beazablah

we are traveling from sfo to hong kong and then conecting to singapore flying cathay pacific. We arrive in sin at 1145 pm on february 21. on feb 22 we are conecting to perth departing singapore in quantas at 845 am. We are uncertain in what to do as far as our 7 hour layover at changi airport. What should we do? Stay at the Crown Plaza Changi airport or at the changi transit hotel. We are uncertain as to what to do with our bags when we collect them from Hong kong and then going to the transit hotel after security? anybody familiar with the drop our bags at the Crown Plaza at Changi Crown Plaza and
leave it to us? or should we do transit hotel?

Melnq8

Check your bags through to Perth from SFO. Pack your carry on with a change of clothes and whatever you need for your hotel stay and flights. Check into the Transit Hotel in Changi - they book a minimum six hour block, but you can add hours if needed. Book well in advance or risk not getting a room. You don't clear immigration for the Transit Hotel - it's airside. You'll still be in the terminal, beyond security, although SIN sometimes has a second security check at the gate, but it's only for passengers of one or two flights, so no drama. The next morning all you need do is go downstairs and find your gate.

I do this all the time, it's a piece of cake. Changi is a wonderful airport and an excellent place to transit. The Transit Hotel is perfect for a few hours rest and a hot shower. Reasonably priced too.

NOTE: Cathay will probably give you all your connecting boarding passes when you check in at SFO, because they're partners with Qantas. If for some reason they don't give you your boarding pass from SIN to PER, you'll need to collect it before your flight at the Transit Desk, which is very near the Transit Hotel. Also a piece of cake, you'll just need a few extra minutes.

Melnq8

PS - Qantas grounded all their flights today due to strikes. Glad to hear you're not flying until February, hopefully it will be long sorted by then.

eliztravels

Changi is rated #1 in the world by www.sleepinginairports.com Go with Melnq8's suggestions and I'm sure you'll be satisfied. Only did it once, but it was marvellous. Decent sleep, butterfly room,free computer terminals..

tt7

I can only second what others have already said - the Transit hotel at Changi is easy and convenient (provided your bags have been checked through to your next/final destination). I've stayed there several times, most recently a few weeks ago - rooms are basic but perfectly adequate.

If you need wifi access while you're at Changi, any of the information desks airside will give you a free 4 hour pass - just need to show them your passport.

beazablah

thank you all for your kind replies. I am still concerned though about my bags at Changi and this is why:

1. My flight departs San Francisco to Sing more than 24 hours before the quantas flight.

2. My SFO-HGK-SIN ticket is in F class. My SIN-PER is a different reservation.

3. What will happen to my bags in Changi? If I collect my bags I would have to go throug imigration and then back to the transit hotel?

eliztravels

When we travelled through Changi we also had a long layover. When we picked up our bags in Perth they had a flourescent sticker on them alerting baggage handlers that the bag had to be held before our onward flight. So I guess they have a pretty good system. Doubt that you would have to go through customs if you don't leave airside in the airport. I suggest you check with the airline.

Melnq8

<My flight departs San Francisco to Sing more than 24 hours before the quantas flight.>

I don't understand why you think this is a problem. The 24 hour limit begins when you arrive in Singapore, not when you depart SFO. Changi will hold your luggage up to 24 hours and they'll automatically transfer it if you've had it checked through. I do this all the time.

To collect your bag you'd need to go through immigration and customs. You'll need your onward boarding pass if you hope to get back into the airport more than two hours before your flight. Without a boarding pass, you can't get airside until the check in desk opens for your flight, which is usually two hours prior. Then you'd need to check in again for your connecting flight and go back through immigration and security. There's no reason to do this if all you want to do is catch some sleep between flights. Just stay in the airport - it's so incredibly easy and convenient!

I've actually spent the night in the transit hotel, then cleared immigration, collected my luggage and gone into Singapore for a few days. I did this for convenience...the transit hotel is cheaper than most Singapore hotels and as long as your luggage is collected or transferred within 24 hours after arrival, it's no problem.

When you arrive at your gate for your connecting flight, they often enter your luggage details into their computer to ensure the transfer, so be sure to hang on to the checked luggage receipts. BTW, it's Qantas.

<My SFO-HGK-SIN ticket is in F class. My SIN-PER is a different reservation.>

Class doesn't matter. Neither does reservation. I routinely fly from PER to SIN on SIA on one reservation/ticket in coach, then on to Colorado via SFO and NRT on UA on another ticket in business. I do this because it's near impossible to get both on the same ticket, something to do with SIA. I check my luggage through from PER to COS and again from COS to PER and it's always there when I arrive. It's so incredibly easy and hassle free.

When you check in for your flight at SFO, show them your connecting flight itinerary/e-ticket, tell them you want to check your bags through to Perth and just make sure that's what they do (check the receipts you're given for the bags).

Then sit back and relax.

Melnq8

<What will happen to my bags in Changi? If I collect my bags I would have to go throug imigration and then back to the transit hotel?>

Your bags will be held in baggage claim and then transferred to your next flight. You can't collect your bags and then go into the Transit Hotel. It's a Transit Hotel, it's airside. You must check your luggage before you go airside.

Melnq8

More info here:

http://www.changiairport.com/in-transit/faq

beazablah

thank you so much for your kind response. I finally got it!

Melnq8

No worries - have a good trip.