In a world-class airport like Changi Airport, most foods are ridiculously overpriced.
But, my friends, fret not. There are 2 staff canteens in the airport where you can find food under S$5, one in Terminal 1 and another one in Terminal 2.
Today, I’m going to show you how to find the new staff canteen at Terminal 2 because the canteen is rather hidden from the public. Previously managed by Select, the canteen is now managed by Kopitiam.
The video below shows how to find the hidden staff canteen before 2020 (i.e. before Terminal 2 was closed for renovation). If you’re visiting after renovation starts, keep reading as I share how to find the canteen in 2020.
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Update 2020:
Terminal 2 is closed for renovation in 2020, and scheduled to open in 2024. However, this canteen remains open.
I visited the canteen in November 2020. It was quite hard to find the way to canteen because the entire Departure Hall at Level was closed. I finally found my way to the canteen.
If you are keen to visit the canteen during T2 renovation, I will share how I found the Staff Canteen at Terminal 2.
I took the bus to Terminal 2. From Coach Bay (Basement 2), I went up to Level 3. Then, I followed the signage to “Canteen” Apparently the direction of canteen is the same as Hub & Spoke.
PS: If you’re taking the MRT, you can head to T2, take the escalator up to Level 3, and follow the direction to Canteen (or Hub & Spoke).
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At the carpark here, I made the mistake of turning right. In the past, turning right was the correct method. But this time, after I took the lift on the right, and take staircase to Level 3M, the canteen door was locked! No access from here.
The correct way is to turn left.
In the above picture, you can see a blue signboard on lift wall, pointing to the left, but don’t follow that sign! Instead, walk towards Lift Lobby 8 (circled in yellow).
My visit was on a Saturday. I was really surprised to see that only 3 stalls were opened: Nasi Padang, Chicken Rice and Drink stall. I don’t know if weekdays situation is better or the same as weekend.
Due to lack of options, we decided to eat elsewhere.
Tips: Use Kopitiam card (blue colour) to get 10% discount off your purchase. If you don’t have, just purchase one from the self-service machine. But, do your cost-benefit analysis beforehand because a new card costs a couple of bucks.
You can return the tray to tray collection area and tap your Kopitiam card to a card reader to get 2 points. 40 points give you a free coffee/tea.
The current opening hours is 6am to 10pm, but each stall may have their own opening hours.
Let me know what you think of the canteen and what’s your favorite food!
If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee! Your support will help me to keep going!
HZ
Thursday 16th of November 2023
I'm not sure about this but opposite Lifts 9, 10 and 11, there is this cargo lift that is switched off. That is Lift 8. Based on the picture with the yellow circle on the right, you can see Lift 8 on the left. If you noticed, there is a wall on the left of the lift. If you go down to L1, you will find Lift 7, directly beside Lift 8. Lift 7 looks like Lift 8, and that lift takes you up directly to Level 3M, without stopping at other carpark floors. Not sure whether access from Lift 7 is blocked off during SafeEntry restrictions, but now that measures have been lifted, many workers use that lift to go to the staff canteen.
ES
Monday 13th of March 2023
I used to work in T2, I recalled walking from the airside departure hall up the escalator through the carpark turn right and there the lift takes you to the staff canteen, and using the staff card to pay for discounted food! Glad you mentioned now it turns left, will be visiting the staff canteen when I returns from the uk soon!
Eva
Tuesday 14th of March 2023
Glad it helps! But, my last visit was in 2020, when SafeEntry was still required, hence they limited the entrance to only 1 entrance. I'm not sure what's the current situation (will provide update when I go there). Still, turning left is a more comfortable option than turning right because you don't need to climb stairs. Hope you enjoy your revisit to the staff canteen!
Kim
Saturday 2nd of November 2019
Hi Eva, thank you so much for all the information on Singapore. I found it extremely helpful and comprehensive. You have a real talent for writing. Keep up the great work.
Eva
Sunday 3rd of November 2019
Thank you :)
Fiona Britten Brown
Monday 1st of July 2019
Hello, Are you able to get a beer in the staff canteen areas?
Eva
Sunday 7th of July 2019
Hi Fiona, I don't recall seeing any alcohol in the canteen.
FH
Monday 4th of February 2019
Could you tell me open hours? is it 24hours?
Eva
Thursday 7th of February 2019
Hey FH, it's open from 7am - 9pm only, not 24 hours. I have included the opening hours in the video (at 1:20) but probably it's too fast to be noticeable. Thanks for the input!