A Nexus for the East (Singapore Changi Airport (SIN))

Name: dragonone

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Product:	Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Date:	11/04/02 (2227 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, efficient, Great & friendly staff, Relaxing, lots of shopping and entertainment

Disadvantages: will let you know

Over the past few years I have done a lot of travelling and if there is one airport that stands out for me, it is Singapore’s Changi Airport. I have now reached the stage that not only do I look forward to using this airport, but also I even plan it so I have time to enjoy the many features of this wonderful place.

~~~ A few Facts ~~~

Located on the Eastern Tip of Singapore about 20 minutes drive, traffic permitting, from the city centre. For those of you that are geographically minded: Latitude 01 21' 23" North, Longitude 103 59' 28" East.

The Airport covers 1,300 hectares, of which 870 were reclaimed from the sea. The two runways are 60Metres wide and run parallel for 4000Metres. Operations commenced in July 1981 with Terminal 1, Terminal 2 opened in November of the same year, and Terminal 3 is under construction and is due to open in 2006.

Acting as a major air hub for the Asia-Pacific region, currently more than 60 airlines covering over 140 destinations use this airport. This includes Singapore Airlines, Changi being it base of operations.

~~~ Facilities ~~~

Changi has some of the best services and facilities in the world: -

The business traveller can visit the Business Centres located in the Transit hotels. Free Internet access via Wired (802.3) and Wireless (802.11b) ethernet LAN

For the general traveller there are lots of ways to relax and while away the hours until your next flight. Visit the Entertainment Centre, watch a movie / TV, listen to Piano concerts and if you have more than five hour try the free 2.5 hour city tour.

Also Available: Children’s play area, Baby Rooms, Shops, Explorer Lounge, Mini Supermarket, Cyber cafe, Restaurants, Transit hotel, Money Changers, Phones and Postal services, Shower, Swimming Pool, hair and beauty to name but a few. I shall comment on those facilities I have used in the main part of this op.

To keep
you amused during your ‘stay’ at Changi there are a number of events to entertain you: a Live game show you can take part in, cultural dancing from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and USA even a Jazz festival

~~~ Get on with it! ~~~

OK, now that I have given you a taster for what is available, I really should tell you about my experiences here and maybe impart a few tips along the way. Although most of my experiences with Changi have been as a Transit passenger, I have visited Singapore it's self.

~~~ Arrival ~~~

Disembarking from your inbound flight, you walk up the entry ramp and enter the well-lit transit corridor on Level 2 of the Terminal. The floors are carpeted and all facilities and services are clearly sign posted. If your flight ‘docked’ at the far end of the Transit corridor, there are travellators available to speed your journey. On either side are the glass fronted departure gates & lounges, more on these later. Be warned Changi airport is vast; it can take 20 minutes or more to walk from one end of a transit corridor to the main Transit Lounge and passport control.

Before you enter the main transit lounge, Singapore visitors will be directed down to Level 1 of the terminal via ramps, stairs and escalators. On Level 1 you will pass thru immigration, baggage reclaim, customs on your way to the exit. Additionally the lost luggage and Night-stop counters can be found on this level.

Joining the queue at passport control I prepared for the traditional long wait, I was surprised to be dealt with rapidly by a pleasantly smiling and polite customs officer who asked me the standard questions as to the reason for my visit, length of stay etc.

Into the baggage reclaim area, checking the Flight Information screens for my flight number I quickly found the correct belt, which the luggage from my flight was already wandering around.

After ‘recla
iming’ my luggage I passed thru the Green customs channel and made my way to the taxi ramp. I joined the rapidly moving queue and was pleased to find myself in a taxi heading for my hotel in less than 35 minutes from getting off the plane.

A few arrival tips:
-Lost Luggage, if you are unable to find your luggage there are a number of Lost & Found Counters – the staff are very helpful.
-Duty Free: If you are over 18, have arrive from countries other than Malaysia and have been away from Singapore for more than 2 days you can bring 1 litre each sprits, wine or beer
-Make sure you have you departure ticket available are passport control

~~~ Departure (Check in) ~~~

The departure procedure probably has changed since September 11th, so I will not say too much except that if you have flown out of one major airport then the procedure is fairly universal. However in the case of Singapore Changi Airport the staff are always polite and efficient.

Departure tips
-Check with your airline for specific hand luggage specifications, only on item of hand luggage per traveller
-Ensure you have no sharp objects in your hand luggage, knives, forks, needles, hairpins etc
-Since September 11th a $6 Singapore security charge has been added to the $15 airport tax, you should be able to pay this when booking your flight

~~~ The Transit Lounge ~~~

The Transit lounge is large, occupying the whole of Level 2 and a fair amount of level 3 of both terminals 1 and 2. You can walk between these terminals within the Transit lounge. For the purpose of this opinion, I shall be describing the terminal 2 transit lounge as this is the one that UK travellers will arrive at. Terminal 1 has similar facilities and structure.

