F1 weekend sees 'cheapskate tourist' couple sleeping free at Changi Airport

Shortly after a backpacker found herself priced out of Singapore during the F1 weekend, a couple who arrived in Singapore from Bintan on the evening of Oct 5 decided to slum it at the world's best airport before their flight the next morning.

"Just got off the ferry from the Bintan Islands and now we're going to try to sleep in the Singapore (Changi) Airport because hotel prices and lodging prices are astronomical because of the Formula One race and we did not want to pay $400 just to rest our heads," says TikTok user sheridan.tate8 or Sheri in a TikTok reel, which starts off at Jewel Changi Airport.

"So I'm not sure if this is allowed or even possible so come along with us to find out," adds Sheri, who is travelling with a man she calls Donny.

The couple go shopping at Uniqlo, which the TikToker says is her "new favourite store ever", contemplate watching a movie - it's unclear if they actually do - and go to Don Don Donki which she rates 10 out of 10 in the subtitles.

Concluding that the airport is spectacular, the couple eventually find a place she calls the "sleeper village" where other travellers are also resting, which appears to be Terminal 1.

"Not the best night of sleep but we did it, we didn't have to pay for a hotel," she says after revealing that she slept for about five hours, while Donny says he woke up every hour.

The video ends with the couple looking none the worse for wear as Sheri says: "We are about to board, so goodbye."

We learn from the comments that they're heading to India, where theyare in the middle of a four-month work stint.

The video had garnered 19,200 views, 242 reactions and 71 comments at press time. It was also shared without crediting the original post on Facebook page Singapore Incidents.

'Cheapskate tourist'

Netizens were mixed in their reactions to the couple's choice of accomodation, with a number of TikTok users pointing out that there are places for travellers to rest at the airport.

"Resting lounge at T1/2/3," said one user.

"Changi Airport has a lot of nice places to lie down to rest. also their wash room are very clean, actually can bath and freshened up," said another.

Others noted that airport staff are helpful to travellers who need to sleep.

"Terminal 1, there are couches with hp charging port…. If you just sleep anywhere else and they see you, they will direct you there too… so you can sleep comfortably," said one.

"I used to work at the airport. U can sleep anywhere. Ask them for blankets. They'll happily give you," another said.

Some users suggested that the travellers could have booked inexpensive accommodation, but one commented: "Everything is fully booked until 7th Oct due to the F1 race and even if some rooms are available, it's literally 10 to 20 times more than the usual room price."

Some Facebook users disapproved of the couple's thriftiness, labelling them "cheapo" and "cheapskate tourist." And on TikTok, some worried that such tourists would make the airport lose its No 1 ranking.

"Soon changi airport will not become no.1 anymore because there are many people making it like their bedroom," said one.

But a Facebook user put it in perspective: "They are budget travelers, saving on one night hotel accommodation. But at least they still have to spend on food and transportation. Feel proud if you are a Singaporean that foreigners come here to sightsee Singapore."