If you belong to the category of travelers who check-in only at the last minute and literally run all the way from the immigration counter to your boarding gate, this blog post might change your style forever. I know that because I used to be a traveler just like that. But after I’ve been brought on a tour in the Transit areas and saw all the amazing facilities available, I was stumped for words. It’s no wonder Changi Airport always ranks among the top in the international arena all these years. Our Changi Airport is not just awesome – It’s MEGA AWESOME. And here are all the reasons why you should check-in early, way before your flight, just to enjoy all the FREE activities that are offered at the Transit areas.
1. SUNFLOWER GARDEN
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge Level 3
I know right – It sounds almost impossible but yes, we have a really beautiful Sunflower Garden right inside Changi Airport Terminal 2. Rows and rows of well-maintained sunflowers are bound to put a smile on your face. Beware though – For a moment, you might forget you have a flight to catch.
It’s really hot and sunny in the garden, but that’s the perfect condition for the sunflowers to flourish. Can you see how dark my Transitions Signature lenses became? So glad I had them on, so that I could appreciate the beautiful sunflowers in their true colours and details without having to endure the glare from the sun. Joey was very jealous of my specs “that could turn dark under the sun”, haha!
2. BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Terminal 3 Departure Transit Lounge Levels 2 & 3
The very fact that there is a two-storey butterfly garden in the Changi Airport is mind-blowing. When our guide told us about it, I had to double check to make sure I heard her correctly. This particular garden thrilled my kids to no end but I had to pluck up all my courage just to enter. I am terrified of butterflies, but thankfully, the butterflies in this catchment area seemed to be milder than the others I’ve seen. They would fly gently and rest on your finger if you stick it out! We could snap many photos of the butterflies because they were calm and still – So amazing!
The kids were so bold and they spent so much time inside the garden playing with the very friendly butterflies. It’s always a joy to see my kids enjoy Nature activities. :)
3. CINEMA & ENTERTAINMENT DECK
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge Level 3
There are many entertainment options available at the area just outside the Sunflower Garden. You can play LAN gaming, TV games, watch TV programmes, catch a movie at the cinema (Yes, no kidding!) or simply listen to some radio programs comfortably in armchairs while waiting for your flight. Best of all, everything is provided free-of-charge!
My kids don’t get to play TV games at home, so it was something very new to them. Look at their thrilled faces. =P
4. SWIMMING POOL
Terminal 1 near Transit Hotel at Departure Transit Lounge East, Level 3
If the weather gets overbearingly hot, go for a quick dip! For a small fee, you can use the pool for two hours, with towel provided for your use as well. What a great way to spend your time healthily and get really refreshed before your flight! I think this is way too cool for any airport to have.
5. ORCHID GARDEN & KOI POND
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge Level 2
Kids are always fascinated by fishes in pond, so this area will certainly entertain them. Even adults will feel therapeutic watching the koi swimming here and there in the pond.
6. ENCHANTED GARDEN
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge Level 2
I love this garden right smack in the centre of the Transit Lounge. It’s colorful, full of flowers and beautifully landscaped with generous use of stained glass structures. Really pretty!
7. THE SOCIAL TREE
Terminal 1 Central Piazza
This is an interesting interactive feature that allows travelers to share their photo and video memories instantly and to retrieve them on subsequent visits to the airport. The Social Tree is surrounded by eight touch-screen photo booths that enable travelers to 'attach' their photos onto the colourful and animated crown of the structure, which is made up of 64 giant 42-inch high-definition screens, offering a 360-degree display of various animated backgrounds including a mystical forest and the Singapore skyline. Travelers can also post photos and videos taken at the booths on their social networking profiles.
8. PLAYGROUNDS & MORE PLAYGROUNDS
Everywhere!
The kids will have no lack of playgrounds to entertain them at the Transit area. There are so many of them around!
If the adhoc playground structures are not enticing enough, there is one bigger-scale one called Canopy at Terminal 1 Viewing Mall.
The next time you are taking the plane to somewhere at Changi Airport, perhaps you can consider checking in several hours before your flight to kick-start your holidays earlier? =D
