What is the Jewel & the Rain Vortex?

The Jewel is a massive glass dome connected to Changi Airport and it’s as impressive as it sounds. Inside is the Rain Vortex – the world’s tallest indoor waterfall – plus a sprawling indoor garden and a rooftop park with things like sky nets and a mirror maze. To experience any of this properly you need to go through immigration into Singapore. I’m yet to do it myself, but it’s firmly on my list.

The waterfall doesn’t run 24 hours

Check the local arrival time before you plan your visit – the waterfall only runs between 10am and 10pm. Unfortunately our first 3 layovers at Changi were 

Your two options for seeing the waterfall

Go through immigration

The best way to see the Rain Vortex is to actually enter the Jewel – but as I mentioned, that means going through immigration into Singapore and back, which takes extra time, planning and not always realistic on a layover.

Catch the Skytrain

The Skytrain is an inter-terminal train that passes directly through the Jewel, giving you a view of the waterfall without leaving the terminals. It’s not the same as standing inside, but it’s still an impressive view for something you can do in under 10 minutes and for free.

Step-by-step: how to see it from the train

Singapore has 3 Skytrains. The train you need is the one that runs between terminals 2 and 3.

Step 1: Get to Terminal 2 or Terminal 3

Changi has four terminals but you only need to get yourself to Terminal 2 or 3. If you’re flying with Singapore Airlines you’ll typically be landing in either of these terminals.

If you’re arriving on Qantas, British Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines or Scoot, you’ll be coming into Terminal 1. From there you can either jump on the Skytrain or walk – it’s about 15 minutes on foot from the furthest point in T1, which is actually a nice way to stretch your legs after a long flight.

It’s worth noting that Terminal 4 is in a separate secure area so you’ll need to take a bus transfer to get to the main terminals.

Step 2: Find the train

If you’re already in Terminal 2 or 3, or walking from Terminal 1 – follow the yellow signs to the Skytrain. If you’ve taken the train from Terminal 1, the train you need will be right opposite when you arrive. It runs every four minutes so you won’t need to wait long.

Step 3: Pick the right side of the carriage

This is the most important step. Once you board, position yourself at a window on the following sides in the direction of travel:

• Travelling toward Terminal 2: stand on the right
  
• Travelling toward Terminal 3: stand on the left

Step 4: Ride it there and back

Once the train enters the Jewel start looking for the waterfall (you’ll know you’re there when you pass into the glass dome building).

The view heading toward Terminal 3 is slightly better as the train passes a little closer. Heading toward Terminal 2 is still good, but the train going in the opposite direction can sometimes block the view.

You’ll only pass the waterfall for around 30 seconds, so riding it in both directions gives you the best chance of a clear look. Ride it both ways – even if you don’t need to switch terminals, it’s worth it.