Holidays – The Wknd Travel

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 246 – Brisbane to Singapore – Underwhelming Catering but Sensational Cabin Crew Service on an Overnight Flight to the Lion City [September 2023]

After spending over a week in Australia, it was time to go home. I, together with my parents, flew with Singapore Airlines from Brisbane to Manila, with a 3.5-hour stop in Singapore. Allow me to share with you in today’s flight report how the sensational cabin crew service saved the disappointing and underwhelming catering onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ 246 from Brisbane to Singapore.

In case you missed it, I wrote about our flights to Australia with Singapore Airlines. I hope you can check both SQ 921 from Manila to Singapore and SQ 231 from Singapore to Sydney. I also shared with you how our domestic Virgin Australia flight VA 943 from Sydney to Brisbane went.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. This award-winning world-class airline is based at one of the world’s best airports, Singapore Changi Airport. The airline started as Malayan Airways in 1947; it then rebranded, and commenced operations as Singapore Airlines in 1972. The airline has been a top contributor in terms of the world’s revenue passenger kilometers and the number of international passengers carried worldwide.

The airline currently flies to over 70 destinations in more than 30 countries across five continents. Singapore Airlines is one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot. The airline’s previous regional subsidiary, Silk Air, has been incorporated into SQ’s operations as of March 2021.

Singapore Airline flies a modern aircraft fleet consisting of the Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 Max, and Boeing 737-800 NG. The airline is the world’s largest Airbus A350-900 operator, with 63 currently in service and two more on order. 7 of the 65 Airbus A350’s in service have the ultra-long range (ULR) premium (only business and premium economy class) configuration. These ULRs are mostly used on North American routes.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. It means that every flight includes all the necessary in-flight amenities and services you can think of. All SQ tickets include free check-in baggage, meals, and in-flight entertainment. The airline has a frequent flyer program called KrisFlyer & PPS Club. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, one of the world’s biggest airline alliance networks.

Singapore Airlines is not a new airline on this website. In fact, it is the second-most-reviewed airline after Cebu Pacific Air.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare

Last year, I got lucky to score affordable tickets to Australia with one of the world’s best airlines, Singapore Airlines. Believe it or not, this return ticket from Manila to Sydney via Singapore and Brisbane to Manila via Singapore only cost me $497 (US dollars). I got charged by my bank ₱27,845.92, including the foreign transaction service fee.

This affordable SQ ticket includes 25 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, 7 kilograms of carry-on baggage allowance, inflight meals and snacks, personal entertainment screens on all flights, and a 5-star flight experience with a well-trained cabin crew. Considering the ticket was booked only 5 months before the intended flight date, this was a bang for the buck. It was definitely a steal.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service and a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders are only required to present their valid passports and the E-Travel QR code upon entering the country’s borders. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to present other requirements, such as a valid visa or onward departure ticket. These requirements vary from one nationality to the other. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities regarding the updated entry requirements.

Before The Flight

Unlike previous Singapore Airlines flights, I did not receive any business class upgrade offers for this SQ 246 flight. I only got a flight check-in reminder on the airline’s mobile application 48 hours before this flight.

Upon getting the said check-in notification, I immediately chose our seats for both Brisbane to Singapore and Singapore to Manila flights and checked-in for both flights. Singapore Airlines allows its passengers to choose their seats for free during mobile or web check-in.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Brisbane-Singapore SQ 246 flight was operated by a 3-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This plane, delivered in October 2020, features the airline’s regional configuration with 40 lie-flat business class seats and 263 economy class seats.

Flight SQ 245 took off from Brisbane International Airport at 12:04 a.m. and landed at Singapore Changi Airport 22 minutes ahead of schedule at 5:22 a.m. local time. The flight took 7 hours and 18 minutes, a few minutes shorter than its declared flight time.

Ground & Airport Experience

Singapore Airlines departs from Brisbane International Airport Terminal 1 (International Terminal).

CHECK-IN

Check-in opened 3 hours and 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. All passengers are asked to check in and print boarding passes and luggage tags via the self-check-in kiosks. After this, passengers need to drop their luggage at the bag drop counters.

I printed our boarding passes and luggage tags on the self-check-in kiosks. Then, together with my parents, I walked to the self-bag drop counters to leave our bags. An airline ground staff member approached us during bag drop and offered her assistance.

The check-in and bag drop process only took us 10 minutes. Fast and efficient!

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went through security and immigration and spent the rest of the night in the pre-departure area. There is not much to do inside Brisbane Airport’s international terminal apart from enjoying the tropical vibe of the pre-departure area.

BOARDING

The ground staff announced boarding commencement at 11:08 p.m. They first called passengers traveling with infants and those needing special assistance. The ground staff then announced boarding for first class passengers, then for business class passengers and PPS Club members. They called in Star Alliance Gold and Krisflyer Elite members, followed by premium economy class passengers.

The staff called the economy class passengers last. They asked these passengers to board according to their assigned groups. The whole boarding process took 30 minutes.

