HKG or SIN - Your Preference?

[Cruiser Elite]

This last week I transited both SIN and HKG - SIN I have been through probably 300 times - HKG maybe only 8 to 10 times - I just find the 2 airports so amazingly different.

SIN I transited T2 before T3 built prolly ~100 times as a J and Y pax and spent hours wandering the terminal - T3 so many times pretty well always as F or J pax - but still countless hours wandering the terminal - it seems like a second home almost.

HKG I am a total rookie - first transited in 2000 and only a handful of times since - I get lost every time I go there and continually need to stop and ask directions. Yes it's because I have been through it so few times but I just find the terminal layout so confusing - there just seems to be no structure to it that allows easy navigation.

As both these airports are so highly preferred as routings to Europe both for airports and stopover destinations which is your preferred airport and why?

 

[yohy?!]

as with all things: SIN = safe and boring, HKG = colourful and challenging

i do tend to prefer HKG for transit though for a couple of reasons:

-completing security prior to boarding (not at the gate with the entire rest of the flight)
-HKG lounges typically better (exc. private room at SIN)
-easier to go into town to break up a longer transit
-more natural light & better views, SIN can feel a bit like a casino sometimes

 

[JohnK]

I have transitted HKG quite a lot and still get lost every now and then. Just walk back to a reference point and start again.

 

[bsb]

Tough call as both are excellent. Singapore is very easy to deal with but HKG is (in my mind) much more interesting and as a WP with QF, I much prefer the Qantas HKG lounge and the CX lounges (The Pier...OMG) are awesome. I have also experienced Plaza premium in both and again HKG has a slight edge. But I'm going to contradict myself here a bit and say that overall I'd choose SIN mainly because I love a good massage and the SIN offering is hands down better!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

CE, I have struggled with this recently.

For an airport to spend time in, probably HKG. Better lounges and incredible views throughout. To transit, SIN hands-down. Just easier to navigate and very few delays at immi/gate security/lounges/check-in.

I love both cities for very different reasons, but as far as airports go, I'm always going to pick SIN. That said, if I had QF WP that would certainly change. All I want in life is to visit The Pier.

 

[get me outta here]

Did someone say massage ... is this by any chance an F with SQ perk, maybe similar to the TG F spa in BKK?

Tough call as both are excellent. Singapore is very easy to deal with but HKG is (in my mind) much more interesting and as a WP with QF, I much prefer the Qantas HKG lounge and the CX lounges (The Pier...OMG) are awesome. I have also experienced Plaza premium in both and again HKG has a slight edge. But I'm going to contradict myself here a bit and say that overall I'd choose SIN mainly because I love a good massage and the SIN offering is hands down better!

 

[Himeno]

I'm not fussed either way, at least since I got lounge access.

SIN has a lot more things to do while in transit then HKG, but poor signage means few people actually uses them. I know someone who spent 10 years in Japan until he moved back to Aus last year. He often traveled between AU and JP via SIN and could never find the things advertised on the airport website (eg, the movie theater) because of the lack of signage in the airport. The airport signage suggests that the upstairs areas are only for premium paxs because they only show the lounges.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm not fussed either way, at least since I got lounge access.

SIN has a lot more things to do while in transit then HKG, but poor signage means few people actually uses them. I know someone who spent 10 years in Japan until he moved back to Aus last year. He often traveled between AU and JP via SIN and could never find the things advertised on the airport website (eg, the movie theater) because of the lack of signage in the airport. The airport signage suggests that the upstairs areas are only for premium paxs because they only show the lounges.

That is so true. Same with the butterfly garden and rooftop pool. Always hear about it, impossible to find unless you're really looking.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

That is so true. Same with the butterfly garden and rooftop pool. Always hear about it, impossible to find unless you're really looking.

There is like half a dozen info desks in each terminal - ask and ye shall be directed.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

There is like half a dozen info desks in each terminal - ask and ye shall be directed.

Fair point.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

There is like half a dozen info desks in each terminal - ask and ye shall be directed.

In HKG Fri I had to ask where is info desk so I could ask where is Plaza Premium Lounge - sober too I was!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

In HKG Fri I had to ask where is info desk so I could ask where is Plaza Premium Lounge - sober too I was!

So you, too, are having a flirt with the dark side, Cruiser...

 

[Austman]

SIN can be tremendously efficient. I was arrival gate to landslide transport in 10mins, stopping to buy duty free, the other day. Try that in HKG (or pretty much any major international airport arrivals).

But the CX lounges in HKG are indeed very nice and better than most of the Changi lounge offerings (and I've been to most of the Changi lounge offerings).

 

[RooFlyer]

as with all things: SIN = safe and boring, HKG = colourful and challenging

i do tend to prefer HKG for transit though for a couple of reasons:

-completing security prior to boarding (not at the gate with the entire rest of the flight)
-HKG lounges typically better (exc. private room at SIN)
-easier to go into town to break up a longer transit
-more natural light & better views, SIN can feel a bit like a casino sometimes

Exactly my view, and reasons.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So you, too, are having a flirt with the dark side, Cruiser...

This was a case of have to - sometimes getting from A to B can only be done via C - and if J full and I am forced to fly Y - can mean A less than happy camper - R U with me?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

This was a case of have to - sometimes getting from A to B can only be done via C - and if J full and I am forced to fly Y - can mean A less than happy camper - R U with me?

All the way to HKG, CE.

But seriously, my condolences.

 

[bsb]

Did someone say massage ... is this by any chance an F with SQ perk, maybe similar to the TG F spa in BKK?

Alas no, not a perk as I fly OW, I use the paid ones. Red Roo if you're listening, that'd be a nice perk (although the 20 min offering is lame)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

But seriously, my condolences.

I left out the bad parts - and pls don't tell MEL - it was Y on KA - 2 sectors.

Interesting point about transfer in HKG / SIN - I much prefer arriving into SIN and walk off plane into Lounge - pass security pre-boarding - it's just the way I have always done it in SIN so that seems the natural way to me - arr into any port such as HKG then security before airside seems all cough about to me.

We are certainly creatures of habit are we not?

 

[JohnPhelan]

Can't stand the ridiculous "at the gate" security at SIN. For me, HKG wins easily. It's stylish and works so well.

And SIN reminds me of being in an RSL Club........

 

[Austman]

The dank carpet smell of SIN also leaves a bit to be desired IMO.

But the combined arrivals and departure area can be very useful at times. I've met people airside and visited lounges before going landside.

That's harder to do in HKG.