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Eat at Changi Airport (Singapore) Staff Canteen from SGD4

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Eat at Changi Airport (Singapore) Staff Canteen from SGD4
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Fexofenadine on 07/07/2019 - 19:35 travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com (13231 clicks)

So this is a weird one, but I didn’t know about it before and it has the potential to save travellers a whole heap of money – and get better food!

The staff canteen at Singapore’s Changi Airport is difficult to get to, but anyone is allowed to purchase food there.

I discovered this myself on a recent trip, accompanied by a friend who works at the airport. Now my life will never be the same!

This was previously submitted in the forum (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329222) but I think it’s worth it as a deal post. More info and discussion there.

Travel Airport Asia Changi Airport Food Court Singapore

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closed Comments

    • geeluv on 07/07/2019 - 20:02
      +28

      🙄

    • yeanahyea on 24/07/2019 - 21:26
      +1

      Yeah Ikr how is this a bargain, you can get food for around same price anywhere in Singapore!
      Nonsense.

  • nightelves on 07/07/2019 - 19:47
    +3

    Do they accept cards as payment?

      • klownvandamn on 07/07/2019 - 19:56
        +2

        business cards

        • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:00
          +2

          Greeting cards silly.

          • klownvandamn on 07/07/2019 - 20:16
            +1

            @xoom: greeting cards cost more than a meal silly

            • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:23
              +1

              @klownvandamn: Alright. Paying with my Medicare card then.

              • jv on 07/07/2019 - 20:31
                -2

                @xoom:

                Paying with my Medicare card then.

                Could come in useful…

      • spaceflight on 07/07/2019 - 20:23

        Cards against humanity cards

    • avendr on 07/07/2019 - 21:03
      +1

      Cash or Nets only.

  • HomeAlone on 07/07/2019 - 19:51
    +7

    If I dress up as a flight attendant will I get the 20% staff discount or do the staff have to show some sort of ID?

    • Fexofenadine on 07/07/2019 - 19:59

      I was dressed in civvies and am not a Changi employee and received it. More info in the link and in the forum discussion.

      • HomeAlone on 07/07/2019 - 20:00
        +2

        In the forum discussion it mentions that prices are cheap, but even cheaper for staff.

        I want even cheaper.

        The prices were very cheap but non staff paid a bit more.

        • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 20:15
          +75

          Try the rubbish bins after the staff have disposed of their meal. It’ll be free then although the cost to your dignity will be high.

          • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:24
            +3

            @Icecold5000: That's "challenge accepted" to some ozbargainers

            • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 20:29
              +3

              @xoom: Maybe LKY was right when he called Australian's the 'white trash of Asia'.

              Alternatively Kamoi could earn some quick cash in Gaylang….

          • HomeAlone on 07/07/2019 - 20:40
            +2

            @Icecold5000: I don't think there would be enough food for me in the bin and I also don't want to be going through the bins every 2 months that I pass through there.

            I'm thinking I could buy a cheap flight attendant costume on ebay for about $20 and it would pay itself off in no time.

          • scud70 on 07/07/2019 - 20:52

            @Icecold5000: Queue the maccas hackers…..

          • nessism on 07/07/2019 - 21:37
            +1

            @Icecold5000: The cost for my dignity is very low.

            • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 21:39
              +1

              @nessism: Icecold speaks of this dignity like its a prize bull.

            • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 21:46
              +1

              @nessism: Need photos to prove this.

          • Buyer10987 on 08/07/2019 - 11:21
            +2

            @Icecold5000: Dignity ??
            :
            What is this dignity thing of which you speak ??

    • KanTakahashi on 07/07/2019 - 21:08
      +8

      Usually they asked if you are staff of public, and every staff in Singapore have an ID card, but the food is quite cheap anyway so you don't really need to play the fake staff cards. S$4 Nasi Lemak is already great value.

      • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 21:10
        +6

        don't really need to play the fake staff cards.

        You underestimate the diehard ozb traveller.

    • realist123 on 08/07/2019 - 08:24
      +9

      Even better, dress up as a pilot and fly yourself there for free

      • tonyjg on 08/07/2019 - 12:14
        +5

        just like Leo did in Catch Me If You Can :)

  • UnderWaterLlama on 07/07/2019 - 19:52
    +11

    I've been there, indeed it is hard to find your way there, and had to ask a few staff for directions. But once u find it, it is worth it, in terms of price and taste.

    • Yola on 08/07/2019 - 10:01
      +1

      Yes I have been there and the food is very good and a lot of choice.

  • mskeggs on 07/07/2019 - 19:54
    +2

    +1 because I forgot all about this when I had a 3hr wait in Changi and I meant to check it out.

  • Iwantthatbargain on 07/07/2019 - 19:54
    +1

    Can anyone provide direction to the canteen? I have 6 hours of layover when I travel next month.

    • klownvandamn on 07/07/2019 - 19:57
      +3

      go out and checkout beautiful singapore!

      • Iwantthatbargain on 07/07/2019 - 19:57
        +52

        I have already done the city tour previously.

        By the way I found the direction :)

        Finding the staff canteens
        So how do you find the staff canteens? Following the signs isn't quite enough.
        Terminal 1 has the biggest canteen, with more than 25 stalls and its opening hours are in line with that of the staff: 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Follow the signs for the restrooms (you're looking for the ones with the red doors), then take the nearest lift down to basement 1. When you arrive turn right, and the canteen will be in front of you.
        For the Terminal 2 canteen, locate Starbucks on level two and take the nearest lift to the car park at level 3: from here walk up the staircase, turn left and look for the unlabeled iron door. Behind this could well be the best (and cheapest) airport meal you'll ever eat.

        • mauricem on 08/07/2019 - 09:47
          +4

          “nearest lift to the car park at level 3: from here walk up the staircase, turn left and look for the unlabeled iron door. Behind this could well be the best (and cheapest) airport meal you'll ever eat.”

          Unlabelled iron door off a staircase, hmmm. “Greatest and cheapest meal you’ll ever eat behind said mystery door” hmmm maybe, or maybe you’ll wake up minus a kidney??

      • jv on 07/07/2019 - 20:43
        -6

        Where's the best place to get Singapore Noodles there?

        • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:44
          +20

          Isn't it just called noodles there then since you already are in Singapore?

          • Mister Popo on 08/07/2019 - 08:38
            +1

            @xoom: Fun fact: Singapore noodles were first made by an Indian chef in Hong Kong. (or so I've heard).

            Also, I've never seen Singapore noodles in Singapore.

            • Tiggrrrrr on 08/07/2019 - 12:07

              @Mister Popo: In Singapore it is sometimes call Hong Kong noodles, or Cantonese Mai Fun.
              But generally it is just "chao mifen" (fried rice noodles).

              • Cheongah123 on 08/07/2019 - 19:08

                @Tiggrrrrr: Haha, I've never had curry powdered beehoon before in Singapore.

                • Tiggrrrrr on 14/07/2019 - 01:50

                  @Cheongah123: Not sure where you are ordering from, but I don't have curry powdered beehoon in Perth?

                  I thought that was what they served in whasian restaurants, along with sweet and sour pork, and lemon chicken.

          • Lizard Spock on 08/07/2019 - 08:43

            @xoom: What do they call a Danish in Denmark?

        • konji on 07/07/2019 - 20:44
          +5

          they just call them noodles there…

    • alexGoodwin on 07/07/2019 - 20:00

      its local food is cheaper & better than airport canteen

    • F1ngolf on 07/07/2019 - 20:03
      +8

      Terminal 1 staff canteen is situated at basement while terminal 2 is at the rooftop. This link https://www.littledayout.com/2017/04/26/get-to-changi-airpor… would be helpful. If still lost, just ask the airport staff.

    • KanTakahashi on 07/07/2019 - 21:06
      +1

      It's in the basement B2, go to Emirates check in counter and walk all the way to the end, find the lift and go to floor B2

  • jace88 on 07/07/2019 - 19:57
    +5

    Great travel hack. Keep in mind you need to get out of transit area if you want to reach it. I've done it before like 10 years ago but nowadays I just settle for tourist-quality/price food to save myself the hassle of clearing immigration.

    • coxymla on 08/07/2019 - 05:03
      +2

      To be fair, clearing Singapore immigration is pretty easy. I've done it in transit and had enough time to take a cab to work, have a quick meeting, and back through security to make the flight.

  • bargaino on 07/07/2019 - 20:00
    +4

    With Singapore hotel prices heading toward Hong Kong levels, the Changi transit lounge is looking like a viable option for savvy ozbargainers visiting Singapore. Just purchase a $30 Airasia ticket to access the transit area, claim a lounge or nice piece of floor with your bags, and head to the staff canteen for dinner. Duty-free booze even??
    In the morning, head back into downtown Singapore on the MRT for another day of sightseeing or shopping.

    • everunman on 07/07/2019 - 20:07
      +3

      just use expedia or the like, im there for a week early august aud$678 for 7 nights, ibis Novena, one stop from Orchard, not expensive as you say

      • bargaino on 07/07/2019 - 20:47
        +3

        Geylang is still good for cheap hotels.
        It may be the "red light area", but this is Singapore, where vice is mild. The drug dealers on the street corner sell smuggled tobacco.

        • mr_asstight on 07/07/2019 - 22:25
          +4

          daaaammnnn. nothing like smuggled tobacco

      • nandystam on 07/07/2019 - 21:26

        Used Ibis Novena a few times when in SG. Nice hotel and not too far away from the city center. Even better if you get the super sale deal with free breakfast.

    • alvian on 07/07/2019 - 20:27
      +1

      claim a lounge or nice piece of floor with your bags, and head to the staff canteen for dinner

      Wouldn't airport security call the bomb squad to inspect, destroy and remove the unaccompanied bags?

      • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:28

        Was thinking that to. No bags are to be left unattended.

        • spaceflight on 07/07/2019 - 20:34
          -4

          What about the rubbish bags in bins?

          • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:43

            @spaceflight: You obviously don't know how much scrutiny them bins are in airports that even the cleaners are being watched emptying them.

            • spaceflight on 07/07/2019 - 20:45

              @xoom: I have never seen guards standing next to the bins so the bags are left unattended.

              • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:48

                @spaceflight: Feel free to report that with the nearest airport security whenever you are in an airport.

                Or if you don't want to do that feel free to leave your bags unattended and your defense will be what about the rubbish bags. They are left unattended. Why can't I leave my bags unattended?

      • bargaino on 07/07/2019 - 20:44

        Would they? The beds are off in quiet corners.
        Though now that you mention it, I've not noticed any of them "reserved" with sleeping bags.

        Seriously, the transit area has plenty of good places to sleep, if you are arriving or departing at an unsociable hour.
        I had a good snooze in the back of the cinema :-)

    • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 20:37

      Its better to buy some of those duty free 300ml bottles of spirts in Australian duty free if you try this. If you're departing security is tight and all alcohol has to be in sealed plastic bags. Alternatively you can try drinking the entire 1L bottle of spirits so as not to waste it.

      • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:40

        Alternatively you can try drinking the entire 1L bottle of spirits so as not to waste it.

        Chinese woman chug a bottle of cognac instead of getting it confiscated by customs. LOL

        https://youtu.be/iUBneQpzOSY

        • Hargain Bunter on 08/07/2019 - 00:09

          Disappointing video, no footage of chugging.

          • xoom on 08/07/2019 - 06:43
            +1

            @Hargain Bunter: Well being that it happened in the customs area there will be no cameras allowed. Though that footage would have been hillarious to watch.

    • qazwsx on 08/07/2019 - 11:37
      +1

      They're trying to crack down on this:

      https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/woman-ar…
      https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/changi-airport-technic…
      https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/40-people-arr…

      Plus with recent airport tax and charges increase, hard to find a flight for less than $50 now. Before when flights to KL and Jakarta were on sale for $30, you could go in armed with a priority pass card and eat your fare before you even left the ground.

    • TiLLiCoMe on 14/07/2019 - 11:02

      It is illegal to buy a ticket to entry the airport with no intention of flying. People have been caught and fined

  • ca6leguy on 07/07/2019 - 20:07
    +3

    Now my life will never be the same!

    LOL. Yeah, my worst experience ever after eating at the staff canteen.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2019 - 20:12

    I don’t think this particular ‘travel hack’ (for want of a better term) is a bargain.

    • jace88 on 07/07/2019 - 20:59

      Relative to the cost/quality of the tourist food inside the terminals, some looking for authentic food may find this better. If you happen to arrive at the airport early (or you just can't check in/etc) then staff canteen isn't a bad place to visit for hawker-style food quality and pricing. Admittedly without the ambiance though.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2019 - 21:09
        +2

        No arguments with any of your points. But this is something that has been readily available for years. It’s an announcement/advice, not a bargain listing. The forums, where it originated, is where it belongs.

  • gimme on 07/07/2019 - 20:17
    +1

    If you can afford to travel, I'm not sure eating at some staff canteen would be my thing.

    • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 20:26
      +6

      Member since 2010 and dont know how low ozb members will go? Somethings not adding up.

      • jv on 07/07/2019 - 20:47
        +3

        A member since 2010 would know that you are required to post bargains here, not advertising a staff canteen that the public can use by paying 20% more than the locals…

        • odysseus on 07/07/2019 - 21:01
          +3

          And just because some can get it cheaper doesn't mean it's not a bargain. People post deals all the time that some can get cheaper with staff discount or may have gift cards but are still bargains to many without.

          • jv on 07/07/2019 - 21:17
            -1

            @odysseus:

            And just because some can get it cheaper doesn't mean it's not a bargain.

            Yes it does, read the deal posting rules…

            • Tiggrrrrr on 08/07/2019 - 12:14
              +1

              @jv: I think the point is that prices are cheaper than going to old town white coffee, or similar, where half the time they are out of "real" food anyway, unless you want toast and eggs.

        • Quantumcat on 08/07/2019 - 18:34

          A member since 2009 should know how to do maths.

          Staff get a 20% discount

          i.e. Public * 0.8 = staff

          Therefore staff = 1/0.8 * public = 1.25.

          The public pay 25% more than the staff.

          • jv on 08/07/2019 - 18:43

            @Quantumcat:

            A member since 2009 should know how to do maths.

            Members are required to know the posting rules, not maths.

      • gimme on 07/07/2019 - 21:56

        Accidentally negged you sorry

        • spaceflight on 07/07/2019 - 22:45
          +1

          You can cancel your vote

    • odysseus on 07/07/2019 - 20:56
      +2

      Given how many travellers buy from McDonalds, this is going to be more appealing than just buying from the same old chains. Not every meal has to be five star dining when you're travelling.

      • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 21:02
        +1

        Given how many travellers buy from McDonalds,

        I could never understand this. You travel so you can have food you can eat back home. Why even bother travelling?

        When I travel I try to eat what local delicacies each area is known for within reason obviously. Like if you have allergies or other dietary requirements.

        • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 22:28
          +2

          Because its safer to eat Maccas than fishhead curry soup while travelling. I eat a double Big Mac at Don Muang if I'm going to Cambodia because the consequences of getting sick or catching Delhi belly while traveling in a 3rd world country is horrible. Who wants to be caught short in such a situation had having to squirt it out on the side of the road while the whole bus looks on…

          • xoom on 07/07/2019 - 22:34
            +1

            @Icecold5000: Well obviously you would choose a place that looks at least they understand what clean is. I'm all for trying local delicacies but not at the expense of contracting a stomach bug.

          • seanbaussie on 07/07/2019 - 22:43
            +4

            @Icecold5000: In this respect though, I suspect a staff canteen might be safer than a mass-transit chain. Flight attendants and the like can't afford to get sick and so if they eat here I'd trust it. The McDonalds' of this world flip so many burgers that one sick person won't get noticed.

            • Icecold5000 on 07/07/2019 - 23:10

              @seanbaussie: There has been my SOP for the last 6 visits. No way am I chancing it with local food. I’d go with Maccas any day because they would take a huge hit PR wise and needs to keep its reputation while some food stall just wouldn’t care. Mass transit chains do a good job because they have systems in place to mitigate the low standards in Thailand.

          • Tiggrrrrr on 08/07/2019 - 12:15
            +2

            @Icecold5000: Singapore is hardly comparable to Cambodia, and hardly a 3rd world country.
            Besides all hawkers are graded A/B/C so just eat at the Grade A stalls.

        • Bloodfart on 08/07/2019 - 01:16
          +1

          I always try maccas in every country I visit. Every country has their own specials which reflect the local cuisines. Eg, Singapore has a nasi lemak burger, Japan has ebi burger.

          Just because you think it's the same stuff as back home doesn't mean it is. Trying new things is a part of traveling is it not?

          • Tiggrrrrr on 08/07/2019 - 12:16
            +1

            @Bloodfart: I must admit the Burger King in KL does a much better double whopper than the ones in Australia…

            • Bloodfart on 08/07/2019 - 18:18

              @Tiggrrrrr: I found BK in every country but Aus does a pretty good whopper… even India's mutton or chicken whopper is better.

              But the mushroom swiss in singapore is the best

          • jackspratt on 08/07/2019 - 14:07
            +1

            @Bloodfart: User name checks out.

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