Preparing for your trip

Package:

Singapore & Bangkok Adventure, 2024/2025

Print this page and refer to it as you prepare for your trip!

Printed Nov 21, 2024. Please visit https://staging.friendlyplanet.com/before-you-go/?tourId=1867 for the latest updates.

Checklist

	Item	Due
☐	Ensure you have a current passport valid for at least six months after your return date.	ASAP
☐	Passport Pages. Ensure you have enough empty pages in your passport as per the entry requirements at your destination	ASAP
☐	Complete your registration. You'll receive a link to the registration form after you complete your booking.	Within 5 days of booking
☐	Request any additions or changes you may still want to make to your trip. (Fees and/or additional charges may apply.)	75 days prior to travel
☐	Make your final payment, if any balance is due.	See your invoice
☐	Book connecting flights to your departure city, if necessary. (Please confirm your international flight schedule first!)	After receiving your e‑tickets
☐	Make advance seat reservations for your international flight, if you have a preference.	After receiving your e‑tickets
☐	Obtain any necessary travel visas and review any requirements for entry.	See below
☐	Print your itinerary and other final documents, which we will send you via email by 14 days prior to travel.	Prior to travel
☐	Print your policy documents, if you purchased travel insurance, and carry them with you.	Prior to travel
☐	Enroll in The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), if you're a U.S. citizen or national, so the State Dept. can locate and assist you in case of an emergency.	Prior to travel
☐	Confirm your flight times and any special meal requests with the airline, and print and carry a copy of your e-ticket.	72 hours prior to travel
☐	Check in for your flights online and download/print your boarding passes (if available).	24 hours prior to travel
☐	Arrive at the airport, ready for the trip of a lifetime!	3½ hours prior to departure

Documents & Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are provided for your convenience. However, unless otherwise stated, it is your responsibility to determine the requirements that apply to you and your trip and to comply with them, including obtaining any necessary visas or other travel documents by the required deadlines and carrying them with you. Especially with COVID-19, requirements are subject to change, so check back for the latest before you depart.

Originating from

Passport

Departing

COVID-19

Singapore Entry Requirements

Advice from our partner Sherpa

Thailand Entry Requirements

Advice from our partner Sherpa

General Requirements & Guidelines

In general, you must have a passport to travel abroad, which should be valid for at least six months after your return date. Passports expiring before then should be renewed as soon as possible. Passports contain at least 2 blank pages for each country visited. If your passport does not have this many pages, obtain a new passport as soon as possible.
if your passport and visa are not in order, airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding, countries may deny entry, and your trip may be disrupted. Travel insurance may not cover such losses.
Any changes in names or passport information should be reported to us immediately. Airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding if the name on your passport does not match your tickets.
Minors (age 17 or younger) departing and/or returning to the U.S. without parents or with only one parent may be required by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to present a notarized parental consent letter and/or unabridged birth certificate (more information). Many other countries have similar entry requirements, especially for minors traveling with a parent/guardian with a different surname; check with the consulates of all countries you'll be visiting to learn more.

Final Documents

Your final travel documents will be sent to you via email by 14 days prior to departure. These will include your daily itinerary, hotel and emergency contact information, and other relevant information. Please print your documents and take them with you. If you're departing in less than a week and haven't received your documents, let us know immediately!

Travel Insurance Documents

If you purchased travel insurance, please print and carry your policy documents, including contact information for emergency travel assistance and instructions on how to make a claim. If you purchased the travel protection plan we offer, we recommend you print the full policy.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

We encourage all U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows you to receive important updates about safety and security issues in your destination, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy, as well as family & friends, to contact you in case of an emergency. To enroll or get more information, please visit the STEP website or any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Flights, Transfers & Arrival

Questions about your flights before you depart? Read the information below first. If you still have questions, contact our air specialists at 800-555-5765 ext. 2 or air@friendlyplanet.com.

Flights & Tickets

For this package, we generally book your flights and issue tickets after your final payment due date.

