Tourist couple sleeps at Changi Airport due to 'astronomical' hotel prices during F1

A tourist couple opted to spend the night at Singapore's Changi Airport to avoid paying exorbitant accommodation prices during the Formula One (F1) weekend.

In a TikTok video posted on Sunday (Oct. 5), the couple said they had just arrived from Bintan by ferry and were waiting at the airport for their flight the following day.

The woman in the video, who goes by Sheri on TikTok, stated that hotel prices were "astronomical" as a result of the F1 race, and added that they were not keen on spending "$400 just to rest [their] heads".

Shopped around for about an hour

The video showed the couple walking at Jewel Changi Airport upon their arrival at around 9pm.

The woman noted that most shops closed at around 10pm, giving them about an hour to shop.

Their stops included Starbucks Reserve, Adidas, Uniqlo and Don Don Donki.

After shopping, the couple debated if they should watch a movie at Shaw Theatres Jewel in order to kill time.

However, they opted to look for a place to sleep instead.

Managed to find a place to sleep

Finding a suitable spot proved difficult, but the couple eventually found an area where several other travellers were spotted sleeping.

From the video, the area looked like it was just outside of the Terminal One arrival hall at Jewel.

The couple came prepared and laid out what looked like thin blankets and neck pillows on the floor, creating makeshift beds.

According to them, at least 30 other people were sleeping in the same area.

By morning, the woman said that she managed to get only four to five hours of sleep, while her husband said that he woke up almost every hour.

"Not the best night of sleep," she concluded. "But we did it. We didn't have to pay for a hotel."

Netizens react

Reactions to the video were mixed.

Some netizens criticised the couple for sleeping in the airport, saying that doing so could reflect poorly on Singapore and Changi Airport.

Others were more sympathetic, and suggested alternative places for travellers in similar situations to rest at.

You can watch the full video here:

@sheridan.tate8📍Changi Airport, Singapore — We slept at the renowned Changi Airport to save a little money! Necessary? No. Economical? Yes. Now we head back to India.♬ original sound - sheri

Top photos via @sheridan.tate8/TikTok