The airline crew closed the aircraft doors at exactly 11:38 p.m. The aircraft pushed back two minutes later, at 11:40 p.m. and taxied to the runway for take-off.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Singapore-Brisbane flight was operated by one of Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The plane sports the regional seat configuration with 40 lie-flat business class seats and 263 standard economy seats. According to SeatGuru, each business class seat has a 60-inch seat pitch and a 28-inch seat width. The seats have a 1-2-1 configuration, with each seat having direct aisle access. All business class seats are equipped with a large personal entertainment screen paired with noise-canceling headphones. Each seat also includes a pillow, a blanket, several storage spaces, and a large tray table.

Economy class seats have a seat pitch of 28 inches and a seat width of 18 inches, slightly bigger than the Boeing 787-10’s 17.5-inch seat width. Each seat comes with a spacious leg room, an adjustable headrest, and a personal entertainment screen. Seats also feature a seat pocket with inflight safety cards, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, small storage space below the screen, a USB charging outlet, a comfortable pillow, and a universal power outlet in between seats. Blankets, face masks, and disinfectant surface wipes are available upon request.

I got aisle rear economy bulkhead seat 55D in the middle section on this 7-hour overnight flight to Singapore. I had more than usual leg room and did not worry about reclining seats throughout the flight. The only downside to having this seat is the frequent disturbance I get from people using the lavatory in front of me.

INFLIGHT MEALS

Singapore Airlines served supper and early morning refreshments on this Brisbane-Singapore flight. The dinner, snack, and drink options can be found in the airline’s inflight portal, Krisworld. The airline got rid of physical menus during the pandemic.

A little over an hour after take-off, the cabin crew served dinner. They offered two types of mains: wok-fried beef in oyster sauce with egg noodles and chicken and mushroom ragout. They served the mains with farro, corn and red bean salad, cheese and crackers, a bread roll and butter, a bottle of water, and a drink of choice – coffee, tea, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, or juice. The crew went around for the second time to serve iced cream for dessert and coffee, tea, or water to those who wanted.

2.5 hours before landing, the cabin crew commenced the refreshments service. They offered chicken pies and cheese and vegetable relish on ciabatta for snacks. They distributed these with coffee, tea, water, and/or fruit juice.

I went for the noodle option for dinner and got the chicken pies for refreshments. I was disappointed because both options tasted bland and lacked flavor. My parents had the same comments about the chicken and mushroom ragout dinner option. The only thing I enjoyed in the dinner service was the salted caramel ice cream.

An hour after dinner, I asked the crew if they had snacks, chips, or nuts. I told the crew I did not like the meal. Cabin crew Celine immediately said sorry and advised me she would find something for me. She came back after a few minutes and gave me two packs of biscuits, another serving of salted caramel ice cream, and a cup of water.

The catering on this flight was disappointing and underwhelming. A massive thank you to the salted caramel ice cream and to cabin crew Celine for saving the inflight meal experience.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, Krisworld, offers thousands of options for passengers to choose from. It has hundreds of movies, television series, and music albums from different parts of the world. It also has games and local Singaporean media for passengers to enjoy. It also features an inflight map, which shows the plane’s current position, its flight path, and other flight-related details. All these entertainment options can be accessed via the touch-screen personal monitors found in front of every seat.

The personal entertainment screen of rear economy bulkhead seat 55D is mounted on the wall. It still has the touch-screen feature but is mostly controlled using the remote due to its far and high position. It can still personalize the entertainment experience by logging in using your Krisflyer membership number. It has the same moving inflight map feature. The only thing it lacks is the presence of cameras, which passengers can view during the flight.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

In July 2023, Singapore Airlines started offering complimentary, unlimited onboard Wi-Fi access on all its flights, except for flights operated by Boeing 737-800s. Passengers are required to log in using their Krisflyer accounts to use the onboard Wi-Fi service. Those not registered with Krisflyer can register during the flight to access the said service.

The Wi-Fi connection onboard this flight worked well. It allowed me to post an Instagram story while cruising 30,000 feet above sea level. Props to Singapore Airlines for giving free access to its Krisflyer members.

LAVATORY

The middle economy class lavatories on this Airbus A350 aircraft were kept fragrant and clean throughout the flight. The cabin crew checked and cleaned these lavatories frequently. These also had amenities (dental kits and hand moisturizer) that passengers might need during the flight.

CABIN CREW SERVICE

The cabin crew service on this flight was sensational. In fact, the excellent service, paired with the salted caramel ice cream service, saved the flight experience against the disappointing inflight catering. The cabin crew assigned to our area, Celine, started the dinner service by asking how I was, what I wanted for dinner, and even offering her specialty drink (which was super good) as the drink option.

Celine also apologized when she found out that I was not happy with the dinner food. She gave me lemon crackers and another serving of salted caramel ice cream to make up for it. She made sure that my parents and I had an enjoyable flight to Singapore. A big shoutout to Celine, a wonderful SQ cabin crew member, for making our flying experience a memorable one.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

Upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport, the aircraft taxied to Terminal 3 Gate B9 for proper disembarkation. For some strange reasons, the inflight screens did not flash the onward assigned gates for passengers with connecting flights. The cabin crew announced which luggage belt number the checked bags would have available for claim. The luggage claim information was also flashed in the Singapore Airlines mobile application.

Disembarkation went by quickly. My parents and I found ourselves inside Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 in no time. We went to the nearby food court to get some breakfast because we were too hungry. We spent the rest of our layover in the food court and outside the assigned gate for our connecting flight to Manila.

Flight Experience

This pretty much sums up my Brisbane-Singapore SQ 246 flight with Singapore Airlines onboard their modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The flight may not be as ideal as my previous Singapore Airlines flights, but it still went smoothly. Allow me to share both the good and the bad about this flight.

First, the 4-sector ticket only cost me $497 (US dollars) or around ₱27,845.92 in local currency. The ticket itself was already a big win because it included 25 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, inflight meals, and personal entertainment screens on all four flights. It was definitely a steal.

Second, Singapore Airlines’ check-in system at Brisbane Airport was modern, quick, and efficient. The airline used automated check-in machines and bag drop counters for all passengers. Several ground staff were also present in case a passenger needed help or assistance during the process. Third, I got assigned to a bulkhead economy class seat for this overnight flight to Singapore. Thanks to this seat, I enjoyed extra leg room for the whole 7-hour flight.

Fourth, the aircraft’s Wi-Fi connection worked well during the flight. I managed to post a real-time Instagram story during the flight. Fifth, the salted caramel ice cream and the impressive cabin crew service saved this flight from the disappointing dinner and refreshment mains. The cabin crew assigned to my area, cabin crew Celine, gave sensational service throughout the flight. She embodied and showed me and my parents how SQ hospitality should be, despite the odds.

This flight was not all good; it also had its misses. First, both dinner mains and snack offerings were disappointing and underwhelming. The meals tasted bland and lacked flavor. Good thing the dinner service came with a tasty salted caramel ice cream for dessert.

Second, I noticed that the bulkhead economy personal entertainment screens were placed higher than the usual screens. I also saw that the screens were somewhat visible to the people behind me. Third, I might have missed it, but I believe the economy bulkhead seats do not have a cup holder or mirror in the seat features.

Lastly, I did not see the connections list on the personal entertainment screens when we were about to land at Singapore Changi Airport. I know the airline normally flashes the connecting flight information a few minutes before landing, but I did not see that usual feature on the screens before landing.

Nevertheless, I am glad that I chose to fly with Singapore Airlines for this Australian trip with my parents. I cannot wait to fly with them again in the future.

Here is a summary of the geeky details of this flight:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 3 September 2023
Flight Number: SQ 246
Route: Brisbane, Australia (BNE) to Singapore (SIN)
Duration: 7 hours and 18 minutes
Seat Number: 55D
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SHR
Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 3-years-old
Delivered: October 2020

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Singapore Airlines on this intercontinental Brisbane to Singapore route.

Have you flown with Singapore Airlines in the past? How was your flight experience? Are you looking to book a ticket with the airline soon? If yes, let me know if you have questions so I can respond to them. post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines and other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Tokyo 2023: FUJIKAWAGUCHIKO – Successful Do-It-Yourself Day Tour to See Mount Fuji + Tips on How to Plan Your Own Trip [October 2023]

Last October 2023, I, together with some friends, flew to Tokyo for a few days to re-explore the city and to see what had changed since our previous visits. I went to Tokyo in 2015 with the same set of friends. I have also passed by the city multiple times after that 2015 trip, when I went to Fujikawaguchiko and Takayama in 2017, when I flew to Sapporo in 2018, and when I went to Nagano back in 2019. I have not been around Tokyo for a while, so I thought it was the perfect time to visit and stay longer in the city.

One of the most famous day trips outside of Tokyo is a visit to Fujikawaguchiko, or Hakone, to see the beautiful and famous Mount Fuji. On one of our days in Tokyo, my friends and I decided to go on a do-it-yourself trip to Fujikawaguchiko to see Mount Fuji (again) and to explore the town at our own pace. Allow me to share with you everything about this do-it-yourself day tour, from transportation to the route taken and to the places we visited.

Disclaimer: All the information below is true and correct as of October 14, 2023, our day trip day. Please note that schedules, fare costs, and other details can change at any time. Also, we missed Mount Fuji’s snow cap by 2 days. The first snow cap for the autumn 2023 season showed up two days later.

Fujikawaguchiko

Fujikawaguchiko is a Japanese resort town in Yamanashi Prefecture. This famous town surrounds one of Fuji’s five lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko. It is one of the best places to see the beautiful Mount Fuji. The town is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Tokyo, with thousands of visitors each day.

In case you missed it, I visited Fujikawaguchiko back in 2017. I stayed in town for 2 full days and 2 nights, and I got the chance to see Mount Fuji in its glory. Check out the previous trip here.

Tokyo ⇿ Fujikawaguchiko

Fujikawaguchiko is a little over 110 kilometers away from Tokyo Station. The fastest and most comfortable way to go to Fujikawaguchiko from Tokyo and back is by taking the highway buses that run between these two places. These buses leave from multiple areas in Tokyo, such as Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, and a lot more. All these buses terminate their service at Kawaguchiko Station.

My friends and I booked our bus tickets with Willer Express and chose the earliest departure (6:50 a.m.) from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit. On the way back, we got the 5:30 p.m. schedule from Kawaguchiko Station back to Tokyo Station. The return bus ticket cost us ¥4,120 each. My bank charged me ₱1,618.10 for the ticket, including the foreign transaction service fee.

