3 insider tips to zipping through immigration queues in Asia

One of the biggest annoyances in travel, particularly around Asia, is the snaking queues at immigration. While banks, airline check-in counters and immigration in the US and some places in Europe have moved on to the faster single-queue-multi-server model, the immigration queues in Asia are still stuck with multi-queue-multi-server models that result in longer average wait times. (See related NYT article: Longer line for a shorter wait at the supermarket )

The photo above shows the Changi Airport Terminal 2 queues, one of the most efficient immigration channels around. Even then, there's clearly a wide variation in queuing time depending on your passport and which queue you join.

There are a number of country-specific approaches to minimise queueing time at immigration. In Singapore: Singaporeans, PRs and employment pass holders can zip through the auto-gates. In Jakarta, you can apply for a Saphire card and get through their version of the auto-gate. Other airports like Bali have the meet-and-assist fast-track services that zip you through. Across most of Asia, there's also the APEC travel card that gives you access to the fast-moving APEC/diplomats counter.

Still, not everyone can pay for, or get access to, some of these more systematic solutions. Here's a set of queuing tactics that could help get you through immigration quickly, gleaned from many hours sucked into these time blackholes.

1. The twofer

1 queue, 2 officers = good

1 queue, 1 officer = not so good

This one pays off quite well if you find it. Quite simply, you find a queue that has two (or more) immigration officers serving the queue. Bangkok Suvarnabumi Airport is one of the airports where this happens quite frequently. Most travellers are oblivious to this and queue lengths are the same, but some queues would have two officers processing the queue, effectively more than halving the wait time versus an equivalent queue with just one officer. 

2. The high option-value queue

Counters 3 & 5 aren't manned but provide option-value to counter 4

The shifts for immigration officers in Asia are quite erratic and queues can close or open suddenly for various reasons (e.g. Muslim prayer breaks, snack break, etc.). This also means that unmanned counters provide good option value. That is, the chance that an unmanned counter suddenly opens up and you get to whiz to the front of the queue is quite significant. In a situation like above, queue 4 would have the best chance to the front of both queues 3 and 5 if they open up. 

3. One-plus queue

This is one variation of the high-option value queue: basically, you pick the queue next to the limited access counter, e.g. the 'Diplomat-only', or ' Airline-crew only' counter. When that queue is empty, the officer inevitably processes people in the next queue, which makes it marginally faster. The Manila NAIA Terminal 1 airport used to have this, but they've now changed to a single queue for all counters. It's still an option at the Ngurah Rai Bali airport though, the last time I was there. 

If none of these options are available, well, fire up your smartphone and start clearing emails or play your favourite casual game. Inevitably, as soon as you get into a good rhythm of email or into a critical part of your game, it'll be your turn in the queue! 

Essential tech travel gadgets for Asia

I have amassed quite a few gadgets that I bring along on my travels in the region, some get quickly retired/replaced, while some make it to the "must-bring" section of my laptop bag. Beyond the regular laptop, smartphone and tablet, here are seven accessories that I recommend, particularly if you're travelling around Asia where roaming data is prohibitively expensive and power plugs can be scarce. 

1. FliteGear Travel adaptor 
I've had many travel power socket adaptors, but this was the only one I've found that has two USB ports, and juices them up to 2 amps, which means that they'll comfortably charge iPads. This is only available on SQ or Tiger Airways flights, but it is good value at SGD55.

2. Nokia Asha dual-SIM mobile phone
Yes, I still use a Nokia (!) The lower-end Asha series is great for use in emerging markets in Asia. It supports dual-SIM, with a hot-swappable second SIM. Great for countries where you need multiple SIMs to ensure you're always within network coverage. Also, has a ridiculously long standby time of up to 30 days or 7 hr talk time on one full battery charge.

3. Huawei 3G MiFi E560
A mifi hotspot device like this one lets you connect your primary smartphone, laptop and tablet to the internet with just one local SIM (see item 7 on prepaid SIM cards) instead of using roaming data.

4. Lifetrons portable 5600mAh charger
This portable charge stores 5,600mAh, enough for ~4 full charges of an iPhone. It also has dual USB ports, which makes it easier to charge two devices at one go. It provides 2 amps of current, so it can charge iPads as well. The kit comes with a full set of plugs to charge anything from Sony Ericsson, iPhones to Blackberries.

5. Multi-head USB plug
I found this while on vacation in Koh Samui. It's a USB cable with iPhone/iPad, mini-USB and micro-USB plugs all in one. I have never seen this elsewhere, but presumably you can buy this at a flea market in Bangkok.

6. Belkin USB in-car charger
This small car adaptor lets you charge your devices in case you're stuck in one of the many massive traffic jams in Asia cities (Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok come to mind). Overlaps with the function of the portable charger, but for it's size and weight, it is worth packing along as backup.

7. Prepaid SIMs
I have collected a bunch of prepaid SIMs from across different Asian countries. They're cheap (~$2-5) each, and typically let you purchase unlimited data in daily or hourly 'sachets'. Keep an eye out for SIM packs with longer expiry periods to prolong the credit value and use of each SIM.

I'm always looking out for new additions to this utility kit. Do you have other suggestions? =)

AirBNB, Wimdu and Roomorama in SE Asia

Triggered by the news of Roomorama merging with Lofty, and having a lot of time over this Easter break, I took an interest in looking at AirBNB, Roomorama and Wimdu recently to see how they are doing in South-east Asia and which would be best for a traveller to these parts. For those unfamiliar, these companies are all short-term rental platforms - allowing travellers to rent from people who are willing to rent out their rooms or homes. 

Actual traffic and users for each site are not easy to find, but it's relatively straightforward to check out how each of these sites perform from a supply perspective. 

AirBNB

AirBNB leads overall listings in major SEA markets, with ~35% more listings overall to the next site. Besides Malaysia, where they have a clear lead, they're neck for neck versus either Wimdu or Roomorama in most of the major markets (see chart). 

They have a significant lead in user reviews though, implying higher user engagement than the other two sites.

Roomorama

Despite the Roomorama's base in Singapore and its Asia-focus, Roomorama lags AirBNB in terms of inventory in SEA. It does however, lead in the main market of Thailand, and has carved out a strong lead in the niche country of Cambodia. 

The listings aren't always true 'B&B' and tends to feature budget or boutique hotels. This puts Roomorama in competition with the Expedias and Hotels.com of the world. 

Wimdu

I had expected more from Wimdu, given the big push by its parent owner, Rocket Internet into South-east Asia over the past few months. From the job listings on its site, Wimdu seems to be mainly run out of Berlin now and in the region, there is only focus on Singapore, and oddly enough, Philippines, which I can't quite explain. 

In conclusion, I'd probably use AirBNB on my next in-region vacation, but if I were to list a room, I'd list on all three sites as they all seem professionally done up, seem to have sufficient traffic, and have minimal cost differences. Roomorama is the cheapest for hosts - 0%, while the other two charge 3%.