AirCanada881

Hi everyone, I'm arriving with TK via IST to SIN & have a flight to HKT 2.5 hours later, I am not checking any bags. Will the Jetstar system let me print my boarding pass at home so I don't have to clear immigration to check in?
Many thanks

henrus

No you'll need to visit a desk to complete document checks.

AirCanada881

Thanks. Are their no transit desks airside?

henrus

There are but they often aren't open. Most airside desks had been closed due to covid and about 3 weeks ago the JQ desks had no one around. If you're traveling in a few months time things may improve given the VTL is being scrapped but for now I'd 100% expect and also fill out the paper work to enter landside in Singapore.

AirCanada881

Thanks. My flight is April 27th. I believe VTL will be scrapped but Thailand still requires paperwork I think

MSPeconomist

Even if you don't need to go landside to check in, you'll still need to satisfy all of the entry requirements for the destination of the first ticket in order to be permitted to board, although this would normally be the same if the second flight is domestic. However, in COVID-19 times, there could be some differences in testing requirements depending on what the airline sees as your destination.......or are you concerned whether two and a half hours will be enough time for what some people here call a "self connection" (which isn't transit).

AirCanada881

I am not worried about satisfying all the requirements to enter Singapore as the only requirement from April 1st is to be fully vaccinated, which I fully meet. I am arriving with Turkish Airlines. Having transited through SIN before, I think 2.5 hours is a safe bet, except if my IST-SIN flight is delayed, which hopefully won't happen as I'm traveling on a weekday (but you never know).
What I really want to know is whether Jetstar will let me print my boarding pass at home so as to avoid going landside. The primary reason for not wanting to go landside is the time it would take to clear immigration & then physically check in. Though I still think it's doable, would prefer avoiding that

henrus

I think you're missing several things. Firstly Jetstar will not let you print a boarding pass online end of story - they haven't done it since March of 2020. You might be lucky and there may be someone at the transfer desk but don't count on it so expect to go landside. As mentioned by MSPeconomist regardless of if you enter the country you still need to meet the entry requirements of Singapore due to your split ticket and these are still strict.

Unless you are a Singapore Citizen, Resident or Pass holder even after 1 April there are still many requirements that you failed to spot. TK will check these upon check in or before boarding and you are likely to be denied boarding if you don't have the right documents. I flew to Singapore a couple of weeks and it was a requirement to be able to check in that you had to show the documents.

- Firstly after 1 April a pre departure test (either PCR or Rapid Antigen within 2 days of travel) is still required to enter Singapore (unless you can present a positive test result taken between 7-90 days before travel and which point no testing is required as you are assumed to be recovered).
- You will need travel insurance that covers at least $30,000 of covid related medical problems. This can be purchased online and for 1 day costs about $10.
- You will need to submit a SG Arrival card online - this is where you upload your vaccination certificate.
- Install and activate Trace Together (will not be asked at check in but needed if entering the country).

Here are the latest details from the Singapore government for travel from 1 April:
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/arrivi...lly-vaccinated

AirCanada881

Thanks. So I guess my question is as follows: Is 2.5 hours realistic to do all this?

henrus

I'd say yes. Your pre departure test and insurance coverage will be checked at check-in for the TK flight. You may be asked for it again at arrivals immigration but unlikely (they'll most likely ask for your inbound boarding pass - something many people seem to lose). The only problem would be a queue to enter the country but given it's been reasonably quiet recently it shouldn't take too long.

Jetstar only opens check in 2hrs before departure and closes 45 minutes so if you're really lucky then I'd say you may even have a chance to roam around Jewel. All passports can use departures e-gates (there is never a queue as there's lots) and security is at the gate so I wouldn't expect any queues to go back airside.

AirCanada881

Thanks. Obviously appreciate the reality check. So to make things more complex. After my trip to Thailand (1 week) I want to end up back in Singapore for 3 more nights as my return flight leaves from there. Does that mean I need to do an antigen test in Phuket before boarding Singapore flight? Do I need Singapore insurance coverage during my stay in Thailand?

henrus

Yep travel to Singapore is currently not as easy as it was pre pandemic.

Yes if you want to spend 3 more nights in Singapore you'll have to meet all the Singapore entry requirements again this includes a rapid antigen or PCR test done before boarding the flight to Singapore (note the rapid test can not be done via video supervision and must be done in person by a medical professional/staff there is an exception for some visa holders but not tourists).

Singapore insurance coverage for COVID is only required for the time you physically plan to spend in Singapore. In your situation you will need it for the 1 day you plan to arrive/transit through and then the 4 more days you plan to spend on the way back.

I don't personally recommend any of these insurance providers however the Singapore government lists them as acceptable for meeting the requirements. If you can find one in your home country that meets the criteria of clearly having at least $30,000 COVID medical coverage listed on the certificate of insurance then this is also suitable.
https://www.aig.sg/personal/more-ins...-travel-assist
https://sgtravelinsured.chubbtraveli...g-en/home.html
https://changiassure.changirecommends.com/

It's worth noting that to enter Thailand you will need travel insurance that covers US$20,000 of COVID medical cover whilst in Thailand (this is a condition of the Thailand Pass and will be required for check in at the Jetstar flight counter). I am not sure where you are a resident but here in Australia there are many providers selling covid travel insurance (to Australian residents) and you might be able to find one in your country that covers both Singapore and Thailand for a reasonable price.

AirCanada881

Thanks. So when you say you do not recommend them, do you mean yo are neutral as in no experience, or you've used them & you've had a bad experience? The premium is pretty reasonable, around 33 SGD for 12 days, cheaper than the Thai insurance. Couldn't seem to find an insurance plan convering both...

henrus

Sorry, with the insurance I've had no experience.

AirCanada881

Ugh so TK changed the flight to Singapore, we now only have 2 hours & 10 mins to make the connection