Level 2 is pretty much given over to retail therapy with over 100 stores catering to all possible tastes at duty free prices. You will even see a familiar UK high street name –
WH Smith’s. You can splash out on Toys, cosmetics, designer clothes, books, sweets and all kinds of luxury goods. My wife enjoyed this part of our stay here, we (I) purchased her a pair of designer trousers to replace those that our daughter threw up on for $45 Singapore.

At this point I should tell that all major credit cards are accepted, along with hard currencies such as US dollar, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen, British pounds, Hong Kong Dollars and Australian Dollars. Not all stores will accept all these currencies, and not at the same exchange rate.

The Money changers are on Level 2, they always change into Singapore dollars before changing into any other currency. When we were there in December 2001 the rate was $2.5 Singapore to the UK pound. I found that getting a small amount of Singapore dollars ($200) aided our usage of the airport.
Apart from shopping, Level 2 is well equipped with Mobile PC access points, an Internet café, many comfortable seats, a smoker’s room. Smoking in public placed is prohibited in Singapore, as is chewing gum! There are a number of tranquil spots – the Orchid Garden and Koi pond are my favourites, my daughter and I spent a pleasant 30 minutes sitting on the wooden decking watching the fish while my wife made some purchases.

As I have said before there is a free bus tour of Singapore for those spending more than 5 hours in transit, these operate between 10am and 7pm. All phones are International direct dial, you can make collect calls (reverse charge) via the Singapore operator by dialling 104, or use the country operator. Best of all, all calls to Singapore numbers are FREE.

Level 3 can be reached by escalator, however you have to use specific escalators to get to particular facilities on level 3, follow the signs on level 2.

The Business Centre can be reached from the escalator closest to gates F50-F59, also up this escalator you will find the open air area,
Transit hotel – very useful for longer stays, the health and beauty center, the Entertainment center with lots of electronic games, the childrens playroom and movie theatre. My favourite part is the showers, after 13 hours on a plane we needed a shower. A Shower will cost $5 Singapore per person, free for infants & children. You get soap, a big tower and unlimited hot water. There are free hair dryers in the dressing area which you share with 4 other shower rooms which is a minor issue. The only other issue here is that the shower head is a little low for me, the showers are designed for the smaller stature of the asian traveller.

Two escalators in the central part of level 2 take to the mini super market, which stokes a limited range of international sweets, drinks, snacks and essentials – Toothpaste, plasters, ladies sanitary products etc.. One of the First/ Business class lounges is situated in this section. The main food court is here serving a variety of meals from Burgers to sushi. Be warned that prices are on the high side.
There are a number of eateries around Level 2, including a sushi/fish bar and a café bar. Other ‘pit stops’ are located in the transit corridors – opening times vary.
The Escalator closest to Gates E20 to E28 takes you to the main First/Business class lounges.

~~~ Departure Gates ~~~

All departure gates are located either side of the transit corridors that ‘radiate’ from the main Transit Lounge on Level 2 of the terminals. Each departure gate has it’s own lounge with ample seating for the passengers, drinks machines are also available. Each lounge has large windows to the outside world, so you can watch your plane being prepared. A glass wall separates the gate lounge from the transit corridor. Transit corridors do have a limited amount of seating, lots of phones and refreshment ‘pit stops’.

Departure gates open approximately 45 min
s before the aircrafts’ scheduled departure time. I find it is best to be outside the gate about an hour before departure time. Once the gate opens, your passport/ticket will be checked. You will have all hand luggage x-rayed, this includes coats, belt bags etc. Infants in buggies will be searched. You will be asked to walk thru a metal detector and you may be electronically frisked. Sharp objects such as metal knives, forks, combs, nail files etc will be confiscated. Your boarding card / passport will be checked again before you are allowed into the seating area. Boarding starts approximately 15 mins before departure, travellers with Children and disabilities are allowed to board first along with business/first class passenger. Economy travellers board when their seat numbers are announced.

~~~ Conclusion ~~~

As I hinted at the start of this opinion, I am rather fond of this airport. It is clean, well laid out with superb facilities. Despite the size of the airport it is light and airy, with plenty of places to relax, seating is plentiful and comfortable. There is always something happening and lots to do, despite all this; Changi has never been crowded in the same way as Heathrow or Gatwick.

I just hope that the designers of terminal 5 at Heathrow took a good hard look at Changi airport before putting pen to paper.

A few costs Costs:

All costs are in Singapore dollar$, exchange rate was £1 = $2.5

Shower per person $5
Burger& Fries $10
Noddle Soop $10
Designer Trousers $45

Summary: