Singapore overnight transit

[NM]

My son and few fellow budget travelers will be transiting SIN shortly and they do not have the budget/funds/willingness to pay for overnight accommodation. They are happy to rest in the airport rest areas. However, I have suggested that so long as they can obtain their onward boarding passes, either at initial Check-In in BNE or at the appropriate Transfer Lounge at SIN, then they should consider leaving the confines of the airport for a period.

They could take the free City Lights tour. But that will have them returning to Changi around 8:30pm and their departure is not until the following morning. Does any have experience in getting back through immigration on the evening before departure? Their boarding passes will be dated the following day/ Will they have to remain land-side until after midnight?

I have suggested that they consider taking a swim and shower at the airside swimming pool (open 0700-2300) for a small fee - probably the cheapest way to have a shower.

They are not party animals and not looking to spend the night out on the town. The key is to fill in time, each cheap and get at least some rest.

 

[TomVexille]

They should definitely leave the airport, have a look around, eat at some of the hawker courts, go have katong laksa.

What time is the connecting flight? I don't see any reason why Immigration would hassle them at all.

 

[NM]

They should definitely leave the airport, have a look around, eat at some of the hawker courts, go have katong laksa.

Yes, I agree, so long as they can get back airside which needs two things - they need their onward boarding passes issued before they leave airside, and need to know if they need to stay out until after midnight. Needing to wait until midnight is not necessarily a problem, just don't want them arriving back at the airport at 8:30 and having to wait landside until midnight. If they can get back airside then they can use the pool (until 11pm), watch movies at the "cinema", use the comfy seats in the rest areas etc.

What time is the connecting flight? I don't see any reason why Immigration would hassle them at all.

Arrive into SIN on QF52 (well, a codeshare of it) around 4:10pm into Terming 1, and depart from Terminal 3 next morning around 9am. Certainly no issue with inbound immigration at SIN. But they many not be able to get back airside until the day of departure as shown on the BP. Obvioulsy there must be some flexibility for people with 12:05am departures, but maybe they won't let someone through for a 9am departure until after midnight.

 

[Alanslegal]

I have flown Scoot and they have some weird 2am or so departure to SYD and I head to the airport around 11pm the night before to get through immigration.

I know this doesn't help but I would have thought that as long as you have an onward boarding pass, then you should be able to return to airside even if its the day before.


And I have used the Rainforest Cafe/Lounge to rent a bed for the night on overnight transits. The use of showers is complimentary if you rent a bed And they have all day lounge snacks, complimentary too!

 

[Denali]

Changi has free tours you can sign up for so check the website for info. So much to do at Changi - love the place.

 

[NM]

At least they were issued BPs for their connecting flight when they checked-in at BNE. So no need to worry about the transfer desk not issuing until the following morning. I have given them information on lots of things to do in the airport and outside, so will be interesting to see what they choose to do. They liked the idea of using the pool and getting a shower and free (well, included in the price) beverage. Also liked the idea of the free cinema and free rest/snooze areas. The only free tour option for them is the night City Lights tour, but they also have a long day-time transfer on their return and could easily do the free daytime tour then.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My son and few fellow budget travelers will be transiting SIN shortly and they do not have the budget/funds/willingness to pay for overnight accommodation. They are happy to rest in the airport rest areas. However, I have suggested that so long as they can obtain their onward boarding passes, either at initial Check-In in BNE or at the appropriate Transfer Lounge at SIN, then they should consider leaving the confines of the airport for a period.

They could take the free City Lights tour. But that will have them returning to Changi around 8:30pm and their departure is not until the following morning. Does any have experience in getting back through immigration on the evening before departure? Their boarding passes will be dated the following day/ Will they have to remain land-side until after midnight?

I have suggested that they consider taking a swim and shower at the airside swimming pool (open 0700-2300) for a small fee - probably the cheapest way to have a shower.

They are not party animals and not looking to spend the night out on the town. The key is to fill in time, each cheap and get at least some rest.

appreciate the funds issue - but looking at the Ambassador transit hotel, a stay of 6 hours would be $30 each on a triple share basis. Might be worth the small premium over the cost of swimming pool/shower.

 

[NM]

appreciate the funds issue - but looking at the Ambassador transit hotel, a stay of 6 hours would be $30 each on a triple share basis. Might be worth the small premium over the cost of swimming pool/shower.

Yep, even $30 was beyond their willingness to spend. If it was me traveling, I would have very happily paid it.

They survived, managed between 5 and 7 hours sleep each in the free rest/snooze area, and felt chuffed that they stayed within their planned budget for the journey.