It has always been difficult to find ‘inside information’ for different aiports online. I thought this better change and so for several years I have been trying out jacuzzi’s, bathing rooms, gyms and more – so I will try to give insight on how to effectively (and inexpensively) kill time at different airports, starting with my favourite – Singapore Airport

You know you have travelled too much when you get excited about visiting certain airports. My wife’s family live in the pacific so when we go to visit we always stop in Singapore airport (mostly by flying singapore air) – and if possible we try to get a flight that gives us at least 3 hours stop over. That may sound sad – but the reality is that the travel time to get to our destination is at least 24 hours so breaking for a few hours in the middle is not a bad idea.

The layout of the airport lends to a fairly relaxed feeling, big wide open gangways and open areas give the impression of a shopping mall rather than an airport. In the middle of the airport there is an Orchid Garden (pictured left) with a decent sized fish pond. This is so unusual to have in an airport, but whoever thought of it was a genius. It is lovely to just sit by the water, smell the flowers and watch the fish – such a stark contrast to 12 hours of economy class!!

If you make your way over to the transit hotel you can get a shower room (towels, shampoo, condition, soap and wash cloths included!), for about $5 – and it would be a bargin at twice the price, especially given that it helps you feel normal again! If you have a little more time to kill there is a gym where you can really stretch your legs before flying again – but for the sake of your fellow passengers I recommend showering after the workout.

If none of that takes your fancy – there is always what I call the “TV sections”, they are areas of comfortable seats set up in a circle facing massive flat screen TVs – but the clever bit is that the speakers are built into the head rests of the seats so as to not add to the ambient noise of the airport! There are different sections for news and sport – I have enjoyed some golf, ATP Tennis and football (soccer) games here!

If you are an email or facebook junkie – there is free wifi and free internet terminals – so plenty of opportunity to connect with the outside world!

There are loads of shops selling the usual airport junk from technology to perfume to clothes and there are some nice little cafes and bars -but one of my personal favourites is Auntie Anne’s Pretzels (we dont have this is the UK – so it is one of the only times I get to have one!).

Before I shut up about an airport that I clearly have an unhealthy attachment to – I wanted to leave you with one thing I find amusing …the immigration booths (that the officers sit in to stamp your passport) have a sign that says:

“Drug trafficing carries the death penalty in Singapore, Have a nice day”

At least it gets to the point…