Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport was named best in show at the World Airport Awards earlier this year, picking up the top gong for the fifth consecutive year.

I mention this because there is a good chance you will change planes at this airport on your way to volunteer in Vietnam or volunteer at an elephant camp in Thailand.

In 2016 a record 58.7 million passengers were lucky enough to experience Singapore Changi Airport  — the world’s greatest airport.

It has a butterfly garden, for starters. Found in Terminal 3, it features flowering plants, a six-metre waterfall and 1,000 butterflies from 40 species.  

The airport now has Singapore’s first premium Japanese farmers’ market. The retail space offers everything from seasonal veggies and fruits to meat products and sake — all brought in from Japan. Some items, including the Egoma tea and a selection of unique sushi and wagyu sake, are new to Singapore.

Terminal 1 has a cactus garden (featuring 40 species and a cocktail bar), a rooftop swimming pool and jacuzzi (from which you can watch planes taking off), a water lily garden, and the Kinetic Rain art installation featuring 1,216 polished copper raindrops.

The Orchid Garden features more than 700 orchids of 30 species grouped by their various colours and shapes, representing the 4 elements of nature – Earth, Water, Fire and Air.

White orchids displayed with floating glass bubbles represent ‘Air’, while rare brown and green orchids displayed with tree root sculptures represent ‘Earth’.  Floral columns simulating giant candles represent ‘Fire’ while clustered blue and violet orchids represent the ‘Water’ element.

Changi Airport Garden

If you have time to spare at Changi Airport, you don’t have to worry about a lack of entertainment. Die-hard movie fans will find the Movie Theatres in Terminals 2 & 3 the best place to spend their time when transiting at Changi Airport.

You can enjoy movies of different genres at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. These screenings are available free-of-charge for your viewing pleasure and these entertainment hubs are open 24 hours daily.

There is also an Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 area where you can play the games consoles for free.

The new Xbox Kinect room sports gaming experience. It is based on your movements and actions, including your facial expressions and voice. Just choose table tennis, beach volleyball, track and field events, bowling, boxing or soccer.

At the MTV booth, you can watch your favourite music videos on a 50-inch plasma television with great quality sounds piped directly to your seat.

Changi Airport Departures