Help 1st time flying long haul on weekend break to Singapore
Help 1st time flying long haul on weekend break to Singapore
Hello
I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me. My OH works away a lot and I've got the chance to join him in Singapore for 4 full days in 2 weeks time. He loves it there and I've always wanted to go so I'm going to join him if I can get time off work tomorrow.:yay:
However I've never flown long haul before or been to Singapore. What do I need to take on the plane? How can I minimise the jet lag? I'm probably going to fly KLM, any advice for transferring in Amsterdam? What would people recommend in Singapore to do? :confused:
Thanks
Win x
Answers:
Take on the plane a couple of books, a music player, socks (the airline ones suck), earplugs, water and layers - it can range from freezing to boiling in the cabin and it is steaming hot in Singapore so you don't want to be wearing heavy jeans and a jumper when you arrive.
I'd also take some sleeping pills - Nytol or similar - as it's a long flight. Most are overnight, though I'm not sure about KLM's schedule.
When you check in in London your bag will be checked all the way through to Singapore so you won't need to claim it at Schipol. You'll also be given your boarding pass for the Singapore flight in London so when you get to Amsterdam, follow the Connections or Transfer signs. Your flight's gate will probably be up on the screens by the time you get to Amsterdam so it's just a case of wandering down to the departure gate for your Singapore flight.
As you're checking in London you'll have a slight advantage over those in Amsterdam as you'll be checking in ahead of them. Ask for a seat well down the back of the aircraft: they tend to fill planes from the front of the economy section (if that's what class you're flying in) and you might get lucky and have an empty seat next to you. Also, if the flight isn't full they'll leave the middle rows empty and you might be able to bag one for yourself down the back.
As soon as they close the doors and before they push back, if there is an empty row, zoom into it and spread your stuff all over it. You will then be able to claim the space as yours and sleep a bit more comfortably.
Jetlagwise, most flights arrive in Singapore at teatime which is a good time. Go to your hotel, have a shower and go out for dinner and stay out as late as you can bear. Take a couple of Nytol as you go to bed as they will help you stay asleep until morning.
As you're only there for a few days, though, just ride the jetlag, don't try and conquer it or you'll be miserable. I find on a short trip that I wake up early but need a nap between the end of the afternoon and suppertime. I also know that I feel like hell when I wake up after that nap but that a shower and going out makes my second wind kick in for the evening.
Singapore can be fun but it's a bit too pristine for my tastes. However, your OH probably knows it well and will know where to take you. I don't think the shopping is as stunning as people say it is but you should spend an afternoon cruising the malls of Orchard Road. Otherwise, I like the conservation area of Emerald Hill - very pretty and worth a walk; and I also really like Chinatown and Little India, which are a nice contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers.
Have fun - it sounds like a fun way to spend a few days. Do be prepared for how wiped you will feel, though: it's a long way, a gruelling flight and a big time difference, plus if you're not used to the heat and humidity they can get to you. So don't try and do too much - just make the most of being somewhere interesting with your OH.
One tip - if you haven't already booked your return flight, make sure you come back on a night flight, not the one that leaves Singapore at around noon. The day flight is a total killer: you drone westwards into the sun for the thick end of 13 hours and it's very difficult to sleep. Go for the night flight: you'll be tired when you get on the aircraft, it will be dark most of the way back to Europe and you should get some sleep.
Answers:
Feck! That's a long way to go for 4 days! But I guess your hb is good reason to go ;)
Answers:
I personally wouldn't go with the sleeping tablets for a flight. Mainly cause of DVT, you should be getting up and walking around a bit.