If you requested flights from another city, our air specialists will research the best options and send you a tentative flight schedule and quote for your approval within 5 business days of your booking (or approximately 330 days prior to travel, if you booked further out than that).

Once we have issued your tickets, we'll send you an "e-ticket receipt" which contains all of your flight information, including times, carriers, an airline booking reference number, and an e-ticket number. If you have not received this, or have questions about the flights we booked for you, please contact our air department. You will not receive paper tickets. We recommend you print and carry a copy of your flight details, including the airline booking reference number and e-ticket number, as some airports require this to enter the terminal. You do not need to reconfirm your flights with the airline prior to your departure, as we will handle this for you.

Want to reserve specific seats?

That depends on the airline. You can usually request a window or aisle seat, and sometimes specific seat numbers (but not exit row and bulkhead seats) ahead of time. Many airlines now charge a fee for this, and such fees are not included in your package price. If you have a seat preference, let us know when you book, in the special requests section, or email us at air@friendlyplanet.com after you book. Then:

If your airline does not charge a fee to pre-assign seats: We'll happily pass along your seat request to the airline and confirm they received it (though we cannot guarantee it will be honored).

If your airline does charge a fee to pre-assign seats: We'll let you know. You'll need to contact the airline directly to request your seats after we have issued your flight tickets, and fees are payable directly to the airline.

If you do not request specific seats: The airline typically assigns them within 24 hours of departure. If you do not like your assigned seats, you may be able to change them, subject to availability, when you check in online or at the counter. Learn more about Advance Seat Reservations.

Want to request a special meal?

You can enter special meal requests when you book with an agent or complete your online registration, shortly after booking. We will relay your requests to the airlines and our representatives abroad, but we cannot guarantee they will be honored. Please double check meal requests with your airline 72 hours before departure, and with our representatives upon arrival.

Looking to earn frequent flyer miles?

You may be able to earn frequent flyer points for your flights. Contact the airline directly once you receive your tickets to enter your frequent flyer number in your flight record, or enter it when you check in. As you travel, check your tickets or ask the check-in or gate agent prior to boarding each flight to ensure the number has been entered properly. And just to be safe, keep your boarding passes and passenger receipt as proof that you have actually flown the miles you want credited to your account.

Interested in upgrading to business class or premium economy?

Cabin upgrades may be available on your flights. Ask us about price and availability when you book online, in the special requests section, or contact our air department after you book. Please note that our special contracted airfare rates generally do not permit upgrading with frequent flyer points, and that upgrade requests may incur change fees if tickets have already been issued.

Flight Schedule

You may review the sample flight schedule(s) below. This information is for general planning purposes. You will receive your actual flight schedule by email once we issue your tickets.

If you requested flights from another city, our air specialists will research the best options and send you a tentative flight schedule for your approval, and a confirmed schedule once we issue your tickets.

Airlines may change schedules at any time, even after flights have been confirmed, and we are not responsible for such changes. Please check for updates to your flight schedule prior to booking any connecting flights and again 72 hours prior to departure.

Sample Flight Schedule

DEPARTURE
Flight	From	To	Depart	Arrive	Flight Time
SQ 37	Los Angeles (LAX)	Singapore (SIN)	11:40 PM	7:50 AM (2 days later)	17.10 hrs
RETURN
Flight	From	To	Depart	Arrive	Flight Time
SQ 709	Bangkok (BKK)	SIN	3:30 PM	6:55 PM	2.35 hrs
SQ 38	SIN	LAX	8:45 PM	9:40 PM	15.55 hrs

Singapore Airlines' (SQ) toll-free number is 1-833-727-0118.

Connecting Flights

If you need to fly from (and/or return to) a different U.S. or Canadian city, we suggest you request those flights from us. If feasible, we will try to book all your flights together with a single carrier or a partner network on a single ticket. This ensures that your luggage will be transferred between flights for you, and more importantly, that if there are any schedule changes, flight cancellations, or delays that affect your trip, the airline(s) will adjust your flights to ensure you have sufficient time to make your connections and/or make alternate arrangements to get you to your destination. Besides offering the most peace of mind, this often yields lower fares than purchasing separate connecting flights.

