Options of 9 hrs at LAX or 20 hrs at SIN. Is it possible to leave the airport?

[MrsCardone]

So I'm looking at flights and all seem to have quite a long stopover. Is it possible to go outside at the moment? I don't really want to spend an extended time stuck in the airport.

Would appreciate some advice from anybody who knows what the situation is at the moment. Thanks.

I would never go through LA again, Covid or not. You have to go through American immigration even if just transiting which means just standing in a queue for a couple of hours and potentially missing your connection. If you do go via LA make sure you have an ESTA!!

Singapore is much better set up, and the airport is actually nice with stuff in it so even if you were there 20 hours and couldn’t get out I still think it would be a better option.

@1990s Thanks, that's really helpful. I hadn't thought about all the queueing and stress at LAX. I've had a quick look and you are right, there are a few funs things to do in Singapore, so I'll think I'll opt for that route. Thank you .

hope it goes smoothly!

If you can get out in Singapore (fingers crossed) you can really easily get a taxi to the Marina Bay area and have a look round restaurants/shops/water/museums/light up trees there.

They are so organised it’s all really simple. Cannot say the same for the US. Immigration always a horrible hours long queue.

I've heard good things about Singapore airport, like a roof garden and swimming pool.... don't quote me on that!

I had far too little time there to check anything out.

Was not impressed with LA airport at all. I thought it would be more "up-scale" what with all those slebs passing through....

Singapore to a coach tour that you can take from the airport if your there for longer than ex amount of hours waiting for a flight

Singapore everytime...

Singapore airport is fantastic! They used to do a coach tour around the city if you were on a long stopover (though this was pretty covid so I’m
Not sure what the rules are now). They were pretty strict in the midst of the pandemic so definitely check but, if all is relatively normal, i’d definitely choose singapore over LAX.

Definitely Singapore. And that’s coming from someone who lives in the US and LAX is an airport we use a lot. With all the construction going on there right now it’ll take several hours just to change flights (that happened to us recently when we passed through). It’s a mess. And it’s in a really bad area.

Singapore! It has a cinema, a pool, butterfly garden and I think you can go on a 4 hour tour of Singapore.

Singapore, there is always seating available, including lay flat loungers in darker areas. There’s a swimming pool, spa, butterfly garden, plus you can do free coach tours of the city. They have a cinema as well, if you fly with Singapore you get a $20 voucher to spend in the airport per ticket if you have a long layover.

Singapore all the way! If I ever get stuck at an airport it's my top pick!

I would spend three days in Somalia rather than ten minutes in LA. Genuinely my least favourite place in the world. And I've been to tens of countries.

I would go on holiday to Changi airport! Butterflies, pool on the roof, cinema, great food. LAX - never again!

You won’t be allowed out to go on a tour of Singapore due to covid. Arrivals get tested at airport and have to isolate somewhere (eg hotel) till test result is through before they can go out and about. Can take up to 24 hours.

Singapore! We intentionally made our stopover at singapore longer to enjoy the airport as there is so much to see. Honestly google some images etc.

An hour or 2 in the roof swimmingpool os an absolute must (we packed swimmers in oir hand luggage). There's good food, the butterfly garden, sunflower gardenSeveral different areas to explore.

You can check into the hotel in slots (I cant remember if it was 4 hour/6hour?) to fit in with your booking. Do this! We arrived so much more refreshed for having done this.

We caught the driverless pods (exciting a good few years back) to different areas to see installation/statues too.

Honestly the airport is a taster of Singapore and such a lovely place. Worth checking it all out so you don't miss anything!

This all sounds amazing! Does anybody know what time it closes? The flights available are all at odds times, like 5.30 pm landing.

Singapore Changi is the best airport in the world bar none!

Just make sure you’re not wearing Ugg boots for the city tour (spoken from experience!)

Check their website as times varied. There is a giant waterfall I havent been able to see. There is also a trampoline floor with a high bridge/walkway through.

I'd plan a day there by making a list of areas you want to see and which terminal they are in etc.

Swimming pool for example says 6am -11pm when I googled.

Depending on where you have come from/going to it will be worth booking a hotel room slot. Or if you don't have kids there are lots of places you could sleep for free that are beautiful!

Next time we go yo Oz (goodness knows when ) we will pay extra to be on singapoe air so we can stop here :)

LAX is grim, SIN Changi is wonderful but they have been tighter than a duck’s…when it comes to restrictions on passengers, especially those transiting..

Worth reading this before making to many plans.

www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/Covid-19/transiting-through-airport.html

^this the days of 4 hour transit tours are over! Covid everyone:-(