Landing at Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) and want to visit the Jewel waterfall and need help getting there? This guide will help you get to the Jewel from Terminal 3. I landed at Terminal 3 so this post will detail my experience getting to the Jewel from there. Hope it helps!
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Intro
The Changi Airport Jewel is a mall that is inside a massive dome across from Changi Airport (SIN). Within the Jewel mall is the famous HSBC rain vortex waterfall. If you’re visiting Singapore and wish to visit the waterfall as your first stop in Singapore, then this guide will help you navigate from Terminal 3 to the Jewel waterfall.
If you land in a different Terminal, then check out the Changi Airport website (here) that provides general directions from other Terminals.
How To Get To The Jewel
Bottomline: The Jewel waterfall is easily accessible from Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 and is located inside the detached Jewel Mall directly across the street.
How To Get To The Jewel From Terminal 3
If you’re coming from a far destination, such as the U.S., then you will likely land in Terminal 3. To get to the Jewel waterfall you will have to leave the terminal. This means going through the immigration process and picking up your luggage from baggage claim.
Immigration Process & Baggage Claim
To fast-track your way through the immigration process, fill out the Singapore arrival card (SGAC) form online. The SGAC is required for you to enter Singapore and is recommended that you do it at least 2 days prior to your arrival since you have to receive a confirmation email. I had filled out my form in my departure airport prior to boarding my plane and it only took me about 5 minutes.
The Terminal 3 immigration exit was very fast if you had filled out the form ahead of time since you can go straight to the “Automated Clearance” gates. Above the gates, there is a sign that shows all the nations that are allowed to go through these gates. Be sure to check that your nation’s flag appears on this before entering. At the gate, you will only have to scan your passport and provide your thumbprint on the finger scanner. Once you pass the immigration gate then you will proceed to pick up your luggage at the baggage claim directly in front.
Follow Signs Towards SkyTrain to Terminal 1
Once you retrieve your bag, you’re going to want to head your way to Terminal 1. Exit the baggage claim area (but do not exit the airport yet), and head left following signs towards the SkyTrain tram and Jewel. The SkyTrain is on the second floor above, so take an elevator or escalator to get to the second floor whenever you can. Once on the second floor, continue towards the same direction towards the Terminal 1 SkyTrain or the Jewel.
When you get near the tram you will see a sign over a long hallway bridge with signs to the Jewel. If you take this path it will be about a 5 to 10 minute walk to get to the mall. To the left of this entrance will be another area with signs pointing to the Terminal 1 SkyTrain. If you prefer to take the tram then continue reading. I chose to take the tram since my luggage was very heavy and I noticed a very slight upward incline in the long hallway that I just didn’t want to deal with heh.
Finding the Jewel Mall
When you get to the SkyTrain tram boarding area, you won’t have to wait long for the Terminal 1 tram to arrive. Once it does, board and you will get off at the next stop at Terminal 1. Exit the tram and continue to follow signs towards the Jewel. You will end up in a Departure Hall area and if you continue about halfway down, the signs for Jewel disappear. Face the right towards the outside of the airport, and you will see a large dome building across the street. That is the Jewel Mall where the rain vortex waterfall is inside of. So now you can exit the airport and take the crosswalk to the other side and enter the mall. Once you enter you will see the Jewel waterfall a bit beyond the entryway; you can’t miss it!
Jewel Waterfall & Mall Activities
The Changi Airport Jewel is a mall inside a massive dome right across the street from Changi Airport’s Terminal 1. Within the Jewel mall is the rain vortex waterfall coming out of a funnel-like symmetrical web-beamed structure centered on the mall’s ceiling. The vortex waterfall is surrounded by lush forest and greenery that is perfectly framing the picturesque waterfall. From time to time, the SkyTrain tram between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 will also pass right by the waterfall, adding to the already-surreal scene.
There are several good viewpoints to look at the waterfall inside the mall. For me, I found that my favorite angle was directly in front of it. If you had entered the mall from Terminal 1, then this viewpoint would be directly on the opposite side. If you have time, check out all the viewpoints and decide which is your favorite angle! The mall also has several cool other attractions that you can partake in if you plan to spend some time here. Of course you can also spend some time shopping or eating here if you’d like!
Jewel Waterfall Operating Hours
The Vortex waterfall will begin releasing water and end at the below times:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 11 AM to 10 PM
- Fridays to Sundays: 10 AM to 11 PM
Every night the waterfall also has a spectacular light show occurring on:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 8 PM & 9 PM
- Fridays to Sundays: 8 PM, 9 PM & 10 PM
The Jewel mall itself opens at 7 AM with most shops opening at 10 AM. So if you arrive at the Changi Airport early, you can walk around the mall before the waterfall is activated. Check out the Jewel website (here) for additional details on waterfall Operating Hours.
Exiting the Jewel
If you had just landed and your first visit in Singapore was Changi Airport waterfall then you will likely want to leave the airport and head to your first location in Singapore. To do this you will actually have to exit the mall and return to Terminal 1. Head to Terminal 1 Arrivals and take your preferred means of transportation to your next location.
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