Got a long flight coming up this weekend to oz, anyone know of anything (legal!) I can take to help me sleep? Just looking for something over the counter, not GP prescribed.
Thanks.

How about sleep deprivation prior to your flight? It usually works for me.

Failing that, how about something herbal, like Nytol. I haven't tried them myself so unfortunately I can't vouch for them.

Antihistamines always do the trick for me. Be sure you don't get the non-drowsy formula, though. You want the kind that says, "Do not operate heavy machinery!"

As an added bonus, your sinuses will be dry when you land.

Yep, antihistamines and several drinks will zonk you out.

You have jet lag to look forward to.

One of the better ways to get round this is to be sure that you are very tired when you get there, keep awake and then go to bed at Aussie 'bedtime'.

Trying to force yourself to sleep on the plane can be counter-productive.

Antihistamines always do the trick for me. Be sure you don't get the non-drowsy formula, though. You want the kind that says, "Do not operate heavy machinery!"

.

You dont if you're the pilot :D

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I will have a trip down to Boots and see what they've got.
Was factoring in a suitable amount of alcohol.. hopefully that will do half of the trick!!

I usually find a couple of valiums and 1/2 pint of whisky work wonders..

Look for any antihistamine containing chlorpheniramine- the active ingredient in Piriton and many other of the 'drowsy' types of antihistamines.

Get some ear plugs too. They help you say zoned out.

I always manage to sleep like a baby all the way across the Atlantic whatever time of day or night it is... airliners are sooo dull. I've never needed to take any drugs other assistance to help.

Drink plenty of water before you fly and no alcohol so you don't wake up through thirst. Only water or juice on the plane. Alchohol won't help!
Window seat so you don't get disturbed.
Leave your seatbelt loosely fastened so the crew don't wake you.
Turn off the screen.
Earplugs or ANC headphones
Pillow and blanket to get comfy.
Curl up and zed.
Only wake up to eat, then go straight back to sleep.

:thumbsup:

just dont take tablets with a load of alcohol! unless you want to miss oz

No alcohol????
But it's free...... :D

You dont if you're the pilot :D


I guess a giant jet would be considered "heavy machinery," wouldn't it? :hihi:

Some people have no self control!
No alcohol????
But it's free...... :D
Enjoy the film then :)

When I flew back from Oz the total journey time was in the region of 21 hours. Which bit are you flying too? I doubt you'll be able to sleep all the way through the flight :) so getting into a sleeping pattern might help. Personally I stayed awake the entire journey as I was too cramped up to sleep properly.

Tony you're right, self-control isn't in my vocabulary! Will "try" and follow your excellent tips, but can't promise that I won't have a few sneaky G&Ts.

Flying via Singapore - having a stop over on the way back, but not the way there. Just got a 3 hour wait at the airport... what joy.

Maybe I should just save up in the future and go first class - those flat beds look rather comfy!

Flying via Singapore - having a stop over on the way back, but not the way there. Just got a 3 hour wait at the airport... what joy.


Plenty to do in the terminal .... have a massage?
If you get bored of wandering around, find the cinema (but don't fall asleep).


... I once got bumped up to 1st Class, SIN to BNE and sat across the aisle from the late Robert Morley!

Ooo, that's a long trip! airports are just the dullest places on earth too. You might be able cut it down a bit by getting an online check in, or a kerbside check in depending on airport / airline. Or fly Virgin Upper Class. ;)

Definitely going to do the online check in - wont have to endure Manchester airport for longer than a couple of hours then!

Heard Singapore airport is lovely, but will probably be too tired and miserable about getting on another 12 hour flight to enjoy it...

Got ipod fully charged - magazines at the ready. Can't decide on which book to take - any suggestions? I usually like Patricia Cornwell, crime/forensic type novels.

The kangaroo route can be a real bitch for jet lag, now it can be hard but try and time it so you are wide a wake if you arrive in Oz during the morning or make sure your really tired if your arrive sometime during the evening.

Whatever you do if your arrive in the morning and are really tired try not to go to bed, stay awake untill at least early evening if you can & if you do arrive in the evening just go stright to bed and try to get a full nights sleep even if your not tired.

Hi Rob, Luckily we arrive around 8.30pm so I shall be treating myself to a couple of beers and then heading off to bed!

As someone who's done the Aus-UK flight (or vice versa) 4 times, my advice concerning the flight is...sleep if you're tired, don't sleep if you're not. I've found that if I'm stressing about it "oh no, I should be getting some sleep" or whatever, it's obviously going to be counter-productive. And the last thing you need on such an unpleasant flight is even more stress!

Also, gotta agree with the people who say not to take any tablets or drink any alcohol. The tablets will throw your system out for days and you won't be able to properly enjoy your holiday. As for the alcohol, it may be free, but in the end it will make the flight worse. Those cabins are already sooo dry, you don't need to be further dehydrated by drinking alcohol. Although I love a free drink as much as the next person, I've found sticking to water and orange juice the way to go.

Now as for when you hit the ground in Syd, I think you've got the right idea in trying to get to bed by normal time. It really does make things a lot easier if you can adjust to local time as soon as poss. And in that way it probably makes sense to not get much sleep on the plane, because then you'll be so knackered when you arrive you'll just want to go bed anyway!

Lastly and most importantly, have fun! Aus is a beautiful place :)

Flying via Singapore - having a stop over on the way back, but not the way there. Just got a 3 hour wait at the airport... what joy.


Singapore airport do a short city tour for transit passengers,if you fancy sitting on a coach instead of a plane.It is free.
Also if you travel Singapore Airlines they have a shuttle bus running a loop to some of the main hotels and tourist places.Just show your ticket or something.

Any Dan Brown novel should do the trick.

night nurse always does it for me :)

Singapore airport do a short city tour for transit passengers,if you fancy sitting on a coach instead of a plane.It is free.
Also if you travel Singapore Airlines they have a shuttle bus running a loop to some of the main hotels and tourist places.Just show your ticket or something.

5 hours minimum stopover is needed for the 2 hour city tour.

A 3 hour stopover is still going to use up 30 mins (minimum) disembarking and immigration and you should be back at the gate about 45 minutes before departure (30 minutes minimum). It really only gives you about 2 hours (maximum) to kill. Not worth risking a traffic jam for.

Details and other transit pleasures can be found HERE (http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/airport_guide/exp_changi/rest_n_relax/free_sgtour.html).

Swim in a nice pool, relax with a drink and snack at poolside, shower etc.

A stopover in Singapore is not too bad then. I was just thinking whether you'd be flying for 20 hours non-stop. I would say, just do your normal routine, and let your body take care of itself. I just came back from HK, and yesterday morning, and last night, I zonked out like a light. People knocked on my door, and even rang me, and I slept through it.

Free booze...niiice. NOT ! lol.
Really, more self control, cos you'll suffer more in the end. I always take a bottle of water with me anyway to stop stressing about getting a cup from the flight attendants. Then again, they're pretty good now. They time it so they come round with a nice cool glass around half way after your meal time. It's definitely most welcomed.

I bought a few Sodouku book to amuse myself. When at the airport I make lists. Xmas lists. Shopping lists. To do lists. Lists lists lists. Or ponder over in the book section scanning my next holiday destination. ;)

Take anything that will make your journey bearable. I've now found that a nice pair of totes socks is Godsend. The air-con is so cold these days. It'll keep the circulation going, as well as keep your feet warm.

Taking an aspirin helps thin out your blood to stop you getting DVT. Going out there for me was okay. Coming back this time, I found my feet were 'tense'. So I walked about a bit. Going to the loo and brushing my teeth, that kind of thing. I'd take wet wipes too. Something cold to refresh your face helps. Even take a change of clothing. I'd normally treat it like a normal day. At least get used to the teeth brushing, and normal routines.

[Added] By the way, if you can find a copy of SCMP, grab it. At least have a good laugh at the bad editorials.

Just choose the most boring movie they're showing :)

I would be careful about sleeping too long. I know of someone who went to sleep on a flight to Australia and when she woke up they had landed in Singapore. She couldn't move her legs and was transferred straight to hospital with deep vein thrombosis where she ended up for about 3 weeks.

Don't sleep throughout the whole flight, and not move a muscle. I normally just do a usual day. Eat, sleep in UK time, or HK time. Depending on which way I'm flying. I find that my normal routine helps my body, plus I can't sleep well because the seating doesn't allow you to do so anyway. I twist and turn quite a bit, but still try to get some eye rest.

If you're going to Australia for a holiday, maybe try and get a guide book, and plan ahead ? I normally do a bit of research and 'gear' myself up for it. That way, I look forward to the holiday more. :)

I do my thinking, and planning of the itinerary whilst on the plane.

Iv'e done the trip three time and booze dosen't work, as all it does it make you dehydrated.

Get something from the chemist. Sleep deprivation dosen't work, usually, either.

Have a great trip and enjoy the weather. I was told last night that it was REALLLY hot yesterday in Queensland.

Oh and make sure you make sure you try the lolly (sweet) Cherry Ripe, it's utter heaven. mmmm oh and try KFC chips as they are seasoned there and utter heaven mmmmm