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Tips for long haul flight London to Singapore

30 replies

wineapotamus · 14/10/2024 12:34

Hello. Very excited and lucky to be visiting friends in Singapore in half term. It’s the first time the kids (DS13 and DD7) have flown long haul/anywhere over 4 hours and the first time I have for years and years! Any top tips for managing jet lag, or for the best hacks for comfy and smooth flight?! We are all so excited that I think seat back tvs and crisps will do a lot of the heavy lifting, but I’d love it if we could get a bit of sleep as we arrive at 11pm our time, 6.20am Singapore time! Do those neck pillows make any difference? What about the inflatable blocks you put your face in?! Sleep gummies? I hear good things about melatonin but can’t get it here. All advice welcome!

OP posts:
User1836484645R · 14/10/2024 12:52

I have done that trip many times (but without children). My advice on the jet lag would be to ignore the temptations of the in-flight entertainment and get as much sleep as possible on the plane and then adopt the local time immediately when you get there. That includes meal and bed times.

AmandaHoldensLips · 14/10/2024 12:53

^^ absolutely this - spot on advice.

GladAllOver · 14/10/2024 12:55

Great advice there from User^. Ignore all entertainment, turn devices off. Sleep. You need to be wide awake in Singapore!

Jowak1 · 14/10/2024 13:01

I have flown to Singapore a few times and O found those neck pillows really comfy so glad I got one 👍

Forgottenmyphone · 14/10/2024 13:16

I always take silicone ear plugs and a sleep mask. Avoid caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Keep hydrated.

backinthebox · 14/10/2024 13:20

Yes to sleep on plane, but if you can sleep for the entire duration of the flight to Singapore, well done! You’ll be on that plane a long time. The pillows are absolutely worth it, I use one all the time. Mine is inflatable with a little hood on it. I use ear plugs and eye mask then put the hood completely over my face. Take warm socks and a thin scarf/pashmina to use as a blanket - you’ll get one on the plane but they are not very big. This is the pillow I use - amzn.eu/d/csEQy3f

Singapore is fab with kids, I’ve taken mine several times. I see you are visiting friends so they will probably give you an itinerary. But my top tips would include:
Universal Studios at Sentosa
Jungle zip and go karts, also Sentosa
Gardens by the Bay for the light show
Also light and water show in the Bay, you can watch it from by the whispering gallery (also fun!)
Only try to go up Marina Bay Sands during the day, no kids allowed in the evening
McCritichie Trail hike was a hit with my daughter. Hot though. Take loads of water! See the wild monkeys at the bridge.
Aquarium and Trick Eye museum (back at Sentosa again!)
Night zoo - fab after dark!
Eat at Lau Passat. Give them $20 each and tell them to find what they want to eat (although favourites will always be satay or pork soup dumplings, washed down with exotic bubble tea.)
Bujis market for tat shopping.

There’s loads more you can do, but that’s a start. 😄 Enjoy!

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 14/10/2024 13:23

Always keep your seatbelt on when seated.
There is air turbulence on the flight route from Heathrow to Changi.

Take plenty of snacks, as it is still typical icky plane food.

Kucinghitam · 14/10/2024 13:25

In order of importance to me:

Noise-cancelling headphones. Eye mask. Flight socks. Shoes that can be easily slipped on and off. Moisturiser/lip balm because the air is very dry. Wear layers so you can adjust your temperature. I sometimes use a Trtl neck pillow, but not always.

I put my watch on destination time as soon as we take off.

I always avoid caffeine and alcohol, and drink plenty of water (the cabin crew will be happy to bring you extra water).

As said above, the best thing to do would be to get some sleep. But if that fails, the next best thing to do is not get stressed about not sleeping - put on the eye mask, listen to a podcast or audio book, and who knows, you might nod off. The next-next best thing to do is not get stressed if the kids are getting square eyes from overdosing on the seat-back entertainment, because at least they're content and sitting quietly Grin

bettyjane · 14/10/2024 13:29

We did this flight in the summer with kids. Yes the neck pillows are great and help with sleep. I agree with the above to sleep as much as possible on the flight, and then be ready to adopt Singapore time when you get there.
We were visiting family and had a fairly chilled first day after landing at 7am; went to their apartment and got unpacked, had a swim in the afternoon and a bit of a relax then went out for a walk and dinner so we didn’t just fall asleep too early. Back for a not too late bedtime, and up and ready the next morning to start exploring properly

User1836484645R · 14/10/2024 15:21

Yes to sleep on plane, but if you can sleep for the entire duration of the flight to Singapore, well done

I must admit I can’t sleep the whole way. My husband can. He wakes up for meals then goes back to sleep. Sometimes he doesn’t even need to use the loo for the whole flight.

pitterpatterrain · 14/10/2024 15:31

Water bottles you refill after security to make sure you stay hydrated

For me compression socks also good

I tend to try and rest as much as possible tbh even if just closed eyes

Potentially some snacks for the kids if you’re worried they may not like plane food to keep them going

AutumnLeaves5 · 14/10/2024 15:36

I’ve bought melatonin from Biovea without a prescription. It’s great for helping me drop off on long haul flights and the first couple of nights in a different time zone.

JC03745 · 14/10/2024 15:55

There was another thread similar, asking about what to wear going from cold UK to somewhere hot. I'll link if I can find it.

I always take a thin pashmina/shawl. I wear it as a scarf in the UK, rolled up it can be a pillow, wear it over my shoulders on the flight if chilly, and also use it as a long skirt, if going into a temple or somewhere that don't allow shorts. (More so in say Thailand).

Singapore is very humid! It can be a shock when the doors open at the airport! If leaving a cold country, I layer up. T-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt/top, maybe a cardigan and this light jacket. Its light but warm and folds up to fit into a small, backpack pocket. https://www.marksandspencer.com/feather-and-down-quilted-packaway-puffer-jacket/p/clp60683427?color=BLACK
Sometimes I take shorts or a skirt to change into on arrival. I often get cold on the plane too.

I always take those thin, hotel type slippers. When I get on board, I remove my shoes and socks and put on a thicker, bed type sock. I then use the slippers whenever walking around the cabin. The toilets always have suspicious fluids on the floor, so I would never walk in just socks or barefeet! 😝

In addition to trying to sleep on the flight, where possible, I try to get into the time zone a few days earlier. I can't recall now which way, but I go to bed say 1hr later(or earlier) and set an alarm to get up, then 'try' the next night to go 2hrs later/earlier etc.

On arrival, get into the sun. It too helps with your body clock. If you absolutely must nap- set an alarm and limit it to 30mins or so.

Singapore is fabulous, clean and the franca linga is English, so very easy to get around.
As a child, the night zoo, and day time, was amazing!

M&S

Feather & Down Quilted Packaway Puffer Jacket | M&S Collection | M&S

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Opally · 14/10/2024 16:10

Three things always with me:

  1. A neck pillow
  2. Eye mask
  3. A book. No headphones though. I always sleep well when flying :)
CrepuscularCritter · 14/10/2024 16:25

Different things to do seem to help break up the time: a book, a puzzle, a download, a game. Also consider compression socks for the adults; I found them a real game changer when I arrived.

trader21c · 14/10/2024 16:48

Get a seat by the window if you don’t want to be disturbed while sleeping - I like an aisle seat as up and down to the toilet!!!

wineapotamus · 14/10/2024 16:52

Thanks so much! This is all excellent. We are planning to do as you suggest, try and sleep on the plane or at least rest and not get stressed and then have a low key day catching up with friends, pool, early dinner and bed at 6pm. Then hopefully sleep the clock round and up and at em in the morning! The pillow recs are brilliant, thank you!

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves5 · 14/10/2024 16:57

Going to bed at 6pm won’t be the best idea as you’ll be up at 3am. Try to keep busy, and maybe have a mid afternoon power nap for half an hour but then aim to go to bed only slightly earlier then your normal time. You’ll be tired but it’s the best way to adjust.

wineapotamus · 14/10/2024 17:35

AutumnLeaves5 · 14/10/2024 16:57

Going to bed at 6pm won’t be the best idea as you’ll be up at 3am. Try to keep busy, and maybe have a mid afternoon power nap for half an hour but then aim to go to bed only slightly earlier then your normal time. You’ll be tired but it’s the best way to adjust.

Ok thanks, I’ll do my best. It’s more for the 7 year old, I think she’ll fall asleep with her head in her dinner! But hopefully seeing her best pal will make her giddy and she’ll get through on adrenaline!

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Spud90 · 15/10/2024 10:44

Definitely, take a neck pillow! The memory foam ones with the moulded shape are the best IMO. I turn it so the highest bit is at the side so I can rest my head sideways. It's really comfy. Wear a silk eye mask too and noise cancelling headphones and you forget you're even on a plane. I also like a oversized hoodie so I can put my hood up.

Take kwells if you get travel sick as there is usually turbulence on the flight path. We had bad turbulence while I was asleep and I woke up and was badly travel sick.

TakeMe2Insanity · 15/10/2024 10:46

Love love Singapore! Have a fantastic time! Nothing will prepare you for how efficient they are at getting you out of the airport! Enjoy!!!

notimagain · 15/10/2024 11:13

I see turbulence has been mentioned a couple of times but I think for context it’s fair to say that on a 13-14 ish hour flight a few bumps at some point is pretty much a given, regardless of the route, anywhere in the world.

Evening flights arriving into Singapore from Europe tend to have to negotiate the thunderstorms that build up late in the day over/near the Malay peninsula but I see the OP arrives in Singapore at breakfast time, which is usually well after those storms have died down.

I think the really important thing is as always on any flight simply keep the seatbelt fastened whenever you can.

Weepingwillows12 · 15/10/2024 11:17

I flew long haul for the first time in a while earlier this year and got caught out as they didn't provide headphones so couldn't use the inflight entertainment. I borrowed some off my kids so don't know if it's on request only these days in economy or if it's not available at all. I would take some headphones just in case.

wineapotamus · 15/10/2024 11:36

Weepingwillows12 · 15/10/2024 11:17

I flew long haul for the first time in a while earlier this year and got caught out as they didn't provide headphones so couldn't use the inflight entertainment. I borrowed some off my kids so don't know if it's on request only these days in economy or if it's not available at all. I would take some headphones just in case.

Thank you! I checked with my pal over there and she says they do but we’ll all be taking our own anyway and plenty of downloaded stuff in case for any horrifying reason the in flight entertainment isn’t working 😱. While you’re all here and sorry to be cheeky, for the experienced singaporers, what best to pack to look and be cool in all senses! Normally our hot holidays are in France camping and I don’t care what I look like, but I’d like to be have a bit less of a stained t shirt and baggy shorts vibe in glam Singapore!

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