Set your watch to your destination time and as blossie says when you arrive go out for a meal and not just straight to bed (even if it has been ages since you saw your OH ;) )
Answers:
Thanks for all your advice. Unfortunately I'm not going out to Singapore now as a refundable flight was almost 1K for economy :eek:
Can't take the risk of booking a cheaper non refundable ticket incase OH can't make it cos of work. So instead he'll have to treat me to a visit on the way to New Zealand next year :yay:
Hello
I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me. My OH works away a lot and I've got the chance to join him in Singapore for 4 full days in 2 weeks time. He loves it there and I've always wanted to go so I'm going to join him if I can get time off work tomorrow.:yay:
However I've never flown long haul before or been to Singapore. What do I need to take on the plane? How can I minimise the jet lag? I'm probably going to fly KLM, any advice for transferring in Amsterdam? What would people recommend in Singapore to do? :confused:
Thanks
Win x
Answers:
Take on the plane a couple of books, a music player, socks (the airline ones suck), earplugs, water and layers - it can range from freezing to boiling in the cabin and it is steaming hot in Singapore so you don't want to be wearing heavy jeans and a jumper when you arrive.
I'd also take some sleeping pills - Nytol or similar - as it's a long flight. Most are overnight, though I'm not sure about KLM's schedule.
When you check in in London your bag will be checked all the way through to Singapore so you won't need to claim it at Schipol. You'll also be given your boarding pass for the Singapore flight in London so when you get to Amsterdam, follow the Connections or Transfer signs. Your flight's gate will probably be up on the screens by the time you get to Amsterdam so it's just a case of wandering down to the departure gate for your Singapore flight.
As you're checking in London you'll have a slight advantage over those in Amsterdam as you'll be checking in ahead of them. Ask for a seat well down the back of the aircraft: they tend to fill planes from the front of the economy section (if that's what class you're flying in) and you might get lucky and have an empty seat next to you. Also, if the flight isn't full they'll leave the middle rows empty and you might be able to bag one for yourself down the back.
As soon as they close the doors and before they push back, if there is an empty row, zoom into it and spread your stuff all over it. You will then be able to claim the space as yours and sleep a bit more comfortably.
Jetlagwise, most flights arrive in Singapore at teatime which is a good time. Go to your hotel, have a shower and go out for dinner and stay out as late as you can bear. Take a couple of Nytol as you go to bed as they will help you stay asleep until morning.
As you're only there for a few days, though, just ride the jetlag, don't try and conquer it or you'll be miserable. I find on a short trip that I wake up early but need a nap between the end of the afternoon and suppertime. I also know that I feel like hell when I wake up after that nap but that a shower and going out makes my second wind kick in for the evening.
Singapore can be fun but it's a bit too pristine for my tastes. However, your OH probably knows it well and will know where to take you. I don't think the shopping is as stunning as people say it is but you should spend an afternoon cruising the malls of Orchard Road. Otherwise, I like the conservation area of Emerald Hill - very pretty and worth a walk; and I also really like Chinatown and Little India, which are a nice contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers.
Have fun - it sounds like a fun way to spend a few days. Do be prepared for how wiped you will feel, though: it's a long way, a gruelling flight and a big time difference, plus if you're not used to the heat and humidity they can get to you. So don't try and do too much - just make the most of being somewhere interesting with your OH.
One tip - if you haven't already booked your return flight, make sure you come back on a night flight, not the one that leaves Singapore at around noon. The day flight is a total killer: you drone westwards into the sun for the thick end of 13 hours and it's very difficult to sleep. Go for the night flight: you'll be tired when you get on the aircraft, it will be dark most of the way back to Europe and you should get some sleep.
Answers:
Feck! That's a long way to go for 4 days! But I guess your hb is good reason to go ;)
Answers:
I personally wouldn't go with the sleeping tablets for a flight. Mainly cause of DVT, you should be getting up and walking around a bit.
Set your watch to your destination time and as blossie says when you arrive go out for a meal and not just straight to bed (even if it has been ages since you saw your OH ;) )
Answers:
Thanks for all your advice. Unfortunately I'm not going out to Singapore now as a refundable flight was almost 1K for economy :eek:
Can't take the risk of booking a cheaper non refundable ticket incase OH can't make it cos of work. So instead he'll have to treat me to a visit on the way to New Zealand next year :yay: