Dublin to Melbourne - Bad Flyer

Porklife

Hi Guys,

I'm going to Melbourne for the month of February and I'm starting to plan my route. I've been before twice and stupidly flew directly which nearly killed me. I am not a good flyer! My route was Dublin to Amsterdam to Singapore to Melbourne with a 4 hour wait in Singapore. It was horrible. It wasn't enough time to sleep or even properly relax so this time round, I've decided to do things right:)

I have claustrophobia and even struggle flying to London so I'm looking for recommendations on the easiest way to break this trip up without it costing me a fortune! I'd like to stopover somewhere for 2 - 3 nights and I've read that Changi airport in Singapore is fab for a brief stopover. Part of me wants to go to Toyko or Bangkok or somewhere and if I was travelling with someone I would, but as I'm on my own, part of me just wants to get to Oz!

I just know that I can't fly directly with small stopovers. I'll need to break it up or I'll completely freak out. I spend every flight talking myself off the ledge. I find bus journeys hard even, I just can't handle being confined.

Thanks a mill for any advice on keeping calm, getting through it and the best route greatly appreciated. I'm gonna ask my Doctor for valium for starters..

geecee

How about breaking the trip into 3 legs?
1. Dublin-> Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha (on Emirates, Etihad or Qatar)
2. Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha -> Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok
3. Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok -> Melbourne

That should give you 3 flights of similar length (7/8 hours)
Emirates have a Dubai stopover option with reasonably priced hotels

Alternatively try and get on an A380/A350 from Europe. The cabins on these planes are so much roomier than the Boeing 777/787s and should feel less claustrophobic

(Or fly Biz class if finances permit!)

Doltanian

Dubai, Abu Dhabi or maybe even Qatar, personally I'd go with Dubai.

Yamanoto

I've been to Tokyo on a handful of occasions with work (all by my lonesome) and loved it. Travelling solo shouldn't preclude you from enjoying & experiencing a place - indeed the fact your on your own often means you interact more with locals than you otherwise might.

I'd suggest you find a good deal to a hub in SE Asia, then use AirAsia to get to Oz. From Bangkok you can easily reach Cambodia or Malaysia / Singapore by train & make an adventure of it. Alternatively use AirAsia or another low cost carrier to get to Japan.

Paying a little extra for an emergency exit or bulkhead seat on the aisle should markedly alleviate your claustrophobia too.

Porklife

Thanks a million guys, much appreciated!

nobbin

Like you I'm planning trip to Melbourne solo next year. I plan to break up the journey in Doha with 2 nights in a 5* hotel for like less than €100 per night!