Flying non-direct routes can be a good way to cut down on flight costs, but they do result in those dreaded layovers. If it’s a short one, you’ve got a chance to stretch your legs, freshen up in a restroom that isn’t the size of a small closet and go for a wander around Duty-Free. If it’s a really long one, you’ve got time to visit a new city. The most troublesome layovers to deal with, however, are those pesky 5-or-6-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 onto this. Rather than leaving you with the stress of navigating a new city’s public transport system while the clock is ticking or the hefty cost of a private tour, 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 our picks for the top airports for these fast, affordable layover outings. If any of them take your fancy, you can head on over to Cheapflights.com.sg to search for flights…
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
If your Qatar Airways flight includes a layover in Qatar itself, you can arrange a Complimentary Doha City Tour if your transit is between 5-12 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 its capital Doha, with stops at the likes of Dhow Harbor, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Katara Cultural Village.
Cost: Free for Qatar Airways passengers.
Incheon Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul’s Incheon Airport runs Free Transit Tours throughout the day that cover a range of times and locations depending on the length of your layover. Those opting for the 5-hour tour, for example, can choose from attractions including Gyeongbokgung (a 14th-century palace), Myeong-dong (one of the city’s main shopping streets) and Namsan Seoul Tower.
Cost: Free
Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
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 Airport Schiphol, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A tour from Amsterdam Layovers offers a great overview of the Netherlands’ 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 Amsterdam‘s main sights too, and you’ll also stop off at the Rembrandt Windmill during a drive through the picturesque Dutch countryside.
Cost: €150 (approximately $240)
Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada
ETours offer a layover tour for those landing into Toronto Pearson International Airport. You’ll cover some of the city’s major sites and neighbourhoods in the 2.5-hour tour, including St. Lawrence Market, the CN Tower and Chinatown, as well as lesser-known attractions such as Casa Loma, a period castle set in 5 acres of gardens.
Cost: CA$83 (approximately $90) Admission to CN Tower and Casa Loma not included.
Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California, United States
If you’re stopping off in Los Angeles for at least 6 hours, you can explore the city with LA City Tours. This tour departs from LAX and whisks you around some of the destination’s most iconic sites including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. You’ll also enjoy a visit to Santa Monica and the Beverly Hills Sign, before heading on to a Farmers Market for a lunch stop.
Cost: US$92 (approximately $125)
Tempted to include a stopover during your next trip? With Cheapflights.com.sg 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.