Day Tour Route

My friends and I arrived at Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit around 6:30 a.m. We went to a nearby convenience store and bought food for the bus trip. We went back to the bus boarding area and got on the bus a few minutes before the scheduled departure time. At exactly 6:50 a.m., we left Tokyo Station and took a 2.5-hour bus trip to Mount Fuji Station.

We got off at Mount Fuji Station, or Fujisan Station, the stop before Kawaguchiko Station. From here, we took the local bus (¥100 fare) to Shimoyoshida Station. We passed by the famous Honcho Street, but we did not get off the street.

From Shimoyoshida Station, we walked and hiked up to Arakurayama Sengen Park and got a glimpse of Mount Fuji with the famous Chureito Pagoda. We hiked up further and found a covered rest area where we spent a considerable amount of time resting and relaxing while looking at Mount Fuji and enjoying the cold weather.

We walked down the hill and back to Shimoyoshida Station. We took the 13-minute Fujikyuko Local Line train (¥310 fare) to Kawaguchiko Station. Then, we walked to the famous nearby Lawson convenience store and had lunch inside. We crossed the street and took photos of this convenience store from the other side of the road.

After having lunch and taking photos, we walked back to Kawaguchiko Station and took the red sightseeing bus to Oishi Park in Lake Kawaguchiko. The bus trip took close to an hour due to traffic and multiple stops, and it cost ¥570 per person. We skipped the maple corridor because it was too early for the autumn leaves.

We walked along the Flower Street in Oishi Park, took some photos, enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji with the red kochia (summer cypress) plants and other flowers, and got ourselves a cone of soft-serve ice cream perfect for the not-so-cold weather. At quarter before 4:00 p.m., we took the same red sightseeing bus back to Kawaguchiko Station. We paid another ¥570 bus fare per person. We spent the remaining time at Kawaguchiko Station and waited for our bus to arrive.

We boarded our bus a few minutes past 5:30 p.m. We left Kawaguchiko Station right after sunset and arrived at Tokyo Station before 8:00 p.m.

Do-It-Yourself Day Tour Tips

I have been to Fujikawaguchiko twice, and I want to share some tips on how you can make the most of your do-it-yourself trip.

First, identify the top places you want to visit. Fujikawaguchiko is a big resort town with many great places to visit. It is impossible to go to all these places in just a day. Like what we did above, we have identified Arakurayama Sengen Park, Chureito Pagoda, Lawson Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Oishi Park as the only places we want to see on this day tour. Either you stay for a few days in town or you go back for the others in the next visit.

Second, figure out the route you want to take. As much as possible, refrain from going back and forth between places. To save time and make the most of the day tour, plan the route you want to take on your day tour. Plan, but do not over plan.

Third, always check the weather forecast before planning what day you will visit Fujikawaguchiko. This will give you an idea of when the best day is to go to see Mount Fuji in its glory.

Fourth, make the most of the day tour by taking the first bus out of Tokyo. You will have more time to go around the town if you take the earliest bus out of Tokyo. Also, make sure to visit the bus boarding place at least a day before your trip to know where you will go on the day of your trip.

Fifth, book your bus tickets ahead of time, up to at least days before your desired day trip. While bus tickets can be bought on the day of your tour, there is no guarantee that you will get your preferred schedule or trip time. Bus tickets are available at the Willer Express website.

Sixth, be knowledgeable of the train and bus trip schedules and intervals. This will help you navigate your schedule on the day of the trip.

Seventh, do not forget to bring a bottle of water or tumbler with drinking water. The day tour has a lot of walking and hiking. You will surely need water to get through the day.

Eighth, relax and enjoy every single moment of the day trip. Do not let any small inconvenience ruin your beautiful day with Mount Fuji.

Ultimately, it is ideal to stay in Fujikawaguchiko for 2-3 days if your schedule and Japan itinerary allow you to do so. If not, I hope the tips above will help you plan your do-it-yourself Mount Fuji day trip.

This sums up our Mount Fuji day tour from Tokyo on October 14, 2023. I hope I gave you some information on how to do it yourself. I also hope you found the tips helpful in planning and executing your own do-it-yourself trip.

Do you have any questions about Fujikawaguchiko or anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comment section below. You may also send you questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s write-up about the DIY Fujikawaguchiko trip. Please stay tuned for more Tokyo 2023 travel blogs. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow, and share my social media pages, Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

HANOI Weekend Photoblog: 3 Fun-Filled & Spontaneous Days around the Vietnamese Capital City

Early this year, my friend and I flew to the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi for a quick 3-day weekend getaway. We came across a ₱1 base fare ticket mid-last year and immediately took the chance to visit this beautiful city. We have heard great things about the place, so we decided to give it a go.

We did not get the chance to plan things out before the trip. We showed up to the airport with only a return ticket, a booked place to stay (accommodation) and an airport transfer – no planned itineraries, no booked tours and no whatsoever. Thankfully, the trip turned out fun and memorable despite everything being decided on the spot.

Allow me to share with you details and photos of this spontaneous and fun-filled trip to Vietnam’s beautiful capital city, Hanoi.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam; it is the second-most populous city next to Ho Chi Minh City. The city is in the northern part of the country, within the Red River Delta. The city used to be the capital of French Indochina back in the day. The influence is evident in the city’s centuries-old architecture and rich culture, particularly in the Old Quarter area.

Airfare

We took advantage of Cebu Pacific Air’s ₱1 base fare promotion in August 2022 and got our return tickets for a little over ₱5,000. The ticket included the usual 7-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance per way and a randomly assigned seat on both flight sectors.

My friend booked a return ticket to Hanoi and paid ₱5,338.17. On the other hand, I paid for a ticket to Hanoi and back from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and paid ₱5,059.62. I spent a few more days in Saigon after Hanoi and met up with friends whom I had not seen in a long while.

The return fares above are a little bit pricier than the recent ₱1 base fare tickets in recent months. However, considering the high prices of everything, including jet fuel, these days, the tickets we paid for are still a bang for the buck.

After Hanoi, I flew to Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines and tried their widebody business class product in a domestic flight. Check out the Vietnam Airlines business class flight report here.

Accommodation

Hanoi has thousands of affordable accommodations to choose from. The city’s accommodation rates are on the affordable side compared to the other capital cities in Southeast Asia. It also has a wide range of popular and local hotels, family-owned guesthouses, and backpacker-friendly hostels and homestays.

My friend and I booked a 3-night stay with Hanoi House Hostel & Travel. We paid VND 1,950,000 (roughly ₱4,500) for a twin room with a private toilet and shower. We paid around ₱750 per person per night for a large twin room with a refrigerator, television, work table, and fast Wi-Fi. We also enjoyed complimentary breakfast for 3 mornings.

One of the many available breakfast options at Hanoi House Hostel. Phở for breakfast. Why not?

Hanoi House Hostel & Travel is a nice place to stay when in Hanoi. The hostel’s location in the Old Quarter is central and very close to pretty much everything, including Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ta Hien Beer Street (Beer Street Hanoi).

Going around Hanoi

Going around Hanoi is easy. Like any other Vietnamese city, the best way to go around the city is by driving a motorcycle. These are available for rental practically everywhere. If you do not know how to drive a motorcycle, you can opt to take the local bus, a taxi, or Grab (GrabCar or GrabBike). Another way to explore the city is by renting a bicycle and riding it around the city.

The best way to explore the city during a cold month (like our visit in January) is by foot. One can easily walk to many places within and nearby the Old Quarter.

Places Visited in Hanoi

We arrived in Hanoi with no pre-trip research or plans. We managed to visit a few places even without any plans. Let me share with you the ones we visited.

Day 1 – Mausoleum Complex & Old Quarter

After dropping our stuff at the hostel, we took a GrabCar to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex. We went inside the Mausoleum, checked out the Presidential Palace, Stilt House, and the Museum. Then, we walked to the nearby Hanoi Botanical Garden to check out the place before heading back to the Old Quarter for lunch.

We went inside our room afterwards and took a nap. A few hours later, we explored the Old Quarter area and walked to St. Joseph Cathedral and Hoàn Kiếm Lake. We met with another Indonesian friend for dinner and finished the day with drinks at Ta Hien Beer Street (Beer Street Hanoi).

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Presidential Palace

Stilt House

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Hanoi Botanical Garden

Hanoi Old Quarter

Bún Chả + Beer for Lunch

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Hanoi Old Quarter at Night

Ta Hien Beer Street

Day 2 – Halong Bay Cruise Day Tour

We went to Halong Bay on our second day in Hanoi. The cruise day tour included pick-up from and drop-off at Hanoi after the tour, seafood lunch onboard the cruise, and visits to a local pearl store, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, and Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave.

After the day tour, we headed back to our hostel to freshen up. Then, we met up with new friends we met on the tour for dinner in Old Quarter and drinks on the Beer Street.

Ha Long Pearl

Ha Long Bay Cruise

Hòn Ti Tốp / Ti Top Island

Hang Luồn / Luon Cave

Hang Sửng Sốt / Sung Sot Cave

Hanoi Old Quarter at Night – Part 2!

Hủ Tiếu Khô + Beer for Dinner

Ta Hien Beer Street Again!

Day 3 – Walkathon Around the City

We spent our last day literally walking around the city with new friends from the tour the day before. We went to the controversial Hanoi Train Street, the Temple of Literature, and Trấn Quốc Pagoda. We had delicious local dishes and banana coffee in between the long walks. Our last day ended with another party night at Beer Street.

Hanoi Old Quarter in the Morning

Hanoi Train Street

Hủ Tiếu Khô again for Lunch!

Temple of Literature

Trấn Quốc Pagoda

Ta Hien Beer Street for the Last Time!

This pretty much sums up everything about our 3-day trip around Hanoi. The 3 days around the city went by smoothly, despite everything being planned on the spot. The spontaneity of the itinerary made the visit exciting, interesting, and memorable.

Have you been to Hanoi on your previous trips? How did you find the city? Share your memorable experiences and discoveries in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the details mentioned and shown above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s blogpost. I will surely visit Hanoi again in the future and I will take time to visit the nearby city of Ninh Binh and the iconic town of Sa Pa. I do not know when exactly will that be but I hope it will be in the next few years.

Before you leave, I hope you can like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts and itineraries on this website. See you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

A Dream Come True Part 2: 24 DAYS Around FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN For Less Than ₱170,000 ALL IN – Airfare, Accommodation, Food, Museum Tickets & Transportation Included

I flew to Europe alone in 2019 and explored 4 countries – The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark – for 19 days and spent a little over ₱117,000 for everything. The total expense included return flights via Singapore Airlines, hostel accommodations, visa application fees, travel insurance and daily expenses. Cheap-o, right? I honestly cannot believe I did it that time. I hope you can check out all the details of this life-changing EU solo trip here – Going Solo in Europe category.

Fast forward to 2022 when prices of everything went up, I did not think I will be able to do it again. In early to mid-2022, my friends and I talked about flying to Europe for a few weeks towards the end of the year. After months and weeks of planning and visa applications, we finally flew to Europe in November 2022 for holiday. I, with some friends, went around France, Italy and Spain for 24 days.

Guess what? I spent a little over ₱167,000 ALL IN for this 3.5-week trip! Curious how I made it happen? Let me share the breakdown of travel expenses below.

Air Tickets

Back in 2020, I booked a ticket with Emirates from Hong Kong to Munich and back from Budapest to Hong Kong for only HK$4,039 or ₱27,072.73 for October 2020. The pandemic happened; I was not able to use that ticket.

Luckily, Emirates offered the most flexible option for tickets booked that year. They offered to keep the ticket and extended its validity for 3 years. They allowed passengers to book their tickets when they are ready to fly. On top of that, they also allowed the passengers to change the airports of origin and destination as long as the airports are within the same Emirates region. Emirates also waived all fare difference, rebooking and change fees.

After securing my tourist visa last October 2022, I called Emirates and advised them my preferred dates and flight schedules. I got my new ticket in less than a minute after I ended the call. I wrote about my Emirates flight experiences last year under the Flight Reports category – EK 335 Manila to Dubai, EK 073 Dubai to Paris CDG, EK 256 Barcelona to Dubai and EK 332 Dubai to Manila. I hope you can check them out.

My friends and I also booked our inter-country tickets before flying to Europe. We flew with Air France from Paris, France to Rome Italy and paid ₱6,854.74 for a one-way ticket. After Milan, my friends all flew back to Manila while I continued my journey to Barcelona. I flew with Vueling from Milan, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. I got my ticket 2 months before the trip and paid ₱3,442.29 for this one-way ticket.

On top of these flights, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Filipinos going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

Accommodation

I mentioned in my 2019 Euro trip summary that accommodations in the continent are expensive. After the pandemic, I noticed that accommodation rates got more expensive in general. I still cannot afford staying in these hotels and private rooms so I opted in staying with hostels again! I am happy I found a travel buddy / friend who is also keen on staying in hostels to save some cash. Just like before, I stayed in popular and high-rated hostels found in central and well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels for 4 nights in Paris (€147 paid during check-in), The Romehello for 5 nights in Rome (€89,26 paid through Agoda days before check-in), YellowSquare Florence for 4 nights in Florence (€95,60 paid during check-in), YellowSquare Milan for 4 nights in Milan (€109,24 paid during check-in) and YEAH Hostel Barcelona for 4 nights in Barcelona (₱5,589.42 paid through Agoda in Philippine Peso).

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip.

I got my travel insurance from Oona Insurance (previously known as Mapfre Insurance) and paid ₱1,969.43 (€34.95) for a 35-day coverage.

Schengen Tourist Visa

I applied for my own tourist visa with the Italian Embassy in the Philippines’ Visa Center – VIA Italy. I paid ₱4,494 (€80) for the visa fee and ₱1,350 for the visa handling fee including the courier fee / service. I opted for the passport pick-up to make sure I get the visa in time for my trip. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa from VIA Italy without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Travelling around Europe is a lot easier when you are connected to the internet throughout the trip. I did not want to get lost during the trip so I ordered a 3UK internet sim card from Travel Sim PH Shopee Store (not sponsored). I got the sim card that has 12GB data allocation valid for 1 month after activation. I paid ₱1,521 for this sim card including shipping fee and had it delivered at home weeks before the trip.

Pre-Booked Tickets & Tours

Weeks before our trip, my friend and I booked several tickets that we will use for the trip. We booked our bus tickets from Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and the return bus tickets to Serravalle Designer Outlet. We also booked entry tickets to museums like the Vatican Museums in Vatican, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Last Supper in Milan. We also booked day trips to the Colosseum in Rome, Tuscany countryside in Florence and Lake Como in Milan.

All these tickets were booked using our credit cards and cost us ₱20,206.70 each.

Daily Expenses

I tried to set a daily budget for the trip but I noticed I have been spending more than the allotted amount. I decided to just let things go with the flow. Most of the day-to-day expenses came from food and transportation. I brought some euros to Europe and used my credit card for other purchases.

POCKET MONEY

Before leaving for Europe, I managed to change some cash to Euros to serve as my pocket. I changed ₱29,980 worth of Philippine pesos to €500. Towards the end of my stay in Italy, I also withdrew some cash from the ATM. The withdrawal cost me ₱9,435.93 including the international withdrawal charges.

I used the cash for day-to-day expenses like transportation and food. I also used the money to get my Navigo card and Paris Museum Pass in Paris.

TRAVEL EXPENSES CHARGED TO CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe. In fact, it is the preferred mode of payment of some establishments. I used my credit cards a lot of times during the trip – mostly for food and transportation.

