the electronic tablets provided, just before passing through immigration.
How to Get Around Singapore Changi Airport – During a Layover
Contrary to what one might think, getting around Changi Airport isn’t limited to walking. The airport is huge, spread across multiple terminals, and there are several ways to move quickly and efficiently from one point to another.
👟 Walking
As mentioned earlier, you can absolutely explore the airport on foot, especially if you want to enjoy the many gardens, themed areas, and relaxing spaces scattered throughout the terminals. Each terminal has its own atmosphere and attractions, so walking allows you to take your time and discover things more slowly and peacefully.
🚆 The Skytrains Between Terminals
To make movement easier, Changi provides automated trains (Skytrains) that connect the different terminals. They operate both airside (transit) and landside (public area) and help cover long distances in just a few minutes.
These trains are particularly useful when:
- you’re changing terminals,
- you want to maximize your time,
- or simply avoid long walks between distant areas.
🚆 The Skytrain That Passes Through Jewel
There is also a Skytrain line (between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3) that passes directly through Jewel, offering a spectacular view of the central waterfall. This is the one we took during our first short 2-hour layover, hoping to see the Rain Vortex in daylight.
It’s a beautiful way to get a first glimpse of Jewel without fully leaving the transit area.
🚌 Shuttles to Terminal 4
Terminal 4 is not physically connected to the other terminals, so it is accessed via a free shuttle service operating from both the public areas and the transit areas.
Itinerary for my Layover at Singapore Changi Airport
For this layover, we mostly let ourselves be guided by curiosity and the desire to explore some of Changi’s most iconic spaces. The airport is so vast that we could easily have spent an entire day there… but here’s what we actually had time to see.
🦋 Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3 – Transit)
Our first discovery was the Butterfly Garden, a true little sanctuary tucked inside the transit area. The space is beautiful: a tropical garden filled with flowers, exotic plants, a 6-meter-high waterfall… and of course, more than 1,000 tropical butterflies flying freely.
There’s also an emergence area where you can observe chrysalises about to transform – an almost magical moment, especially inside an airport. It’s peaceful, calming, and completely different from what you usually find in a terminal.
🌺 Enchanted Garden (Terminal 2 – Transit)
We also visited the Enchanted Garden, home to four giant glass sculptures shaped like bouquets, decorated with shimmering stained-glass mosaics, and accompanied by a koi pond.
If we had had more time, I would have loved to explore even more of the themed gardens available throughout the terminals – like the Cactus Garden (Terminal 1 – Transit), Dreamscape (Terminal 2 – Transit), or the Sunflower Garden (Terminal 2 – Transit). But we had to make choices. Jewel was waiting for us, and I absolutely wanted to go.
🌿 Canopy Park (Level 5 – Jewel)
Next, we made our way to Jewel, and more specifically to Canopy Park on the fifth floor. We purchased an access pass (16 SGD for two people – about 18 CAD).
Canopy Park is a playful, immersive space, perfect for families, with:
- walkways
- floral sculptures
- themed zones
- visual installations
- aerial nets for older kids and teens
We mostly walked around to take in the atmosphere and enjoy the views. Since it was close to closing time, the place was almost empty – quiet, bright, and truly pleasant.
🌧️ Forest Valley & Jewel Rain Vortex
It’s impossible to talk about Jewel without mentioning its famous indoor waterfall: the Jewel Rain Vortex. It’s the largest indoor waterfall in the world, and honestly, it’s even more impressive in person than in photos.
We went in the evening, just in time for the sound-and-light show, which happens three times a night (usually at 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, and 9:00 pm).
With the music, the colors, and the light effects dancing through the water… it’s hypnotizing. I filmed part of the show, and it became one of my favorite moments of our entire layover.
Access to the entire Forest Valley – the gardens surrounding the waterfall – is free. You can wander at different levels, admire the plants, and enjoy various viewpoints over the vortex.
🛍️ Exploring the Terminals
Between our visits, we also took some time to walk through the terminals and grab something to eat. Changi is filled with:
- impressive shops,
- elaborate displays,
- restaurants for every taste,
- artistic installations,
- quietly decorated relaxation areas.
And honestly… six hours felt almost too short to take in everything this place has to offer.
Free Tour from Singapore Changi Airport
Did you know that with a long enough layover at Changi Airport (from 5.5 hours up to 24 hours), you can leave the airport and enjoy a short visit of Singapore… at no additional cost?
On the Changi Airport website, four different routes are offered as 2.5-hour guided tours in the city of Singapore. If this interests you, you simply need to go to one of the two Free Tour counters located in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, inside the transit area. It’s also possible to pre-book online, up to 60 days before your layover.
Keep in mind that there are eligibility requirements and a few conditions to meet – for example, regarding checked baggage and carry-on luggage. To learn more, I highly recommend checking the official airport website, 👉 here.
If your schedule allows it, I truly believe it’s a wonderful way to turn a “simple layover” into a small moment of discovery – and all for free.
In our case, we would have loved to join one of these guided tours, but unfortunately we arrived at the airport around 6:00 p.m., which was too late for any of them. But since the idea is so clever and unique, I absolutely wanted to share it with you.
Quick Tips to Make the Most of a Layover in Singapore
Here are a few essential points to help you fully enjoy your time at Changi while avoiding unnecessary stress. The airport is huge and beautiful, but it does require a bit of preparation to optimize your visit.
⏱️ 1. Allow enough time to return to the transit area
If you leave the transit zone to visit Jewel, eat at an outside restaurant, or join one of the free guided tours, it’s crucial to plan enough time to return.
You will need to:
- go through immigration and customs again,
- then make your way back to your terminal and your boarding gate,
which can take a while, as Changi is enormous.
👉 Never underestimate walking distances or potential lines.
🗺️ 2. Plan a few must-sees in advance
The official Changi website is extremely well designed, offering:
- terminal maps,
- the location of gardens, activities, and attractions,
- opening hours,
- information on areas accessible in transit and landside.
Before your layover, take a few minutes to:
- identify what you want to see,
- check where those attractions are located,
- and note their opening hours.
👉 Having a small plan in mind saves you from wasting time searching for something that ends up being in another terminal.
🚆 3. Use the skytrains to save time
Changi offers several free trains:
- Skytrains operating both in the transit area and in the public area to switch terminals quickly;
- a Skytrain that passes through Jewel, offering a beautiful view of the waterfall.
👉 For long distances or limited time, the trains are the most efficient way to move around.
🌿 4. Stay flexible
Even with a plan, keep a bit of flexibility.
Some attractions may close early, be temporarily unavailable, or simply be farther than expected. At Changi, there is so much to see that there’s no need to rush – it’s better to choose a few spots and enjoy them fully.
✨ In Summary
To make the most of your layover in Singapore:
- Don’t forget the extra time needed to clear immigration again if you leave the transit area to visit Jewel.
- Check the official Changi website to identify your must-sees.
- Use the trains to speed up your movements.
- Keep some flexibility depending on your actual time on site.
With just a bit of planning, you can turn a simple layover into a gentle and enjoyable little adventure… just like we did.
In Conclusion
I truly loved my layover at Singapore Changi Airport. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. Even with six hours on site, I didn’t manage to see everything I wanted, and I promised myself that if life ever brings me back to Changi, I’ll plan another long layover so I can enjoy it fully… and maybe even step outside to explore a little bit of the city.
What struck me the most was how pleasant the whole experience was. You almost forget you’re in an airport: everything is beautiful, smooth, inspiring. Time goes by so quickly, so effortlessly, that you end up wishing for just a little more to keep exploring.
So if you ever have the chance to transit through Singapore, I sincerely hope you have time ahead of you. And if you can choose your layover, don’t hesitate to make it a little longer: Changi is the kind of place where a simple transit can turn into a moment of discovery, delight, and wonder.
Because yes – it really is worth it.
And you, if you had a few hours at Changi, what would you want to see first?
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