Are you on a long-haul flight and facing a lengthy stopover? Then why not maximize your stay and see if you can take advantage of many airline transit/stopover programs or city guides? Wise Traveller has picked out some of the best.
Singapore Changi Airport
If you are transiting through this island-state, you can turn your layover into an adventure with the Free Singapore Tour, a collaboration between Singapore Airlines, Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group.
Travellers with at least 5.5 to 24 hours to spare till their connecting flights can choose between three 2.5-hour guided tours. These cover City Sights, Heritage and Culture, or Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands.
You can register with valid boarding passes and visas at The Free Singapore Tour booths at Terminal 2, Level 2, Departure Transit Hall (Near Gate F50) or Terminal 3, Level 2, Departure Transit Hall (Near Gate A1-A8).
For more details, click here.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
For transit times of 3 hours or more, choose a Discover Relaxation at the Airport tour and enjoy one of 3 exclusive, stress-melting massages.
If your transit is 6 hours plus, you can join a city tour of Doha or a desert adventure taking in the incredible Inland Sea. The tours range from six to eight hours and include stops at iconic locations such as the Museum of Islamic Art and Katara Cultural Village. To join, visit the Discover Qatar desk at the airport, where you can check visa requirements and register for a tour. The tours start from QAR 115 per person.
Passengers facing a 12 to 96-hour layover can enjoy a variety of packages which offer a unique taste of Qatar's local culture. Stopover bookings must be made at least 3 days prior to travel.
For more details, Click here.
Istanbul Airport, Turkey
Touristanbul is a complimentary tour service offered for Turkish Airlines passengers with international transfer flights. Passengers with a connecting flight from İstanbul and a layover time between 6 and 24 hours can benefit from Touristanbul and start exploring the city.
This guided experience offers a chance to explore Istanbul's historic landmarks and sample authentic Turkish cuisine via one of six tours offered by Touristanbul.
Istanbul Airport features two Touristanbul desks: in the transfer area and on the arrival floor. Passengers with a booked tour are required to visit the Touristanbul desk on the arrival floor at least 30 minutes prior to the tour's commencement.
For more details, click here.
Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi offer a unique stopover progam. Visitors can embrace the opportunity to discover Abu Dhabi, with an average stay of two nights. The program has resonated with travellers from key markets including England, the US, Australia, EU countries and India.
Travellers booking flights with Etihad can easily add a stopover and select a complimentary hotel stay for one or two nights from a range of premier hotels across the city. This seamless process allows travellers to turn their transit into an enriching experience, exploring the emirate's world-class hotels, beaches, dining scene, and entertainment.
For more details, click here.
Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei, Taiwan
Passengers facing a layover of seven to 24 hours can take advantage of a free half-day city tour in Taipei. Each tour focuses on history, traditional arts, nature or a night market experience, lasts around three to four hours and is limited to 18 people. Tours should be booked online from five to 90 days prior to passenger arrival.
The morning tour celebrates 100 years of culture and history and includes visits to the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Lungshan Temple and Yongkang Street, one of the world's coolest streets as named by Time Out. The afternoon tour highlights the beauty of Taiwanese traditional arts and nature.
If you fancy an evening tour, the airport lays on a Gourmet tour with a visit to a night market.
For more details, click here.
Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Transit passengers with less than 24 hours stopover at Incheon can enjoy a diverse selection of tours ranging up to 5 hours. Highlights include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insa-dong, and Seoul
Tower, visits to Gwangjang Market, shopping trips, and Dora Observatory. There is even a trip to Aegibong Peace Ecopark on the Korean Peninsula, which offers views of North Korea.
Travellers can reserve a tour online via the Incheon International Airport website or book in person at the transit tour desk in Terminal 1 or 2.
For more details, click here.
Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
With a layover of more than five hours, a dip into Japanese culture will be more than tempting. Luckily, there are eight different tours of this fascinating city. The program, called Narita Escapes, is in conjunction with Narita Airport.
For more details, click here.
Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines offers a surprising package of highlights that most passengers may well not consider or pass over.
From their itinerary details, if passengers have between eight and 35 hours of stopover in Hanoi, then they can avail themselves of two tours. Program 1 is a visit to the Van Phuc Silk Village or Bat Trang Pottery Village, while program 2 includes a visit to the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Old Quarter, and Sword Lake by electric bus.
If you have a six-hour or more layover in Ho Chi Minh City, then the airline lays on two programs of choice. Program 1 includes a visit to Thien Hau Temple and Chinatown. Program 2 offers a visit to the Independence Palace, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Municipal Theater of Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building.
For more details, click here.
Final Comments
As with any free tour, be sure to double-check all conditions and passport validity. Confirm whether you will have to pay any extra during the tours, such as admission prices. Other considerations should be your luggage: check where you can safely store it before heading off.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
