Travel Question

[jimmie50]

I am planning a return trip to Thailand in February/March and will be staying 6-8 weeks.  Decided Thailand was a great place to avoid the harsh winters in Colorado.  It appears that Singapore Airlines has the best deals at the moment flying from San Francisco.  It's a non-stop flight from SF to Singapore.  Having  never been to Singapore or flown on Singapore Airlines, I have several questions maybe some of you can answer.  

Is one hour enough time in Singapore to change planes?  According to the airline website, the flight from SF arrives in one terminal and the flight to Bangkok departs a different terminal.  What is a safe amount of time I should figure for layover in Singapore.  I don't want to be there a long time, but also do not want to cut things too close and miss the connecting flight.  

Another question...would I need a visa if I am just changing planes in Singapore?  If, on my return to the US I decided to spend a couple of days in Singapore, would I need a visa?  THANKS!

[pong2]

Hi again jimmie

Its pure by chance that I see this Q on this moment.

1. SQ is an excellent arline, with even better service as f.e. EVA and SIN is an utterly well organised airport-very often praised as such and putting many a US airport to shame.

Yes, you will make it, and so will your luggage.

IF flite from USA is very late in, then you will be met at gate by lovely assistents who will redirect you and already have fresh new board-passes in hand for a rebooked next flite. But there is also a fair chance its early in- they tend to over-estimate the real flite-duration.

(But SFO, or LAX to SIN must be one of the utmost longest non-stops in this world).

2.NO, there is no border check-you just remain ´ín transit´ as a kind of ´outsider - something that ANY country/airport in this world does, except yours. Such things are already millions of times explained in general sites like tripadvisor or flyertalk - and many more. There MAY be however a new safety check-for hand luggage etc-or maybe not and they trust that from USA enough.

THats taken for granted by all non-USA ers- as I myself also did now 12 days ago in HKG=HOngKOng, using CX=Cathay Pacific airline, after a 12 hr nonstop from home.

Right now I just come back from a BMTA citybus ride for 15 bt from Sapan kwai where I again visited PhetBoy-renamed perhaps as BoyBOy- it was LoveBoy before it was Phet. Again a bunch of lovely Myanmarese and just after payday on day 1 quite full-which they can hardly well organise.

And an aside: be aware of Chin. Nw Yr- when the year of the fire-horse starts- from 17/2 till around 1/3= also peak high season for visitors and many a bisnis Thai is also of Chinese descent

[thaiophilus]

Not enough information. Are the two flights sold as connecting flghts on a single ticket, or are they ticketed separately? Is your baggage checked through to BKK? Are the flights even on the same airline? 

I don't believe that one hour is a safe margin, and there are far worse places than Changi for wasting a few hours between flights.

 

 

[Walkabout]

IMHO you are pushing your luck if you only have one hour to connect with your next flight out at a different terminal.  If you go to the map below, it gives you estimated time for each gates in each terminal. https://www.changiairport.com/en/at-changi/map.html

since Changing is a world best airport with many attractions, why not book a flight with longer layover so you can explore the airport and stretch your legs after a long flight.  
As for visiting Singapore for a few days, since you’re a US citizen, you don’t need a visa.  But you need to submit a https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/sg-arrival-card before arrival.

I enjoyed reading your last adventure, hope this helps and safe travels.

[Olddaddy]

If it's different flights eg pick up your luggage again ....you won't make it 

[Travelingguy]

Pong is right.  If it is all on Singapore or your bags are checked through to BKK, you will be fine.  Singapore is very efficient .  

[macaroni21]

Giving yourself only one hour is asking for trouble. Please do not assume that flights, even on the best airlines, arrive on time. The number of times that I have experienced a delayed departure from a US airport is beyond counting. It's not the fault of even the best airline. It's the sheer unremitting craziness at US airports. All it takes is a 30-minute delay in departure from SFO, and your one-hour is gone. If I remember correctly, Changi Airport closes gates 30 minutes before the scheduled take-off time. So, what you think is one hour is only 30 minutes to make the transfer.

Moreover, I've flown good airlines which have had to fly against unexpectedly strong headwinds, or told by air traffic control at destination to circle around due to congestion, leading to delayed arrival. In an 18-hour flight, a five percent delay due to headwinds or circling around means fity-minutes additional flying time. 

Giving yourself only one hour is a decision you will regret. The more important question is how long you will need to not suffer a heart attack if even a small thing goes wrong. And that depends on the answers to @thaiophilus questions.

If yours is a through-ticket SFO to BKK via SIN, brought directly from Singapore Airlines, then you can check your luggage all the way to Bangkok. All you need to worry about is to allow time for these:

1. Disembark (how long depends on whether your're on Business Class or Economy Class, and the size of the aircraft but personally, I plan for 15 minutes, because I have known planes going around in circles looking for the right gate - Schipol, I am looking at you!). Or the plane is parked remotely and passengers have to wait for the bus.

2. You'd probably want to do a quick freshening up if you're flying Economy. Allow another 15 minutes.

3. Get yourself to the other terminal. Allow 15 - 30 minutes (you may get lost and have to retrace your steps, allow for that!)

4. Go through hand-luggage security (Changi Airport does this at individual boarding gates, not upon entry into the airside of the airport, unlike most other cities). Allow 15 - 30 minutes.

All the above must be done at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the connecting flight. If it were me, I would allow a minimum of 2.5 hours. I'd rather have extra time with a coffee (after an 18-hour flight) than have to rush around under stress.

---

If yours is NOT a through ticket bought from the same airline (i.e. if you bought SFO-SIN and SIN-BKK as separate purchases) then it gets even more complicated. This is because I think you won't be able to check your luggage through to Bangkok. Maybe others can chip in, because I have never done this (NOT buying a through ticket and somehow expecting a quick transfer).

If you have to retrieve your luggage in Singapore and check in again for the SIN-BKK flight, then I suspect you will have to enter Singapore through Immigration, go to the bags carousels, wait/retrieve your bags, find your way to the other terminal, find the Departure floor, check in for your BKK flight, go through Immigration again, find your gate, go through hand luggage security.... all this must be done at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the Bangkok flight. But as I said, I don't have personal experience even trying this kind of thing, so maybe others can advise better. 

How long will you need then? Hard for me to say because I'm not sure if my assumptionns about the process are correct. However, I think @jimmie50 was probably referring to a through ticket, so all this may be moot.

[Travelingguy]

If you are taking the Singapore airline flight that leaves San Francisco at 8:15 PM and lands in Singapore at 5:45 AM, I wouldn’t worry about the transfer at all. If for some reason you can’t make that flight, there are a ton of flights throughout the day that will get you from SIN to BKK  and Singapore Airlines would just put you on one of those.

 

However, if you are going to take the Singapore airline flight that leaves San Francisco at 9:40 AM and lands in Singapore at 7 PM in the evening, that flight could create more difficulties if you are running late because you may be delayed until the next morning for a flight to Bangkok. I think that it is unlikely that you are looking at taking this flight, since you have to get to SFO from DEN. 

 

If you misconnect because of the fault of the airline, they will put you on the next flight. Sometimes they will also put you up in a hotel if it is an overnight delay but I would not count on that.

[jimmie50]

Thanks for the great information.  I am buying direct from Singapore Airlines a through ticket from San Francisco to Bangkok.  Traveling business class.  It is an 8:15pm departure out of SF arriving in Singapore at 5:45am, with the departure for Bangkok at 7:00am.  The first connecting flight to Bangkok Singapore Airlines lists on their website is the one that only allows for one hour.  I believe the next option is a four hour layover.  Sounds as though that will be a better and safer option.  I know that SA has an excellent reputation.  I also know that SFO is notorious for late departures.  Every flight I have ever taken out of there to anywhere in Asia has always been delayed by at least 30 minutes.  SA estimates the flight at 17+ hours.  Going through Taipei and Hong Kong are approximately 14 hours, so even though a long flight I think I can manage an additional 3+ hours.   

[Keithambrose]

2 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Thanks for the great information.  I am buying direct from Singapore Airlines a through ticket from San Francisco to Bangkok.  Traveling business class.  It is an 8:15pm departure out of SF arriving in Singapore at 5:45am, with the departure for Bangkok at 7:00am.  The first connecting flight to Bangkok Singapore Airlines lists on their website is the one that only allows for one hour.  I believe the next option is a four hour layover.  Sounds as though that will be a better and safer option.  I know that SA has an excellent reputation.  I also know that SFO is notorious for late departures.  Every flight I have ever taken out of there to anywhere in Asia has always been delayed by at least 30 minutes.  SA estimates the flight at 17+ hours.  Going through Taipei and Hong Kong are approximately 14 hours, so even though a long flight I think I can manage an additional 3+ hours.   

Nowadays,  i allow 3 hours if i am changing planes. I just don't want the hassle of running to get the connection, missing it,trying to rebook, worrying about luggage etc. Singapore Airlines are good but a lot of other airlines  are notoriously  bad in these circumstances.  It is the case that some attractive fares have short connections, but I don't go for them. I'd rather keep my blood pressure stable! Having said that, my Malaysian,  Perth to KL flight, a couple of years ago, was 4 hours late and I missed the London  connection.  They met me at the door of my plane, in KL, with my rebooked flight and accommodation in the airport Hotel, with meals included. Very efficient. But I lost 14 hours!

9 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

I am planning a return trip to Thailand in February/March and will be staying 6-8 weeks.  Decided Thailand was a great place to avoid the harsh winters in Colorado.  It appears that Singapore Airlines has the best deals at the moment flying from San Francisco.  It's a non-stop flight from SF to Singapore.  Having  never been to Singapore or flown on Singapore Airlines, I have several questions maybe some of you can answer.  

Is one hour enough time in Singapore to change planes?  According to the airline website, the flight from SF arrives in one terminal and the flight to Bangkok departs a different terminal.  What is a safe amount of time I should figure for layover in Singapore.  I don't want to be there a long time, but also do not want to cut things too close and miss the connecting flight.  

Another question...would I need a visa if I am just changing planes in Singapore?  If, on my return to the US I decided to spend a couple of days in Singapore, would I need a visa?  THANKS!

No

[jimmie50]

ok, so I did go ahead and book the flight with Singapore Airlines.  I allowed for a 3 hour, 30 minute layover in Singapore for the connecting flight going to Bangkok, and a 4 hour layover on the return.  That should allow for any delays, getting lost, etc.  It was much cheaper for me to book round trip from SF or LA rather than trying to go from Denver.  I will book a flight on United from Denver to SF and spend a few days in California visiting friends before continuing on to Bangkok.  So excited to be going back to Bangkok so soon.  A Christmas present to myself, and a fun way to avoid the harsh winter in Colorado.  

[PeterRS]

6 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

I am buying direct from Singapore Airlines a through ticket from San Francisco to Bangkok.  Traveling business class.  It is an 8:15pm departure out of SF arriving in Singapore at 5:45am, with the departure for Bangkok at 7:00am.  The first connecting flight to Bangkok Singapore Airlines lists on their website is the one that only allows for one hour.  I believe the next option is a four hour layover.  Sounds as though that will be a better and safer option.

I know we all have different experiences. Having flown millions of miles, including plane changes with SIA at Changi, I suggest you will have absolutely no problem with your shortish connection, the more so as you have a through ticket on SIA and are in business class. As @pong2 noted, there will be someone from SIA at the gate either to show you the way or even to accompany you to the new departure terminal and gate. For such an early arrival, it is unlikely you will arrive late due to stacking or anything like that. And if the aircraft is delayed on departure, the pilots have enough time to make some or all of it up en route. 

I have changed planes at Hong Kong many times when the minimum connecting time for Cathay Pacific flights was just 40 minutes. Never missed a flight. But then Hong Kong only has one terminal. Even so, SIA is such an efficient airline and Changi such an efficient airport I would just accept their 75 minute connecting time and enjoy your flights. They will look after you. Your baggage will be automatically transferred. You will still have a hand luggage security check when entering the new gate but it will be very fast. Incidentally the scheduled flight time is 16 hours 36 minutes. Why bother waiting another 4 hours when you will clearly be very tired and 4 hours can seem an awfully long time. If you had tickets on different airlines or a through ticket on a lesser airline, I would have a  different view. But with SIA I'm sure you'll be fine.

I have Flight Radar on my iPad and have noted that 6 arrival times in recent days were 5:25, 5:27, 5:20, 5:23, 5:04 and 6:14. You will not need a visa on your return if you decide to stop in Singapore.

Frankly, I'd be more worried about your connecting flight from Denver to SFO. It's decades since i flew out of Singapore. If it's anything like LAX you will need plenty of time for Immigration and security checks at evening time.

[PeterRS]

6 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

ok, so I did go ahead and book the flight with Singapore Airlines.  I allowed for a 3 hour, 30 minute layover in Singapore for the connecting flight going to Bangkok, and a 4 hour layover on the return.

Sorry @jimmie50. I wrote my post before i saw yours. Good luck with the flights.

[macaroni21]

9 hours ago, PeterRS said:

 

I have Flight Radar on my iPad and have noted that 6 arrival times in recent days were 5:25, 5:27, 5:20, 5:23, 5:04 and 6:14.

 

This is useful data. Albeit that it's a small sample, yet one in six flights arrived about 30 minutes late. @jimmie50 was right to choose a later connection rather than risk it.

The variance between 5:04 and 6:14 is quite notable.

[PeterRS]

54 minutes ago, macaroni21 said:

This is useful data. Albeit that it's a small sample, yet one in six flights arrived about 30 minutes late. @jimmie50 was right to choose a later connection rather than risk it.

The variance between 5:04 and 6:14 is quite notable.

True, but still no problem at Changi for an interline connection on SIA. I can only get the last few days on Flight Radar at present but expect to increase this to one month in the next few days. But it's immaterial as @jimmie50 has booked his flights. Both SIA and Cathay Pacific frequently hold flight departures for up to 15 minutes or so if they are waiting for long distance interline connection passengers on through tickets booked via the airlines. Even early last month in Taipei, I was on a China Airlines flight to BKK that had all but one passenger seated 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. We left the gate 15 minutes late waiting for one passenger on a long distance interline CI connection. Especially in business class, if SIA had issued the ticket permitting that connection I would have no problem with a 59 minute connection on SIA at Changi, the more so at that time in the morning. 

Back in March I had a 14 hour flight from HKG to LHR. I then connected to a BA inter Britain flight. But it was a separate ticket and so I allowed for 3 /12 hour connection instead of getting a flight just 75 minutes later. But at LHR I had to go through Immigration and so did not trust a 75 minute connection. As it turned out, I loathed the 4 1/2 dditional hours for waiting time and the extra flight!