If you plan to purchase connecting flights to your departure city, we strongly suggest waiting until after your final payment due date and after you receive the e-tickets for your international flights, to reduce the chances that that your departure might be cancelled or rescheduled or that your international flight times might change. Before purchasing connecting flights, verify the times for your international flights. Leave at least 3½ hours connecting time between flights, and if you're traveling within a few weeks of Daylight Savings Time changes (in March and November, when flight schedules may change even more dramatically), allow 5–5½ hours between flights. Nobody likes waiting around the airport, but missing your flight is far worse!

Airport Transfers

Scheduled group airport arrival and departure transfers are included with this package. When you arrive in each country, an English-speaking airport representative will meet you at the arrivals hall to direct you to the airport transfer that will take you to the hotel.

Arrival Complications

We make every effort to ensure our tours run smoothly and trouble-free. We don't expect any problems, and nor should you. But when things don't go as planned, here's what to do:

You miss your flights, or your flights are cancelled: Please call us immediately. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox, with a phone number at which to reach you, and we'll get right back to you.
Your flights are delayed and you're worried about missing your included transfers: Please contact us to let us know about the delay, and we will notify our partners in destination. If you are arriving on one of our group flights, or booked your own flights and supplied us with the details, our partners will be tracking your arrival and will plan accordingly.
Your package includes transfers, but you can't find our representative at your destination: Don't panic—they may have been unexpectedly delayed. Wait up to 30 minutes. Then contact our local partners in destination, listed on the emergency contact page of your final documents. If you can't reach them, call us. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox. If all else fails, make your own way to the starting hotel (or cruise port), and we'll refund you the cost of your transfer.

Packing & Luggage

Baggage allowance: In general, our tours & packages allow per person: one checked bag, not to exceed 44 pounds; one personal item such as a purse or camera bag; and one carry-on bag, which should fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment. If your trip includes domestic flights within your destination and/or travel by motor coach, your carry-on should also fit should also fit under your seat or in the overhead bins on those flights or coaches.

Learn more about Baggage Allowances on your international flights. Note that our baggage allowances may be less than those for your international flights. If you exceed the baggage limits, you may be subject to excess baggage charges levied by the airlines and/or by Friendly Planet.

Regardless of the limits—we recommend a smaller size and weight for both your checked and carry-on bags. It's so much easier and faster for you to get around when you have fewer, lighter bags! For your carry-on, consider a soft-sided bag such as a duffel rather than a hard clamshell-type case, which may not fit as easily into overhead compartments or under your seat, especially on buses. For your protection, we suggest your checked luggage have a TSA-approved lock.

Luggage tags: For your safety, we are no longer mailing Friendly Planet luggage tags to you. We encourage you to use your own. Fill in the luggage tags with your name and contact information and attach to each bag, including carry-ons and camera cases, so that your luggage can be identified should it get misplaced during your trip.

What to pack: Check out our list of top 10 must-haves for international travel, as well as what not to pack. Pack smart: put your travel documents, medications, one change of clothing, and other essentials in your carry-on, in case your checked baggage is misplaced. And pack light, for your own comfort and convenience. For clothing, we suggest packing a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.

What not to pack: U.S. law forbids you to carry hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your checked or carry-on baggage or on your person, including explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids & solids, loaded firearms, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Common examples include paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, mace/tear gas and oxygen bottles. Restricted materials may vary by airline and destination. Some items, in quantities of no more than 70 ounces total, may be carried within baggage, including medicinal or toilet articles such as hairspray, perfume and certain medicines that are necessary during your journey. Please check with the airline and/or visit the FAA website prior to travel if you have any questions.

While on Tour

What to Expect

This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking over uneven surfaces and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.

Remember that you're a guest in someone else's homeland, and that you're traveling to experience their country and culture. Be sensitive to local customs and manners, as many things may be done differently than what you're used to. And while we have made every effort to secure modern and comfortable accommodations and transportation, please note that the standards in other countries may be different from those you are accustomed to at home. Overall, you will find a polite, positive, patient, and open-minded approach generally yields the best travel experience!

Eating & Drinking

The meals included with your package are listed in the itinerary.

Singaporean cuisine hails from Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian influence, due to its history and geography. Eat your way through Singapore’s famous Hawker Food Centers, and you can even try food from hawker stands that have earned Michelin stars!

Indonesian cuisine is mouthwatering and hearty, with dishes that use a lot of spices and chili’s. Satay or skewered meat is common on most Indonesian menus, but the recipe flavors can vary throughout the country. You will certainly try to find the best satay on the island once you get a taste.

Non-included meals: Your guides will be glad to direct you to good restaurants that are both local to the area and inexpensive. While English may not be widely spoken in such restaurants, they normally have pictures of popular dishes displayed in their menu and you can point out your choice to the server. Your hotels while on tour will have several dining choices, from coffee shops to specialty restaurants. Average cost for lunch and dinner (not including drinks) in the shops in Singapore will be about $15 - $50 per person, per meal. The restaurants and cafes in Bali are relatively inexpensive. The average cost for lunch and dinner (not including drinks) in Bali will be about $15-$25 per person, per meal. Your hotels accept credit card payments for non-included meals.

Please see above for special meal requests.

Tipping

You will be traveling in the company of a professionals who are very committed to making your tour the dream vacation you are counting on. These people feel great pride in being given a chance to show foreign visitors their country. If your guide, driver and others with whom you are traveling are doing a good job, please take our suggestions for tipping seriously. Naturally, tipping is personal and voluntary, and if you have not received good service, your tip should reflect this fact.

The recommended amounts are as follows:

Guide: $6-8 per person per day
Driver: $2-3 per person per day
Porter: $1 per bag
Housekeeping: $1 per person per day
Restaurant staff: $1 per person

In Singapore, most restaurants, bars & hotels include a 10% service charge in the bill. Tipping is not customary or expected, but a modest tip to the guide and drivers will be appreciated.

Optional Excursions

Optional excursions in Singapore must be prepaid; they will not be available for purchase in Singapore.

Optional excursions in Bangkok can be purchased locally; however, space will be subject to availability, and the local selling price may be higher. Payments may be made directly to the guide by cash (in local currency or US dollars) or by major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). Credit card payments may be subject to a 3.5% card surcharge.

Independent Activities

Your hotels are within a short distance to a multitude of activities and places to visit. Explore the Hindu and Buddhist temples in Bali; admire the floral exhibits and marvel at the futuristic structures at the Gardens by the Bay, and savor Michelin starred meal at the Hawker’s market in Singapore or shop to your heart’s content.

If you decide to not participate in the group activities and explore on your own instead, please make sure to inform your guide in advance. There is NO refund for unused group arrangements. We recommend that you ask the front desk for a business card of the hotel with the address and local phone number in both the local script and English. Or take the name of the hotel and phone number (written in the local language and in English) with you so that you can communicate with taxi drivers. The hotel staff will gladly assist you with these translations.

Special Needs & Requests

Please see above for special meal requests and seat requests. If you have any other special requests, including wheelchair or electric cart assistance, please mention your request when you book with an agent, or in the special requests section when you book online. We will do our best to accommodate them!

Country FAQs

Singapore Fast Facts

Overview	Capital: Singapore Population: 5.535 million Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD) Languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English Drives on the: Left Time zone: SGT (UTC +8)
Health Precautions & Vaccinations	Center for Disease Control World Health Organization
Weather	When traveling to Singapore, Feburary is the hottest month with an average temperature of 81° F and the coldest is January at 79° F. The peak time to travel to Singapore is from March until May.
Tipping	Upscale restaurants: 10% Hotel restaurants: 10% Porters: SGD $3 In Singapore you'll be expected to pay small amounts in order to get things done, as well as to reward for jobs already accomplished.
Money & Credit Cards	Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.
Shopping	Shop for Asian antiques and artifacts, gold plated orchids, herbal supplements, watches and jewlery, decoration items and curios.
Electricity & Power Adapters	230 volts. Plug G. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world.
Cell Phones & Internet	Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the 5 ways to get Internet abroad.
Did you know?	Singapore has 5 official languages. Singapore is ranked 8th on the list of countries with the most skyscrapers, with a total of 84. Merlion, the national symbol of Singapore, is actually 1 year older than the country. Singapore is made up of 63 islands. Even though it is often called “The Lion City,” a lion has never been seen in Singapore.

