eckles has indicated that this thread is about United Kingdom
I would suggest to contact your airline as they'll have it down to a computerised map of what should happen. You could basically tell them exactly what you put above, first time female traveller alone for a long long distance and use stuff like facebook & twitter to update your whereabouts. That'll keep anyone who may worry about you along with keeping you happy that you've made contact, albeit digital, with those close to you.
Whereabouts in the UK you heading?
Good Luck!
Hi!
I did the exact same thing as you're about to do but in reverse when I travelled to Australia with Singapore airlines: London Heathrow - Singapore Changi - Perth. I was also worried about the whole process as had never done it before either! Basically, you will check your luggage in at the airport in Oz and the staff will tag it with a label that states it is going all the way to the Uk. So you won't see your luggage again until you get to the UK. DON'T PANIC about this! They know what they are doing!
Then when you get to Changi airport arrivals you just follow the signs (really easy so don't worry) for connecting flights. On your way you will come across some screens that tell you which departure gate you need to go to for your connecting flight to the UK. Think you need to be in your little departure lounge 45 mins before departure but I would check that with your airline. When you get to your departure lounge you will go through a mini version of security again - i.e. putting your hand luggage through. You can't take any drinks past this point! So make sure you finish your drink before you go in - I had to throw my newly purchased bottle of water away.
When you're in that departure lounge waiting to board you'll probably have to fill out a card stating your reasons for entering the UK. I had to do that for Australia - don't know if they do it for the UK too. Don't worry about that though it takes 5 mins.
If you have a a lot of time to kill in Changi airport before your flight to the UK then they have a brilliant place (ask someone for directions) where you can have a shower. It cost me about 7 singapore dollars. They give you shampoos, shower gels and towels. There is also a little cinema and a swimming pool in the airport too! And a rooftop sunflower garden! They also have free massage chairs which are AMAZING!! And free internet for a limited amount of time. Think you can even go on a guided bus tour of Singapore if you have a bit of time. Put it this way...it's not a bad airport to be stuck in!!
Have an amazing time in the UK! I recommend you visit Liverpool, it's great there.
Amy :-)
Millions of tourists will transit this airport. There will be signs pointing you in the right direction also information will be easy to obtain at the airport.
What will affect your stay in Singapore is how long you have between flights.
When you originally check in for your first flight with your luggage you will be given a receipt for your luggage. Check the receipt for your last stop Heathrow. I think the code is LHR. This should be where your bags are heading for.
Potential problems are if you are arriving in Singapore and leaving on another airline and you have two different Confirmation Numbers. If you have different airlines and different Confirmation Numbers you must tell the airline clerk when you check in. Most of the time on international flights when you check in your bags will be forwarded to your final destination but always double check and ask about it!
The big fly in the ointment is how long on the ground in Singapore! If everything goes right you will not see your bags until you get to England. Then you will have to go through customs, etc. When you check in have everything ready. Nothing pysses off everyone behind you is for someone to have to go through their bags at the counter to find tickets, itinerary, etc. Sign up for the frequent flyer program your airline offers. Lots of miles on this trip. More miles means free rides later on or free upgrades or even other perks on weight allowances and line standing.
Be aware of what is allowed on to the plane as far as liquids, weapons, bombs, etc. You will be checked. A huge expensive bottle of perfume will be confiscated along with huge containers of body wash, body oils, etc. So pay attention to proper size liquid bottles allowed on the plane. (Your airline will have that information if you pull up their website and enter your confirmation number to check out your flight itinerary.)
Oh yeah, get to the airport early when you leave for your flight. If you are late everything will go a little screwy. So - early to the airport (minimum of 2 hours or more for an international flight unless your airline says you need more.) When you get to the airport early you will have time to find the check in desks for your airline and be more composed.
You should try to select your seats ahead of time so you don't get the leftovers at the airport. A window seat is good for taking off and landing but for the next 20 hours or so you don't see too much! Plus if you have to go to the toilet you have to crawl over everyone else. Seats in front of walls may not be as wide as seats behind you because when no seat is in front of you the tray comes out of the armrests. This makes the seat narrower (unless you are in business class.)
Get up often during your flight so you don't get any blood clots, especially if you are heavy.
After this flight you will an experienced veteran!
Thanks everyone. That makes me feel a bit better. I had a look on Youtube to see if anyone had posted their travels there and just got confused totally. I'm from a population of 20,000 and all I could see was a sea of faces. Daunting for this little Aussie. I'll only be in Singapore for 4 hours so don't have a lot of time for sight seeing..as much as I'd love too. I've seen pics of Changi airport and it looks like a place you could wander in for days. I might feel more at ease and experienced enough to enjoy it more on the way back. The airlines are the same all the way, Singapore AL so connecting should go ok. What about boarding passes??? Can I ask for my connecting boarding pass when I get the first one???? That might give me more time to look around if they do. I checked the site and they said I had to go to Terminal 2, Lounge E or F to get it. You know we women...there could be great shops on the way and I'll never get back lol!!
I'm headed to London first for a few days to see the Tate...I'm an artist and its my mecca. Then I'm going to Ipswich (of all places) to get engaged. Long way to go to find the right one but worth it.) So this is a trip in kinda had to make whether I wanted to or not. If it wasn't for this I'd be headed to Vanuatu instead...must be love! BUGGA!
I appreciate any help and thanks heaps.
Jule
With 4 hours between flights you should be ok. It is the connections that are less than an hour that can screw you up. Having the same airline all the way through makes it easier to get your bags checked all the way through to England. But verify by looking at the baggage tag and asking the ticket agent directly.
When I fly long distance I get my boarding passes all at once. But I don't know about your particular airline. Many airlines allow you to print up your own boarding pass at home and use that for all flights. Don't worry about it - everything will work out okay.
With only 4 hours I wouldn't leave the airport. If you are in transit you probably won't have to pass through immigration in Singapore but there will be a security check again. When you get off your flight look for the departure monitors, then look for your flight number, identify the DEPARTURE GATE for your flight. I like to find the departure gate before I go wandering around. Check the boarding time. It could be an hour before the departure time if the flight is full.
You can also order special meals if you are a vegetarian or need kosher meals or no salt meals but you have to order it a few days ahead of time. Check with the airline if you want the special meals. If you have a cane or other medical problem you get on the plane sooner.
Good luck.
Thanks Albert. I'll keep to the airport, no problems there. I'm a coward! I'll immediately think any flight taking is the one I've missed I'll stick to your advice...find out where & when first and stay in the area. I've heard that Changi is the best airport in the world and go out of their way to help you so I should be able to get all my boarding passes at once. I can't print them out before I go because I'll be in a hotel room with no printer or computer. I'm sure you won't hear about me on the 9 o'clock news! "Aussie tourist goes missing en route" I'll ask questions even if they sound dumb and double check everything. Better to be safe than sorry. Thanks everyone!
Changi airport is really easy to navigate - there are signs everywhere so you can't get too lost. I transited there travelling back from NZ on my own when I was 19 and it was honestly a piece of cake. Don't worry. You never really travel alone anyway; just ask someone if you get stuck.
Yes, I think the information desks will be glad to see me go...they'll work overtime First thing I'll want is a shower and food which shouldn't be a problem with the transit lounge there. Lucky I'll be chauffeured when I get there. I might be a grown up but I sure don't feel like one right now!! Thanks everyone.
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