First time traveller to Phillipines - NOW incl My Feedback

Depraved

This may be weird, but I've never travelled outside the country before (I'm in my 20's). However, I'll shortly be flying to The Philippines for 3 months (work related) and was looking for some info & advice.

It's a 2 flight journey and I was wondering about luggage transfer. Do I have to collect my luggage after the first flight and then check it in again or does it automatically get transferred to my next flight?

Does anyone have any tips for flying long distance? This is all completely new to me and I I'd feel foolish asking anyone I know.

Thanks

GreeBo

Confirm at the desk but its normal that luggage is transferred all the way.

Unless you booked each leg separately yourself of course.

Bring music and material to read, chances are your plane will have entertainment, but the headphones can be crap, better to bring your own.

I also bring ear plugs and an eye mask, much easier to sleep. some people use a neck cushion but I haven't personally found them to be that much use.

If you are booking your own seats, do you prefer aisle or window? Either way avoid the middle seat.

Depraved

Thanks.

Forgot to ask...Does anyone have any experience with The Philippines itself? Anything I should avoid or anywhere I should definitely visit (near Manila)?

ProudDUB

If you book both flights on the same itinerary, at the same time, your luggage will be checked thru to your final destination. You won't have to re claim it at airport A and recheck it to Airport B. That will happen as long as the airlines that you are traveling on have agreements to transfer baggge between their flights. Most of the worlds international and regional airlines have those agreements, so you will probably be ok.

However, if (for arguments sake) your final destination is serviced by a small regional airline within the Philippines itself, they may not have a baggage agreement and you may have to recheck your bags when you get there. If you tell us your itinerary and the airlines/airports you will be using, people here can probably tell you for sure.

Roselm

Bring several layers of clothing you can take on and off as the plane may be cold.
I brought slippers onto the plane so I could wear them while sleeping-more comfy than shoes.
Bring baby wipes and toothpaste etc in your carry on bag.
Bring a change of socks/underwear so you can change in the bathroom when you wake up and feel nice and fresh.

Depraved

ProudDUB wrote: »

If you tell us your itinerary and the airlines/airports you will be using, people here can probably tell you for sure.

Dublin to Abu Dhabi (UAE) with a 1h 50min layover. Then from there to Manila.

Flight is at 8:20 in the morning. So I guess I have to be in the Airport a good 2 hours before that??

Thank you all for such fast and helpful replies!!!

PatM65

Depending on how long your stopover is for you could probably have a shower in the airport. I travelled to Manila via Abu Dhabi and had a near 7 hour wait for connecting flight - had a shower and some sleep which made the journey much easier.

GreeBo

that 1:50 in abu dhabi can be tight enough, by the time you get off and get through security (unless flying business?) so dont dawdle there.

If its business class then enjoy your opulence

checkin should be 2 hours before at dublin 8:20 on a Monday morning could be very busy in Dublin, so plan ahead.

Depraved

FYI...found out when I arrived that they don't let you enter the Philippines unless you have booked a flight out.

Very very annoying. But, I was able to connect to the wifi in the airport, book a return flight 3 months ahead and all was fine. I came within 2 minutes of being rejected from entry though.

Also...I never knew there was so much paperwork. Medical report card, custom declaration cards etc.

Anyway..posting this here in case anyone else finds the thread as they have similar plans.