FOOD

I tapped my card in a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, hostel buffets and supermarkets during the trip. For instance, I used my card in paying for all the hostel breakfast buffets I availed at The RomeHello and YEAH Hostel Barcelona. I also used it in various restaurants in Florence, Milan and Barcelona. I even used my credit card in getting food from different fast-food chains and supermarkets.

In total, I charged ₱20,424.28 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) only for food.

TRANSPORTATION

I also used my credit card in paying for transportation costs like airport trains, subways, buses and ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. In total, I charged ₱6,865.51 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) for all transportation-related expenses.

Summary of Expenses

Here is the summary of all the expenses mentioned above.

The total amount spent for this 24-day trip around France, Italy and Spain is ₱167,752.45. This total cost includes flight tickets, accommodation bookings, visa application fees, travel insurance, entry tickets, food and transportation costs.

Please do not get me wrong, ₱167,752.45 is a big amount of money. At the same time, it was everything I spent for a 24-day trip to Europe from the Philippines. It may be a little over 40% higher than my 2019 Euro trip but it is still cheap given all the places I have been to in this trip.

Blog List

Here is the list of blog posts that are related to this 2022 trip to Europe.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 335 – Manila to Dubai – Overnight Long-Haul Flight with the Middle Eastern Global Carrier [November 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 073 – Dubai to Paris CDG – Excellent Airbus A380 Superjumbo Flight to the Famous French Capital [November 2022]
Flight Report: AIR FRANCE AF 1304 – Paris CDG to Rome – Short Inter-European Hop to Italy’s Capital City [November 2022]
Flight Report: VUELING VY 6333 – Milan Malpensa to Barcelona – Superb Flying Experience with a Spanish Low-Cost Airline [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 256 – Barcelona to Dubai – Impressive Intercontinental Flight on a Rare Long-Range Aircraft [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 332 – Dubai to Manila – Underwhelming Inflight Meals on a Busy & Full Flight Back to Manila [December 2022]

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District
Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE FLORENCE – Lively & Social Hostel Outside (But Near) Florence City Center
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District
Hostel of the Day: YEAH HOSTEL BARCELONA – 4 Fun & Solid Nights in One of the World’s Best Hostels

VISA APPLICATION ✍️

Tuesday Tips for Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application with VIA ITALY

PARIS 🇫🇷

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2]
N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5]
N9 Friends in Europe: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES Day Trip Photoblog
PARIS MUSEUM PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

ROME 🇮🇹

N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Arrival, Colosseum Tour & Trastevere Food Tour [Part 1 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Vatican City, Necropolis Tour & Papal Audience [Part 2 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Rome at Night, City Walking Tour & Departure [Part 3 of 3]

FLORENCE 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: FLORENCE – The Cradle of Renaissance | 4 Wonderful Days Around the Historic Italian City
N9 in Europe: TUSCANY EXPERIENCE CLASSIC TOUR Photoblog – A Day Trip to Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena
P’s List: 7 Food Places to Check Out in Florence

MILAN 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: MILAN – 4 Beautiful Days Around the Italian Business, Shopping & Fashion Capital
N9 in Europe: LUGANO & LAKE COMO DAY TRIP FROM MILAN Photoblog – Exploring 3 Places in 2 Countries in 1 Day

BARCELONA 🇪🇸

N9 in Europe: BARCELONA – 4 Lazy Days Around the Bustling Spanish City

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I made it happen? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in summarizing my 2022 trip to Europe. I may be months behind in posting everything about this trip but I hope it is never too late to share these details. I would like to thank my N9 friends for joining me in this life-changing and memorable trip to Europe. I cannot wait to go back to the continent in the future!

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I will end this post with this statement. I DID IT AGAIN – 24 DAYS AROUND FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN FOR LESS THAN ₱170,000 ALL IN AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

N9 in Europe: BARCELONA – 4 Lazy Days Around the Bustling Spanish City

My friends and I parted ways after visiting France and Italy. They all left Milan and flew back to Manila while I stayed for 4 more days and flew to my next destination – Barcelona, Spain. I was supposed to fly to either Copenhagen (again) or Berlin but I decided to fly to Spain (with Vueling on flight VY 6333) to spend some time with friends. I met with Nico, a friend who I met in Prague in 2019, and spent the last 4 days of this trip in the bustling city of Barcelona. I also met with my Barcelona-based friends who I met in Komodo, Indonesia back in 2017.

I intentionally did not go all out in exploring Barcelona. I had a hectic schedule around France and Italy in the last 2 weeks; I decided to just take it slow, be lazy and enjoy the city without any pressure of seeing everything. I missed a lot of spots; I did not go inside the beautiful museums and buildings. At least I have a reason to go back to the city in the future. For now, allow me to share some details plus photos I took during these 4 days in Barcelona.

Barcelona

Barcelona (the city) is the capital of Barcelona province and the autonomous community of Catalonia. This port city and commercial center is the 2^nd most populous city next to the capital Madrid. The city is known for its iconic structures such as La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Pedrera-Casa Milà and Casa Batlló – all designed by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

Aside from the beautiful architecture, the city is also known for its world-class cuisine, lively night scene, distinct history and culture and of course, its outstanding football team – FC Barcelona.

