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June 3, 2014Singapore Changi Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on November 6, 2024
Singapore Changi Airport handled 62 Million Passengers in 2017 and is one of Asias biggest airports. Changi Airport is a hub for Jetstar Asia Airlines, Scoot, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines. The airport is expanding very fast and a new terminal 5 and two runways are beeing build on the former military part.
The Airport is served by airlines from the most parts of the world except South America. The main targets are in Asia and Europe. The airport is also served by all major cargo airlines to desitinations all around the globe. The airlines handles a couple of different Airbus A380 a day including Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa.
Written by Patrick Weis, Marcus, Ho Zong Xi, Thomas Okaty, Stephan Weidenhiller, Lum Wei Tuck. Last change: October 2024 / Spot 10 updated
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02L/20R | 4.000 m (13.123ft) |
| 02C/20C | 4.000 m (13.123ft) |
| 02R/20L | 4.000 m (13.123ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 (north) | SkyTeam and Oneworld, partly Star Alliance, |
| Terminal 2 (east) | Singapore Airl., Silk Air, Scoot and mainly Star Allaince |
| Terminal 3 (west) | Singapore Airlines, Carriers from Asia and Oceania |
| Terminal 4 (south) | Cathay, Cebu Pacific, Vietnam, Vietjet and some more asian carriers |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary as it’s not allowed to stand at the fence |
| Car/Public Transport | Most of the spots can be reached by train and/or bus. A good alternative is taking a taxi or a “Grab” (similar as Uber or Lyft in the USA) as this will get you right to your desired spotting location hassle-free. Both are affordable, but Grab is usually slightly cheaper, just download the App on your smartphone (Apple or Android). The app is free of charge and is pretty much self-explanatory and you don’t necessarily need to communicate with the driver, however, most taxi and Grab drivers sufficiently speak and understand English. |
| Restrooms | There is a public toilets at the Beach and in the Terminal |
| Drinks/Food | Take drinks and snacks with you at the moring spot. At the terminal and at the afthernoon beach spot there is a restaurant |
| Hotels | The are a few Hotels arround the Airport but they are very expensive. |
| Season | The best month to travel are February to September. You can go here the whole year round but it rains more from Oktober – January |
| Security | Changi Airport is no longer a spotter friendly airport. Spots disappeared and no photo signs everywhere around the airport area. Even if you just stand on the overpass which can see the runway, police will come and ask you to leave.
– No photography from the fenceline, signs have been in place (don’t photograph from outside into the airfield) |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | 02 ist the prefered runway direction |
| 02L/20R | Mainly in use for landings |
| 02C/20C | Mainly in use for departures |
| 02R/20L | Closed for maintenance |
Changi Beach - 20R arrivals (morning)
| WHERE | This spot is located at a bus stop between the ferry terminal and the Changi Beach on the morning side of the Airport. Bus stops, ferry terminal and parking are directly at this location. |
| WHAT | You will get most of the traffic on arival into Singapore |
| TIME | Best light conditions in the winter are from sunrise till 11:00 |
| MISC. | There is a rubbish bin and a bench at the spot. Restaurant/Supermarket/toilet at spot #2. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm |
Changi Beach Park - 20R arrivals (afternoon)
| WHERE | This spot is located at the Changi Beach near the restaurant at the beach. Depends where you spot the angle is different. Bus stops, ferry terminal and parking are directly at this location. |
| WHAT | This spot is good for Aircrafts arriving into Runway 20R |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 14:00 to sunset |
| MISC. | There is a restaurant, a supermarket, public toilets and benches. Along the pedestrian/bike path there are a few places to sit that have a roof to protect you from sun or rain. From there you can still take pictures. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 mm |
Changi Buisness Park - 02L arrivals (afternoon)
| WHERE | This spot is located in the Changi Buisness Park Central Road. From MTR “Tanah Merah” take bus 47 or from MTR “Expo” take bus 47 or 118 to Changi Business Park Bus Terminal. From there it is just a short walk to find your preferred location. There are several places to be in the shade. In case of a rain shower find a shelter at the bus terminal. You can also walk up the Changi South Ave 1 until you’re at the Changi Buisness Park Central Road. Turn right and choose you’re position for spotting the planes.
UPDATE JAN 2023: construction works and fences are added between spot 3 and landing approach way. It’s very limited view now. (But still this is maybe the most usable spot now) |
| WHAT | From this spot you can take all plane movements arriving on 02L |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 14:00 till sunset |
| MISC. | Beware of the traffic here! No facilities and food stores at the spot. Take everything with you. At MTR “Expo” a shopping mall with a supermarket and food court is open all day. Several small local restaurants offering good and cheap food. A McDonald’s can be found there as well. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm |
Terminal 1 Viewing Mall - ramp/taxiway action
| WHERE | This spot is located landside at terminal 1. Once you have arrived at the terminal, go to the center of the terminal and take the escalator (right behind the information desk) up to level 3. Then keep to the left and follow the signs to the Viewing Mall. |
| WHAT | From this spot you can take planes taxiing to and from the runways or from and to Terminal 1. The best view is through the emergency exit windows as these are not tinted. A lot of heat haze here! Limited angle to some parking spots and a short part of taxi way. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 11:00 till sunset depends which acitivities. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is in the terminal. Mind that in/near the viewing mall is also a kids playground so be prepared for kids noise. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 15-400mm |
Crown Plaza Changi Airport Hotel - 02L/20R movements, taxiway
| WHERE | The hotel is located next to Terminal 3. Follow the signs inside the building to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Ask for a runway view room on a high floor. You can also book it directly on the hotel website. Or take a cheaper room and walk to the open bridges on the 9th floor to take your pictures (see pic below). Rooms are from 400 USD. Before reservation apply for IHG Rewards membership to get discount and late check out.
Update August 2024: there are several reports that spotting from the deck is no longer tolerated and security will ask you to leave. Of course spotting from the rooms is still accepted. |
| WHAT | From this spot you can take all plane movements on Runway 02L/20R and everything taxying in front of you. Pictures can be taken from the room through tinted glass or from an outside bridge on each floor. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from sunrise till 12:00 depends if runway or taxiing. Also night shots are possible. |
| MISC. | All you need is in the Terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 mm |
Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden Course) - 02C arrivals/20 heavy departures
| WHERE | The location is on a grassy area along Tanah Merah Road, next to the Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden Course). Be aware that Tanah Merah Country Club has two courses, one called Tampines Course and the other called Garden Course. There is no parking directly at the location so best is to take a cab to the country club. Parking is not possible there! By public transport take Bus 35 from Tanah Merah MRT station and alight at bus stop “Tanah Merah Ferry Ter (962169)”. From there, it is a 20 minute walk to this location on a sidewalk. |
| WHAT | This spot is only good for heavies climbing out as the narrow bodies and even the heavies with light loads would be quite high at this point. Walk further to the area where the road bends for afternoon 02C arrivals. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from 14:00 to sunset. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing nearby. Just some trees spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrivals: 773 = 140mm; 738 = 210mm Departures: Scoot 789 = 210mm; IL96 = 150mm |
Ferry Terminal - 20C/L departures (morning)
| WHERE | This spot is at the carpark or on the footpath just outside the Ferry Terminal. Take Bus 35 from Tanah Merah MRT station and alight at bus stop “Tanah Merah Ferry Ter (962169). Parking is available at the terminal if you arrive by car. |
| WHAT | As runway 20C is closed you can use this location for 20L departures. |
| TIME | For 20C from sunrise till noon. For 20L from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There are snacks/drinks and restrooms available inside the ferry terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A359 = 280mm; 77W = 240mm |
National Service Resort and Country Club - 02L arrivals (morning)
| WHERE |
This is an alternative to the previous spot which is a bit quieter as you are not on a busy road. There is a small strip of grass between trees and the fence to the “National Service Resort and Country Club”, which you should also use as destination for the taxi to go there. The gate guards of the golf club will also be happy to call you a taxi when you have finished your work. Travel time from/to airport or MRT Expo is about 10 minutes by taxi.
