... transit in Singapore, don't forget about the Transit Hotel in the airport. It is a great option when you arrive late, and need to fly out early, saving a lot of time and getting a lot better sleep.
Hotel requests guests make reservations 4 months in advance.
Hotel website: http://athmg.com/reservation.htm
Standard Room
(2 Single Bed) SGD 65 w/tax 76.51 US$56
Triple Occupancy
(3 Single Bed) SGD 82 w/tax 96.51 US$71
Budget
Single Occupancy
(Common Showers and Toilets) *35 41.20 US$26
Note: Rate is for initial 6 hour block! Each additional hour is SGD15.30 w/tax US$11.25
A room with 2 single beds for 10 hours would cost about $101 per room (not per person) $213 for 20 hours.
Did I calculate the exchange rate from Singapore dollars correctly?
Sounds like a great place to leave luggage while taking day tour in the City. But, no. Guests may not leave the airport because the hotel is on the arrival side of passport control.
You got it right. Remember this is a transit hotel, usually for transit passengers. When I arrive from Manado at 5:25pm but don't leave until the next morning, I just book it from say 9 or 10pm until the time I want to leave to go to the gate. That means I don't have to pay for time I am not actually in the room, and since there are so many diversions in Changi airport, I dont' mind. Remember you will only have your carryon luggage with you. All the rest of your luggage will be with the airlines, still checked it.
Oh, and it is worth it to go for the deluxe room, to have your own bathroom, otherwise it is shared bath/shower. I would only take budget room in an emergency.
I already have my room booked for my upcoming trip to Indonesia in July, for my incoming transit.
I have transited through Singapore airport several times over the past two years. Here has been my experience:
1. I remained checked in (me and bags) AND left Singapore airport. it is possible providing your layover is less than 24 hours and more than 6. I did this twice, with a 21 and 23 hour layover respectively, leaving my bags checked in with the airline - just taking a small overnight carry on. You clear immigration but as long as you show your onward boarding pass and a hotel booking/address, you won't have any problems. I stayed at the Fullerton and went shopping to Lucky Plaza to the wee dive shops - and Scotts Plaza for jewellery. If it is over 24 hours, it is considered a proper stop over and you have to reclaim your checked in luggage. But check the rules with your carrier - they can change.
2. Last August I just pitched up and just checked in to on of the transit hotels wihout a reservation, due to an unforseen delay. I took a 12 hour block it was about Sing$64 I think... Reservations are better of course, but it is possible to check in without them. I was able to get all my toiletries and meals in the terminal wihtout leaving the airport. As Robin recommends, go for the "delux" room, which is infact a nromal standard hotel room with private ensuite.
3. i believe it is possible to take a short city tour during a layover - there are booths in all terminals that will sort you out.
Generally the super efficient Singaporeans do as much as possible to help you make the most of your layover/stop over - and the economic benefits that that brings to the city :-) we were in the city within 35 mins of landing....
For Maldives, I go Emirates, although BA, Qatar and Sri Lankan airlines have good connections, as I am sure some of you have discovered. For layovers in Dubai, again you can leave the airport - I think the guideles are the same as Singaore. I was able to meet and show around Scubashaefer on his Dubai layover to the Maldives last year.
Edited by weescot, 30 April 2010 - 12:30 AM.
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