cadman

We are going to Oz on 16th to validate our visas.
I've read various thread mentioning stamps etc.?

Could someone just talk me through exactly what to do on arrival in Melbourne at 06:55 local time after our non-stop flight from LHR as I don't think I'll be at sharpest!

Is there a queue specifically for people validating visas?
Do they have to be stamped?
Do you do all this before getting your luggage?

etc. etc. etc.

Thanks.

Andy.

WBB

you just get in the normal queue with everyone else.

no fanfare or red carpet i'm afraid.

Cath

Cadman,

Hope all goes well on the 16th. We too are validating on that date, although we are heading for Sydney.

Good luck

ptlabs

1. No.

2. No. Only your passport needs to be stamped.

3. You get your luggage after clearing passport control.

Peter

HiddenPaw

you can also browse the duty free shop on arrival......before joining the city-bound rush hour traffic down the Tullamarine freeway.....

Have a great trip! Where are you headed once you get out the airport?

cadman

Fortunately, we are staying with my cousin who lives in Sunbury so no drive into the city, at least not on arrival.

cadman

Thanks Cath, same to you too!

cadman

Thanks Peter, I can relax a bit more now!

cadman

Just one more thing,

What happens during the fuel stop in Singapore?

i.e. do your bags stay on the plane or do you have to collect them and then check them back in again?
(there is approx. 2 hours between arrive SP and leave for MB if that makes any difference)

also, (yes, I know, that's 2 things!), while I remember, what's this on-line check in up to 48 hrs before departure?
how does that work? is it worth doing?

thirdly, ( ), we are arriving at LHR 7 hours before departure, can we check the bags in then or do we have to wait until the gate opens or something?

thanks!

not used to this flying malarky, ain't natural, if God had wanted us to fly etc. etc.

Andy.

bondipom

I feel your stress from over here. relax. Singapore airlines look after your baggage all the way. You are in the best hands possible. I have used British Airways on line checkin and it lets you choose your own seat (if it is available). The q was also small where you dump your bags and get the boarding pass. You have to book your flights direct with BA to use the on line check in facility.

No idea about singapore airlines.

Singapore airport is brilliant and has some good duty free shops although I found myself drinking tiger beer at the bar.

cadman

Cheers bondi

just wanna make sure it all goes smoothly, head of household and all that.

we booked our flights direct with SIA so it should be cool. It was mentioned in the on-line booking blurb that we could do it (on line check in) just didn't explain what it was all about.
If we can choose our seats that'll be cool.

I too have heard that Singapore airport is good, we're only there for a couple of hours though unlike the 7 hours at Heathrow T3!

claireg3

Hi Cadman,

we flew with Singapore and they were great. We should have had 50 minutes in Singapore but as we were late leaving Manchester we had to make up time and we saw Singapore Airport from the back of a golf cart thingy as we were driven at high speed from one plane to another.

Claire