Paella – one of the best known Spanish dish. Had this in Vinitus – one of my best meals in BCN 😋

Accommodation

I noticed that Barcelona has cheaper accommodation prices compared to Florence, Milan and Paris but I still decided to stay in a hostel. I booked my 4 nights with Yeah Hostel Barcelona – a multi-awarded large hostel in the middle of the city in Eixample area.

I booked my stay with Agoda and paid ₱5,589.42 – that is ₱1,397.36 per night in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. I recently wrote about my solid and memorable hostel experience with Yeah Hostel Barcelona. Check out the hostel of the day feature here.

Going Around Barcelona

Going around the city of Barcelona is easy and convenient. The important and famous places to visit are all connected by the city’s wide metro / subway network. These places are also connected by a more extensive local bus network. The city’s main train station is Barcelona Sants, locally known as Sants Estación. This station connects Barcelona to the rest of the country and internationally.

I purchased the T-casual Individual Ticket for €11.35 and got 10 single journey trips of up to 75 minutes each within Zone 1 (city center area). I ended up only using 4 trips out of the 10 allowed because I walked around the city most of the time. Barcelona is a walkable city; its sidewalks and streets are pedestrian friendly.

Places Visited in Barcelona

As mentioned above, I did not bother to go around and visit as many places as I can. I still saw a few ones in these 4 days.

Basílica de la Sagrada Família – The Sagrada Família is the world’s largest unfinished Catholic church. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, the church started construction back in the 1882 and is still under construction as of writing. According to the latest reports, it is set to be completed in 2026. Entry tickets cost €26 per person.

Park Güell – Park Güell is a park located on Carmel Hill in Barcelona. The park houses unique masterpieces created by Antoni Gaudí. It also offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Park entry tickets cost €10 per person.

La Pedrera-Casa Milà – Casa Milà is a private residence designed by Antoni Gaudí for the Milà Family. The building is also one of Gaudí’s last masterpieces. Entry tickets to the building cost €25 per person.

Casa Batlló – Casa Batlló is masterpiece made by Antoni Gaudí for Lluís Sala Sánchez. A few decades after, the property was bought by the Batlló Family. The house was passed on to several owners and has been refurbished a few times to what it is now. Entry tickets to the building cost from €29 per person

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia – Commonly known as the Barcelona Cathedral, this church is famous for its gothic and neo-gothic architectural style. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona.

Plaça de Catalunya – Known as Catalonia Square in English, Plaça de Catalunya is a large public square in the center of Barcelona. It is often regarded as the centermost part of the city. It is also the final stop of the Aerobus from BCN Airport.

Gothic Quarter – Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is the city’s historic old center. It is one of the oldest surviving parts of Barcelona that has some historical landmarks in it. These landmarks include the Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça del Rei, Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, the Roman and Medieval walls and a whole lot more. This is the place where you will see small pedestrian streets with higher walls and balconies.

La Rambla – La Rambla is a pedestrian-only tree-lined street that spans 1.2-kilometers from Plaça de Catalunya. The street is full of cafes, restaurants and shops which tourists love to visit.

Passeig de Gràcia – Passeig de Gràcia is Barcelona’s famous shopping street that leads to Gràcia. Think of a brand and this brand will most likely have a store or branch along this street. It is the shopaholic’s place-to-be.

Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia – Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia is a small public square in Gràcia that houses the iconic Clock Tower. This small square is mostly visited by locals and is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants.

Ciutadella Park – Ciutadella Park is a 31-hectare public park found in the middle of the city. It is a famous picnic and leisure place among the locals and is the city’s largest green space.

Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar – The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is a famous church known for its Catalan Gothic-style of architecture. It is uniquely-designed, not found in most medieval large structures.

Arc de Triomf – Arc de Triomf is a triumphal arch built by Spanish architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas in the 1880s. The arch leads to Ciutadella Park.

La Barceloneta – La Barceloneta is the seaside neighborhood of Barcelona. It is area full of restaurants, bars, hotels and even clubs; it is a famous destination every summer.

Missed Places

I stayed in Barcelona for 4 full lazy days and I have not been to many places. I have seen the usual ones but I have not explored them deeply. For one, I have not been inside the Sagrada Família, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. I also have not been to FC Barcelona’s home turf and one of the biggest stadiums in Europe – Spotify Camp Nou.

I also missed out going to the beautiful mountain range of Montserrat and the Benedictine Monastery found on top of the mountain. These missed places are enough to convince me that I need to go back and explore Barcelona more in the future.

And that’s a wrap! This ends my quick 4-day stay in Barcelona. I know I did not go and explore that much but I still had a great time with friends.

Have you visited the city in the past? Did you like it? It has a different but more youthful vibe than the other cities I have been – I still like it! Which places did you enjoy most? If you have not been, which specific place are you looking forward to seeing? Share you thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s N9 in Europe post. n case you missed it, we have also been to Paris, Versailles, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Lugano, Lake Como and Milan on this trip. You can find all itineraries and posts about these cities and this trip under the N9 in Europe category.

Before you go, I hope you can like and follow my social media pages – Facebook page and Instagram. These 2 accounts are the best way to stay up-to-date with the new posts in this site. Thank you; I hope to see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.