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-   -   Singapore airport-very early flight (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/singapore-airport-very-early-flight-944780/)

rkkwan Jul 30th, 2012 06:13 PM

What airline are you flying? You sure there will be check-in counters open at 2:30a?

Guenmai Jul 30th, 2012 06:36 PM

I've stayed there several times and have had absolutely no problem staying there. It's clean, the showers are strong and the water very hot, and the front desk does wake-up calls. Plus, it's pin-drop quiet. I prefer to stay right there in the airport when my flights land in Singapore (from L.A.) at 2:30AM-ish. And then I'm usually on to Bangkok the same day, but in the late morning or early afternoon.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai Jul 30th, 2012 06:39 PM

Forgot to add that one can pay the bill at the transit hotel in US dollars cash, if one wants to.
Happy Travels!

virginiafish Jul 30th, 2012 06:43 PM

Thanks! Yes, I called United and check in is 4 hours before the flight. Thanks for thinking about this, though.

Guenmai Jul 30th, 2012 06:46 PM

I didn't read all the above comments before posting. I just read your initial question. I now see that you will have already been in Singapore and then on your way home. Happy Travels!

rkkwan Jul 30th, 2012 06:54 PM

3:30a. They used to open at 4:30a, now an hour earlier. But not 4 hours before flight. You were told wrong:

http://www.united.com/web/en-us/cont....aspx?Region=3

rkkwan Jul 30th, 2012 06:59 PM

Check the newest posts on Flyertalk. Again, it's 3:30a.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ey-open-6.html

BTW, are you flying SIN-HKG or SIN-NRT?

virginiafish Jul 30th, 2012 07:20 PM

Singapore to Hong Kong. Wow, thanks for the information. That is not what the person on the phone told me...

Smeagol Jul 30th, 2012 09:45 PM

I was in Singapore twice last year and went to the airport several times and from the balmoral area of Singapire ( near Newton) it took approx 20 minutes to get to the airport. ( and it certainly won't be busy early in the morning. If it were me ( and it isn't) I wouldn't let the very early flight persuade you in to thinking you need to stay at the airport, I would still say in town.

Smeagol Jul 30th, 2012 09:47 PM

Also Singapore is one of the most efficient airports I know, you do not need to be there 4 hours before. 2 would be fine. 2.5 if you feel nervous about it.

DonTopaz Jul 31st, 2012 04:15 AM

I am shocked to hear that someone received incorrect information from one of United Airlines' fine telephone agents.

Craig Jul 31st, 2012 11:40 AM

Funny, Don...

Maybe my watch was running fast when going back and forth to the airport? Doesn't matter really - 20, 25 minutes is not a long time.

Given the latest info, spending the $$ for the extra night at your original hotel so you can nap and/or shower before your flight makes a lot more sense than hanging at S-bux for hours on end, waiting for United's check-in to open. I just wouldn't want to end my vacation that way...

Smeagol Jul 31st, 2012 12:53 PM

Craig, totally agree, it would take a really special reason to spend the last night of my holiday at a hotel airport!!!!

virginiafish Jul 31st, 2012 01:59 PM

I hear you all, but $350 is a lot of money for 1/2 a night... We can shower at the airport and sleep for hours on the plane. And, we may purposely go to the night safari in S-Pore the night before, which goes to 11 or 12.

KMLoke Jul 31st, 2012 04:50 PM

Alternatively you can visit the new Gardens By The Bay. The outdoor gardens close at 2am. There's a walkway linking it to the Marina Bay Sands. It might be easier to get a cab to the airport from there.

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/co...b/en/home.html

Craig Jul 31st, 2012 05:02 PM

I've done this many times at various Asian cities and even if I went to the night safari, I would still want to return to my hotel and shower...and then move on to the airport. I can't see doing the airport hotel for just a few hours. Put the money aside no matter how much it hurts - we are thrifty as well but this approach makes sense...

Hanuman Jul 31st, 2012 07:03 PM

I have taken early morning flights out of Singapore many times and I agree with Craig. Find a hotel, a cheaper one, and stay there! Leave the hotel at 4:00 AM and you will be at the airport by 4:30 from almost anywhere in Singapore.

Guenmai Aug 1st, 2012 05:31 PM

"virginiafish on Jul 31, 12 at 2:59pm
I hear you all, but $350 is a lot of money for 1/2 a night... We can shower at the airport and sleep for hours on the plane. And, we may purposely go to the night safari in S-Pore the night before, which goes to 11 or 12"

Switch hotels if you want to stay at a hotel in Singapore City. I switch hotels all the time and especially in a situation where I wouldn't want to dish out $350 for half a night. That's when I switch over to a cheaper hotel.

I've been to Singapore a lot and although I have stayed at various hotels, from the Hilton to the Fullerton, to the Raffles Plaza, etc....the one that I've stayed at the most is the YMCA International House. Love it. I've stayed there, from time to time, since 1998 and have watched it transform itself with all of the renovations.

It would be less to book oneself in there for half a night than to dish out $350., even though the Y has gone up in price. It's in top real estate territory at #1 Orchard Road and is directly across the street from the Rendevous Hotel and at Dhoby Gaut MRT station which is 2 or 3 stops from the main part of Orchard Road. And I've never had a problem flagging a taxi from in front of the Y.

http://www.ymcaih.com.sg/Web/main.as...5-49d7b9c9c8c4

Happy Travels!

BeniciaChris Aug 4th, 2012 12:17 PM

We too have a 6AM flight out of Singapore. The last night I'll just have an early dinner & go to bed early. (This will be our 4th night there) We are staying at the Conrad Centenial-how much time should we allow a taxi to take us there to get there @ 4AM? At least we're Business Elite on Delta-to NRT to SFO. I called Delta & the flight home has the lay down seats-AHHHH

Kathie Aug 4th, 2012 12:49 PM

Ask your hotel for their recommendation. My experience is that 30 minutes is more than enough time from in-city hotels, but I've never stayed at the Conrad.


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