
Travel through Singapore to Lembeh?
#1
Posted 27 October 2012 - 01:40 PM
We're thinking about heading to Lembeh from LAX next year and I'm confused about what happens to the luggage in Singapore. I understand that if you fly Singapore airlines the bags transfer automatically to Silk for travel onward to Lembeh. How does it work if you fly a different airline. Checking current rates Cathay Pacific is quite a bit less expensive. Is it a pain if you have to transfer bags in Singapore? Anybody done that recently?
Really appreciate any help,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
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#2
Posted 27 October 2012 - 02:40 PM
BTW, we like EVA a lot. Done the LAX - Lembeh twice.
Oh, I forgot. One of our group decided to spend the night in Singapore (not at the transit hotel) on the way home. He was trying to check his baggage from Manado to SIN on Silk Air. Collecting his luggage and leaving the airport would constitute a break in his flight and Silk was only going to allow 20Kg baggage! The guy's a photographer, so you know how that goes. Instead of paying several hundred dollars for excess baggage, he opened his suitcase, grabbed what he needed for his overnight stay, checked the baggage through to LA and voila, no excess baggage charge.
Make sure you check the luggage claim tags and don't lose them.
Edited by jlyle, 27 October 2012 - 02:48 PM.
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#3
Posted 27 October 2012 - 06:44 PM
I too was concerned about this. We went to lembeh in April and flew to Singapore with delta. And the silk to manado. I first made sure that delta had an interline agreement with silk, and they did. When we checked in salt lake city, they asked for our itinerary for the SIN to MDC. And checked it all the way thru. Once we got to Singapore, we had to go to the transfer desk, which is in each terminal. You then give them the luggage tags and your itinerary, and they make sure your bags get on the plane, and check you in on the silk flight. The other airlines will work the same way, just make sure they have an interline agreement.
I was nervous about it working. But it worked fantastic. Singapore is a great airport. Don't get your bags, as they won't allow you to go to the transit hotel.
I also second the transit hotel. But book in advance as they can book up. They were awesome, would do it again in a heart beat.
Hope this helps.
Dustin
Edited by deeznutz78, 27 October 2012 - 06:45 PM.
#4
Posted 27 October 2012 - 10:09 PM
As an alternative to the transit hotel, the Crowne Plaza in the airport itself is a great place. Rooms are great and if you take SQ, it's right @ T3 in SIN so you literally can hop into your room when you get off the plane. Another one is about 10-15 mins shuttle ride away, the Changi Village Hotel (formerly the Meridien) is a quaint change with a pool etc to unwind. Nothing fancy but beats staying in the airport. Decent food in Changi Village as well. There's no need to contend with traffic in hotels downtown.
One other alternative is the Grand Mercure Roxy, which is 15 mins taxi around the Katong area. Great area for local food and close enough to the airport yet avoid the rush hour nuttiness. I suggest you book a taxi with the hotel so you are assured transport to airport. Otherwise, great way to enjoy without getting too far away from the airport.
SQ37 is the best way to do it without any overnights etc.
Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
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#5
Posted 28 October 2012 - 05:51 AM
I didn't understand interline agreements. You learn something everyday. Thanks for all the details Drew, you saved me hours of research.
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#6
Posted 28 October 2012 - 05:53 AM
8mm, 12-50mm, 45mm lenses
My web page.
#7
Posted 28 October 2012 - 10:12 AM
We're thinking about spending a few days in Singapore on the way home.
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#8
Posted 28 October 2012 - 01:40 PM
It is worth spending a few days in Singapore; there are great online deals on hotels if you book early. We stayed at The Royal Plaza on Scott's. Not the top of the heap, but the place was really nice, included breakfast, and the location was terrific.
Cheers,
Marli
www.marliwakeling.com
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. ~Carl Zwanzig
#9
Posted 29 October 2012 - 09:10 PM
Yes, interline baggage is more complicated now. Many carriers want to stay within one tix for whatever reason. Usually you can have the rare and friendly travel agent check for interline baggage on their system. I know you can use CP to MI without issue, but some airlines like UA's SHARES make it difficult that staff won't do it out of saving themselves headache.
If you are spending a few days in SG, then I suggest you stay more centrally in town. Just remember a few taxis numbers or even use the SMS text booking system a few companies have, which are very useful during rush hour.
Drew
Moderator
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
#10
Posted 30 October 2012 - 03:24 AM
It is worth spending a few days in Singapore; there are great online deals on hotels if you book early. We stayed at The Royal Plaza on Scott's.
Thanks Marli,
We'll check it out. Any "must do" spots in Singapore you'd recommend?
I know you can use CP to MI without issue, but some airlines like UA's SHARES make it difficult that staff won't do it out of saving themselves headache.
Great to know Drew. Thanks again for the help.
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#11
Posted 30 October 2012 - 07:10 AM
We stayed 2 nites on our way back from Bali a year ago so only had one full day in the City. Could have spent two or three more days but our travel was pre-booked. Singapore is spotlessly clean, the people are very friendly, and English is widely spoken. Public transit is great. If we go back to the Indo-Pacific area and connect through Singapore again, we definietly will add two days in the city.
#12
Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:26 AM
#13
Posted 31 October 2012 - 04:56 PM
www.marliwakeling.com
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. ~Carl Zwanzig
#14
Posted 31 October 2012 - 05:28 PM
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#15
Posted 31 October 2012 - 07:02 PM
For top street food, go to "Hawkers Market.
Chili mud crab is the dish!.
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#16
Posted 31 October 2012 - 08:37 PM

Thanks!
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#17
Posted 01 November 2012 - 02:16 AM
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#18
Posted 02 November 2012 - 09:23 AM
Cheers,
Steve
The Fin Foundation
HSWImages.com My Images on Flikr
Canon 5D Mk III, 7D & 40D, 60mm, 100mm, 17-40L, Tokina 10-17, Nauticam 7D, Sea & Sea MDX-40D YS-250's ULCS arms, Lightroom
#19
Posted 02 November 2012 - 09:47 AM
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#20
Posted 02 November 2012 - 08:40 PM