Originally Posted by
TheAccidentalFlier
If the OP does decide to go with the train option, the connections are very easy - in both cases, just walking across a platform. From Changi Airport, go to Tanah Merah (there is only one way to go from the airport, and Tanah Merah will be the last stop on this train), and walk across the platform to the left, to catch a green, east-west line train towards Joo Koon. (The doors on the airport train will open on both sides upon arrival at Tanah Merah, so exiting in the correct direction is important - go out the wrong side, and you will be on the platform for trains headed away from town, not towards it.) Then this second train should be taken to City Hall, where walking across the platform puts one on a red, north-south line train to Jurong East (oddly enough, it would be easier to get to Jurong East by staying on the green line train, but since that's not where you're going, no matter). This train will go to Orchard - should be only three stops, about 5-6 minutes once on the red train. The green part will take quite a bit longer. Note that the airport to Tanah Merah train is also marked green, it seems to be considered a spur line from the east-west line, rather than a separate line.
Same deal on the way back, except you don't even have to decide which way to get off the train at Tanah Merah - there is only one way
But for a 7 AM flight, I don't think you want to take the train - I think you'll get to the airport too late. So I would taxi on the way back.
There is direct access to the MRT from either Terminal 2 or 3 at Changi. From Terminal 1, it would be necessary to take airport transportation (train almost all the time, bus in the early hours of the morning) to one of the other terminals. You can also walk from Terminal 1 to 2, through the car park.
The train is very much a public-transit style system, no upgraded airport train like in Hong Kong, but at noon, the trains shouldn't be too too crowded.
I have a difference of opinion based on my experience:
1) I usually need to wait 4-7 mins at Tanah Merah, which made me sweat heaps (since it is an outdoor station). Plus, I believe the OP will probably reach the station at 1:00-1:30 pm, which is mid day heat and can be unbearable for me.
2) My experience for lunch hour 12-2pm is the MRT is pretty packed - but this is once you get closer into the city.
The other thing is if he is carrying a big bag with him/her, I would not take the MRT as dragging a bag along orchard MRT (which can be a maze for those who don't know) isn't fun. On the other hand, if it is just a small roll aboard hand carry, taking the MRT is realistic feasible.
Originally Posted by
holtju2
No need to leave two hours before. It is entirely dependent of the airline and class of service. I would check what is the minimum check in time for the airline + 25 minutes from the hotel.
I once woke up an hour before of my flight @ GH SIN and made it. I was flying paid SQ F and was at the airport 25 minutes before scheduled departure time. Absolutely no problems checking in. Even got the invite to the Private Room, but didn't have time to check it out.
For early morning flights, I usually wake up 130 minutes before the flight and wash up abit, grab my stuff and get a cab 110 minutes before my flight and reach the airport between 90-80 minutes before the flight. This also works on economy.
The only problem with this is certain flights have heavy loads during the early morning flights. Especially going to KUL & CGK on mondays.