Singapore Flight Transit, Is 2.5 Hours Enough?

SoapyWooder on 09/04/2024 - 18:38

From flight touch down to immigration to getting checked baggage: 40 mins

Travel from T3 to T4: 40 mins (walk, SkyTrain, bus)

Are the times above reasonable?

Flight check in closes 1 hr before flight, so you only have 1.5 hrs to get to check in counter from touch down to reaching the flight check in desk. Is this enough time in Changi Singapore airport?

I had to pay around AU$1,000 for flight change and hotel as I missed the flight. Claimed self travel insurance but rejected because flight wasn't delayed. They said I was slow. I already walked quickly, dragging 20kgs baggage.

Opinions and your experience please!

Poll Options expired

  • 226
    Yes it's enough
  • 118
    No it's not enough
  • 20
    Never been to Singapore
  • 32
    Bikies
Travel Asia Singapore

Comments

  • bluebo on 09/04/2024 - 18:41
    +20

    Since it's a layover, why did you have to clear immigration and collect your baggage? Also the airline would usually be responsible if you missed a connecting flight on the same itinerary unless you self-connected…

    • cheesecactus on 09/04/2024 - 22:46
      +21

      OP mentioned they had to collect bagged in Changi, so definitely self-connected.

      To answer OPs question:
      * For a flight on the same itinerary: 2.5h is PLENTY of time.
      * For a flight on separate tickets: Cutting it too close especially since you're using T4 (no skytrain).

      • burningrage on 10/04/2024 - 09:10
        +3

        Don't forget given OP might have travelled on a budget airline, the possibility of late arrival of the earlier flight before self-connecting to next airline in T4 via bus.

        Even if the flight on same itinerary, 2.5hr imho is cutting it close.

        Coming from Australia, usually I would get somewhere between 4hrs to 18hrs stopover period. The only time I got that close (about 2 hours stopover) would be if I was travelling on budget airline but back then, there was no T4 so it was okay.

        • dtc on 10/04/2024 - 09:30

          Don't forget given OP might have travelled on a budget airline,

          all airlines can be late - but its a very valid point; taking off 90 minutes late is something that happens not uncommonly and then OP is stuffed with separate bookings.

  • mskeggs on 09/04/2024 - 18:43
    +15

    Singapore air has sold me a ticket with a 50min transit, which includes changing planes, but luggage will be checked through - so they think it can be done.
    It will be tight if anything goes wrong, but should be ok if everything runs fine.

    • GordonR on 09/04/2024 - 20:08
      +10

      OP has already missed the connection, but wants to know if the travel insurance should pick up the tab.

      • mskeggs on 09/04/2024 - 20:22
        +1

        Oh right, so they booked the ticket, failed to make the connection and tried to claim insurance when the flights were on time?

        That doesn't sound like an insurance issue, but now makes me more anxious about my 50min transit, haha!

        • kiriakoz on 09/04/2024 - 21:04
          +4

          I made my 50 minute transit in Singapore with Singapore Air. My first flight got delayed for 15 minutes and I still made it with ease.

    • whyisave on 12/04/2024 - 21:38
      +1

      If you're flying through Changi, on one SQ booking,
      that 50-min transit is kind of OK,
      because SQ performance
      and airport service is pretty good.

      However, in the last year, a SQ flight messed up my mum's luggage,
      because of the 'quick' layover, and the luggage arrived at the destination, 2 days later.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/04/2024 - 18:46

    Can you get a longer time? The airport has been renovated and expanded, just hang out at the bar.

  • msmelb on 09/04/2024 - 18:51
    +21

    I'm guessing you have bought 2 separate tickets since you had to collect your baggage and check in again? Then it is on you to make sure there is enough time and 2.5h is definitely not enough to get out, clear immigration, collect baggage, go and check in again, and then reach gate in time for boarding.

  • foxmulder on 09/04/2024 - 18:57

    I prefer to get 2.5 ours of transit rather than my August transit in Singapore twice for 10+ hours. I plan to go outside airport though.

  • Nillionaire on 09/04/2024 - 19:13
    +13

    I recommend a 22-30 hour layover so you can spend a whole day in Singapore ;)

    • Mechz on 09/04/2024 - 21:09
      +3

      I once spent 18 hours during a layover just walking around Singapore. You can definitely achieve a lot if you're mobile.

  • grimace3 on 09/04/2024 - 19:38

    2.5 hours is plenty. I've done a 55 minute transfer before and it was fine and luggage made it to the final destination.

    • SoapyWooder on 10/04/2024 - 15:47

      With different airline? Did you travel to separate T4 building?

  • eutama on 09/04/2024 - 19:53

    You can go to transfer desk and they will move luggage for you? Tho, it may not work if it is lcc, like scoot > air asia

  • Benoffie on 09/04/2024 - 19:54

    My questions are:

    Which airlines?
    What routes?

    While you may not necessarily be delayed, certain routes and airlines have a habit of having their gate priorities bumped to the dead end of Changi.

    They loooove moving Australian flights to T1 C1 and making the entire country corral at that overpriced crp psuedo french cafe Pauls… 🙄😒

  • Buwwy on 09/04/2024 - 20:01

    2.5 hours is more than enough for Changi. But if you booked under two separate bookings, then personally I'd allow more time for my own peace of mind. From my understanding, I don't think your insurance will budge on that claim unless it's all under the one itinerary/ticket.

  • MT2010 on 09/04/2024 - 20:08
    +1

    Did you factored in that your flight in might be delayed or late arrival
    ?

    • digitalbath on 11/04/2024 - 06:48
      +3

      Clearly not. OP didn’t even factor in anything by the sounds of it. Flight was on time and still missed the connecting flight.

  • dahax77 on 09/04/2024 - 20:20

    There is really no point asking us - I don't think you can use the Ozbargain forum as evidence - you need to take it up with the travel insurance provider.

    (but since you asked us - I think 1.5 hours is plenty of time at Changi with no delays - next time you might want to consider longer if booking seperate tickets as obviously it wasn't enough for you)

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/04/2024 - 21:16
    +2

    I'm glad you guys know what the ask is because I don't.

    The OP starts asking about whether it is enough time but then describes how he has already missed the flight and cannot claim insurance.

  • jv on 09/04/2024 - 21:26

    I wouldn't risk it.

    • Wiadro on 09/04/2024 - 21:54

      id risk it

  • cashless on 09/04/2024 - 21:45
    -2

    Is it enough for what, a 6 course meal?

  • burningrage on 09/04/2024 - 21:55
    +7

    Going to T4 means this is a budget terminal at Changi. It also means no skytrain and only accessible by bus (https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/transport/tra…).

    Experienced it once and I noticed long lines for the bus. You would have to be significantly delayed due to this. Plus you had to clear immigration (and filled in their damn arrival "card" which took longer to fill than the paper version) and grabbed luggages (another waiting at the carousel).

    2.5hrs is badly insufficient imho especially when you have to recheck in with most counters close 60 minutes before departure.

    If you were travelling with flight connection (ie: no need to clear immigration or pick up luggage) and arriving at T1-T3, then I would say 2.5hrs would be barely sufficient.

    NB: I don't like T4. Avoid if possible for future reference.

    • Windthunder on 12/04/2024 - 17:26

      Going to T4 means this is a budget terminal at Changi

      Changi Terminal 4 is definitely not a budget terminal. Many full service airlines serve Terminal 4 as well: https://www.changiairport.com/corporate/media-centre/changij…

      Current full service airlines serving Terminal 4: Cathay Pacific, Aero Dili, Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Korean Air

      • burningrage on 12/04/2024 - 18:30
        +1

        It was the site of the budget terminal.

        Somehow they must have either changed it to get rid of that "budget" stigma by installing these airlines.

        Having said that, it is a terminal that might as well be run by robots and my experience with this sort of terminal is if you have to self-serve in everything, then it's budget (no customer service). When I was there last time, it was almost human-less.

        https://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/jetstar-at-changi-t4

        • Windthunder on 12/04/2024 - 21:06

          It was the site of the budget terminal.

          It may be built on the site but terminal 4 was never envisaged to be a budget terminal. They had already work out arrangements with full service carriers they wanted to move to the terminal during its building phase: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Changi-abandoning-budget-te…

          my experience with this sort of terminal is if you have to self-serve in everything, then it's budget (no customer service)

          Automation and self service is the direction Singapore Changi Airport is proceeding as a whole. The future terminal 5 will also all be automation and self-service: https://web.archive.org/web/20130617113330/https://www.chann…

          • burningrage on 12/04/2024 - 22:57

            @Windthunder: This is why I don't like T4. Underserviced terminal (bus?) which obviously directly contributed to OP's missing the flight.

            There is a reason why bigger and more popular airlines (if T4 is so good, why not putting their own flagship SQ there?) are not there. Cathay is an interesting exception although I have heard lately it has fallen from grace.

            If T5 is going to be like that too, then be prepared to avoid that terminal too.

            • Windthunder on 12/04/2024 - 23:25

              @burningrage:

              If T5 is going to be like that too, then be prepared to avoid that terminal too.

              It is going to be hard to do so. It is most likely that Singapore Airlines will move to T5 so that they can house all their operations under one roof rather than the split terminal operations they currently have, and get a brand spanking new terminal to boot with the newest facilities.

              • burningrage on 13/04/2024 - 10:23

                @Windthunder: Japan Narita has an interesting airport where they split the terminal by either Star Alliance or OneWorld/Skyteam.

                Going by this, I think SQ would probably want to blend in with the other alliance flights (probably for strategic reasons).

                As such, I think it is unlikely especially T4/T5 won't be linked to Jewel.

                • Windthunder on 13/04/2024 - 10:34

                  @burningrage: https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/singapore-changi-ter…

                  Executive Traveller believes Singapore Airlines and all Star Alliance members will move to T5

                  While too early to predict which airlines will move to Terminal 5, and how this will reshape use of T1 through to T4, it’s difficult to imagine T5 won’t become a new home to flag-carrier Singapore Airlines, and could indeed serve as Changi’s de facto Star Alliance terminal.

                  I know on other frequent flyer forums, many are definitely hoping Singapore Airlines moves to T5 because they have been complaining about the SQ lounge space being very crowded so T5 would allow SQ to have a much bigger floor space for a new lounge.

                  I think it is unlikely especially T4/T5 won't be linked to Jewel.

                  I don't think airlines care about Jewel. It is just a glorified shopping centre that is not critical to their operations. Terminal 5 is so big that it will be essentially be Jewel incorporated into standard terminal.

  • El cheepo on 10/04/2024 - 00:53

    I’ve done a 15 minute transit in Changi, but it was in the same terminal and a connecting flight.

    Your question is missing some key details and seems to be in the past tense?

    Anywho…
    Assuming all goes smoothly, yes it is enough time.
    If it doesn’t, then no it’s not enough time 😂

  • Cohey on 10/04/2024 - 07:53
    +1

    If booked under one ticket you're fine. If you've booked your own connection… Good luck you might make it you might not. Travel is stressful, not worth saving a few dollars for self connecting flights if there's an option.

  • kiitos on 10/04/2024 - 08:01

    How much did you miss by?

  • videlity on 10/04/2024 - 08:56

    That doesn't sound like it's enough.

    Definitely not worth the stress anyway.

  • AnyFurtherDiscount on 10/04/2024 - 11:28

    From the information you provided. You are flying 2 different airlines. 2.5 hours could be / possibility to make it. BUT

    WHAT IF THE 1ST FLIGHT DELAY?

    WHAT IF THE 1ST FLIGHT TOUCH DOWN ON TIME, BUT STRUGGLING TO FIND A SLOT?

    WHAT IF YOU TOUCH DOWN ON TIME, BUT YOUR LUGGAGE GOT DELAYED.

    I would not risk it tbh. Give yourself plenty of time. Changi has a lot of things to do or pay for lounge when you are bored.

  • Eeples on 10/04/2024 - 12:03
    +1

    OP knows there isn’t enough time as he missed his flight. Or, at least not enough time for his particular connection.

    OP, did you manage to checkin or baggage drop for your flight out of Singapore?
    (If you did, did they have to unload your luggage from that flight?)

    OP, what does your insurance policy say about missed connections?

    • SoapyWooder on 10/04/2024 - 15:53

      No time to check in& baggage drop. Perhaps I should have done online check-in when touch down and then go to the counter to drop the baggage so that they can wait for me.

      Claim was rejected as they kept saying that the flight was not delayed.

      • Eeples on 10/04/2024 - 18:15

        Quite often if you are running late you can jump to the front of the check in queue.

        You could have also spoken to the flight crew of your incoming flight and they might have off loaded you first; although in your case you still got to wait for your luggage.

        Yes, that makes sense from the insurance company.

      • gromit on 11/04/2024 - 18:22
        +3

        insurance covers you from delayed flights that cause you to miss it, not from you booking flights too close together and failing to checkin on time.

      • spaceflight on 12/04/2024 - 22:55

        Claim was rejected as they kept saying that the flight was not delayed.

        Was the flight delayed?

  • redforever on 10/04/2024 - 16:48

    If check in has closed for the flight, you will no longer be able to drop off baggage anymore. Checking in online will only work if you do not have any baggage to check in or you are prepared to abandon and travel without your baggage.

    • Eeples on 10/04/2024 - 18:21

      Maybe he could have left his luggage…. Check in without it….take his flight…. then see if Singapore airport will post it to him?!

  • dimgai on 10/04/2024 - 19:27

    Assuming what is booked is a self connection and it is involving a LCC from T4 with only 2.5 hours and everything ran on-time, then what would be the claim for under insurance? Since there was no unforseen event in the circumstances.

    Maybe you should claim from the people who booked the flights as they clearly is not aware that 1.5 hours is not enough to clear immigration, claim bags and transfer to T4 by bus, all to be done before the LCC check-in/bag drop closes.

    Moving from anywhere else to and from T4 in SIN is not fast.
    https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/transport/tra…

  • Herbs on 11/04/2024 - 08:43

    Pfft, Poll closes 7 May? I wanna see the results now!

    • Morphio25 on 11/04/2024 - 09:46

      This is the dumbest feature of OzB imho. It makes me sad that I can't downvote the OP because he chose to use a hidden poll.

  • firestint on 11/04/2024 - 09:39

    If same itinerary, 2.5hrs is enough and in case of any delays, airline will be responsible for finding you a new suitable flight.

    If on different bookings as in your case, you took the risk knowing that it takes time to get off the first plane, collect your bags and clear immigration, go to another terminal and to check in your bags again, and then to clear immigration again. So, I am with the insurance company here.

  • villu on 11/04/2024 - 10:27

    2.5 hrs more than enough. Have done 50 mins transit in Changi- didn't have to clear baggage though.

  • Nuclearvodka on 11/04/2024 - 11:43

    Yeah that's an easy decline for any claims assessor.

    The insurance covers you for unexpected events (weather, illness, things like that)

    When there's a flight delay (same company / itinerary) then the airline usually picks up the tab.
    But if the issue lies with the travel agent or whoever booked the flight then it's their problem.

    Source: (ex) Medical repatriation for a few Aussie Travel Insurers (stopped when COVID hit)

    • mrvaluepack on 11/04/2024 - 14:25

      What if its different airlines?

      • Nuclearvodka on 11/04/2024 - 14:28
        +1

        It's whoever booked the flights responsibility.

        Travel agent or traveller.

  • Slipstream on 11/04/2024 - 12:38
    +2

    I'm not sure why you think you're entitled to any sort of refund from an insurance company here?

    Based on what you've said:

    1) you booked through separate airlines (to save money presumably) - your fault, not the airlines.
    2) Your airline was on time arriving - no fault on their behalf
    3) Your departing flight was on time and it sounds like there was nothing particularly unusual about the checking process (long lines are to be expected at large international airports and certainly not something worthy of compensation) - no fault on the airlines or airport here either.
    4) You had checked luggage, and you were flying internationally with a connection through a different airlines necessitating extra delays at immigration that you wouldn't be liable for if it was a straight transfer through a single airline. All of this takes reasonable time, and non of it is the fault of the airline.

    It sounds like you're upset that in trying to save money on airfares you've gotten your timing wrong and it's come back to bite you on the ass but you don't want to accept responsibility for this. The fact of the matter is that the airlines didn't do anything wrong, you're not entitled to insurance for simply getting your timing wrong at an airport.
    If the flight was significantly delayed, or there was some sort of emergency at the airport that delayed you to an unreasonable extent then possibly you might have a leg to stand on.

    Take it as a lesson learnt, if you want to save some money using different airlines, then you need to be overly pessimistic on how long things are going to take as a connection and probably burn a few extra hours you wouldn't normally have to worry about if you'd stuck with a straight transfer.

  • twotwotwo on 11/04/2024 - 12:48
    +1

    all on you buddy. If on separate flights then I try do 4 to 5 hours minimum. preferably a day. I have done this before but it was on same airline and they just bumped me to another flight but never separate airlines.

  • Autonomic on 11/04/2024 - 14:18

    It should not take you 1.5 hrs to get from T3 to T4. What actually held you up?

    • Eeples on 11/04/2024 - 15:36

      Waiting for the luggage, it seems.

  • niish150887 on 11/04/2024 - 14:50

    Singapore airport is great! Subject to your first flight leaving on time i think it should be ok.

    I know someone who travelled with 50 min layover time and still were able to make it.

  • qwerty-4321 on 11/04/2024 - 15:30

    Qantas somehow let me book a 1hr 10m connection through Singapore. Same itinerary, so no bag collection, etc. Our flight landed 30 minutes late, so our connection reduced to 40 minutes!

    We were OK connecting between aircraft in the same terminal, but our bags didn't make the connection and didn't arrive until the next day.

    • SoapyWooder on 11/04/2024 - 20:54

      I don't think your terminal is T4.

    • gromit on 12/04/2024 - 14:06

      A connection on the same ticket from airline is not such an issue as
      a) you don't have to collect your bags or go through customs
      b) they are responsible for costs if you miss the connection because they were late.

      The OP obviously has a connection with different airlines booked separately and to make matters worse it is a long trip to the other terminal. personally I wouldn't book that with less than 4 hours. In Japan my self booked connection between Haneda and Narita was going to be 4.5 hours so I played it safe and stayed over night as that can be a 1-2 hour trip between airports.

  • hippieyippie on 11/04/2024 - 17:24

    T4 to/from T1, 2 and 3 more time is definitely needed. I'll give it 3.5 to 4 hours for the transit. Between T1, 2 and 3, one hour is sufficient. If you have booked the flights separately then the onus is on you to ensure sufficient time for the transit. If it's a connecting flight on the same ticket, I highly doubt that the connection would be planned with the Terminals that far apart.

    By the way 40 mins from clearing immigration and collecting luggage is very efficient. Imagine how long that would take in Australia. I guess you did not factor in the distance between the Terminals in Singapore. 1, 2 and 3 are next to each other. However Terminal 4 is somewhere else.

  • bazingaa on 11/04/2024 - 19:54

    T4 ? which air line ? why recheck in by going through immigration ? I have only changed between T1 - T3 but on the air side,

  • SteveD on 11/04/2024 - 20:58

    I have been through Changi Airport several times with less than 1hr transit time and I never had any issues. There was once when my flight was delayed and I had less than 20mins to aboard my SFO flight, as I disembark I was 100 percent sure I would miss the flight, but I was surprised to see the ground staff were hooding my name up on the bridge and they quickly made us sit on the buggy and took us through some internal tunnel and elevator and made us board the plane, as I was boarding the flight I was telling my wife, looks our luggage won’t make to SFO, but I was totally wrong, they even managed to loaded our luggage on the same flight. I would call that fantastic customer service.

    • zfind on 13/04/2024 - 12:55

      All flights on same ticket / PNR though right?

      • SteveD on 14/04/2024 - 14:20

        Yes

    • May4th on 14/04/2024 - 14:29

      It's not just customer service, it will cost them several thousands to rebook your flight and put you up in hotel so will pull up all stops to ensure you make your connection, hence safety in booking one ticket

      • SteveD on 14/04/2024 - 17:59
        +1

        Absolutely agreed. I have been in a situation where I had booked through online booking websites and missed my flight due to delays, none wanted to take responsibility, airlines didn't want to know me and you can hardly get through booking sites customer service when you need them. There are times your next connecting flight is 12hrs+, either you spend your time at the airport (if you are alone it is ok) but when you are with family, you need to hire room at the airport, its unnecessary tension and waste of money for no fault of yours and when you reach your destination, you have to put in a claim on your travel insurance or if you have insurance on your credit card to reimburse.
        My good mate who works for BA (British Airways) advised me to book all flights on the same ticket and though Airlines official website for hassle free travel. I was bit wary first, but decide to take on his advice and started booking directly on Airlines official website (it is true sometimes you pay 5 to 8 percent more than travel agents) and I have never looked back. To give you my experience, there were times when I have reached Changi airport and due to their monsoon season, I missed my connecting flight to London, I have been put up at the airport hotel with all meals included. There are times when the flight got delayed by few hours and I have been given meals voucher at SFO, Gatwick and even at Zayed (Abu Dhabi) as a good will gesture without even asking for it.

  • 91rs on 11/04/2024 - 21:02

    Plenty of time if your bags are checked in the whole way and you have 90mins between landing and the next flight departing, I've done it before (assuming your landing flight was on time which these days seems uncommon).
    The bus to T4 is regular, it's usually a good 10min ride but you've got to do security once you get off the bus before you can go to your gate in T4.

    If they're not, then nope not long enough and I wouldn't have even tried, but separate flights so not a surprise travel insurance rejected it.

    Shortest connection on a delayed flight in from LHR to HKG with CX was 20 mins from deplaning to boarding the HKG to SYD leg also with CX.
    They had someone waiting for me, ran me through some corridors and then put me on the plane and closed the door, which compared to the normal transit in HKG was insane.

  • lainey13 on 11/04/2024 - 22:24

    Well, you won't be making THAT mistake again… you learnt the hard way. Separate flights on different tickets are all a risk on you and nobody is paying out except you if you don't make it.

    • SoapyWooder on 12/04/2024 - 14:31

      I want to know people's opinions & experiences. The travel company shouldn't offer the package if there's no enough transfer time.

      • burningrage on 12/04/2024 - 14:48

        Did you purchase your travel package from travel company?

        I know sometimes like Aunt Betty, they like to sell separate tickets (but one itinerary) but afaik, that's still constitute separate tickets with different airlines with no codeshare arrangement. If it is separate ticket, you pretty much carry the risk.

      • lainey13 on 12/04/2024 - 22:50

        Your beef is with the travel company then. What did they say when you complained?

        • SoapyWooder on 16/04/2024 - 18:49

          Flight was not delayed, therefore we don't cover you. 2.5 hours is more than enough time to go through to next flight.

  • BartholemewH on 11/04/2024 - 22:31

    It's obviously not long enough, for you…

  • Freestyle on 12/04/2024 - 19:20

    there's a reason why its cheaper it comes with significant more risk

  • ErlichBachman on 12/04/2024 - 20:40

    Ex travel agent here

    2.5 hours is enough if booked on the same ticket eg your airline when you check in at your Australian port checks you through all the way to London for example.

    If there is an issue and the connection is missed for whatever reason, they will rebook you to the next available one. Often this even happens while you're in the air and it's a stress free experience, airlines do this all the time and it's a super straight forward process.

