Transit hotels at Changi Airport in Singapore have taken the haul out of long haul, writes MARY RUSSELL
CAN’T FACE that long-haul flight eastwards – and back again? Singapore’s Changi Airport, rated among the best in the world, awaits. Having once suffered a week of jet lag flying to Australia, I recently chose the option of breaking my flight midway by flying the first 12 hours to Changi, pausing and then flying the remaining eight hours feeling renewed, refreshed and ready for Oz.
Changi has three terminals: T1, T2 and T3. The last is long haul and the one where European flights arrive at. The stay-over options at Changi are many and varied. In T3 you can flop down in a comfortable armchair and watch a video on the biggest flat screen you’ve ever seen. Why not tuck yourself into a quiet part of any of the three terminals and sleep freely. Or book a budget bed in either T1 or T2’s shared facilities from €23. You could even pay a bit more (€38) and book into one of the airport’s “Transit” hotels. I chose the one in T3 which was two minutes walk from the arrival gate.
One way or the other, you remain in transit all the time which means no faffing around with customs, immigration or luggage reclaim – assuming you’ve booked your main luggage through to its final destination. If you haven’t there are left luggage places in all terminals.
Transit hotels allow you book your stay in six-hour sections with the option of adding on an hour or two if needed. Flight arrival and departure times are logged when you book and booking a week or two in advance is advised. When I arrived at Changi T3 at about 7pm, I headed straight for the rooftop swimming pool (on level three, close to the Transit hotel in T1) and within minutes was floating serenely under a creamy moon. My rucksack was safe in the changing room locker, towels were provided and as a hotel customer (bring your booking reference) free entry included a drink at the poolside bar.
Two hours later, I checked in to my room which came with a flat screen, tea-making facilities and the option of an alarm call. Next morning, after breakfast, I strolled to the departure gate which was all of two minutes away. No need to check in as I was still in transit.
Eating places are many and varied. All the usual suspects are there. I had breakfast in the Kaveri Indian vegetarian café, in T3, which was delicious and inexpensive at €4.50.
Compared to Heathrow, with its low ceilings and noisy, densely-packed lounges, Changi is light, airy and uncrowded. Skytrains shuttle regularly between the three terminals, eating places are everywhere and I have never seen so many internet terminals – all free. A mobile post-office sells cards and stamps and T1 has an excellent book store. There are bays where you can pick up a stroller for a toddler or a light wheel chair for an adult – all for free and no paperwork.
In T3 I found a bank of 12 docking stations where you can charge almost any sort of phone or camera battery. Choose the right station for your USB port, pop in your phone or camera, connect the cable to your device, close the small glass door, lock it, and then go away and have a cup of coffee. But be warned: don’t arrive at your destination only to remember your phone is back in Changi.
Perhaps the most imaginative aspect of this airport is its garden trail, well signposted and ideal for children. I visited only one : the Butterfly Garden in T3, surely an airport first with a six-metre waterfall surrounded by tropical plants and, wait for it, a transparent butterfly breeding enclosure.
In T3 also, beside the Transit hotel, there is a quiet lounge where you can book in for three hours at a time and also sleeping pods, which consist of a bed (with bedlinen) and nothing else, all these less than five minutes from your departure gate.
Any snags? Tried hard to find some. Oh, yes: on my return journey, I booked in online only one week in advance and was told too late – nothing available. An hour later I phoned and got a room. When I went for my swim on the return trip, I had already checked out and was told I had to be actually staying at the hotel to get in free. A chat with the manager dealt with that. Changi staff are nothing if not flexible. Was it worth it in terms of money and time? Definitely. I’ll be back.
* changiairport.com
