18 hours between flights at Changi Airport

[daydreamer]

In about two months, we will be transiting at Changi between a flight from Melbourne to one to Frankfurt - a layover of 18 hours. Any suggestions of what we might do to make this more comfortable? We are not SIA members nor are we flying business class so that cuts out the SIA lounge. Suggestions appreciated. Margaret

 

[Pushka]

We have a similar issue next month at the end of our trip. Have booked a day room at Crowne Plaza airport. Have been to Sin many times.

 

[Hvr]

Geylang isn't too far away and clean/cheap rooms will do the trick.

 

[RooFlyer]

Your main bags will be held in transit, so take carry-on such that it'll last you for a stop-over (I assume involving overnight) in Singapore. No visa needed. Exit to landside, then get on the MRT ('metro') at the airport (or a taxi) and go almost anywhere to a hotel you have booked, presumably somewhere down town. Might take you 30 minutes door to door. Spend the daylight hours seeing the sights; evening having a great meal, either at Boat Quay or similar, or at any number of the great restaurants there.

There are oodles of suggestions for hotels and restaurants here. Look at 'Trip reports' and/or 'Destination guides' .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In about two months, we will be transiting at Changi between a flight from Melbourne to one to Frankfurt - a layover of 18 hours. Any suggestions of what we might do to make this more comfortable? We are not SIA members nor are we flying business class so that cuts out the SIA lounge. Suggestions appreciated. Margaret

The answer really depends on the flight timings. If overnight, I'd suggest finding a hotel. The YMCA One Orchard is centrally located (right on orchard Road), 3-star accommodation, and around $125 a night. This is probably one of the best value hotels. (Despite it being a 'YMCA' it is pretty much a standard hotel, with private rooms and en suites).

If the 18 hours is during the day, or outside of standard hotel hours (for example you're arriving very early in the morning), there is a transit hotel within the terminal (don't clear immigration). This has rooms in blocks of 6 hours (with additional hours available). There's also a separate pool. Prices are very reasonable.

You could combine a stay at the transit hotel with one of the free Singapore Tours offered by the airport: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/special-offers/free-singapore-tour/

Is your transit in Changi on singapore airlines to singapore airlines?

If so, you will be eligible for 'Changi Dollars': http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/promotions/transit-promotion.jsp

Changi Dollars will give you two vouchers per passenger, both of $20 each. One can be used to redeem 2 hours worth of lounge access. The lounge includes showers, snacks and refreshments.

You could use the lounge for a couple of hours before or after your tour to have a shower and freshen up for the flight. (Or alternatively, depending on your flight times, arrive from MEL, use Changi dollars for a couple hours of lounge access, then go on a tour, then take the transit hotel before the flight.)

 

[Fifa]

Depending on the time, I can recommend the Crowne Plaza Changi.
Fantastic hotel with beautiful pool and you can duck over to the airport for meals (including the staff canteen). Hotel is certainly not cheap but worth it.

 

[daydreamer]

Thank you for that. Will look at it.

 

[Squirrel.Monkey]

Another vote for the Crowne Plaza, not cheap but great hotel and great staff. Would highly recommend there.

 

[Denali]

I enjoy layovers at Changi and stay airside.

You can sign up for a free city tour but what I prefer to do is go have a massage, a meal then I check into the Transit hotel (book way in advance) for a nap and shower.

One day I will get to the pool (T1).

 

[daydreamer]

Thank you. I think we will certainly be staying airside. We go on to Frankfurt from Singapore so won't be wanting to do anything much. If we had been flying QF, we would be vegetating in the QF lounge as we are Qantas Club members but no such luck with SIA. Anyway, a bit of time to go yet, so we'll see what happens or what inspiration hits. But thank you all for your input and suggestions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you. I think we will certainly be staying airside. We go on to Frankfurt from Singapore so won't be wanting to do anything much. If we had been flying QF, we would be vegetating in the QF lounge as we are Qantas Club members but no such luck with SIA. Anyway, a bit of time to go yet, so we'll see what happens or what inspiration hits. But thank you all for your input and suggestions.

i cant recall call if you gave your flight times? however with a combination of the pool at terminal 1 (which has a bar and snacks) plus a couple hours of lounge time courtesy of changi dollars and perhaps a free Singapore tour, you might be able to cobble together something for 18 hours... it's a long time though

The ambassador transit hotel is quite expensive at $129 for six hours.

