What to Do in Singapore Airport for 6 Hours: A guide
Finding yourself with a six-hour layover at Singapore’s Changi Airport? You’re in luck. Changi isn’t just an airport—it’s an attraction in its own right, offering an enormous range of activities to keep you entertained during your wait.

Known as one of the best airports globally, Changi Airport is more than ready to cater to travelers on extended layovers. I purposely planned my route to Southeast Asia via Singapore so I could experience everything Changi Airport had to offer. And it is absolutely out of this world insane.
However, the downside is – it will ruin all other airports for you. There is nowhere that comes even this close to what a layover in Changi Airport does.

In this post, I’ll guide you through some must-do activities if you find yourself wondering what to do in Singapore Airport for 6 hours. Whether you’re a nature lover, a shopaholic or a foodie, rest assured there’s something for every traveler here. So sit back and let me take you on a virtual tour of Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Transit Airport Hotels
Looking to catch some zzzs whilst transiting through Changi Airport? Check out the following hotels in Changi Airport to get some sleep or freshen up.
YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport Landside – Located inside the Jewel and outside the transit area (landside), you can even purchase a 6-hour day room to sleep and take a shower if needed.
Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel (AIRSIDE) – Located airside in Terminal 1 and featuring a swimming pool on the roof. You can rent a room for either 6, 12 or 24 hours depending on your transit needs.
The Jewel Changi Airport – Terminal 1
Let me tell you, the Jewel at Changi Airport is a sight to behold. It’s not just a place to catch planes; it’s also a lifestyle destination packed with shops, restaurants, and unique attractions. If you’ve got six hours to kill in Singapore airport, there’s no better way to spend them than by exploring this modern wonder.
Note: The majority of the attractions in the Jewel are landside, so if you are transiting, you will need to exit airside to see some of the things on this list.
The HSBC Rain Vortex
One of the most arresting sights in the Jewel Changi Airport is the HSBC Rain Vortex. The HSBC Rain Vortex is the world’s largest indoor waterfall and flows down 40 meters.

You’ll find yourself captivated by its sheer majesty as it cascades through seven floors of lush greenery and retail space. The Rain Vortex is located in the center of the Shiseido Rain Forest, a lush green series of paths and walkways that makes you feel like you’re in a forest rather than an international airport.
The Rain Vortex in Changi Airport is impressive no matter what time of the day you have your 6-hour layover. During the evenings the Rain Vortex illuminates and at 8 pm and 9 pm there is a light show.

If you’re looking for what to do in Singapore airport for 6 hours then an afternoon exploring the Rain Vortex and Shiseido Rain Forest will happily waste away a couple of hours and leave you with iconic photos.
Shopping in the jewel
If you’re like me and have a passion for shopping, then you’ll be thrilled to know that Singapore’s Changi Airport is nothing short of a shopper’s paradise. With six hours at hand, there’s plenty of time to explore the vast array of retail outlets.
There are over 280 retail outlets and eateries spanning various cuisines around the globe. I discovered a fun Japanese supermarket on the ground floor called Don Don Donki and spent quite some time looking at all the facial products and food from Japan.
Whether you’re craving some local delicacies like Hainanese chicken rice or looking for a taste of home with familiar chains like Shake Shack, they’ve got all your food needs covered.
The Canopy Park
The Canopy Park is another must-visit attraction in the Jewel. It houses several gardens and leisure facilities such as hedge mazes, bouncing nets, and even slides for those feeling particularly adventurous!
The Mastercard Canopy Bridge soars at the top of the Rain Vortex and has a transparent bottom, so if you’re anything like me and not so great with heights, you might want to skip the Canopy Bridge part.
I scuttled my way as fast as I could across the bridge, but it was incredible to see the train running through the center of the Shiseido Rain Forest, the rain vortex and still believe that you’re in an airport!

An adult ticket to access Canopy Park is $13.90 SGD and provides you with access to the bouncing and walking nets, foggy bowls, and Discovery Slides. If you’re traveling with kids or are a kid at heart yourself, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
The Bouncing Nets are a giant net suspended 8 meters above ground level. The Discovery Slides are a sculptural playscape that isn’t just for children; it doubles up as an observation deck too.

For those who prefer something less adrenaline-inducing, take a leisurely stroll through Topiary Walk and Petal Garden. These lush green sanctuaries showcase different seasonal flowers and creative animal-shaped topiaries – all within the confines of an airport!
If you’re looking for what to do in Singapore airport for 6 hours then head to the Canopy Park spending them exploring all the fun activities and attractions Canopy Park has to offer.

Shiseido Forest Valley
One of my favorite spots in Singapore’s Changi Airport is the Shiseido Forest Valley. A vibrant, lush, four-story garden that spreads over 22,000 square meters and boasts more than 900 trees and palms alongside around 60,000 shrubs from various countries.

Walking trails wind through this indoor oasis, making me feel like I’ve stumbled into a secret forest right in the middle of the airport terminal. The soothing sounds of waterfalls add another layer of tranquility to the atmosphere. It’s hard to believe that such an urban jungle can coexist with busy airport life.
At nightfall, the Shiseido Forest Valley transforms into a magical wonderland courtesy of the HSBC Rain Vortex light show which presents an enchanting spectacle at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and an additional showing at 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

For those traveling with little ones or just young at heart, there are interactive games available at different points along your walk through the valley – each one teaching fascinating facts about biodiversity and sustainability.
Butterfly Garden – Terminal 3
One of the most unusual attractions in Singapore’s Changi Airport is airside in Terminal 3 – the Butterfly Garden. Nestled away in Terminal 3, it’s a paradise for nature lovers and weary travelers alike. Over a thousand butterflies flutter freely in this tropical haven, representing about 40 different species.

Changi Airport has created a lush environment with a cascading waterfall and climate controlled for the various species of butterflies to thrive. There are special feeding corners where you can watch butterflies feed up close. They’re attracted by ripe pineapples placed on feeding stands.
For those who are curious about the butterfly life cycle or simply want more insight into these beautiful insects, there’s also an educational corner filled with informative displays. It provides engaging insights into various stages of a butterfly’s life – from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally to its transformation as a butterfly.

You can visit Changi Airport’s Butterfly Garden if you have a connecting flight or are taking a flight from the airport. Because the Butterfly Garden is airside, you will need to travel from whichever terminal you are departing from to get to Terminal 3.
My flight was departing from Terminal 4, so I followed the signs for transferring between terminals. The security guards will tell you if you have enough time to visit the terminal. A bus (if in Terminal 4) will take you, and it’s a 10-minute journey. Otherwise, there is an interconnecting train between Terminals 1, 2 & 3.

Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi – Terminal 1
If you’re looking for what to do in Singapore airport for 6 hours that will leave you feeling relaxed, sun-kissed and maybe even an opportunity to read a page or two of your latest book, then head to the roof of Terminal 1 and the outdoor swimming pool in the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel.
For $25 SGD per adult, you can easily spend a couple of hours in the baking Singapore heat and cooling off in the swimming pool or jacuzzi. Guests who have booked a stay in the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel can use the rooftop swimming pool free of charge.
Sip a few cocktails at the poolside bar, dry off with the complimentary towels, and wait out your next flight in this remarkable rooftop pool. Seriously, Changi Airport has the best layover activities!
Note: The Swimming Pool in Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel is only available airside.
The Slide @ T3
One of the most fun things about Singapore’s Changi Airport is the massive slide they have installed in Terminal 3. It’s not just any ordinary slide though – it’s touted as the world’s tallest slide within an airport standing at a whopping four stories high.
If you’re wondering whether this slide is just for kids, adults can enjoy this thrilling ride too. The only requirement? You’ve got to be at least 1.3 meters tall and under 200 kilograms.
There is a small catch before you can zoom down this monster slide. For every $10 spent at Changi Airport in a single receipt, you earn yourself one ride on the Terminal 3 Slide. That means if you’ve racked up some shopping or dining receipts during your transit time, don’t throw them away.
Movie Theatre – Terminal 3
If you’re transiting in Terminal 3 make sure to check out the free movie theatre that shows the latest blockbusters 24 hours a day. With numerous showings throughout the day, the free movie theatre in Terminal 3 at Changi Airport is a good way to decompress after a long flight or catch up on a good movie.
The Chandelier – Terminal 4
Slide down to the gates in Terminal 4 and start to clamber upon the enormous Chandelier, a series of nets that is 16 meters high! The play structure encourages young and those young at heart to soar to incredible heights whilst waiting for their next flight.


Conclusion
So while waiting for your flight in Singapore airport might seem like purgatory elsewhere around the globe, in Changi Airport it feels more like an amusement park. If you’re wondering what to do in Singapore airport for 6 hours there are a huge number of things to keep everyone in the family occupied.
Whether that’s exploring everything the Jewel has to offer, riding down slides, or watching butterflies, there is no other airport like it in the world.
Have you been to Changi Airport? What did you enjoy about it? Looking for more Singapore-related content? Read my post on Gardens by the Bay Lightshow here.
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Meet Missy…
Missy spent the first 2 decades of her life living in her native Dublin, Ireland. Before a life living overseas called to her, and she spent the next decade living in China, Laos & Belgium. She now splits her time in Antwerp, Belgium, and wherever the sun is currently shining. You can follow Missy’s real-time travels on her Instagram.