Thailand Fast Facts

Overview	Capital: Bangkok Population: 67.9 million Currency: Thai baht Languages: Thai Drives on the: Left Time zone: GMT +7
Health Precautions & Vaccinations	Malaria is not present in major cities. Although not required, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis vaccinations should be considered if you're going to remote areas. If you get nipped by a dog, even in Bangkok, get checked for rabies. Skin infections are common—even the smallest wound should be disinfected and covered with a bandage. Center for Disease Control World Health Organization
Weather	Thailand's climate is always hot and humid; the highlands are typically 10 degrees cooler. November through February is the best time to go when the days are milder. March thru May is extremely hot, with temperatures into the low 100's. The rainy season is May through October.
What to wear	Since weather can be unpredictable anywhere in the world and to be sure you are comfortable during your trip and prepared for all types of weather possibilities, we suggest that you carry a small folding umbrella. If you have two pairs of comfortable (broken in, not brand new) walking shoes, by all means, take both pairs. In the warm climates of Thailand, you’ll find that cotton and lightweight clothing will be the most comfortable. Take some lightweight slacks as well as shorts. Please be sure to have respectable attire for visits to temples and religious sites, and wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Jungle exploring is often more comfortable with covered legs! Plan to dress in layers, so you can adjust your wardrobe according to the weather conditions of the moment. Remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe for the tour, and casual clothes are in order for most every occasion as you travel. All hotels provide laundry service for a small fee.
Money & Credit Cards	The local currency of Thailand is the baht. Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency. Your hotel will be able to exchange your cash for local currency. We highly recommend that you bring crisp, new bills in small denominations. Old, torn, crumpled bills are not accepted. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted in Thailand. If you intend to use traveler’s checks, please verify that they are still accepted in the places visited in this program. Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.
Shopping	Thailand is famous for its silk (silk from Jim Thompson is good quality). Shop also for lacquerware, painted umbrellas, bronze, silver, temple bells, celadon pottery, tribal weavings, custom-made shoes, opium weights and pillows, and carved water buffalo bells. Beware of copycat items in Thailand from clothes to watches. Some 24 carat gold is also somewhat less than 100% pure, but crafted well. You will certainly have time for shopping. Your guides will no doubt have some favorite shopping places, where the vendors are known, provide good quality merchandise and probably pay some sort of commission from sales to the guide. This should not surprise or offend you. This is how business is done throughout the world. Be cautious when you shop, especially if you are buying jewelry or other valuable items. If you plan to buy jewelry or other expensive items, be sure to inspect the items before you leave the store. Most stores will not allow you to return or exchange purchased items.
Electricity & Power Adapters	220 volts. Plugs A & C. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world.
Cell Phones & Internet	Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the 5 ways to get Internet abroad.
Photography	Cameras and video recorders are permitted, and photography is generally permitted everywhere except at airports and military installations. Memory cards for digital cameras will be available in major cities.
Did you know?	There are no written instructions for building a long-tail boat. The crafter creates the design in his or her head, and the boat is constructed from the imagination! There are more than 30,000 temples that are actively used. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a small-scale version of Angkor Wat, the most famous temple complex in Cambodia. Eating fried scorpion is common in Thailand. How’s that for local cuisine?! The town of Lopburi hosts a Monkey Festival once a year. There are songs, dances, and a speech by the governor. The monkeys are treated to a massive buffet meal.

Fine Print

Terms & Conditions: Please review our terms & conditions for this package.

Cancellations: If something comes up and you need to cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation fees vary by package; please see the cancellation fees for this package.