Singapore (SIN) Stopover Tips

[Captain Halliday]

The information in this OMAAT post may be useful for people who:
- want to check in early and visit the Jewel
- are travelling from T4 (CX) but want to visit the lounges in T1 (QF, QR, BA, EK)

Note that T4 is not connected via the train-like thing that serves T1/2/3 and that pax departing T4 need the airline to stamp their boarding pass before they'll be allowed into T1/2/3.

 

[Captain Halliday]

This question is not strictly transit related, but I suspect the answer(s) will be useful to transit pax. (Mods move if you disagree)

Can you leave the SIN transit area after checking in?

After an upcoming SIN visit I'm on CX out of T4 with an 1800 departure.

I'm wondering if I can check in early (ie. 0800), enter T1 to have breakfast at the new QR lounge (I won't have time for the evening hours).

After breakfast I'd plan to exit the airport to visit Jewel.

Then around 1430 re-enter T1 for a late lunch at the QF F lounge before transferring to T4 ahead of my 1800 departure.

 

[dajop]

No. Immigration are quite strict that you cannot enter airside without any intention to travel. Not worth the risk.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No. Immigration are quite strict that you cannot enter airside without any intention to travel. Not worth the risk.

Spot on.

 

[NickCorr]

I only found out about this after I arrived:

ICA | SG Arrival Card

SG Arrival Card is an e-Service developed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). SG Arrival Card replaces the paper disembarkation/embarkation card and allows visitors to submit their personal information and trip details electronically prior to their arrival in Singapore.

icaeservices.ica.gov.sg

Has anyone tried this out yet? I am travelling with Family to SIN next month on vacation. I have a frequent visitors visa so I can use the thumb sensors, but I assume I am better off getting this set up for the rest of the family, Does anyone have any experience of the new system?

 

[AIRwin]

Has anyone tried this out yet? I am travelling with Family to SIN next month on vacation. I have a frequent visitors visa so I can use the thumb sensors, but I assume I am better off getting this set up for the rest of the family, Does anyone have any experience of the new system?

Yes I tried it with my parents recently with no problems...

 

[NickCorr]

Yes I tried it with my parents recently with no problems...

Awesome!! Thanks for that. So did you exit though the normal staffed gates, or have they got a special one for people who have self registered the eCard?

 

[AIRwin]

Awesome!! Thanks for that. So did you exit though the normal staffed gates, or have they got a special one for people who have self registered the eCard?

Same as usual...

 

[jkcfc]

We will be taking our first business class trip over the next couple of weeks and will be returning to MEL from SIN on Qantas departing at 23:40. Being a later flight we should have ample time to explore at least 2 of the lounges, maybe 3.

Out of the lounges in Terminal 1 that I think we should be able to access (Qantas Business, Emirates, Qatar & British Airways) which ones would you recommend if we are limited to 2?

I've read various reviews and am now leaning towards the Qatar as first choice followed by Emirates.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AIRwin]

I've read various reviews and am now leaning towards the Qatar as first choice followed by Emirates.

Yes and they are next door to each other anyway... Enjoy!

 

[serfty]

Has anyone any advice re the free Jewel Tour?

Free Jewel Tour | Singapore Changi Airport

Immerse yourself in this free 2.5-hour Jewel Tour as you hike through lush green sanctuary and sample local delicacies in Jewel Changi Airport.

www.changiairport.com

I have 8am-6pm transit coming up on the weekend.

 

[Quickstatus]

Must be the cheapest Michelin dish in the world

 

[Daver6]

Paid a visit in 2016. I gave up when I saw the line...

 

[tdimdad]

Do you happen to know if there are any differences in the network quality between the mobile operators (SingTel, M1, StarHub)? Their tourist prepaid SIM plans are priced pretty similarly so the potential differentiation comes then from the network quality.

 

[aussiemav]

I'm looking for tips at transit / layover.

I'm flying jetstar DPS to Singapore on 10th arrive 1pm. Need to visit apple store in the jewel.
I depart 6:55am back to DPS on 11th (different PNR)

Ideally I would like to
- get Sing to DPS boarding pass in advance (eg when depart DPS).
- be able to clear customs / immigration around 10pm (eg 9hrs before flight) - as I have QF lounge access.

Potential problems ?
- jetstar won't give next leg boarding pass in DPS since its different PNR
- reading this thread, appears boarding pass needs to be validated in Sing by human to clear customs ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm looking for tips at transit / layover.

I'm flying jetstar DPS to Singapore on 10th arrive 1pm. Need to visit apple store in the jewel.
I depart 6:55am back to DPS on 11th (different PNR)

Ideally I would like to
- get Sing to DPS boarding pass in advance (eg when depart DPS).
- be able to clear customs / immigration around 10pm (eg 9hrs before flight) - as I have QF lounge access.

Potential problems ?
- jetstar won't give next leg boarding pass in DPS since its different PNR
- reading this thread, appears boarding pass needs to be validated in Sing by human to clear customs ?

The qantas lounge will close at the departure of the last qantas service for the night, so around midnight.

You would then need to spend the rest of the night in the terminal.

 

[aussiemav]

The qantas lounge will close at the departure of the last qantas service for the night, so around midnight.

You would then need to spend the rest of the night in the terminal.

Yeah I'm ok to chill airside once the QF lounge closes

 

[dajop]

If you can't get your BP at DPS, Jetstar has early check in up to 12 hrs before departure:

https://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/help/articles/singapore-airport-early-check-in

The qantas lounge will close at the departure of the last qantas service for the night, which would be around the time you are planning to arrive?

QF lounge closes about 30 mins before QF1 departs @ 23:55. If QF1 is running late, it stays open later too.

 

[Bolt]

I've found that the Singapore lounges are open from 1430hrs till last QANTAS flight departs at 0000hrs. Source - Inside look: The reopened Qantas First Lounge Singapore - The MileLion

 

[AIRwin]

Looking for a good cheap freshly made meal in Changi?
Changi Airport Staff Canteen is the place.
You will find these in both T1 & T2.
The following is for T1 Staff Canteen
Located city side departure hall @ level 2
First Check-in your luggage.
Then DO NOT proceed to passport control.
Instead head for the area behind check-in row 13
There you will find lifts to B1.
There it is! You’ll see the staff canteen as soon as you come out from the lift.
Just follow the staff.
The staff canteen is setup like a Hawkers Market with multiple vendors.
It is good food and it is cheap.
Price for the public is about S$1 above staff price.
That is about S$5 for a good tasty meal.
Counting chairs, the seating capacity is about 700.
Suitable for a single traveller / family with kids.
It is an experience.
Opening hours varies - 6am to 11pm. for some vendors.
Search YouTube for a short <less than 2 min video
key this Singapore Changi Airport Staff Canteen at Terminal 1 (2017)
This video shows you how to find the hidden Staff Canteen in Terminal 1, Changi Airport, Singapore.
Bon appétit

Some recent photos: