LHR to SYD: LOADS OF QUESTIONS, e.g., do we get off of the plane for the two hour layover in SIN? If so, any activities for 2 year old in terminal 1?

[RoRoMommy]

We are flying next Wednesday night from LHR to SYD and stop in SIN.

I've read some very helpful suggestions regarding sticker books, crayons, portable DVD players, play doh, little wrapped pressies, snacks, etc. I have a few other questions.

Is the two hour layover in Singapore is enough time to get off of the plane, and if so does anyone know what activities are available in terminal 1 for a toddler?

Also, how is the flight run, that is, do we have dinner, then lights off for sleep, then wake up, brekkie, then lights on and later lunch, or what? How do they approximate the passage of a day?

Oh, and does anyone know how long the leg is from LHR to SIN, then SIN to SYD?

Also, if you're interested and happy to provide a top tip for surviving a 22 hour flight with a 2 year old, I'd be very grateful to hear it!

Thanks in advance.

We didn't get a choice - we got kicked off.

We shamelessly exploited DH's frequent flyer status to hide chill in the lounge until re-boarding so I can't help much on facilities, I'm afraid.

Good Luck - we did it with incredibly laid back 10mth old DS and have already decided it would be a bad idea with 2.5yo DD.

(ask PhD if you can find her - she did it with her DS whilst pregnant )

LHR to Singapore is about 11-12 hours in duration. The LHR flight we were on left at around 9.45pm and arrived into Singapore the next afternoon at around 4.30pm (if I recall correctly).

All pax will disembark the aircraft before reboarding.

We stopped over in Singapore for a couple of days to break the journey before heading onto Sydney so did not stay in the terminal for any length of time.

Singapore to Sydney is about another 7 hours on. Our flight into Sydney left Singapore late evening and arrived into Sydney just after 6am. I don't recall there being much there for toddlers in terms of play areas but there is a garden. I would check Changi's airport website for more information.

Best thing to do (they chuck you off the plane) is to plan to walk up and down the terminal a few times, go and have a good wash and maybe change clothes, and generally let your toddler let off steam. You really only get about 1hr 15 by the time you are off, and then getting back on again, so make the most of it.

There is a jacuzzi and shower place in the terminal that you can pay for, but I felt it was more hassle than it was worth.

Meals are weird - they correlate more to the time zone of departure than where you are - so just eat whatever appears, and try not to think about it too much.

Good luck!

Thanks! That's all very helpful. I will check out the website for Changi. Attila, we're on the same flight it sounds like. A shower might not be a bad thing, our son loves them! He has swim practice every Sunday and loves the showers afterward, almost more than the pool!

Just to say it won't be as bad as you think

and I am a very

Make use of the lovely cabin crew. They may offer to take LO for a walk.

When you get on the plane ask for extra cusions and blankets.

I found the second leg very hard because essentially it is two night flights. You get on, have dinner, get to sleep. Wake up, get off, get back on the plane, and everyone else wants to go to sleep again. In the dark. That bit was very hard work. Take a torch. Magazines are good as they have a toy, activities and stories, and you can leave them behind.

We were on BA 11 (was glad we chose that one because on that day of departure their later flight BA 15 was delayed by over an hour) and that arrived into Changi just before 5.30pm. The two other flights that leave in the evening are both codeshares with Qantas.

You won't have much time at all by the time you disembark other than to stretch your legs, find the toilets and get something to eat.

Thought Changi was a very nice airport all told.

CRAP! We're on BA15. I hope we're not delayed, that would be a nightmare and a half.

Will definitely take a torch! Hadn't thought of that, thank you very much!

We were delayed and ended up with a 4 hour wait in HK. But they put us up in Business Class lounge, fed and watered us and did a very good job of looking after us. It was actually the best thing - we would have struggled without it (DCs were 4, 3 and 18 month IIRC - oh and I was PG too [mad bunny emoticon]

Have done this several times, with and without children. LHR to Singapore is a 13 hour flight. Singapore to Sydney is about 7-8 hours IIRC.

Definitely get off at Singapore. You need to stretch your legs and get a change of scene. They don't always kick you off, but once I didn't get off and I regretted it (it was just me, dh and mil took the children off, but I found the next leg very frustrating and I feel it was because I didn't get off and have a change of scene). Actually, they spray the plane on the stop before Australia so I think you do have to get off, and with the extra security these days, they make you go through security again which takes up quite a lot of time.

When we first went over with children, my youngest (then) actually had her 2nd birthday on the flight. I can tell you, she was the easiest to please. My older children found sleeping upright quite hard but she could easily lie down (there were a few spare seats though). Even a 2 yo loves the tv entertainment they provide.

Meal times depend on the airline, BA give them to you at British time, Qantas Austrlian time!

I would always have a shower at Changi but I've never done it with kids.

Changi is basically a huge shopping mall with an airport attached. So consider looking in the shops, there are some good toy shops so maybe treat for DC that they can play with on the second leg.

I've done this route a number of times with two DC's from baby stage. Your DC will probably be fractious when they get on the flight and it's hard for them to go to sleep as there's so much going on - announcements etc - however, DON'T let this get you stressed. Very shortly afterwards they should fall asleep for a good part of the first leg. In Singapore mine just wanted to run around, which was great, because we then got on the second leg flight and after a couple of hours they fell asleep again! You'll probably find the TV will keep them occupied most of their waking time. I took comics, sticker books etc but didn't really need them as they were glued to the TV, which on this occasion, I didn't mind. I took a selection of snacks - a couple of small bananas, raisins, breadsticks, a couple of little sandwiches, cut up cucumber, cheese cubes in little bags, because often they don't like the food much on board and want to eat at their own pace. Make sure you leave all this on board when you land in Sydney as otherwise you'll have hassle when the sniffer dogs detect food on you! Very strict entry rules re foodstuffs there.

Make sure you ask for assistance at Changi - do this via your airline before you fly - and you can be taken to a play area/changing area especially for families. The person assisting will also help you with bags, documents and making sure you get to the right gate at the right time. You can also ask for assistance at Heathrow but ime they don't really do much apart from hold your documents.

It really won't be as bad as you imagine. Just another thought, make sure you have some sachets of calpol or nurofen in your bags, just in case.

Sorry all the above is a bit random but hope you have a great time!

That's all great advice, thank you MaggieW - incidentally, do you remember who you called to request help at Changi? Just the BA main reservations, etc., line?

Okay, FYI for everyone else, I've arranged through customer service (don't call reservations, they're useless) for a "meet and greet" at Changi, which has been noted in our booking. Thanks Maggie!

Changi terminal 3 has a play area with slides and climbing frames for children. I saw it last week. It is brand new and looked very nice.