Singapore Changi airport connection question.

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

Caporegime
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30 Jul 2013
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Since BA killed the direct flights to Malaysia, they re-routed me now from LHR to Singapore first and then an onward flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Assuming we take off on time, it looks like I've got 90 mins before the onward plane to Malaysia departs from Changi airport. In all my years of flying, I've never had to do a connecting flight that goes to another country (I've done connecting flights in the states).

I know you don't usually have to go through immigration for connecting flights, but I know we fly in to Terminal 1 and the connecting flight is from Terminal 2 so how does that work? Do they bus you around?

Can anyone who has done a connection from Changi let me know what I'm in for? There was a note from BA on my booking, but I assume the bit in bold applies to me.

You must complete the online Singapore Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore. This must be done in the three days before your arrival (three days includes your date of arrival). This does not apply to customers who are transiting through Singapore without clearing arrival immigration.
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You shouldn’t need to do the arrival card

Changi has internal trains that go around to each terminal so it’s pretty easy
 
Yeah, the bit you've bolded is key. You are transiting, arrival cards are only for those who need to go through immigration & customs. Just follow the transit signs, there will likely be further security you'll need to clear but then you'll pop back out into departures.
 
I was “stuck” in that airport for about 12 hrs one time, to get between the 2 terminals you take a little monorail thing Call Skytrain, it’s very easy to do.

90mins should be fine to do that, but do not leave the airport to go to the mall (The famous Jewel) next door, the Monorail actually goes through that. You have to do this on your own feet, nobody will direct you. Just follow the signs for “connecting flights”. Watch the board for the flight number and match that then go to the correct gate.

Remember do not go DOWN the escalators…once you go down, i don’t think you can go back up without going through immigration again. There is a set of escalators that goes down to arrival and this immigration into the country.
 
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It turns out that because we will have checked luggage, we will have to go through immigration to be able to retrieve our bags.

And then check them in again with the different airline 90 minutes to do that seems tight?
 
VincentHanna said:
It turns out that because we will have checked luggage, we will have to go through immigration to be able to retrieve our bags.

And then check them in again with the different airline 90 minutes to do that seems tight?
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Is it a separate ticket?

If it's the same ticket, 1 itinerary, the checked luggage get moved to the next plane for you.

If its booked separately, then you need to collect it and go through immigration again. (I did this accidentally in Chicago, not knowing the above!)

I have also done 2 separate ticket, you ideally want like 3hrs minimum for this. It can take like 30mins before you get off the plane, then 30mins before you get through immigration (especially if you are not a local for the fast lane), wait and get the luggage, then go back to the check in for the next flight and luggage drop and back through immigration.

90mins from ETA landing time to next take off...you are not going to make it. The gate will call and could close 15mins before it's stated take off time, that leaves you 75mins. Singapore airport too is big, so I would allow 15mins to get to the gate from wherever you are.

That leaves just 1hr to get off plane, get luggage, drop off luggage, and immigration. I would not risk it.

Also......if I were to stopping over in Singapore, I would give myself at least 24hrs to get out of the airport, get some nice food, head back to the big mall at the airport (BEFORE IMMIGRATION!!!!! after you drop off your luggage) and check out the Jewel aka largest indoor waterfall.

It would be a shame not to at least check out the place while you are there.
 
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If it's the same airline, luggage would be moved from one plane to the other, If the tickets booked with two different airlines, you would have to collect your luggage and go through Immagration again.
 
It's different airlines, but all booked via BA.

Having looked, the tickets both have 'BA' even though one is Malaysia Airlines. BA seem to think it should all happen automatically but they will let me know for sure on the day at Heathrow.
 
Flight number 1 - LHR to SIN

Landing aborted at last minute because pilots couldn't see the runway in a storm. Landed 45 mins late.

Flight number 2 - SIN to KLP

Took off late, and again the landing was aborted at the last minute because the tower told the pilot there was a plane obstructing the runway. Landed 45 mins late.

Baggage was delayed from Singapore by 2 additional hours.

Not the best start :cry:
 
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