 

[JohnK]

Thank you. I think we will certainly be staying airside. We go on to Frankfurt from Singapore so won't be wanting to do anything much. If we had been flying QF, we would be vegetating in the QF lounge as we are Qantas Club members but no such luck with SIA. Anyway, a bit of time to go yet, so we'll see what happens or what inspiration hits. But thank you all for your input and suggestions.

Plenty of things to do at SIN airport.

Restaurants, bars, movies etc. Take a free city tour if you feel up to it. Book the airside hotel for 6 hours if want to relax and have a shower.

 

[Gold Member]

i cant recall call if you gave your flight times? however with a combination of the pool at terminal 1 (which has a bar and snacks)

The pool is closed for renos until August, as is the cactus garden. It's all gone cactus...

Writing this lazing around on the Crowne Plaza Changi pool

 

[RooFlyer]

Thank you. I think we will certainly be staying airside. We go on to Frankfurt from Singapore so won't be wanting to do anything much. If we had been flying QF, we would be vegetating in the QF lounge as we are Qantas Club members but no such luck with SIA. Anyway, a bit of time to go yet, so we'll see what happens or what inspiration hits. But thank you all for your input and suggestions.

Staying in the airport was the implication in the original post, but I thought it must have been the wording. I've been bored rigid in any number of F lounges (including SQs) after about 3-4 hours but 18 hours in any airport to me would be a day in hell. I suspect at the 8 hour mark the Free City Tour will be looking good

 

[dmitri]

I would go to Jumbo seafood at Clarke Quay and belt a few chilli crabs, then get over to Sentoza Island for a walk around, then do some night markets for dinner before going back to the airport to maybe have a swim and catch a movie.

 

[daydreamer]

That sounds like we might put something together. Flight from Melbourne arrives at 05.55 and the flight to Frankfurt leaves at 23.55. we had originally intended to stay in the airport.

 

[wandering_fred]

That sounds like we might put something together. Flight from Melbourne arrives at 05.55 and the flight to Frankfurt leaves at 23.55. we had originally intended to stay in the airport.

Since SIN has open access between arrivals and departures, and given your arrival time, I think I would book 6 hours at the transit hotel on arrival to catch up on the sleep. Then head downtown for some lunch/dinner and the tourist attractions. Or if being economical, the city tour others have suggested.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[dajop]

First things first. Straight to the SQ counter to go on standby for the early afternoon flight to FRA. .


If not interested in that or (in all likelihood is not allowed), then I'd suggest given you may be tired from overnight flight AND that it will be midnight at your destination try and get 6 hrs sleep at the transit hotel. May ultimately help with jetlag. After that is head into town somewhere for the afternoon and enjoy a meal early evening.

 

[Moopere]

If I'm tired and the transit time is less than about 8 hours I'll search for a pay lounge - there are usually at least 2 to choose from in each of the terminals. More than 6-8 hours and I agree with the poster above, becomes difficult to keep your sanity - there are only so many showers one can take or chicken wings one can eat It is pretty easy to get into town and with >8 hours to kill you've plenty enough time - really depends on how knackered you feel.

Last time I had a 12hr transit I spent the day at Raffles in town, perhaps a bit cliche, but a lovely spot and you can while away a few hours easily having a drink or two and a bit of a wander.

 

[wandering_fred]

Last time I had a 12hr transit I spent the day at Raffles in town, perhaps a bit cliche, but a lovely spot and you can while away a few hours easily having a drink or two and a bit of a wander.

A premise which I can not only like but often promote to the fullest extent possible.

Happy wandering

Fred