Singapore Airport Terminals
Singapore International Airport is a large aviation hub. As a matter of fact, it is one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia while being classed among the biggest aviation hubs in the world. The airport consists of two runways and four terminal buildings. The four Changi terminals form a large “U”, having the Jewel Changi -the recreational and retail terminal- in their center. Moreover, the Hub & Spoke lies beside terminal 2, where the famous Hub and Spoke Cafe, a gym center, shower facilities, and many more amenities are to be found. Finally, the JetQuay CIP terminal is a luxury facility that is part of SIN Airport lying next to Changi terminal 2, and is accessible to everyone for a fee.
Reaching the Hub & Spoke area, you’ll be able to join the Changi Airport Connector, the cycling and jogging route scattered with various attractions and connecting the airport to destinations on the East Side of Singapore.
Changi Airport Terminal 1
Singapore airport terminal 1 is the oldest terminal building in the complex. Hence, the “Grand Dame” of Changi Airport, as it is often called, is the terminal that served the airport when it first began its operation in 1981. Nevertheless, it has been through two massive renovations, and today is a modern and fully equipped facility that can handle up to 21 million passengers annually. Featuring high-tech services, terminal 1 also houses several art attractions, with Lantern Feature, Water Lily Garden, and Tropical Rainforest Vivarium being only some of them. Although the airlines of the air alliances don’t necessarily use the same terminal at the main airport in Singapore, most members of Oneworld operate at Changi terminal 1. Overall, terminal 1 spreads over 308.000m². Thus, passengers need around 6-8 minutes to traverse it from one side to the other.
Arrivals at Changi airport terminal 1 are to be found on the ground and first level, whereas departures are spread over the other floors. In detail, in Level 2, retail and dining facilities and Gates C and D are to be found, as well as access to Gates B and F and the Skytrain to T2 and T3. On the other hand, passengers find the Cactus Garden, the transit hotel, and the terminal’s lounges on Level 3. Please note that the Arrivals pick-up area lies on Basement 1.
Changi Airport Terminal 2
Singapore airport terminal 2 lies adjacent to terminal 1 on the east side of the airport complex. It opened its doors in 1991 and is bigger than Changi terminal 1. Hence, it can be traversed from one side to the other in about 22 minutes. It has also been renovated. It is a nature-inspired terminal as well. Verily, the natural element is dominant in the materials used, the coloring, and the design. The terminal houses gardens and a koi pond, along with a digital waterfall and sky. Moreover, it serves 16 airlines and more than 40 destinations and has been awarded for its efficiency.
In the basement level, the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Station is to be found, while Arrivals occupy the next two levels. Departures are spread over the next two floors. Explicitly, Gates E and F are to be found on Level 2, as well as access to buses to T3 and T4 and the Skytrain to T1 and T3. The Sunflower Garden, some dining options, a transit hotel, and lounges lie on Level 3. Finally, Level 4 houses the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
Changi Airport Terminal 3
Singapore airport terminal 3 is a relatively new addition to SIN Airport as it began its operation in 2008. It has a total capacity of 22 million passengers per year, significantly unburdening the other Changi airport terminals. It is situated on the west side of the airport campus, adjacent to T1, and is a large terminal facility. Indeed, passengers need around 29 minutes to move from one end to the opposite. Its design is focused on natural light, hence the glass structure. In fact, its architectural value has been officially recognized, having won the SIA Architectural Design Awards 2008. Expectantly, it is a green terminal, housing the Slide -the world’s tallest airport slide-, the Green Wall (one of the biggest indoor green walls globally), and the Butterfly Garden, home of more than 1000 butterflies. Moreover, it has 28 air bridges, while 8 out of them can accommodate super-jumbo aircraft. Finally, it is one of the main terminals for Singapore Airlines, the country’s flag carrier.
The terminal spreads over 7 levels, 4 above the ground and 3 underground. On the basement levels, you’ll find shops and dining facilities, movie screenings, playgrounds, and an atrium and gardens. Arrivals are located on Level 1 and Departures on Level 2. Indeed, Gates A and B and the Skytrain to Gates C are to be found at that level. Furthermore, Level 3 houses a theater, a transit hotel, various retail stores, and lounges, while Level 4 is the viewing platform.
Changi Airport Terminal 4
The newest Singapore airport terminal -Changi terminal 4- was constructed where the former Budget terminal housing the low-cost airlines was to be found, and is the only terminal that isn’t interconnected with the others. Lying at the south part of the terminal complex, it occupies a 225.000m2 area, can serve up to 16 million travelers per year, and can be traversed in about 14 minutes. Moreover, it features 17 stands for narrow-body aircraft and 4 stands for wide-body aircraft. It commenced operations in 2017, being a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly building with countless sites and attractions. Its entire design and decoration are based on the local cultural heritage. It is a tradition-based structure, awarded the Prix Versailles Architectural Award for South Asia and Pacific in 2018.
