By Chantae Reden, travel writer.
Did you know that for every long-haul flight you do, you could be seeing multiple destinations – at no extra cost? We’ve run the numbers and found that adding one layover can save up to 50 per cent on the direct fare. With some travel hacking you can turn the layover into a stopover and use these savings to explore an additional destination.
In this guide from Skyscanner Australia, I’ll cover the best money-saving layover routes (and how much you’ll save), how to turn these savings into a multi day stopover in just a few easy steps, as well as my favourite stopover routes and experiences.
But first thing’s first! A layover is the waiting time between connecting flights, ranging 30 minutes to 24 hours. A stopover refers to a stay that lasts longer than 24 hours, giving you more time to visit somewhere new.
Spending a few extra days in a stopover city not only gives you a break from flying, but it also lets you experience a new place at no extra cost. I’ve hiked around geothermal pools in New Zealand, surfed waves on the Gold Coast of Australia, and sampled new foods in China, all because I’ve taken advantage of flight stopovers.
The best money-saving layover routes for Australians
Sydney (SYD) to Seoul (ICN) via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) = 54 per cent average saving
Sydney (SYD) to Tokyo (NRT) via Cairns (CNS) = 52 per cent average saving
Sydney (SYD) to Bangkok (BKK) via Singapore (SIN) = 49 per cent average saving
Sydney (SYD) to Hong Kong (HKG) via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) = 46 per cent average saving
Sydney (SYD) to London (LHR) via Delhi (DEL) = 64 per cent average saving
Top Comments
But you're not really seeing two for the price of one, are you? Once you factor in the cost of accommodation, sight seeing, food (not to mention the hassle of airport transfers, clearing customs, visas, arranging for immunisations if you're staying somewhere "exotic" etc etc), you actually end up spending, not saving, money.
1. A stopover is a "hack"? Really? I'm all for breaking up a trip, particularly on a Europe to Australia leg, and stopovers have existed for years.
2. Sydney to LA via China? And just for one night? That's an insane itinerary. It's flying in the wrong direction for about 10 hours. You'd arrive in LA very tired and jetlagged all for a night in China? Did an American write this article? Just make China a separate trip if that's a destination you want to see someday.
3. The headline is all wrong. Two cities for the price of one?
Maybe where the airfare is concerned, but you have to consider transfers, accommodation, meals, spending, local transport, possible increase in travel insurance depending on destination, less time at your actual destination, and so on. It adds up.