Singapore to Raja Ampat

[billt4sf]

@chillyinCanada this question is best answered in a new thread, since others may have better ideas that what we have done. I'm sure many people have done it more than I have!

New
@billt4sf, how do you fly to Raja, please? I need to get to Raja from Singapore and then afterwards go to Bali.
Of course, then from Bali to Singapore but that should be easy not to need concern myself about a lesser carrier.

What we plan to do (after staying a week in Singapore) is:

Garuda SIN>CGK 15-Jan GA 839 Leave 20:20 Arrive 21:15 Time of flight 1h55
Garuda CGK>SOQ 16-Jan GA 682 Leave 00:30 Arrive 06:35 Time of flight 4h05

We follow that up with a one-night stand (a two-night reservation, since we arrive in the early AM) at our "fav" Swiss-Bel Hotel in So Wrong.

--------------------

Coming back, we have:

SOQ > AMQ 4-Feb GA7639 Leave 13:15 Arrive 14:35
AMQ > CGK 4-Feb GA647 Leave 15:30 Arrive 16:55
CGK > SIN 4-Feb GA822 Leave 19:30 Arrive 22:20


It sucks, but...well...I haven't found anything I like better.

- Bill

 

[chillyinCanada]

Ok, but when you were living in Bali, how were you getting to So Wrong and back again. I'm trying very hard to miss red-eye flights, not to mention Jakarta, if at all possible

 

[chillyinCanada]

My flights last year weren't that bad but I don't actually recall who I flew with. LOL
Yes, I must book the Swiss Bell!! Thanks for reminding me.

 

[billt4sf]

Hi Chili:

Sorry about the delay in responding.

First off, the part of the airport in CGK that is for Garuda is very very nice! I don't think you'd have a problem waiting there. I believe there is a nice hotel in the airport itself.

When we go from Bali, we use Garuda and take an evening flight to Makassar, get the Ibis hotel for several hours, then continue on with Garuda at around 03.15 IIRC, arriving SOQ at like 6AM. I reserve a room at SwissBell from the night before *and* the next night so we arrive a day before the boat leaves in case there is a delay.

It's either that, a discount airline, or a red-eye from CGK I think. No option is great; however I content myself with the knowledge that, if there *were* a great option, RA would be even more crowded than it is now.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Bill

 

[chillyinCanada]

Hi Chili:

Sorry about the delay in responding.

First off, the part of the airport in CGK that is for Garuda is very very nice! I don't think you'd have a problem waiting there. I believe there is a nice hotel in the airport itself.

When we go from Bali, we use Garuda and take an evening flight to Makassar, get the Ibis hotel for several hours, then continue on with Garuda at around 03.15 IIRC, arriving SOQ at like 6AM. I reserve a room at SwissBell from the night before *and* the next night so we arrive a day before the boat leaves in case there is a delay.

It's either that, a discount airline, or a red-eye from CGK I think. No option is great; however I content myself with the knowledge that, if there *were* a great option, RA would be even more crowded than it is now.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Bill

Thanks Bill!
This year, I need to go Singapore to Sorong and return, to Bali. Still trying to figure it out. Did find Garuda flight to get there, through Jakarta, sigh, and red eye, though that's starting to look unavoidable also, may not have any choice but to leave 2 days early from what I can tell. Garuda's site won't let me select a multi only one way or return. Annoying

 

[billt4sf]

Chilly I think you can return on daytime flights

through Makassar: SOQ>UPG>DPS

or through Jakarta SOQ>CGK>DPS.


Be advised that (I think) Garauda doesn't load up its flight schedules a year in advance. You might have to wait until your trip is a few months out.

- Bill

 

[Dogbowl]

Hi Chili:

Sorry about the delay in responding.

First off, the part of the airport in CGK that is for Garuda is very very nice! I don't think you'd have a problem waiting there. I believe there is a nice hotel in the airport itself.

When we go from Bali, we use Garuda and take an evening flight to Makassar, get the Ibis hotel for several hours, then continue on with Garuda at around 03.15 IIRC, arriving SOQ at like 6AM. I reserve a room at SwissBell from the night before *and* the next night so we arrive a day before the boat leaves in case there is a delay.

It's either that, a discount airline, or a red-eye from CGK I think. No option is great; however I content myself with the knowledge that, if there *were* a great option, RA would be even more crowded than it is now.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Bill

I did the same thing with Swiss Belhotel. Thank goodness the rooms are inexpensive!

 

[chillyinCanada]

Chilly I think you can return on daytime flights

through Makassar: SOQ>UPG>DPS

or through Jakarta SOQ>CGK>DPS.


Be advised that (I think) Garauda doesn't load up its flight schedules a year in advance. You might have to wait until your trip is a few months out.

- Bill

Thanks Bill. I'm not quite 6 weeks out!

 

[chillyinCanada]

I did the same thing with Swiss Belhotel. Thank goodness the rooms are inexpensive!

I didn't do that last year. Groan. Fortunately lobby is comfortable except for the really wanting to sleep part.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Anybody know anything about Favhotel?