Changi Matters

[Cruiser Elite]

We had a 4hr transit in SIN last Fri which due to airspace restriction in China lead to a 4hr delay in dep - but before delay announced and after bfast in TPR/F Lounge I took my 3 sisters on a guided tour of Changi - none of them had visited SIN before.

We visited Butterfly Garden - then Cactus Garden - then Swmming Pool - then Sunflower Garden - then finally Skytrain back to T3. Took gazillions of pics especially in front of all the spectacular flora features / fish ponds etc. Took just on 2hrs to traverse all 3 terminals and they were just astounded at the mutlitude of sights and experiences in SIN.

Anybody visiting SIN for first time I thoroughly recommend you try to take in as many experiences as you can.

 

[JMEL]

Which coupon JMEL?

No specific coupon. Any active promo code being offered by Expedia (or other booking site) at the time of your booking should work.

EDIT: I just looked up my travel records - the best price I've gotten on it was through cheaptickets.com (owned by Expedia), because CheapTickets seems to always have some kind of -18% or -16% code going on. I last paid US$66 for a twin room in T3 a few months ago.

 

[straitman]

Can anyone use the transit hotels at any time or what are the specific requirements to use it?

 

[moa999]

Being in transit?
Just be aware that they often book out well in advance

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Can anyone use the transit hotels at any time or what are the specific requirements to use it?

Anyone that has access airside - either arriving or using a boarding pass prior to a departure. (You might run into issues if you try to go airside for the sole purpose of staying at the hotel and then leaving the airport again.)

 

[cove]

Great map CE! Still trying to figure how I seemed to walk for 25 minutes between Terminal 2 to Crowne Plaza in Terminal 3.

 

[JessicaTam]

When I was at SIN in December there was a replacement bus for one of the airside trains. Best view of the underbelly of numerous planes that money couldn't buy.

 

[I love to travel]

that is why I take the inter-terminal bus from the immigration area, it is amazing plane spotting and only a few extra minutes

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Further update on iShopChangi online - to enable collection you need produce a receipt at a designated counter which is at extreme RHS of Changi Voucher counter in T3 (NFI if equivalent location exists T2 or T1 - but prolly):



Clearly signed if you bother to look at signage:



Once documents verified you are handed approved pick-up document which you exchange for your goods inside departure gate just prior to boarding - system works perfectly.

I had 55min connection in SIN last night and after delay dep PEK we arr B2 and dep A13 - 15 min walk with 1 min stop at iShopChangi counter and we were homeward bound - certainly overcomes that rediculous 90min pre dep DF window.

 

[cove]

Taking Mrscove to Changi tomorrow so we will stay at Crowne Plaza at T3 for the night. We are going to London this time rather than Los Angeles.

 

[daft009]

I read somewhere on AFF a while ago there is a food court in the basement which is now for the workers at the airport but is also open to the public that is supposed to have good local food?

I too am keen on trying these canteens.
did you end up trying/finding them?

Looks like I will be at Changi for 5hrs in transit, and instead of just sitting at silverkris the whole time, this will get me some exercise and a nice cheap meal

 

[petercr]

This might help Arch...
Singapore airport's secret staff canteens - CNN.com

 

[daft009]

thanks mate, just bookmarked that one..
though would be good to hear from someone here who has actually visited the canteens as well

did you give them a go on your recent trip?

looks like i might be doing a 4day sprint to Germany & back in late July

 

[petercr]

No, didn't go there... Just spent 7hrs in the T2 transit hotel and then about 3hrs in the transit lounge just reading and grazing...

Edit:the better half didn't feeling like walking around much...

 

[JohnK]

thanks mate, just bookmarked that one..
though would be good to hear from someone here who has actually visited the canteens as well

JessicaTam has been there. Highly recommended.

 

[JMEL]

Bookmarked that for my upcoming trips through SIN in July. Thanks petercr!

I wonder if the $20 Changi Dollar vouchers are valid in the canteens :mrgreen::mrgreen: Highly doubt it though, and it's dirt cheap as it is anyway!

 

[Cynicor]

It is a food hall style hawker centre, similar to any cheap indoors hawker centre in singapore. I believe is will shut down within the next few weeks for renovations, so you are unlikely to be able to visit.
It is getting a facelift and will change management to Food Republic IIRC.

 

[serfty]

How long are the renovations set to take?

anyway, here's a post for a few years ago:

It may close before you get there, but here's how to get to the Staff canteen: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ansit-between-terminals-41362.html#post647221

There is a photographic guide from post #32 courtesy of ermen.

Note there is also a smallish food court of sorts in the basement of T3.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi all - there used to be a service which I have taken advantage of at Changi, to transfer bags from one flight to another at the transfer desks, even where you didn't have baggage checked through. They would issue your BP, then go and find the bags and re-tag, and save you the trouble of going out and in again. Is this still available? Anyone used it recently?? I found this on the Changi website and it has me worried the game is up:

If you are travelling with a budget (low-cost) airline or you are travelling on two different airlines and your baggage is not checked through to your final destination
Please proceed to clear Arrival Immigration, collect your baggage (if any) and clear Customs before checking-in at the respective terminal for your connecting flight.

I have a flight tomorrow on QF to SIN and then a connection (separate booking) with MH to KUL, 2.5 hours later. Worst case, I have an ICAS cleared passport for quick entry and exit (like a resident)... but I was hoping to use the transfer service, and stay within the transit/departure zone.

Recent experiences, anyone?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[JohnK]

Recent experiences, anyone?

On arrival in SIN head to MH transfer desk in Transfer F and present your passport and luggage tags from previous QF flight and they will issue boarding pass and manually tag your luggage for onward flight.