Connection at SIN for separate tickets
 

Hi all,

I am looking at doing a self-transfer at SIN next month. I am flying AUH-SIN-TPE, with the first leg being on Etihad. I will arrive into SIN at 09:40.

I have a few different options for flights to TPE, with the preference being to go for Scoot in their ScootPlus cabin. That flight is at 12:00. Arrive into T2 and depart from T1.

Is it crazy to try to make that connection keeping in mind I will need to collect bags, clear immigration, and check in again?

Alternative is the later Starlux flight in Y.

Immigration in SIN is a breeze with the e-gates. Can you not check your bags all the way?

I didn't think that would be an option? It would be two separate tickets, Etihad to Scoot. I am not too sure how that works or if they would be able to do that in Abu Dhabi?

While immigration is a breeze at Singapore and it is an easy transfer from T1 to T2, the variables are will your inbound flight be late and will there be a delay getting bags and how easy will it be to check the bags in again.?

I'd be a little nervous on this connecting time and I am used to everything working smoothly at Changi.

Yeah, it's definitely giving me pause, especially as I note that the inbound Etihad flight is often late. If it was just a bit longer, I wouldn't have a problem, but being under 3 hours makes me nervous.

Might play it safe and go for the later flight.

I am planning a trip with a connection through SIN to my final destination of Bali. I will be arriving on separate tickets as well. I am set to arrive at 645am and am hoping to catch a flight at 1015am. Is 3 1/2 hours enough to make that connection? I am assuming I will be changing terminal. Do I actually have to pass through immigration or can I use a transfer desk? I am hoping to check my bags all the way through to Bali (I am flying United DEN-SFO-SIN and Scoot SIN-DPS).

Scoot being a LCC, I doubt you'll be able to check bags through. If you have to claim bags and re-check, yes, you'll have to pass immigration twice but that's usually a breeze (I never spend more than 5 min doing so). 3.5 hrs should be fine to do this transfer on separate tickets with bags to collect.

So if I change my flight to a Singapore Airlines flight I should be able to check them all the way through? The only problem is their flight availability to DPS is infrequent. I can fly at 9:15am (that is 2.5 hours connection time) or leave on the next flight at 4pm. I am just trying to avoid immigration and the time it takes to process (and the very long layover). If I book on United all the way through to DPS, it puts me on the 9:15am flight.

The UA to SQ connection using the 9:15 am flight should be fine if you have a single ticket/PNR. You'll be rebooked at no charge to a later flight if you misconnect. Doing this with separate tickets is a risk; you might have to purchase a new ticket at the airport for a flight to DPS.