Best stopover cities in Southeast Asia

Stopovers often get a bad rap. But, you know what we think? It’s not that bad. Lengthy layovers may be tantamount to long hours of looking at your watch or taking a nap in uncomfortable airport benches, but, with research and the right attitude, there are ways to turn transits into a rather pleasant experience (oh, yes, it’s possible). Connecting flights are not only cheaper than most direct flights, but they also present travellers with the prospect of discovering another city, even only for a few hours. If you are considering making a transfer at any of the Southeast Asian cities, here are five stopover cities where you can make the most of your travel time.

Singapore 

Singapore bids fair to be crowned as one of Southeast Asia’s best stopover cities. Not only does Changi Airport offer free two-hour guided tours of the city to travellers with layovers of at least five hours (you can choose from City Sights Tour or the Heritage Tour), this award-winning airport also features a swimming pool and a 24-hour movie theater. The former is situated at Terminal 1 (across the Transit Hotel ) and has a poolside bar where passengers can enjoy a cocktail or two amidst views of the runway and aircraft parking bays. Meanwhile, both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 offer cinephiles the chance to enjoy film screenings of different genres free-of-charge at their respective cinemas.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur boasts an amazing public transportation system. From the airport, travellers can reach the city center in less than 30 minutes via the city’s non-stop high-speed train service KLIA Ekspres. And, once you are in town, you can cheaply see the sights by taking the free GO-KL buses, which stops at important landmarks such as the central LRT station, Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, Merdeka Square, and the National Mosque (Masjid Negara). Just remember to check the routes and stops. However, be aware of time — Southeast Asian cities are notorious for their traffic jams, and KL is not any different, so if your layover falls during the city’s rush hours, it is best to take the train, which works great, too.

Manila, Philippines

The good thing about the Manila airports is that they are within the city. If the Philippine capital is your stopover city, one can conveniently reach points of interest such as the Manila Bay (if you’re lucky, you might even see the beautiful sunset), the newly-opened integrated resort and casino City of Dreams and SM Mall of Asia in 15 to 30 minutes (without traffic) via taxis from the airport. If you have more than seven hours to spare, you can also take a one-hour taxi to Intramuros, the historic walled city in Manila, where you can discover the country’s Spanish colonial past through 16th century citadels, cathedrals, buildings and monuments.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan’s capital is pretty small, and, with its highly efficient transportation system, can offer amazing sightseeing and gastronomical opportunities for every wanderluster with a few hours to spare. If you’re in Taipei at night, the best way to spend your time is to visit the city’s famous street food markets, which are typically open from 6 p.m. until midnight. During the day, however, you can indulge in a little history lesson by visiting the imposing Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (it also has a museum downstairs), or take the train to the Longshan Temple. If you have a full day to explore the city, consider visiting the Taipei 101 tower for a panoramic 270-degree view of the city. Be reminded, however, that lines to go to its viewing decks can get really, really long, so make sure you have enough time.

Bangkok, Thailand

Considering the language barrier and unpredictability of Bangkok traffic, Thailand’s capital may not seem like the best city for a layover if time isn’t on your side. But, the good thing about a layover in good ol’ BKK is that it is a tourist-friendly city and you’ll find tons of tour operators offering transit passengers various day trip packages to the city (bespoke or otherwise). Some of them, you’ll even find in the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The company Oriental Escape, for one, has packages that lets you see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, take a boat ride on the river, have a meal and an genuine Thai massage in one day.

Hong Kong

Amazing views, unbelievable shopping deals and Michelin-starred eats are just some of the things you can enjoy if you ever choose to have a stopover in Hong Kong. And you don’t even have to go too far from the MRT’s Central station, where the Airport Express from the Hong Kong International Airport stops. From Central, you can stop by Tim Ho Wan at IFC building (near the Airport Express station) for some Michelin-approved dim sum. If you take the Central’s exit J2, you can also jump on a tram to the Peak Tower, where you can take in panoramic views from its Sky Terrace 428). If you still have time, take the ferry from the Central Star Ferry pier to Tsim Sha Tsui area for a little shopping on the side or maybe even catch the nightly Symphony of Lights show everyday at 8 p.m. It is cheaper to take the ferry during the day (HK$95) compared to night (HK$175).

Looking for Wi-Fi in any of these airports? Check out our guide to free airport Wi-Fi in Southeast Asia.

Main image: istockphoto/Thomas_EyeDesign