Here at Cheapflights, we understand that sometimes you want to bag the best bargain possible – even if it means a stopover en route to your final destination. And with the right attitude, a stopover doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If it’s a long one, then you’ve got time to head out and explore a new city, and if it’s short, you’ve got a chance to stretch your legs, freshen up in a loo that isn’t the size of an airing cupboard, and go for a wander around Duty Free. What we don’t like, however, are those pesky five or six-hour ones where you don’t have quite enough time to leave the airport but a bit too much time to go hang about the Gate.
Luckily, certain airports and tour operators have caught on to this. Rather than leaving you with the stress of navigating a new city’s public transport system, they’re offering organised trips that’ll whisk you around the main sites, and get you back in the departures lounge in plenty of time to board your next flight. Pretty nifty, right? Here are 8 of our favourites. If any of them take your fancy, you can head on over to Cheapflights.co.nz to search for flights…
Reykjavík
Flying between Europe and North America with Icelandair will involve a stopover at Keflavík International Airport. The airline allows you a stopover of up to 7 nights, but if you haven’t got that much time to spare, it’s possible to arrange a stopover tour to cram in a few of the country’s highlights. Travice, for example, offers 3 to 4-hour tours that include a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon and several quintessentially Icelandic towns.
Cost: 12,700 ISK (around 161 NZD)
Singapore
If you’ve got at least 6 hours to kill, Changi Airport offers free tours around the island state of Singapore free of charge. There are several tours throughout the day and transit travellers can choose from a Heritage Tour, that explores Singapore’s past and present architecture, or a City Sights Tour, that includes stops at some of Singapore’s most famous sights, including the Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer.
Cost: Free
Doha
If your Qatar Airways flight includes a stopover in Qatar itself, you can arrange a Complimentary Doha City Tour if your transit is between 5 and 12 hours long. There are around 4 tours a day that run on a first come, first serve basis. You’ll get a quick snapshot of the country’s capital, Doha, with stops at the likes of Dhow harbour, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Katara Cultural Village.
Cost: Free for Qatar Airways passengers.
Seoul
Seoul’s Incheon Airport runs free transit tours throughout the day. They covers a range of times and locations depending on the length of your stopover. Those opting for the 5-hour tour, for example, can choose from attractions including Gyeongbokgung (a 14th-century palace), Myeong-dong (ones the city’s main shopping streets) and Namsan Seoul Tower.
Cost: Free
Tokyo
Tokyo Narita Airport offers free tours to transit passengers as well as visitors staying at a hotel near the airport. There’s a choice of guided tours or self-guided tours available that’ll suit culture vultures, foodies and shopaholics alike, with trips to nearby shopping outlets, restaurants, temples and shrines.
Cost: Free (tours that include food or shopping may incur extra fees)
Amsterdam
The layover tour from Amsterdam Layovers offers a great snapshot of The Netherland’s capital, with a walking and canal tour lasting roughly 4 hours (including the drive to and from the airport). You’ll get to see some of the city’s main sights too, and you’ll also stop off at the Rembrandt Windmill during a drive through the picturesque Dutch countryside.
Cost: €150
Toronto
ETours offer a stopover tour for those landing into Toronto Pearson International Airport. You’ll cover some of the city’s major sites and neighbourhoods in the 2-and-a-half-hour tour, including St. Lawrence Market, the CN Tower and China Town as well as lesser-known attractions such as Casa Loma, a period castle set in 5 acres of gardens.
Cost: $83 (plus admission fees for CN Tower and Casa Loma)
Los Angeles
If you’re stopping off in LA for at least 6 hours, you’ll be able to explore the city with LA City Tours. You’ll depart from LAX and be whisked around some of the West Coast’s most iconic sites including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. They’ll also through in a visit to Santa Monica, the Beverley Hills Sign, before you head on to a Farmers Market for a lunch stop.
Cost: $92
Tempted to include a stopover during your next trip? With Cheapflights.co.uk you can browse all your stopover options in one place (as well as filter for direct flights only) – making it easier to plan that long haul trip.
