Stopover sorted.

Behold an excellent travel hack: when you’re flying home to Australia from Europe or the US, consider going via Singapore because it turns out Singapore’s Changi Airport has a Balinese-themed outdoor rooftop pool within the airport – and barely anyone knows about it, so it’s usually almost empty. Entry costs $17 Singapore dollars (about $16 AUD) and you’ll get a towel to use and a non-alcoholic drink free at the bar.

Then, the pool and jacuzzi are yours, all yours. You can stay for as long as you want, too, so it’s the perfect place to wait out long stopovers, away from annoying crowds and constant flight announcements.

They have showers so you can make yourself feel human again, and there’s nothing like stretching out for a lazy swim after sitting down in a plane for a few hours. You can even sprawl out for a little nap afterwards on sun lounges popped beneath beach umbrellas. Horizontal joy.

The pool looks over the airport runway so of course there’s noise, but it’s warm and sunny and relaxing and outside and just … the best 16 bucks you’ll ever spend. Truly. Or, if you’re happy to shell out for a bed, you can stay at the Terminal 1 Transit Hotel next door and get pool access for free.

So pop your bathers in your carry on luggage next time you’re passing through Singapore. But let’s keep this our little secret, okay?

Changi Airport’s rooftop pool is at the Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge, near D Gates on Level 3 of the Transit Area.

(Lead image: “Singapore Airport Pool” by Robert S. – own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons)

Check it out for yourself – fly with Qantas to Singapore today.