Singaporebrides | Home & Travel
October 2016
8 Exciting (And Mostly Free!) Things You Can Do At Changi Airport Before Your Flight
We went on a tour inside the transit areas of Changi Airport and we didn’t want to leave. Ever. Since that isn’t legally possible, we’re sharing the awesomeness of the World’s Best Airport with you.
For the fourth year running, Changi Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport, according to an annual Skytrax global survey of 13.25 million travellers across 106 nationalities, and included 550 airports worldwide. The airport was also awarded Best Airport for Leisure Amenities, and you’re about to find out why.
If you and your bridesmaids are going away for a getaway or hens’ night soon, read on to see how you can get in the holiday mood even before you get on that plane!
1. You can check-in early. Like, really early. (T1, T2, T3)
Did you know that you can now check-in up to 24 hours before your flight departure, depending on the airline you are flying with? That’s one whole day of tingly excitement before the actual vacation starts. Find your airline in this link to see how many hours you are eligible for—there are more than 40 airlines in the list! You might want to take one more day off when you apply for your leave from work.
2. Make use of the concierge services at Changi Recommends. (T1, T2, T3)
Need mobile wifi or a SIM card for all those travel photos you will be posting social media? Or did you forget to apply for travel insurance or visas? You can do them all at Changi Recommends. Book your devices early on their site and collect them just before you check-in. Hassle-free! Travel insurance and visas to Australia can be done on the spot, as well as the purchase of Japan Rail Passes and booking of overseas airport transfers. If you have any questions, you can chat with their associates directly on their website or WhatsApp them! Their counters are located conveniently at every terminal.
3. Start your selfie-taking engines! (T1, T2, T3)
A selfie (or wefie) taken anywhere inside the transit areas of Changi Airport is, in itself, worthy of a #humblebrag. There are, however, many photogenic areas within each of the three terminals that make excellent SnapChat and Instagram Stories. There are eight indoor and outdoor themed gardens inside the transit areas, such as the Cactus Garden and Piazza Garden at T1, the Orchid Garden and Sunflower Garden at T2, and the Butterfly Garden at T3. You can stop by each of them for a photo op. Remember to tag @changiairport in your photos!
4. Go watch a free blockbuster movie. (T2, T3)
Got a couple of hours to spare? The Movie Theatres at T2 and T3 screen very recent movies and are totally free-of-charge. Grab some food with the girls and walk in anytime. The theatres are open 24 hours a day, save for their once a week maintenance hours.
5. Nurse a drink (or two) at the bars with the girls. (T1, T2, T3)
Want to spend your time in a more… conducive manner? The bars in Changi Airport are open 24 hours a day, and you can choose to get together indoors or outdoors. Choose from Harry’s Bar, O’Learys Bar, Traveller’s Cactus Pub, and Carlsberg Sports Bar. Or you could visit the spectacular Wines and Spirits Duplex – the first of its kind in the world – at T3. There, you can sample cocktails and the famous Singapore Sling at the Raffles Long Bar.
6. Powder your nose and watch planes take off (T1, T3)
There are washrooms, and there are washrooms with a powder room area with a view of the airstrip. Guess which ones we’re always going to now when we’re in the transit area? Natural lighting and a selfie with a plane in the middle of take-off in the background? Checked.
7. Unleash your shopping prowess (T1, T2, T3)
Are you one of those who head straight to duty free shopping as soon as you’re past the automated immigrations lane? There are up to 180 quality brands from all over the world stocking at the The Shilla Duty Free stores in all three terminals. Not only do they have the latest international product releases, The Shilla Duty Free also has a lowest price guarantee that allows you to save up to 40% from department stores downtown, and even airports in the Asia-Pacific region.
In addition to that, Changi Airport offers a 2x Price Difference Refund. If the prices of your purchases from The Shilla Duty Free are more expensive than what you can find from 9 selected airports*, you’ll get a refund that is two times the price difference. Bet you didn’t know that!
You can also shop online ahead of your flight at iShopChangi (from two weeks up to 24 hours before your flight), which allows you to enjoy tax and duty-free shopping at the comfort of your home. You can buy the most popular duty-free products from Changi Airport’s retail shops – including beauty, wine & spirits, and even electronics. All you have to do is to click to purchase, then pick them up when you are at the departure terminal.
*Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Beijing Capital, Hong Kong International, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Seoul Incheon, Shanghai Pudong, Taipei Taoyuan, Frankfurt, and London Heathrow. Terms and conditions apply.
8. Get all relaxed and dolled up before your flight (T3)
You have to set some time aside for either an SKII Spa Therapy*, a Dior Makeover or a La Prairie massage. Or all three. At The Shilla Beauty Loft at Terminal 3, you and the girlfriends can enjoy an hour or two of luxurious beauty prep pre-flight.
At the SKII counter, test your skin based on radiance, texture, firmness, wrinkle resilience and spot control, then let the consultant recommend a series of spa therapies and facial treatment services that is customised for you.
Some of you may want to pop over to Dior to get your make up done instead. Choose between a simple makeover for a fresh and natural look for the flight, or if you have a short flight, go all out for a look fit for a bride on her hen’s getaway!
Finish off your beauty prep with a luxurious hand massage at the La Prairie counter using their anti-aging cream and have a cocktail together with all the girls at their private bar.
*Booking for SK-II services is advised. All services at the beauty counters are subject to availability.
Now that you’ve seen all eight things—there are definitely more if you explore the terminals—you can do before your flight, start planning your weekend getaway itinerary and remember to include the Changi Airport facilities in it!
Credits: All images courtesy of Changi Airport Group.
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