Coming from the US, I try not to be too critical of foreign airports. My country’s ones, after all, are some of the worst-rated in the world, with former President Joe Biden referring (not inaccurately) to two of New York’s three airports as “third world.”
On the other hand, the reality is that decades of a proverbial game of “Telephone” online have led to some air hubs becoming overhyped. Which is not to say they’re bad, per se, certainly not compared to America’s.
Today, I’m going to ask what might seem like a strange question: Is Singapore airport overrated? And I’m going to answer it in a way that may shock or even disappoint some of you.
I’ve Always Been Lukewarm on Changi
Want to know a secret? I’ve always found Changi Airport overrated, even when I landed there the first time way back in 2010. Now, it was a different airport back—it wasn’t nearly as hyped; and furthermore, many of today’s hyped facilities simply didn’t exist—but as far as I was concerned, it wasn’t very different from the airport I flew in from, i.e. Kuala Lumpur (albeit what was then the “new” terminal, and not the former LCCT).
Now, I want to be clear: I’ve never actively disliked Singapore’s airport. I’ve always been able to keep myself entertained, whether I’m enjoying local Singaporean foods at the airport’s restaurants, or logging onto cardplayer.com to play my favorite table games. The latter is especially useful if I haven’t had a chance to visit one of Singapore’s real casinos, such as the one within the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel (which itself might be just a little overrated).
5 Reasons I Find Changi Overrated—Even Disappointing
The carpeting
This is a minor gripe, but the first thing I ever noticed upon landing in Singapore the first time was the carpeting within the terminal where I landed. It was garish in color, obviously old and seemed to impart a questionable odor into the entire facility. While I can appreciate that the airport’s newer terminals are more modern, first impressions always stick.
The security arrangement
Likewise, another thing that prevents me from calling Changi Airport best in the world is its security arrangement. In every terminal but the new-ish Terminal 4, there is not a central security area, but rather one at each gate. While some people prefer this, I find it obnoxious, since it requires you to arrive at your actual gate much earlier than you might otherwise do.
The spectacle
Look, The Jewel is an architectural marvel; the Butterfly Garden is beautiful, even if I often find myself asking whether butterflies should be confined to such a relatively loud space. But at the end of the day, the most important thing for me when visiting an airport is not what to do there—it’s whether I can get in and out quickly.
The size
If you consider Singapore Airport the best in the world, you might only have used Terminals 2 or 3, which are the “main” terminals that Singapore Airlines and other first-rate carriers use. Unfortunately, if you have to transit to any of the airport’s other terminals and don’t have a long layover, you might find the distances between gates untenable.
The notion that it’s a “destination”
As I implied above, I simply refuse to think of Changi (or any airport, for that matter) as a destination in and of itself—and not just because the city (which is close enough to see if you have longer than a 3-4 hour layover) is one of the best “stopover” destinations in the world. Time permitting, please do not skip Singapore-proper for its airport.
The Singapore Airlines Question
Changi Airport isn’t the only thing associated with Singapore that has a sterling reputation. No, you see, Singapore Airlines itself is also generally regarded as one of the best in the world. And as is the case with the airport, I do find SQ (the airline’s call sign) to be a bit overhyped, whether because its current business class seats—I’m writing this in 2025—are outdated, or because I’ve always found the service a little cold.
Now, let’s once again be clear. Do I find Singapore Airlines overrated? Yes! But just as Changi Airport is far superior to virtually any airport in my home country, I’d definitely rather take a flight (especially a long haul one) on Singapore Airlines than on United, American or Delta. And if we’re honest, Singapore’s national airline is superior to those of nearby countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Other FAQ About Singapore’s Changi Airport
Is Changi Airport one of the best in the world?
Changi Airport is an excellent airport, with efficient operations, lots of things to do and eat and a location that’s relatively convenient to central Singapore. On the other hand, I’ve always personally found the airport a bit overrated (yes, including after having visited The Jewel).
Is it worth spending time at Singapore Airport?
I wouldn’t suggest getting to Singapore Airport long before your flight—there are many more interesting things to do in the city itself. Now, with this being said, if you happen to have a long layover at the airport, I’d say that the attractions within the airport shine a little bit better, particularly if your “long” layover is too short to go into the city.
What is the #1 airport in the world?
On most lists you see in the mid-to-late 2020s, Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) is regarded as being the best airport in the world, or rarely somewhere slightly beneath that, usually #2 or #3. Whether or not this is true is up to your own judgement. It might be an unpopular opinion, but I’ve always found the airport slightly overrated.
The Bottom Line
Is Singapore airport overrated? Certainly, I don’t feel that it stands out much from other air hubs in Southeast Asia, even if it’s a bit better run than Kuala Lumpur‘s, and a bit better maintained than both of Bangkok’s. The distinction becomes even less notable when you consider it in the context of Asia as a whole, with airports such as Hong Kong, Tokyo-Haneda and even Seoul-Incheon being in a similar league as Changi. With this being said, if you arrive at the airport with realistic expectations—namely, that it’s…well, an airport and not much more—you probably won’t feel disappointed. Another way to ensure you’re happy on your next trip to Asia? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
