jackhodgy

What about 4 nights in Ubud and 6 nights in Nusa Dua? Is 4 nights in Singapore enough?

jackhodgy

Also, I have found flights that land in Singapore but leave from Bali, would this be better? As it saves going back to Singapore for more nights, but the flights are with Qatar and are £300 more expensive than the Etihad Flights. Should I pay the extra money?

Kathie

Personally, I'd opt for a balance like 4 nights in Nusa Dua and 6 in Ubud. I think 4 nights in Singapore is enough, particularly if all four nights are together rather than broken up.

I don't know what the possible connections look like, but you can probably get flights that require a change of planes in Singapore but not an over night stay. Only you can decide if it is worth 300 pounds not to have a stop in Singapore on your way home.

Frances

Do compare the cost of flying return to Bali with a stopover in Singapore. We did this on Singapore Airlines. Look at the cost from London. (We also fly from Manchester) The cost from Heathrow was about £500 per person less than the return from Manchester (again on Singapore)

jackhodgy

The only problem with flying from London is that the journey is 4 hours away... So I am not keen on that. I'm not sure whether I should spend the extra £300 on the return flight from Bali, I may just have a two night stopover on the way to bali and on the way back. Has anyone flown Etihad?

LancasterLad

Yep. To and from Bangkok via Abu Dhabi, from Manchester. And to and from Kathmandu via Abu Dhabi, from London.

I mentioned earlier in the thread that Etihad are fine in the air, but not so on the ground. Abu Dhabi airport is better than it used to be, but if there are alternatives, then I'd avoid the place.

I also mentioned the Airline Quality website earlier. Have you looked at the recent reviews?

marmot

I would only spend time in Singapore once, either at the beginning or end of your trip. For me, 4 days would be enough. After that the attractions, while admirable, begin to feel a bit packaged.

Transiting through Singapore airport without an overnight is still a possibility, if it saves you GBP300. If you need to overnight then you have to weigh the cost of accommodation in Singapore.

I'd keep fiddling with the flights. Try roundtrip Manchester-Singapore then add on Air Asia flights from Singapore to Bali. Leaving from London would widen your options.

You could also consider stopping in Yogyakarta/Borobudur for a few days between Singapore and Bali. Plenty of culture and low cost accommodations.

To allocate your time in Indonesia, you need to drill down further on what you like to do. If you have 16 nights and spend 4 in Singapore and 4 in Ubud, that leaves 8, so you could do Nusa Dua and one more.

jackhodgy

Yes, I have looked at the Etihad Reviews and they don't seem so good :/ But my itinerary is 4 nights Songspore, 4 nights Ubud and 6 nights Nusa Dua. I have looked at doing Singapore - Bali - Singapore on Jetstar which comes at £117. So I would be spending a total of £250pp if I booked the Qatar Flights

marmot

I haven't flown either, but Etihad and Emirates are generally well liked among expats in Indonesia. No idea about Qatar. Have you checked Air Asia between Singapore and Bali?

LancasterLad

In your time-frame I'd avoid Yogyakarta, unless you have a specific programme.

Me and the cook are in Yogyakarta at the moment. Just got back to the hotel after a day trip by train to Solo. Cheap as chips, an experience, but a nightmare day out. Never mind, we got back eventually, have had a few Bintangs and a lovely meal. A day by the pool beckons tomorrow.

As I keep rattling on about Etihad. Fine in the air, but if it goes pear-shaped between flights in Abu Dhabi, then it ain't much fun.

Have a look at Oman Airways too.

jackhodgy

I have checked out Air Asia, but weirdly Jetstar came out cheaper... and I have 3 hour connections each way, the only thing that persuades me to Qatar Airways is the Dreamliner over the A330

BillT

Given that you are from the UK and this is your first trip to Asia be advised that you will be experiencing the intense heat and humidity so take it slow, do not try to do too much in any day.

LancasterLad

Don't try and do too much over the whole trip.

All sorts of things can go wrong, and if you've paid upfront, then you [could] end up out of pocket.

Me and the cook are coming to the end of 4 weeks in Indonesia, we kept the logistics simple, and have had zero problems. We do the same wherever we go. The more you try to do, despite the attraction of it all, the more pitfalls you could encounter.

Geordie

I've flown Etihad a few times and they are fine, although I haven't had any issues with them, so can't really comment on their customer service also I find Abu Dhabi an easy airport to get around, its small in comparison to Dubai

I would get quotes for flights from MAN to Bali with a stopover in Singapore either on the way there or back, sometimes these prices can be cheaper or the same as the price to Singapore.

I don't know which agency you are using but check the Sunday papers, at least for the name / tel number as the prices quoted are seldom accurate in my experience

lcuy

I would suggest that you look at the lodging costs in Singapore before you lock in your flights. Your E4000 will take a big hit if you are spending 5 nights in S'Pore at even a mid-range hotel, more if you have to buy another bed for the third person.

Also all the activities you have listed have entry fees; just the basic tourist entry for these will cost about 120 Euros per person.

Marina Bay observation deck $23 (Sing $)
Universal Studios $74
Gardens By The Bay $28
Singapore Zoo $28
Singapore Flyer $33

jackhodgy

Hi, I am now deciding between Singapore and Malaysia (KL, Penang, Borneo), Singapore and Thailand (Ko Samui) or Singapore and Bali (Ubud, Nusa Dua) I made a topic about destination advice, but forgot about the thread I started here. I am still planning on visiting in July. Will the weather be good in Ko Samui in July? This is the place I am most keen to visit? And is there any resorts with rooms for 3 people that are located on a nice quiet beach that is relatively cheap?

Craig

We visited Ko Samui in July and the weather was perfect. That was some time ago, so I am reluctant to recommend lodging...

jackhodgy

Craig, what beach did you stay on? If it was Chaweng, was it really busy?

Craig

We were in the south - really quiet. Can't recommend the place as it has changed ownership...

jackhodgy

What was the name of the beach? Can anyone recommend a place for 3 people in Ko Samui for 10 nights that provide breakfast. Need to be on a quiet beach and under £1200 for the 10 nights. I had a look at Melati Beach Resort but on Booking.com it says the max per person per room is 2 when there is enough for three. Is there anyway i could get around this?