All deemed own thoughts and sharing.
1. Flight:
Would suggest to take flight with one station of transit, which usually transit via Dubai airport.
Each flight duration is about 7-8 hours (Singapore to Dubai & Dubai to London), so should have no backache.
I believe the flight duration should about the same even from other Asia countries to Dubai. And so, encouraged to choose a 3-4 hours of transit duration, it is sufficient for you to have a proper meal, shopping, shower (if you want) at Dubai airport.
Each flight duration is about 7-8 hours (Singapore to Dubai & Dubai to London), so should have no backache.
I believe the flight duration should about the same even from other Asia countries to Dubai. And so, encouraged to choose a 3-4 hours of transit duration, it is sufficient for you to have a proper meal, shopping, shower (if you want) at Dubai airport.
2. Dubai airport (most common airport for transit):
Do not expect the Dubai airport is as classy as Singapore Changi Airport, it is just big, with more than enough of stores for shopping but the standard of restaurant is not that ideal.
Do not waste your time in searching what restaurant to dine in during your transit hours, I would tell you that the best and only option is McDonald.
Always get yourself sufficient time to walk to departure gate, for instance, when you saw "18 mins walking distance from your current point to departure gate" from the information board, do not doubt it. I did really walked 20 mins to my gate C3. Before that I actually told my hubby that the information board bluffed, but trust me, it wasn't.
Do not waste your time in searching what restaurant to dine in during your transit hours, I would tell you that the best and only option is McDonald.
Always get yourself sufficient time to walk to departure gate, for instance, when you saw "18 mins walking distance from your current point to departure gate" from the information board, do not doubt it. I did really walked 20 mins to my gate C3. Before that I actually told my hubby that the information board bluffed, but trust me, it wasn't.
3. London Heathrow Airport:
Okay skip. Nothing special. You can just head down to the underground station. Each airport terminal has underground station.
4. Transportation:
Oyster card is what you need, a must have. It is for bus ride and tube (underground train).
How to purchase oyster card? Do not be like a tourist to stand few minutes in front of the ticket machine to figure out the process, I searched and watched guidance video from youtube before going.
How to purchase oyster card? Do not be like a tourist to stand few minutes in front of the ticket machine to figure out the process, I searched and watched guidance video from youtube before going.
Step 1:
Pay by cash or bank card?
As a tourist, you're newly arrived the airport and to buy your first Oyster card, I guess most of us have no small note (smaller than $50).
Take note that the ticket cash machine DO NOT accept note of 50 or above. No matter you're travel alone (probably top up 30) or group travel (might be more than 100), only note of 20 or small is accepted. Which mean to say, tourist is encouraged to go to "Bank card" ticket machine straight.
Pay by cash or bank card?
As a tourist, you're newly arrived the airport and to buy your first Oyster card, I guess most of us have no small note (smaller than $50).
Take note that the ticket cash machine DO NOT accept note of 50 or above. No matter you're travel alone (probably top up 30) or group travel (might be more than 100), only note of 20 or small is accepted. Which mean to say, tourist is encouraged to go to "Bank card" ticket machine straight.
Step 2:
Choose from the screen, to purchase new card, follow by quantity of card, and top amount for each, then pay by your bank card. It can be your own country bank card, should be either Visa or Master.
Choose from the screen, to purchase new card, follow by quantity of card, and top amount for each, then pay by your bank card. It can be your own country bank card, should be either Visa or Master.
One more thing to mention, Oyster card is not applicable for bus ride in York. From this, I guess it is applicable in only London area.
5. Difference found in hotel:
A very obvious difference I noticed after stayed in 5 different hotels in this trip (London and York) = no dental kit provided.
It might just a very common thing happens in Western countries or in Europe or only in the England, may be due to concern of hygiene or country culture.
But I would like to highlight this to Asian (probably not all, but for sure is to Singaporean / Malaysian), we may used to have dental kit in every hotel no matter is economic one or the five star hotel. Therefore, prepare your own if you do not want to buy from local grocery store.
It might just a very common thing happens in Western countries or in Europe or only in the England, may be due to concern of hygiene or country culture.
But I would like to highlight this to Asian (probably not all, but for sure is to Singaporean / Malaysian), we may used to have dental kit in every hotel no matter is economic one or the five star hotel. Therefore, prepare your own if you do not want to buy from local grocery store.
6. Size of coin:
After a half or whole day, you will have received change in coin from some spendings.
If this is your first time travel to England, you are strongly encouraged to take a close look at the coins and recognise how much pence they are in different sizes.
It could a 20 pence with a very small size and also big size look of coin, or a 5 pence in the biggest size of coin, or a 10 pence coin is similar to 20 pence coin. And half of them with no numeric, only words of number.
To avoid to stuck at the payment counter by paying some coins, you should take note the above.
If this is your first time travel to England, you are strongly encouraged to take a close look at the coins and recognise how much pence they are in different sizes.
It could a 20 pence with a very small size and also big size look of coin, or a 5 pence in the biggest size of coin, or a 10 pence coin is similar to 20 pence coin. And half of them with no numeric, only words of number.
To avoid to stuck at the payment counter by paying some coins, you should take note the above.
7. Craving for some special foods:
During days or weeks of trip in London, craving for hometown foods or some special foods other than fish and chips, and you may not able to found those restaurants so easily in London street.
The best solution is Deliveroo service. So far I ordered 3 times of Deliveroo in this 8 days trip. Just pay by your credit card through the app, and get it delivered to your hotel concierge.
The best solution is Deliveroo service. So far I ordered 3 times of Deliveroo in this 8 days trip. Just pay by your credit card through the app, and get it delivered to your hotel concierge.
Next post will be focused on foods haunted in London and York.
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