hello all,
I currently live in beautiful Hawaii, but I’m interested in visiting family in Singapore. I’m a US citizen with a passport, and basically I just need to know the guidelines for traveling. I only plan to bring a small suit case and back pack, both as carry ons, to avoid luggage check in and what not, with only clothing and a tooth brush, my wallet with ID, passport, and two electronics, a cell phone and an IPOD MP3 player.
I managed to find a round trip for nearly three weeks (not even 21 days) for a relatively good price. However sine there are no single trips that go to Singapore, I have to make a stop at Taiwan, and then several hours later, head out to Singapore. So, basically I just wanted to run down of what I’m going to do and check to see if everything i plan to do is right.
1. Flight leaves at 7:45AM, so I plan to get to the airport at 6:00AM to check in, find my gate and wait till I’m shipped out (I heard for international flights you have to check in before a certain amount of time before waiting at my gate).
2. Once I get to Taiwan, I’ll have about three hours to find check in, (and if I’m lucky find someone who can speak English) and then get to my gate, and wait for my trip to Singapore.
3. Then after my trip I repeat the process in reverse to get back home.
So this is my basic layout of what I’m going to do. I just wanted to make sure that what I’ll be doing is all in check, and hopefully I won’t need a visa when traveling through Taiwan, or have to make any extra payments when passing through (I thought all I had to pay for was the round trip tickets.)
If there’s anything else I should know about, or be aware of, please tell. Thanks!
Also note, I’m using an E-ticket I bought from priceline.com
Bring some souvenirs back for your relatives in Singapore from Hawaii. For little children, T-shirts with Hawaii print, for elderly,some pre-packaged food products will do. Singapore is getting hotter soon. Enjoy for stay here.
Sounds like you have everything planned well. Minor points to take note of:
1. You are correct about needing to check in early for international flights. You will receive a boarding pass which what you need to get on the planes. I am assuming your flight s are connecting flights.
2. You should be able to find English speaking people at Taiwan airport. Also, you will find English signs to guide you to your gate. You should not need a visa or make extra payment when transiting through Taiwan
3. Absolutely correct for the reverse process
Other things. Not sure if your ipod battery can last the whole trip, there are no chargers on the plane. I normally bring a book too.
Singapore uses 220V for electricity unlike US which uses 110V, so you have to think if your chargers can be used for it. We also use different electrical sockets, so you may need a travel adapter. But as you are visiting family, they probably can provide you with the correct charger (ipod is popular in Singapore too)
For your phone, we use the GSM network in Singapore, so just make sure your phone is a GSM phone. Also note that in Asia, you are not allowed to use the phone at all times when you are in the plane.
Guess you are all ready for the trip. Have a good trip and enjoy yourself in Singapore
U.S. citizens do not need a visa on an airport transit at Taiwan. You may stay in the International Transit Area of the airport without undergoing immigration procedures. You may also, depending on your transit time, leave the airport since U.S. citizens may stay in Taiwan as tourist visa-free for 30 days.
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