When weighing the deserves of an extended layover at a seemingly out-of-the-way airport (say, 18 hours at Istanbul’s Atatürk if you’re flying from Washington, D.C. to Bordeaux), contemplate whether or not it provides a free layover tour for in-transit passengers. Main hubs in Asia and the Center East now present connecting vacationers with a glimpse of the town past the airport, on free excursions which might be simply booked on arrival or reserved prematurely. The well-run packages are so sturdy, it’s like getting a mini-vacation tacked onto your actual trip.
Changi Airport (SIN): Singapore
Singapore’s Changi Airport is commonly ranked the most effective on the planet. Whereas there’s lots to see proper inside its partitions, it’s additionally conveniently situated for exploration. You probably have a 5.5-hour layover (or longer) at Changi, you could have a alternative of three metropolis bus excursions, every of them lasting 2.5 hours. The Heritage Tour runs twice a day (1 p.m. and 6 p.m.) and consists of ultra-modern Marina Bay, the Central Enterprise District, and the Singapore River, with 30-minute stopovers in Chinatown and the Malay Arab–influenced Kampong Gelam district, dense with cloth retailers, old-world perfumeries, and eating places specializing in murtabak (a folded, stuffed flatbread). The Metropolis Sights Tour, in the meantime, is obtainable 3 times a day (12 p.m., 4 p.m., and seven p.m.) and consists of 30-minute stopovers at Merlion Park (dwelling of the Lion Metropolis’s famed fish-lion fountain) and Gardens by the Bay, with its Avatar-esque Supertrees. And, lastly, the once-daily Changi Precinct Tour (10 a.m.) focuses on the hidden gems of the residential city simply outdoors the airport, with 30-minute stopovers in Tampines Central Park and Changi Seashore Park, a sandy spot for picnics and plane-spotting. To take part, guests should drop their cumbersome luggage at a storage location and be ready to indicate their passport, boarding passes, entry visa (if required), and reserving affirmation.
How to enroll
You’ll be able to guide a tour as much as 50 days prematurely on the Changi Airport web site. However for those who’re extra of a last-minute planner, you possibly can nonetheless make a tour occur. Upon arrival, keep within the transit space, don’t undergo Arrival immigration, and cease by one of many Free Singapore Tour cubicles in Terminal 2, Stage 2 (close to Gate F50) or Terminal 3, Stage 2 (close to Gates A1-A8).
Istanbul Airport (IST): Istanbul, Türkiye
Turkish Airways passengers with worldwide switch flights and at the least six hours to kill have entry to a sequence of seven completely different complimentary Touristanbul excursions. The shortest lasts for 3.5 hours and is densely filled with sights of historic and cultural significance, together with Taksim Sq. and the Aqueduct of Valens, with a cease for images on the Galata Bridge. The 9.5-hour full-day tour, however, consists of breakfast and lunch and visits to the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque, the bustling Grand Bazaar, the Topkapı Palace (the previous important residence of sultans), and extra. Between Might 1 and October 31, you possibly can even go for a seasonal Bosphorus cruise and dinner within the courtyard of the Baroque Revival Dolmabahçe Palace, which was constructed within the 1850s and served as the primary administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire. Every of the seven excursions is obtainable as soon as per day, with the earliest (Sightseeing Tour) setting off at 8 a.m. and the most recent (Outdated Metropolis Tour) working from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.—verify the web site for the entire schedule.
How to enroll
Ticketed passengers can verify their eligibility by getting into their ticket quantity or reservation code on the Touristanbul web site after which make superior reservations. In case you didn’t plan forward of time, you possibly can nonetheless verify availability on the Touristanbul desk, after you cross by way of passport and customs controls.
Incheon Worldwide Airport (ICN): Seoul, South Korea
ICN provides 13 excursions and in-airport experiences, eight of that are free. Among the many complimentary choices for exploring this a part of South Korea: take a ferry experience from the close by Gu-eup Ferry Terminal to Wolmi Park within the coronary heart of Incheon’s previous city, cease into the futuristic INSPIRE Leisure Resort (which has a on line casino, mall, and immersive media artwork exhibition), dive into Korean youth tradition on Hongdae Road, or pattern avenue meals at Sinpo Worldwide Market, which is very recognized for its Sinpo Dakgangjeong (crispy fried rooster in spicy sauce). Historical past buffs can as a substitute decide to go to such websites as Cheong Wa Dae, which served because the presidential residence from 1948 to 2022, or the Jeondeungsa Temple, whose present incarnation celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2025.
How to enroll
You’ll be able to reserve a spot for a tour on-line, however even when your choice is listed as bought out, greater than half of the slots are reserved for walk-ups. Arriving passengers should take the shuttle practice to Terminals 1 or 2, the place registration desks could be discovered on the primary flooring.
Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport (TPE): Taipei, Taiwan
Transit passengers should have at the least seven hours (and not more than 24) earlier than their connecting flight to reap the benefits of one in all Taipei’s three free half-day excursions. The morning outing (which leaves Terminal 2 at 8:15 a.m. and Terminal 1 at 8:30 a.m.) covers the 286-year-old Bangka Lungshan Temple, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Corridor, and hip Yongkang Road. Afternoon excursions (which depart Terminal 2 at 1:45 p.m. and Terminal 1 at 2 p.m.) cease at Daxi Outdated Road, recognized for its Baroque structure and historic shophouses; the 1902 Daxi Puji Temple; and the Musical Word Wall of Fong Fei-fei, devoted to the late pop singer. Lastly, night excursions depart between 5:50 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. and start on the 33-story statement deck on the New Taipei Metropolis Corridor, earlier than persevering with with stops on the Jieyun Temple and Nanya Night time Market, which is understood for such specialties as natural catfish soup, oyster omelets, and the better-than-it-sounds smelly tofu.
How to enroll
There are solely 18 spots per tour, so if you wish to assure a spot, you possibly can guide on-line 5 to 90 days previous to arrival. If there are nonetheless slots accessible day of, vacationers can register on the Vacationer Service Facilities within the arrival lobbies of Terminals 1 and a pair of.
This text was initially revealed in 2017 and most not too long ago up to date on December 13, 2024 with present data.
