Doc: Holiday: What can I do in 16 hours in Singapore?

Everything you’ve heard about Changi international airport is true; it feels like a destination in itself and is perfect for a stopover.

Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

We have an overnight stopover in Singapore, arriving at Changi Airport at 7.30pm and departing at 11.45am. What we can do there during that short time?

Everything you’ve heard about Changi international airport is true; there’s so much to do that walking around the airport can feel like a destination in itself. Normally I’d recommend buying a day pass to Aerotel Singapore’s rooftop pool and jacuzzi (around $32), but it’s only open from 10am to 10pm, leaving you just an hour or so to swim.

Do yourself a favour and get the Skytrain over to Jewel Changi Airport upon landing to catch the music and light show at Jewel Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall. While many of Jewel’s attractions and stores close by 10pm (some, such as Changi Experience Studio, close at 9pm), you’ll still be able to stretch your legs on the many walking trails of Forest Valley, a lush garden wonderland, or have a bite at one of the 30-plus eateries that remain open 24/7.

Back over at Changi itself, check out the cactus garden in Terminal 1, the sunflower garden in Terminal 2 and the butterfly garden in Terminal 3, and make good use of the free massage chairs in each terminal (the full-body ones all seem to be in Terminal 3). Another option is to pop into the movie theatre in Terminal 3 to watch a screening. My favourite Changi activity? I never miss Heavenly Wang, a casual eatery (with the best name ever) that does a fantastic kaya toast, a local favourite that’s essentially buttered toast slathered with kaya, a sweet coconut jam, served with a soft-boiled egg and kopi.

If you’re interested in arts and culture, the Changi Airport website has an extensive list of the attractions around the terminals.

Get the Skytrain over to Jewel Changi Airport to catch the music and light show at Jewel Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

Is there any way to get airport announcements converted to text? I’m flying with Emirates and am worried I’ll miss important information during my travels due to my hearing impairment.

The best plan is to download your airline’s app, which will display information such as flight delays and gate changes in real time.

Emirates’ website has a “Before You Fly” page (found under Health, Accessible Travel), which lists information for hearing-impaired passengers. They recommend downloading the Emirates app to get live travel updates throughout your journey, including check-in times, boarding announcements, baggage carousel number and any changes to your flight such as delays, cancellations or gate changes. The Emirates team also recommends informing staff at the check-in counter of your hearing difficulties so that the in-flight cabin crew can provide extra assistance during the flight, including individual safety briefings and announcements.

Self-service kiosks equipped with features that enhance accessibility for passengers with hearing impairments (closed captioning providing on-screen text for any audio instructions, for example, and visual indicators to bring attention to important updates) are increasingly being rolled out, but until they become commonplace, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the visual paging screens located around each airport. We’re getting there, but at a glacial pace.

The best plan is to download your airline’s app, which will display information such as flight delays and gate changes in real time.

A sunflower lanyard identifying you as a passenger with hidden disabilities can be helpful to wear and these can be picked up – free of charge – at many locations, including the Airport Services Centre at Sydney Airport, or if you miss it, at the Assisted Services desk at Dubai International Airport. Those unable to pop into a local train station or Service NSW office can head over to Hidden Disabilities to buy one online.

I will be travelling home from Europe via Denpasar where I’ll need to clear immigration and collect luggage before boarding my Jetstar flight. Will I need to get a visa and pay the tourist tax?

In situations where you remain airside, there would be no need to apply for a visa or pay the tourist tax and your airline tells me that passengers transiting through Denpasar will have their baggage cleared at your final destination (it’s a different story for those transiting via Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta or Medan Kuala Namu).

Your airline tells me that passengers transiting through Denpasar will have their baggage cleared at your final destination.

I realise you may be feeling anxious about this one but remember that you can get a visa (500,000 Indonesian rupiah – about $50) upon arrival and pay the tourist tax (150,000 Indonesian rupiah – about $15) when you touch down in Indonesia, if pressed.

You shouldn’t have to worry about either, but it’s good to know should things be less than streamlined during your transit.

Need help?

Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email [e-mail]. Personal replies are unfortunately not possible.

Originally published as Doc: Holiday: What can I do in 16 hours in Singapore?