    Have had this happen on personal travels with other airlines in both the US and Africa

    If you are mixing and matching and booking separate tickets for whatever reason, you are on your own if the connection is missed. That's the risk you are taking. No point arguing it. 2.5 hours is way too risky as the OP unfortunately found out. Travel insurance isn't for this purpose as OP unfortunately found out too.

    Expensive lesson but hopefully you enjoyed your trip anyway

    As a side note Singapore's a great destination you should try and spend some time there in a more relaxed way than rushing through if possible, even the airport is fantastic

  • duluxe2000 on 12/04/2024 - 23:21

    I once did a self transfer in Taiwan with 3.5 hours between 2 flights and no check-in luggage. There was plenty of tim

  • snivy on 12/04/2024 - 23:50

    Is there still no direct shuttle bus between T3 and T4? That means you gotta go to T1/T2 first to catch the shuttle to T4? Then 2.5 hours probably not enough…. Unless you're literally running, know exactly where to go for the SkyTrain/bus and there are no queues.

    Let's say you land at 12:00, then spend 40 mins to walk to arrival hall, clear immigration and collect luggage. You gotta reach the check-in counter at 13:30 the latest, so:
    12:40 - got luggage (arrival level)
    12:50 - arriving at SkyTrain (going up to departure level)
    12:55 - get on SkyTrain
    13:00 - get off SkyTrain
    13:10 - get on shuttle bus (I'm assuming you're getting the shuttle from T1, is it near Jewel?)

    So probably not, I think you need half hour minimum for the shuttle bus alone. I'm guessing you have to go up the levels and walk a bit as well while dragging luggages figuring out where to go, that cannot be done in 10 mins. You might be able to make it if you get the taxi and plead with them, but lately the queues are quite long.

    It might be possible if you do check-in and baggage transfer inside the transit area (which is what they can do) because that way you can use the internal transfer bus to T4 instead of the public one, but I don't know what airlines you're using.

    If you're checking-in online while on the way before the closing time, you can still make it on the plane, but your baggage won't — that was an option I had before which I took (the baggage arrived safely the next day thankfully).

    If it's between T1/T2/T3, 2.5 hrs is possible, but it still depends on a lot of factors. So for me, even between those terminals I feel 2.5 hours is cutting it close if I have to clear immigration and check-in again, so I don't think it's possible with T4.

  • aliam on 13/04/2024 - 06:49
    +3

    I don't understand the point of the question being asked. "Singapore Flight Transit, Is 2.5 Hours Enough?"

    The answer is obviously NO, as you failed to check in on time for the second flight, despite none of the flights being delayed.

    If your question is "Should my insurance cover this?", the answer is still NO, as insurance is for unforeseen delay like weather, lost baggage, airline strikes etc.

    • ErlichBachman on 13/04/2024 - 08:15
      +1

      So true lol

      I'm guessing it's so that OP can show this thread from ozbargain to the airline as overwhelming proof what they did was wrong and get a refund I guess

  • May4th on 13/04/2024 - 08:37
    +1

    the answer is no as you have clearly already demonstrated. sounds like you are trying to angle for a TI payout- they may pay for it just to get rid of you but consider yourself lucky in that case it's 100% of your making.

    if it's a transit, ie. one ticket, I've made as close as 90min. if separate tickets, 2.5hrs is madness

  • BluebirdV on 13/04/2024 - 11:39

    Singapore happens to be the easiest, most efficient airport I’ve ever been through.

  • zfind on 13/04/2024 - 12:53

    Based on this discussion I rebooked a flight out of SIN to give me 4h+ transit from T4 to T2. Less time enjoying the 420 in BKK, but thanks ozbargain.

    ($80 change fee with SQ, no hassle, all done over live chat. Goodbye QF)

    • SoapyWooder on 16/04/2024 - 18:50

      Yes good, save $650, potentially

  • icejester on 25/04/2024 - 00:33

    So just checking
    What time did your first flight actually land and when was it scheduled to land?

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