Jewel is the glass-domed complex attached to Changi Airport's Terminal 1, and it is free to enter — you can watch the 40-metre Rain Vortex waterfall and wander the gardens without paying a cent. The one catch on a layover: Jewel sits landside, so you have to clear arrival immigration to reach it. Here is how to plan a visit.
Jewel Changi at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Landside, attached to Terminal 1 |
| Entry to Jewel | Free — shops, gardens and the Rain Vortex |
| Rain Vortex | Free; flows 10am–10pm; light show nightly at 8 & 9pm (plus 10pm Fri–Sun & PH) |
| Canopy Park (Level 5) | From S$8 (S$6 residents); open 10am–9pm (to 10pm Fri–Sun) |
| On a layover | Must clear immigration; allow 4–5+ hours to be comfortable |
| Getting there | Direct from T1 arrivals; link bridges from T2/T3; free shuttle from T4 |
Can you visit Jewel on a layover?
Yes, but with one important condition. Jewel is in the public, landside area next to Terminal 1, outside the secure transit zone. Transit passengers cannot simply walk over from the gate — you must clear arrival immigration first, which means you need to be eligible to enter Singapore (visa-free entry or a valid visa) and have your checked bags through-checked to your final destination.
Give yourself a comfortable buffer. A layover of at least four to five hours leaves time to clear immigration, enjoy Jewel and return through departure immigration and security without rushing. If your connection is shorter than about three hours, stay airside — Changi's terminals have their own free gardens, rest areas and amenities.
And if you would rather not leave the transit area at all, you lose very little: the Rain Vortex is visible from several airside vantage points, and the terminal gardens are a genuine highlight in their own right.
How to get to Jewel from your terminal
Jewel's north entrance opens straight onto the Terminal 1 arrival hall on Level 1, so from T1 you simply walk in. From Terminals 2 and 3, air-conditioned link bridges connect directly to Jewel on the landside. From Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus to Jewel/Terminal 1 — it runs from about 6am to midnight, with a looping T4–T3–T1 service overnight.
Airside, the free Skytrain links Terminals 1, 2 and 3 every few minutes. For a full rundown of the terminals and every way into the city, see our Singapore Changi Airport guide.
What to do at Jewel: free vs paid
Most of Jewel costs nothing. The paid attractions are concentrated in Canopy Park on the top level.
Free
- Rain Vortex — the world's tallest indoor waterfall at about 40 metres, ringed by the terraced Shiseido Forest Valley. Water flows from 10am to 10pm.
- Light & sound show — a free display projected onto the falling water at 8pm and 9pm (with an extra 10pm show on Fridays, weekends and public holidays), lasting 10–15 minutes and best watched from the lower floors or the bridges above.
- Shiseido Forest Valley — walking trails winding through hundreds of trees and shrubs across five storeys.
- Shopping and dining — hundreds of shops and food outlets, including plenty of local favourites, across the lower levels.
Paid — Canopy Park
Canopy Park, on Level 5, charges base admission from S$8 (about S$6 for Singapore residents; open 10am–9pm, and to 10pm on Fridays, weekends and public holidays). That covers the landscaped gardens, the topiary walk, the foggy Cloud9 Piazza and the hedge and mirror mazes. Higher-thrill attractions — the Canopy Bridge, the Manulife Sky Nets and the Discovery Slides — are ticketed on top, so a family doing everything can spend roughly S$40–60 in total.
How long do you need at Jewel?
- 1–2 hours — see the Rain Vortex, walk the Forest Valley and grab a meal.
- 2–3 hours — add Canopy Park, and time it so you catch the light show after dark.
- 5–6+ hour layover — enough to clear immigration, do Jewel properly and still make your connection comfortably. It is also the window in which you can join Changi's free city tour instead.
Short on time? Free things airside
If your layover is tight, or you would rather not clear immigration, Changi still has plenty inside the transit area at no cost: themed gardens including the butterfly garden, free rest areas and snooze zones, 24-hour movie theatres and children's play areas. Transit passengers with a 5.5 to 24-hour layover can even join a free 2.5-hour Singapore city bus tour — register at the tour booth in the transit area first, then clear immigration to head out on the tour.
When you are ready to head into the city, our ways into Singapore guide compares the MRT, bus, taxi and private transfer, and the Changi to Marina Bay route page has fares and times.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jewel Changi Airport free to enter?
Yes. Entry to Jewel, the Rain Vortex and the Shiseido Forest Valley gardens is free. Only the Canopy Park attractions on Level 5 charge admission, from about S$8 (S$6 for Singapore residents).
Can I visit Jewel during a layover without a visa?
Only if you are eligible to enter Singapore. Jewel is landside, so you must clear arrival immigration to reach it, which needs visa-free entry or a valid visa. If you cannot enter, you can still see the Rain Vortex and enjoy the gardens from the airside transit area.
How long do I need for Jewel Changi?
Allow one to two hours for the Rain Vortex, gardens and a meal, or two to three hours to add Canopy Park. On a layover, plan for at least four to five hours in total so you have time to clear immigration both ways.
How much does Canopy Park cost?
Base admission to Canopy Park starts at S$8 for adults and children (about S$6 for Singapore residents). Attractions such as the Canopy Bridge, Sky Nets and Discovery Slides are ticketed separately, so a family doing everything might spend roughly S$40–60.
What time is the Rain Vortex light show?
The free light and sound show runs at 8pm and 9pm nightly, with an extra 10pm show on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, and lasts about 10–15 minutes. The waterfall itself flows from 10am to 10pm daily.
How do I get to Jewel from Terminal 4?
Take the free shuttle bus from the Terminal 4 arrival level to Jewel/Terminal 1, which runs from about 6am to midnight; overnight, a looping T4–T3–T1 bus covers the gap. From Terminal 2 or 3, use the landside link bridges.
Prices, opening hours and show times are indicative and can change — check the latest details with Jewel Changi Airport and Changi Airport Group before you travel.