Changi airport terminal 4 is split into two floors. Level 1 houses the Arrivals. Passengers reaching the first floor also have access to the bus to T2 and MRT Station. Level 2 hosts the Departures, and Gates G. The transit hall lies on the mezzanine floor, along with various retail and dining facilities.
A fifth -larger than the other terminals and one of the biggest globally, handling up to 50 million passengers annually- terminal is expected to be added to the airport complex by 2030. A third runway -besides the two existing- is under construction as well.
Jewel Changi Airport Terminal
Although it isn’t actually a terminal, meaning that it doesn’t house Arrivals and Departures nor is it equipped with gates, Jewel Changi Airport is a multi-purpose building lying in the middle of the U-shape formed by Singapore airport terminals, close to T1, T2, and T3. It can be accessed only landside (hence, travelers have to pass through security control) and is connected to the other terminals via the Skytrain. Jewel Changi was constructed in 2019, where the former car park of terminal 1 was situated. Thus, an underground parking lot is to be found underneath its premises.
It houses so many services, amenities, and attractions that it is regularly visited by non-travelers as well. It is a rounded structure that features a large garden and Rain Vortex (the world’s biggest indoor waterfall) at its center. It spreads over five floors and houses numerous stores, eateries, cafes, bars, and restaurants, along with a hotel facility, a lounge, and many entertainment options. The Canopy Park occupies its fifth level, showcasing playgrounds, the Canopy Bridge, a Hedge Maze, a Mirror Maze, and the famous Discovery Slides.
Transfers Between Singapore Airport Terminals
You can walk your way between T1, T2, and T3 or catch the complimentary Skytrain. If you want to reach your destination on foot, you’ll head to the travelators found at the Departures transit area of terminals 1 and 3, where terminals 2 and 3 are linked landside via a link bridge on their mezzanine levels.
On the other hand, the Skytrain connects the three terminals from 04:30 am to 01:30 am. Passengers can catch the courtesy people mover both in the public areas of the terminals and airside. Moreover, travelers who want to get from T1 to T2 or vice versa from 01:30 am to 04:30 am can opt for the free airport shuttle bus, which makes a loop route between T2/MRT Station, T1/Jewel, and T4 on a 31-minute frequency.
Terminal 4 is linked to the other ones via the airport shuttle buses. Buses connect T4 to the other terminals landside and airside. They take approximately 10 minutes to link the public areas of T4 to the ones of T1 and T2. Hence, the shuttle buses from T1/Jewel to Changi terminal 4 (and vice versa) operate from 06:00 am to midnight every 9-26′, while shuttles from T2/MRT to T4 run every 6-26′. From midnight to 06:00 am, buses make a loop journey every 31 minutes. The bus stop at T1/Jewel is to be found at the T1’s Departures Central Kerbside, and at T2/MRT lies at Door 1 of T2 Arrivals. Moreover, the boarding bus point at T4 is situated at the Arrival Bus Lounge, whereas the disembarking location lies close to Door 4 of Departures.
Travelers who want to travel from T3 to T4 have to reach T2 and catch the shuttle bus from the boarding point.
As far as transit shuttle buses are concerned, they operate around the clock every 13 minutes, running from Gate C21 of T1 to the Arrivals hall 4 of T3 and the Transfer Lounge of T4. The traveling time between T1 and T3 is 6 minutes, and between T3 and T4 is 12 minutes, whereas transit bus journeys from T1 to T4 last around 18 minutes.
Transfers from Singapore Airport Terminals to Jewel Changi
Jewel Changi lies closer to T1. Verily, its north entrance is linked to the Arrivals hall of T1 (on Level 1). T2 lies 5-10 minutes on foot from Jewel Changi via a link bridge on the third level of T2, while Jewel Changi is also a 5-10-minute walking distance from T3 via a link bridge on the terminal’s Departures area (near Crowne Plaza).
FAQs
How many terminals are there in Singapore?
Singapore International Airport has four passenger terminal buildings. The three of them are interconnected, whereas T4 is linked to the other terminals via a free airport shuttle bus. However, a fifth terminal is going to be added to the airport campus by 2030.
Is it easy to get between terminals at Singapore Airport?
Transfers between terminals 1, 2, and 3 can be made on foot or via the Skytrain. On the other hand, T4 is connected to T1 and T2 via the free airport shuttle bus. Moreover, the airport shuttles are the only available mode of transit from 01:30 am to 04:30 when Skytrain is out of operation.
How do I get from terminal 1 to terminal 3 at Changi?
Changi airport terminals 1 and 3 are connected via the courtesy Skytrain, which operates from 04:30 am to 01:30 am. Nevertheless, passengers can get from one terminal to the other on foot as well.