A Brief Guide To Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1

Singapore Airport Map

The award-winning airport comprises four terminals on a 9.7-square-mile site, with a fifth terminal on the way Changi Terminal 5 is expected to be ready by 2030 and will handle over 50 million passengers annually.

Singapore Airport Terminals are actually four: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Terminal 4, distributed in an inverted U shape and having six boarding gates in total: A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

All four terminals have a total capacity of handling 85 million passengers per year, being one of the busiest airports in the world and one of the largest aviation hubs in Asia.

Serving more than 100 airlines, Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in the Asia-Pacific region. The award-winning airport comprises four terminals that are supported by three runways, each four kilometers long. The airport is often considered a destination in itself, with each terminal offering a unique passenger experience. This article takes a look at each of the four terminals – and the separate Jewel facility – and what to find there.

Terminal 1

In July 1981, Singapore Changi Airport’s first terminal was opened at the Northern end of the 9.7-square-mile (25-square-kilometer) airport site. It is built in an H-shape to maximize gate space. Terminal 1 hosts 29 jet bridges at gates C and D, serving international flights operated by airlines including British Airways, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Qantas, Air France, Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Note that alliance members tend to be spread at Changi – many of the oneworld alliance members are in Terminal 1, for example, but Cathay Pacific is in Terminal 4.

It underwent refurbishment works to allow more space for Arrivals, baggage claim and taxi counters.

Changi Airport Terminal 1 is home of boarding gates C and D and hosts international services around the world.

LEVELS

Changi Terminal 1 has 29 air bridges, 5 of them for large aircraft.

The terminal building is composed by the Arrivals Level, Departure Check in-Hall, Departure transit lounge level 2 & 3 and Airline lounges:

Arrivals level

With the following amenities and services: Baggage belts 19-16 and 20-23, currency exchanges (2), visitor centre and information counter. 

Departure Check-in Hall

There are the check-in rows 8-1 and 9-14, Premier Check-in area and departure immigration points (2).

Departure Transit Lounge Level 2

There are the duty free shopping, departure immigration, information counter, as well as the access to C & D gates and the SkyTrain connections to A, B, F, & E gates on T2 & T3. 

Departure Transit Lounge Level 3

You can find here the entertainment lounge, airline lounges, a business centre and also a cactus garden to relax. 

TRANSFER BETWEEN TERMINALS

Near the Check-in Hall you can find the SykTrain connections to T2 & T3 respectively. It takes no more than 4 minutes to transfer to either T2 or T3.

Service hours: 05:00 – 02:30 pm

While SkyTrain is closed due to maintenance works, you can use the Free Airport Shuttle Bus which is located at the second level of Departure Check-in Level Door 5.

Transfer to Changi Terminal 4

To transfer to Changi Terminal 4, passengers first need to get to Terminal 2 by SkyTrain and then board the Free Airport Shuttle Bus at the pick up location (Arrivals Hall Door 1).

Service hours: 24/7. Departures are done each 15-20 minutes. 

Amenities & Facilities

As an example, you can find a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi on the rooftop of the building and a wide offer of hotel-style dayrooms. 

– Baby care room
– Baggage storage
– Clinics and Pharmacies
– Convenience stores
– Free use rest areas
– GST refund
– Beauty care (spa, hairdressers, etc.)
– Hotel reservation counters
– Wi-Fi free connection
– Local SIM card purchase
– Lost & Found baggage claim
– Money Changers
– Prayer rooms
– Special needs
– Wheelchair rental

ON-AIRPORT HOTEL

At Level 3 (Departure lounge) of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 there is located the Aerotel Transit Hotel.

It counts with 70 rooms and offers some luxury services such as swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and bar. Please note that there is a minimum stay of 6 hours.

Fares

Standard room: Single ($100.00), twin/double ($120.00)

Budget room: Single/twin ($60.00)

Please note that there is an hour extension of $25.00

Showers: $20.00.

Service hours: 24/7. 

LOUNGES

Plaza Premium Lounge: Location: Departures hall, third level. Open 24 hours. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Telephones. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

Services available upon payment: Alcoholic drinks, Private rooms, Conference rooms.

Access fee: 36$ per person (3 hours access).

The Emirates Lounge: Location: Departures hall, third level. Open from first to last departure. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

The Qantas Singapore Lounge: Location: Departures hall, third level. Open from 02:30 pm – 11:00 pm. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

The Qantas First Class Lounge Singapore: Location: Departures hall, third level. Open from 02:30 pm – 11:00 pm. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, TV, Internet terminals. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

SATS Premier Lounge: Location: Departures hall, third level. Open 24 hours. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge: Location: Departures hall, third level. Service hours: 05:30 am – 07:45 am – 10:15 am – 08:30 pm (hours are subject to changes). Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers, Telephones.

British Airways Singapore lounge and Concorde Bar: Location: Third level. Open from 03:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Please note that it is an exclusive lounge for British Airways First Class passengers and Concorde Room Card members. Services: Premium food, Snacks, Alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, Newspapers, Magazines, Showers, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers, Telephones. Please note it is a non-smoking facility.

Marhaba Lounge: Open from 6:00am to 1:00am. Services: premium food, snacks, drinks, showers, Wi-Fi, TVs, Internet Terminals, among others. 

ATTRACTIONS

There are also some attractions you shouldn’t miss during your stay in Changi Terminal 1 like the Cactus Garden, with more than 100 of species of cactus from around the world, the Sculptural Tree Garden, a huge tree-like sculpture, or the Piazza Garden, where seasonal and thematic plants of Singapore’s folklore are displayed according to local celebrations and events. 

However, if you’re more interested in art, you should take a look at the Kinetic Rain, a 1,216 m bronze droplets sculptures which can form 16 different shapes from abstract to recognisable forms, or the Social Tree, a nine-meter tall screen where you can upload a picture or a video of yourself to be shared with Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 passengers.