Sydney to Italy via Singapore

Hi

Hope someone can help. I’m hoping to go to Italy for a holiday in June. Maybe thats optimistic/foolhardy but I digress.

I would fly Sydney Rome with a transit through Singapore but as I read it you currently can’t enter Italy from Singapore but does anyone know if that includes transiting through Changi?

Thanks in Advance

There's simply no way of knowing what the rules/situation will be in June. My reading is that if you were travelling today, you wouldn't be allowed to enter Italy from Changi (as a tourist). But the rules change all the time -- usually unexpectedly.

If you're comfortable with cancelling down the track if you have to, my advice would be to book your holiday. Make sure that you book fares/accommodation etc that you'll get a refund for if you have to cancel because of COVID.

During this pandemic I've had to cancel plenty of wonderful holidays. But I've also been able to go on some wonderful holidays, including overseas, because I've booked ahead when the opportunity arose. I don't think there's any harm in booking now but maybe that's because I'm optimistic/foolhardy too!

Truth is nobody really knows what the future holds, the situation is so fluid.

However if you wish to latch onto some optimism then look at the UK. No more testing required, just full vaccination if you want no restrictions. That is where all countries will land eventually, just the timing that is unknown.

Starting 25th June you'll be able to fly non-stop PER-FCO on QF5.

That’s not a given…

A change of fed govt and WA will re-open withing weeks..so June is realistic.. depends on Italy though.

Nothing’s a given at the moment. But that’s not the point. Unless we want to do nothing, plan nothing, book nothing and go nowhere because “nothing’s a given”, we have to get on with our lives. We plan in hope, in the knowledge that some, but hopefully not all, of our plans may be disrupted.

Less risk being able to fly via Singapore than via Perth which is yet to open.

In my opinion you can travel SYD -FCO via SIN as long as it's a "transit layover" stop...not a "stopover"ie spend a few hours in the terminal to connect as opposed to a hotel outside the airport, and going through immigration. I hope this is true and answers your question Sydscott. I have explored this route for myself and there are favourable "layover" times and connections with Singapore Airlines. Contact them to make sure.

Similarly with JAL where no-one is allowed to enter Japan without 14 days hard time, you can "through-fly" Syd-Han-Fco, as long as you don't leave the airport. Given there is an airside transit hotel at Haneda this is also a good option. Flight from HAN -FCO is via HEL, where you meet another short layover (possibly too short as I found in 2020, as HEL is your entrance into the Shengen area and may require a bit of passport scrutiny etc.) Also means a change of metal to Finnair. I can't remember if the bags were checked through...maybe I had Covid! I'm not sure what the protocol is these days arriving in Helsinki...it may be a truckload easier than arriving direct to Italy. I don't really know if the "Shengen" is a thing anymore. Anyone?

That's as it stands at the moment, though Japan may open mid March? As far as I know the entry requirements for Italy have not changed. A vaccination certificate and pre flight PCR. Be careful though on the ground there is malarkey going on with entrance to shops, restaurants etc with only Italian apps being recognised. DFAT or whoever need to sort out this incompatibility.

It is mighty peculiar that the Australian QR code for vaccine status is not compatible with Europe and DFAT says “tough luck the Europeans are not following the global protocol.” I can’t imagine it will cost much to create a QR for travellers, DFAT could even charge for it and save Aussies having to muck about in a chemist or doctor’s office to get the European compatible version once we land in Europe. I don’t think we have complained enough!