Travellers taking long-haul flights will often find themselves with a layover in an airport of anything upwards of 2 hours. Assuming you’ve got 6 hours or more, there are some great ways to make the most of your time on a stopover with many airlines offering freebies such as meals and hotels. Most airports have facilities to help you while away the time and get your connecting flight feeling as fresh as a daisy.
If you want to stay in the airport and make the most of the services you can often use the premium airport lounges for a fee. However there are packages where you can pay a one off or recurring fee and use airport lounges around the world, check GoSimply for some excellent deals.
If you’re on a budget or want to explore a new city while you await you connection, read on for our layover tips.
Emirates & Dubai (DXB)
Emirates are one of the best connected airlines in the world with an often very attractive price point. You’ll probably find yourself in Dubai Airport at some point if you do much travelling and Emirates do offer some freebies if you’re stopping off for 4 hours or more. A free meal voucher can be obtained from the information desk at gate H2 in the main Emirates terminal and entitles you to a meal at several restaurants in the airport. There are also free showers although the queues can be long and the cleanliness varies.
The airport is well located with a metro station bringing you into the city (Deira or Union Square) within a few stops or a relatively cheap taxi ride (US$3-8) dropping you in the bustling downtown in just a few minutes. Head to the creek, grab a shawarma or falafel and a coffee and admire the skyline. Traffic in Dubai can he hell so bear this in mind if you take a taxi.
There is also a booming trade in bus tours, even at night, so if you have upwards of 6 hours and you really want to see the Burj Khalifa and the Gold Souk then book a tour at one of the booths in the arrivals area. You can also book in advance at Big Bus Tours Dubai and take advantage discounted rates. This is a great way to see the key sights of Dubai which are probably more eye popping at night.
Other perks at DXB:
Left lockers around UAD 20 (US$6-8), free wifi, large seats, charging points.
Visa info:
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival for free, you simply exit the airport and you receive 30 days as a tourist. Allow around 1 hour to get back into the airport after you’ve exited plus another half hour at least to get to your gate.
Etihad & Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Like Emirates, Etihad has many connecting flights stopping off in Abu Dhabi so a 4 hour plus stopover can mean a great opportunity for sightseeing in the capital of the UAE. Big Bus Tours also do tours of Abu Dhabi so grab a ticket before you arrive to make the most of your layover.
Close to the airport is a golf course and the F1 racing circuit, which are not cheap options but can be great if you’re interested in that sort of thing. A round of golf at Yas LInks can be had for as little as US$55.
The airport is connected to the city by bus (around US$1 for one way journey, 45 mins approx) or taxi (around US$20 one way, 20-30 mins). Head to the Corniche for beach strolls and food by the sea or ask your driver to recommend a good spot for lunch in the centre of town.
Etihad will pick up the tab for a hotel if you’re in town on a long layover. Check with their website for details.
Other perks at AUH:
Free wifi, comfy chairs, free showers.
Iberia & Madrid Barajas (MAD)
Madrid airport is a common stopover for those visiting South America from Europe or coming from the North or South America to Europe and points east. The airport is huge and modern and is well connected to the city. Iberia don’t really offer anything to passengers on a long layover but there are plenty of cheap accommodation options in Madrid or better still, make the most of your stop and get into town!
The metro from the airport runs from 5am through til around 12.30am, it takes 15-20 minutes and costs around €5 for a single journey. Taxis are around €30 to the centre of the city and there is an express bus service to Atocha station for €5.
Madrid is a fantastic city to pass time in as the food is excellent and cheap, there’s lots of culture such as Prado Museum (a short walk through a park from Atocha station) and the Palacio Real (Opera metro station) and the city pretty much never sleeps. Grab a coffee and a few plates of tapas near Plaza Mayor (Sol metro station) or if you’re up all night follow the crowds around La Latina (near Plaza Mayor) or Maravillas.
If you’re more keen to get some sleep and wake up refreshed for a connection then check out sites such as Booking.com and hostelworld.
Other perks at MAD:
Free wifi throughout the terminals, left luggage for between €6-10.
Visa info:
Spain is part of the Schengen visa area so non EU visitors will need a Schengen visa.
KLM & Amsterdam Schipol (AMS)
This huge airport frequently wins awards for being efficient, clean and a pleasant space to be in. Gates are spaced out so remember that if you’re cutting it fine on a connection. If you find yourself in Schipol for an extended period of time on a long layover there are plenty of places where you can set up camp and get some sleep – or as the city of Amsterdam is not far from the airport you can get in and explore.
KLM unfortunately won’t provide any freebies for a long stopover but you can enjoy the best of Amsterdam relatively cheaply.
The train system is excellent, frequent and reasonably priced. To Centraal station (Amsterdam) is €5 one way and takes about 20 minutes. As The Netherlands are not very big you can get to pretty much any city within 2 hours, so if you prefer the look of Haarlem (40 minutes), Den Haag (30 mins) or Utrecht (50 minutes) then check out the prices at the station. There are also numerous bus lines (around €2.90, 40 minute journey) as well as taxi options.
Centraal station is a short walk from all the fun of Amsterdam including around 10 minutes to Dam Square, 5-10 minutes to the main red light district around der Oude Kerk (the old Church) and a 15-20 minute tram ride to Leidseplein and the Rijksmuseum.
For a layover around 4 hours, head to Centraal, wander the canals around the Oude Kerk and Dam Square or take a canal boat tour, grab a coffee and a pancake and head back to the airport. Longer than this it might be worth grabbing a OV chipkaart so you can jump on and off the metro and the train, tourist tickets are available for 24hours and up. Ask at the information bureaus around the airport if the OV chipkaart is for you.
Other perks at AMS:
Left luggage from €6.50, free showers, free WiFi, gym and sauna passes available for around €20.
Visa options:
The Netherlands is part of the Schengen visa area so non EU visitors will need a Schengen visa.
China Southern & Guangzhou (CAN)
The Chinese airlines have become increasingly popular mainly due to their cheap fares and choice of connections. For those with a connection over 8 hours through Guangzhou, Chongquing or Hainan, you are eligible for a free hotel in the city. Head to the transfer desk in the airport or ask at the time of booking and you’ll be provided with a decent hotel, transfer and breakfast.
So long as you hold an onward ticket you can also get a 24 hour or 72 hour transit visa which means you can take a trip into the massive metropolis and explore Guangzhou. Remember you will need to come back to the airport 2 hours before your connecting flight departs.
Connections under 8 hours you may find yourself setting up camp on a bench with several other travellers. Most restaurants and cafes close at around 10-11pm but there is free Wifi and an premier lounge if you fancy splashing the cash.
The airport is connected to Guangzhou via various bus routes and a metro line (line 3/orange) and a journey should be no more than US$2 one way and takes around 50 minutes to Tiyu West or Pearl River New Town station. A taxi into downtown will cost around US$22-25.
Other perks:
Guangzhou airport isn’t the nicest airport in the world, but there are left luggage lockers and several food options. Showers are only available in premium lounges unfortunately.
Visa options:
Several countries can get a 72 hour stopover visa if passing through Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai.
Singapore Airlines & Changi Airport (SIN)
The city state of Singapore is perfect for a long layover and with their world class airline serving routes between Europe and Australia and the Americas to Asia, it’s highly likely you’ll end up here for at least a bit.
If you’re flying with Singapore Airlines check at the time of booking if you can get a stopover package (SSH). They offer a deal including hotel and transfers from around US$40, which considering the price of a hotel in Singapore is not a bad deal at all. There are additional packages including tours and higher end hotels.
A return trip on the metro will be less than $1 or a taxi ride from the airport to town should be around $5-10.
If you have upwards of 5 hours then you can easily get into town on the very efficient subway system. Head to Raffles Place metro stop to find yourself in the heart of the city. You’ll find yourself near the promenade for views of the city as well as Clarke Quay for restaurants and nightlife and a short walk from Chinatown and some fantastic food courts.
Other perks:
Changi airport is widely recognised as one of the best in the world. There’s even a swimming pool, several garden areas and a cinema. Left luggage lockers are available in every terminal as are showers and flat chairs if you need a snooze.
Visa options:
Most European, American and Australasian nationalities can get a visa on arrival, but check with your local Singapore consulate before arrival to be sure.
American Airlines & Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Flying between Europe and the Americas with American Airlines will most likely take you through Dallas Fort Worth. The airport itself is like everything else in America – extra large. Apparently it’s about the same size as Manhattan. As is to be expected there is pretty much everything you will need crammed in there too including various restaurants, entertainment areas and places to get your head down if you need some sleep. There’s also a yoga lounge but showers are only in the premium lounges.
Getting into Dallas is simple with various links via train or taxi, expect an hour each way. Trains are about $5 for a return trip or grab a taxi for around $45-50 one way. Head to Union Station and explore downtown, heading down Commerce Street toward Main Street gardens.
Other perks:
There are 5 terminals at DFW so it completely depends which terminal you’re in. Generally speaking there are a wide range of restaurants and relaxation areas plus left lockers in all terminals.
Visa options:
All visitors to the USA need a transit visa. If you want to come out of the airport you will need a visa. Keep an eye on the current issues with travel in the news as it does depend on your passport if you can leave the airport.
IcelandAir & Reykjavik (KEF)
Flying between Europe and the USA or Canada could easily take you via Iceland, thanks to IcelandAir’s recent flight offers. And what better excuse do you need to go check out the famous Icelandic welcome or some of the most martian landscapes on earth.
The packages on offer are for a few days in Iceland, as the airport is about 30 miles from the city it isn’t ideal for a quick stopoff. However, you can get a package including hotel and then add things like car hire or tours etc.
And a few days is definitely recommended. There’s a lot to do in Iceland including whale watching, volcano hiking, soaking in the Blue Lagoon thermal spas, heading out to Gulfoss waterfall or watching the Aurora Borealis.
Other perks:
If you do end up on an extended stopover in the airport there is free wifi and showers can be found in the south terminal. There are lockers available for €8 per day.
Visa options:
Iceland is part of the Schengen area so non EU visitors will need a Schengen visa.
Korean Airlines/Asiana Airlines & Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN)
One of the worlds biggest airports, Incheon is ultra modern and sleek and a great gateway to Asia. Especially for those arriving from the Americas.
As a hub for two popular airlines, Asiana and Korean, a lengthy stopoff here can mean either making the most of Incheons many amenities or making the most of a few hours to go see Seoul. Both Asiana and Korean air offer perks for long layovers including free hotels and city tours. Check with them when you buy your ticket if you have a stay of more than 3 hours.
If doing it yourself, there are two trains. The Express is of course the recommended option. It costs 14,800 won for an adult one way ticket (approx US$14) and takes just around 45 minutes Seoul station. The all stop train is much cheaper at 4,800 won (approx US$4) and takes just over an hour.
Once in Seoul you will be able to access the metro and explore this vast city. There are several classical palaces including Changdeokgung, a UNESCO heritage site and Gyeongbok. For shopping and the city buzz head to Myeong-dong, a busy area packed full of shops and restaurants.
You can also do the bus tour with Seoul City Bus, which will cover all the major sites.
Other Perks:
As this is Korea, internet is free and fast. There are several free shower rooms available as well as various gardens, a Korean Cultural Experience Museum, Movie theatres, a skate rink and a sky bar.
Visa info:
Most European and American nationalities do not need a visa to enter Korea. Most visitors will get a 90 day free entry stamp. Contact you local South Korean consulate for more information.
