When you fly long distances, stops are the worst.
Either you rush from one gate to the other in a mad dash and try not to miss your gate flightor you spend 10 hours on a dirty airport floor eating $15 sandwiches and try to pass the time.
But it really doesn’t have to be this way.
As Aussies, it’s almost impossible to avoid long-haul flights with layovers; almost every bucket list destination is on the other side of the world.
Maybe that’s why this new “two-in-one” travel trend is taking off.
Data shows that travelers are choosing to view layovers not just as an unavoidable hassle, but also as a way to explore new destinations and extend their vacation.
According to travel search engine data Skyscannerthere has been a notable increase in the number of bookings for long-haul flights to destinations such as Istanbul, London, Shanghai and India.
There has been a 300 per cent spike in searches from Australians looking to travel to Shanghai later this year. This can often be a flight of more than 20 hours, so why not break up the flight with a stopover in Hong Kong?
It doesn’t even have to cost more: Cathay Pacific offers stopovers in Hong Kong for travelers passing through the city.
Many airlines and airports offer layover packages and deals, making it even easier to create a two-in-one vacation.
Abu Dhabi, for example, is a popular stopover destination for Australians traveling to Europe or North Africa. And if you book a flight with Etihadyou can stay up to two nights for free in a hotel of your choice in the city.
Other airlines such as IcelandAir, Qatar Airways and Emirates offer similar programs for travelers transiting through popular layover cities.
Skyscanner travel expert Cyndi Hui tells 9Travel: “Because Australia is so far from many global hubs, taking the time to enjoy a layover rather than rushing through airports can really help Australians get the most out of their travel experiences. “
“It’s a smart way to make the most of their travel time, turning what was previously just a stopover into a memorable part of the adventure.”
If you’re flexible about dates and locations, Skype’s multi-city search lets you search for up to six legs of your trip.
Even if you only have a 12 or 24 hour layover in a city, there are ways to get out of the airport and explore the city.
Airports including those in Istanbul, Singapore and Seoul offer free city tours and shuttle services to points of interest.