Packing for two climates

[albatross710]

Next week I'm heading off to visit Europe (4C) and Philippines (30C) on the same trip. I'm thinking a Singapore transit lounge mid-trip swap. One complete set of travel gear for Europe and deposit the other bags at Singapore left luggage service. This will mean I can travel with less bags around Europe and Philippines

I will be travelling SQ J, am I able to check my two pieces of luggage to two destinations. For instance, when I check in at BNE, I want my European warm clothes to go through to Europe and my Philippines summer clothes ot go to SIN where I will put them into the left luggage service. One alternative would be to make my Philippines clothes as carry-on and use the transit left luggage service.

On my return, I'll check everything to Singapore, leave my European bag at the left luggage service and pickup my Philippines clothes.

When returning from MNL, I'll check my Philippines bag all the way back to Brisbane. While in transit, I collect the left luggage and then check than in for my final leg.

My question is the feasibility and practicality of checking bags into separate destinations on the way out and then checking bags in from different ports on the return. Obviously I see some critical points, a) getting in/out of transit easily and b) putting significant pressure on on-time arrivals and c) flawless baggage handling and d) me packing the right things in the right bags.

Does anyone have experiences of doing anything similar?

Alby

 

[cove]

We just take both bags and get a trolley.SQ in J will take both unless the weights are a horror story in which case your bag holding in Singapore could work. If I travel with Mrscove I practise safe lifting methods to avoid back aches.

 

[albatross710]

We just take both bags and get a trolley.SQ in J will take both unless the weights are a horror story in which case your bag holding in Singapore could work. If I travel with Mrscove I practise safe lifting methods to avoid back aches.

I should have mentioned I'll be doing a few train trips in Europe. Would be easier to get on/off with just the one bag. Either way it's not a show stopper, more of a 'finesse'.

 

[cove]

The intercity trains are quite squeezy so two full bags down stairs is not too brilliant and then you have to put them up in the overhead on the train. It would be easier with one bag for sure!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

alby I have done this multiple times - MEL - SIN - PEK - SIN - MNL - SIN - MEL.

SQ have never had a problem with checking 1 of 2 bags to SIN only - store it and swap bags on return - its very easy - if only SQ / Changi Airport could be franchised internationally would make life so much easier.

 

[munitalP]

I can recommend the Changi long term luggage storage (ground floor). I have transited back into SIN previously just to pick up luggage left while I was in Malaysia and didn't want to carry the bags

It's easy and stress free

munitalP

 

[Awesom Andy]

I've done something similar as well, although I used my own home rather than the left luggage services. It's definitely a workable plan.

 

[albatross710]

Ok, thank you. I am much more encouraged now.

Since starting the topic I've also decided to have a separate bag for the items (toiletries, power chargers, laptop etc) that will be common to Europe and Philippines. This one can be checked through at each time, the other ones I juggle.

Thanks once again, I'll include the success (or outcome) in my trip report.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

One way I got around this problem was with thermals :mrgreen:. They are light, easy to pack into a small space, and they can help you replace a lot of other warm clothing. It certainly helped me when going around the world many moons ago where we faced temperatures ranging from bangkok to san francisco, northern and southern Europe along with Turkey.

I also bought a decent hiking jacket that had a tight weave so that it was reasonably water and wind proof. I was amazed at how warm I was in the thin jacket, especially once I had a thermal t shirt on.

maybe not how most people would like to travel, but I was back packing (though not dorm rooming) and I tell you, when you have to carry the weight on ya back it starts to make you if you REALLY need to take that with you.

 

[rechoboam]

I did that in spectacular fashion with over a month in Jakarta then two months in Europe in January-February; I took one small suitcase.
I used the summer clothes as part of my layering technique in Europe; you can wear T-shirt and polo and light pullover effectively and that helps keep you warm. I took very little clothing for Indonesia, there it is obviously very cheap to have some T-shirts and so on laundered. If you keep very little summer clothing it shouldn't interfere with the trains in Europe. As always, the trick is packing light (I had to fit ski clothes in).
As further encouragement I would add that I travelled with spouse and child to Europe, and had two very large suitcases; spouse was solely looking after the little one and I had no issues whatsoever lifting one bag onto the train, pushing it forward, pulling the second up from the platform and wheeling them along to the racks. I would suggest four-wheel bags as they mean you dont have to pull two suitcases along in parallel which is a bit awkward.

 

[Mal]

There is an airside baggage storage at SIN ... Look into it (if carrying winter type stuff in carry-on).

It is difficult doing what you are doing, but I would not rely on separate tagging for bags... Way too many potential issues.

 

[Awesom Andy]

There is an airside baggage storage at SIN

Three, to be precise. One in each terminal, with facilities offered both land/air sides. As you are flying on SQ, you'll most likely be using the one in terminal 3 or terminal 2. In terminal 3, I think it's around where the Adidas store is. In terminal 2, it's around where the DFS liquor store near the middle part of the terminal.

 

[albatross710]

Three, to be precise. One in each terminal, with facilities offered both land/air sides. As you are flying on SQ, you'll most likely be using the one in terminal 3 or terminal 2. In terminal 3, I think it's around where the Adidas store is. In terminal 2, it's around where the DFS liquor store near the middle part of the terminal.

yep, found them on the airport map. thanks for your assistance.

 

[Plane Jane]

I have started a business helping people pack their bags for trips away....my suggestion to you is to aim to take only one bag for the whole trip with not much in it at all...let's face it, no one will see you more than twice on average, and there are such things as thermals, op shops for trading clothes, compression sacks and of course layers! Also when going to a warm country, you need very little to look stylish and glam! Shoes would be your biggest bug bear, but there is even a way to do that too!
Google packing and you will come up with many ideas and great options.
Good luck!

 

[straitman]

I have started a business helping people pack their bags for trips away....

Good luck!

Do AFF members get a discount :?: