Singapore’s Changi Airport was named the world’s best in 2023 at the World Airline Awards. The parking’s cheap,too.

Singapore’s Changi Airport was named the world’s best in 2023 at the World Airline Awards. The parking’s cheap,too.Credit:Alamy

Admittedly,it was only 20 minutes,but at rates of SGD.04 cents a minute (about $2.70 an hour) for the first 90 minutes,it looks like an absolute bargain compared to Sydney International Airport’s extortionate $21.20 for the first hour.
Ross Duncan,Potts Point,NSW

Emotional baggage

Good luck with your luggage on Lufthansa.

Good luck with your luggage on Lufthansa.Credit:iStock

We took four flights with Lufthansa in Europe. None of them went smoothly. Mechanical faults,cancelled flights,being told to check all our luggage because planes were fully booked and there would be no overhead storage space when there were empty seats and empty spaces in the overhead lockers. The final straw was when no luggage was loaded onto the plane because they couldn’t get a baggage handling crew and were told not to bother going to the carousel but to go to the lost luggage department. The flight attendant’s final words were “good luck with your luggage”. It could be Lufthansa’s slogan.
Peter and Kathryn Essex,Rose Bay,Tas

Detective with the works

There’s nothing like an undercover travel writer,aided by a fine graphic-certainly-not-a-con-artist,to unravel the mysteries of travel in such a novel way (Traveller,August 5). Your artist Jamie Brown’s cover illustration set the tone for Michael Gebicki’s expose,leaving his readers in no doubt as to what lies behind life’s little travel mysteries. Although space was a limitation – a bit like the distance between aircraft seats – he served up answers to conundrums,including that cabin pressure gives rise to tail wind. Not surprisingly,Michael backed up his piece with “‘Last-minute paperwork’:10 common airline phrases explained”.
Allan Gibson,Cherrybrook,NSW

Time we knew

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I was recently in Spain and have the answer to the question in your story on travel mysteries (Traveller,August 5) regarding why it has a one-hour time difference with the rest of Western Europe. According to our guide,the 1930s Fascist leader Franco aligned his country,not just politically but time-wise,with Hitler’s Germany. The bigger question is why,after he was deposed in the 70s,they didn’t resume GMT?
Sally Spurr,Lane Cove,NSW

Bow wowed

Thank you so much for relieving my concern inyour cover on travel mysteries for all the poor doggies down in the cargo hold who get upset when the plane is pulling out from the terminal. It’s not scared puppies at all,but the Power Transfer Unit letting off some non-canine hydraulic pressure.
John Hollott,New Lambton Height,NSW

Sister act

While in Italy,make it a habit to cross the road with nuns.

While in Italy,make it a habit to cross the road with nuns.Credit:Alamy

In regards to Brian Johnston’s article on the art of driving in Italy (Traveller,August 5),as a pedestrian in Italy,I found that it was always best to wait for a group of nuns to arrive before crossing a busy road – no Italian would ever dare run them down.
Sue Oliver,Frankston,Vic

Lane pain

Rob Ewart (Traveller Letters,August 5) did not have to go to Great Britain to experience the epiphany that slower drivers should drive in the left-hand lane. He wrote that he “was sitting happily,like I usually do in Australia,in the middle lane of three” when a presumably local motorist came up in the left lane,moved to the right lane to overtake and then moved back to the left-hand lane. Slower vehicles driving in the left-hand lane is Basic Driving 101 in countries with right-hand drive cars. What is so confusing about the words,“keep left unless overtaking”? Some Australian motorists are content to putter along,10 kilometres below the speed limit,in the middle lane,while meanwhile being overtaken on the left.
Maurice Critchley,Mangrove Mountain,NSW

Cheesed off

Philip Sewel (Traveller Letters,August 5) takes umbrage with readers reporting failures in business class. His “don’t forget the magic of flying” remark doesn’t negate the money you’ve shelled out. Like anything you pay for (and in any class of travel),if it doesn’t meet expectations or deliver on what you’ve spent,then you should speak up. Or maybe it’s a case of sour grapes? (Speaking of which,I had some lovely grapes in Finnair business class last month and they were lovely with the soft cheeses.)
Luke Crosthwaite,Clear Island Waters,Qld

Taken for a ride

Boarding the train from Inverness,Scotland to London,I was informed by the conductor that “no trains were going into London that day”. His suggestion:a train to York,then one to Peterborough followed by another train to St Neots,where a bus would take us to Bedford station. From there we could train it to St Pancras London. Unfortunately,at Peterborough,my partner was having mobility issues. An eye watering sum for a taxi to London was quoted (£240/$465),to be paid up front and in cash,which we handed over. En route,our driver told us that he had spent the morning working on his cab. I wish he had spent longer. The seat was torn and the back wheel had a distinct wobble. It was a scary trip,but we arrived safely at our London hotel. A gin and tonic at the bar and all was well. I still enjoy and recommend train travel in the UK;it’s the best way to get around.
Lily Murray,Bowral,NSW

On the cards

With regard to the claim of the extortionate price of rail travel in the UK (Traveller Letters,August 5),there are various railcards available,giving discounts of around 30 per cent. They cost around £30 ($58) but that is soon paid back with the discounts gained. You can even get a senior’s card if you are over 60 without being a resident of the UK,as I did last year. And thetrainline.com website is very useful for checking out cheap fares.
Daryll Gigg,Chiswick,NSW

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. Seehardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. Seeshop.lonelyplanet.com

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