|
| WHAT | All arrivals for Runway 02L during the morning hours |
| TIME | From sunrise till noon. |
| MISC. | No facilities at this spot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
Aviation Park Rd - 20C arrivals/02 departures (morning)
| WHERE | This spot is located nearby a canal at the northern part of the airport, not far from Changi Ferry Terminal. Take Bus 35 from Tanah Merah MRT station and alight at bus stop “Bef Changi Ferry Road (95161)”. From the bus stop walk back the road to the location. It is a 5-minute walk. It is the same bus that brings you to spot 6,7,8 so don’t wonder. The closest public carpark is available at Changi Beach Carpark 7. From there, it is an estimated 10 minute walk to the location. Otherwise take a cab and jump out at the Changi Ferry Terminal. |
| WHAT | From here, you can spot Runway 02C departures or Runway 20C arrivals. You might also be able to get some banking shots here. |
| TIME | From sunrise till noon. |
| MISC. | Nothing available at this location. There are snacks/drinks and restrooms available inside the ferry terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A380 = 180mm; 748 = 140mm |
Terminal 2 - Taxiway, ramp, runway 02C/20C
| WHERE | Update Oct. 2024: Construction works occurring for the entire ramp area of the spot. Impossible to spot things now until the gate area is revamped |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
Spot 10
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Construction works occurring for the entire ramp area of the spot. Impossible to spot things now until the gate area is revamped
Thanks for the hint Jul!
-Julian
Regarding spot 5 at Crowne Plaza, you are not allowed to spot on the decks, but allowed to spot from your room if you book the Runway View Room.
There’s a new spot,
Cosford Container Park, 30 Cosford Road, Singapore, 499550
There is outdoor seating there, and the views are great, almost giving you a full view of the runway from 300 feet away.
The place has great food and drinks, and is covered so you won’t get wet when it rains.
There is no security at the location.
Please use this form for new locations https://www.spotterguide.net/guide-update/
Thanks, Julian
FYI, plane spotting and taking photos at this location is not recommended. As there are “No Photography / Videography” signs along the fence line, as well as security from the nearby airbase, I highly recommend not using this location for any spotting activities.
It is not recommended to spot at cosford container park, Authorities have already put up signs there.
Yes, there is no security and many local news sources have posted about it and said it’s fine.
Absolutely fine.
Is it safe to do spotting anywhere in the airside at wsss?
Airside spotting after immigration is fine. It’s actually easier to do so there with larger windows and much closer to the action.
The new terminal 4 has a viewing mall, but I can’t find any pictures or videos of it online. If you have gone there before, is it better than the T1 viewing mall? Also for a lot of the locations, you can only see planes approaching/departing, but not the actual landing or takeoff. Are there any good places where I can take photos to see planes land and take off from the runway?
The one in Terminal 1 is better I think.
You can’t go up to the glass at most gates in T4, even airside (except for a single spot at Gate G20). For some reason, they put the boarding ramps parallel to the windows.
Telephoto lenses are no longer allowed at Crown plaza hotels open bridges. Was stopped by one of the hotel staff members regarding taking photos at that location.
That’s weird. I was there in April and had no issues at all as a guest.
Generally, security does not allow photography at the open bridges. U can still take photos from inside your room.
In terminal 4 car park 4A, spotting is still allowed as long as you do not go to the area that can spot Changi air base, nobody will chase u
That’s correct. For T4CP, Sky shots are fine, primarily avoid taking photos with any infrastructure in the shot (Buildings, runway, taxiway etc).
I’m planningto visit No.10 spot.
Is it safe to do spotting? I’m so worried about warning message on the top of the article. Also, it is okay to do spotting anywhere in T2?
There is only one seat at T2 viewing gallery where you can shoot pictures of aircraft moving past Terminal 2. The place is not good for plane photography.
Spot 10 is after Immigration checks at T2 Airside. Normally, there are no issues with security once you are airside. For public side, the viewing mall at T2 isn’t worth the time to visit.
New Spotting Location for 02L arrivals
Bus Stop “Aft Changi Biz Pk Cres”
Can you send some photos to support@spotterguide.net please.
Thanks, Julian
Where is it?