Add an extra day or two between flights to check out these hot stopover locations.
Long journey ahead? You could do the hard slog and catch a couple of zzzs at the airport in between flights, or you could strategically extend that layover a day or two to break up the journey and tick another city off your list.
If you’re liking the sound of opting for an extended stopover to discover somewhere new, these are the places like Dubai that are worth swinging by and checking out.
8 places like Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong
Singapore
Santiago
Seoul
Bangkok
Beijing
Doha
1. Abu Dhabi
Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a centre of commerce and industry that features a skyline of incredible modern architecture.
The capital of the United Arab Emirates is a luxurious getaway of high-rise, domed mosques and exquisite palaces. Browse its extensive and expensive mall offerings, take a relaxing dip in its cool waters or catch your breath as you gaze upon its desert expanse.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Etihad Airways and .
Don’t miss: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi Corniche and Jebel Hafeet.
Best day tour: Abu Dhabi Day Tour
Check the price of flights to Abu Dhabi
2. Hong Kong
This island city is a melting pot of culture, shopping and nightlife. Got a red-eye stopover? Hong Kong will still be open.
Hong Kong is the kind of stopover that you can make enroute to other Asian destinations or on the way to places such as London or Rome. This territory is so tiny that it can be covered in a few hours – though it really is worth a longer visit!
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Cathay Pacific.
Don’t miss: Victoria Peak, Hong Kong DIsneyland, Lantau Island, Repulse Bay and Tian Tan Buddha.
Best day tour: Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Tour
Check the price of flights to Hong Kong
3. Singapore
Traditional temples meet modern skyscrapers in the beautiful nation of Singapore.
Singapore is an enviable stopover point, and that’s not just because it has one of the best layover airports in the world. The city is easily accessed by public transport from the airport, is highly walkable and offers a unique cityscape of gardens, high-rise, temples, luxury condos and hawker food stalls.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Singapore Airlines.
Don’t miss: Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Singapore Flyer.
Best day tour: Singapore City Tour including Singapore Botanic Gardens
Check the price of flights to Singapore
4. Santiago de Chile
If you’re going to endure the long flight to South America, you may as well add an extra city on the way.
The capital of Chile is an arresting city bordered by the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. Remnants of the city’s colonial history are found on every corner, from cathedrals to museums.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: LATAM.
Don’t miss: San Cristobal Hill, Santa Lucia Hill, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, Plaza de Armas and Valle Nevado.
Best day tour: Santiago Day Tour with Santa Lucia Hill
Check the price of flights to Santiago de Chile
5. Seoul
For somewhere a little left of centre, make Seoul your stopover of choice.
The capital of South Korea is impossible not to fall in love with. Bursting with excitement, Seoul’s futuristic landscape comprises shopping malls, rooftop parks, restaurants and clubs that never seem to close.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Korean Air.
Don’t miss: Jogye Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and N Seoul Tower.
Best day tour: Full Day Essential Seoul Tour
Check the price of flights to Seoul
6. Bangkok
Not for the short layover, Bangkok is for those who really want a city break in between destinations.
Thailand’s glorious capital is a chaotic city of temples, rivers and shopping malls. Take the time to cruise down the river, eat from hawker stalls, scale its numerous temples and shop at the night markets which line the pavements and wheedle their way into every space imaginable.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Thai Airways.
Don’t miss: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Sanctuary of Truth, Grand Palace and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Best day tour: Bangkok Scooter Tour
Check the price of flights to Bangkok
7. Beijing
China’s 72-hour visa-free transit policy means anyone flying from one of 51 countries can stop in Beijing and tour the city for three days without having to apply for a visa.
Australia, naturally, is one of those 51 countries. So why not take advantage of this policy if you’re landing in this metropolis anyway? In three days you can cover the main sights including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and, if you play your cards rights, even the Great Wall.
Airlines that offer stopovers here: Air China.
Don’t miss: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.
Best day tour: Beijing City Tour: Temple of Heaven, Beijing Zoo and Boating at Summer Palace.
Check the price of flights to Beijing
8. Doha
Stroll along the waterfront and shop the street markets on a relaxing layover in the Persian Gulf.
You could spend your layover blitzing through another city, but if you’d prefer to use it as a wind-down before you return to reality, Doha offers a laidback transit stop. Its highlights include museums, a seaside promenade, parks and luxury islands.
Airlines that offer stopovers here:
Don’t miss: The Pearl-Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Kingdom of Aladdin and Doha Corniche.
Best day tour: 8 Hour Cultural Doha Day Tour
Check the price of flights to Doha
Which airlines offer stopovers for flights exiting Australia?
Use our table of popular airlines and destinations to help you decide who to fly with and where to make that ultimate stopover.
Destination
Airline
Possible stopover options
Europe, North America
Air China
Shanghai, Beijing
North America
Air New Zealand
Auckland
Asia
AirAsia
Kuala Lumpur
North America
American Airlines
Los Angeles
Europe
Asiana Airlines
Seoul
Europe
British Airways
Singapore
Europe
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong
Europe, North America
China Southern
Guangzhou, Beijing, Wuhan
Europe
Emirates
Dubai, Bangkok
Europe, North America, South America, Africa
Etihad Airways
Abu Dhabi, Sao Paulo (flights to South America), Nairobi (flights to Africa)
Europe, North America, Asia
Garuda Indonesia
Jakarta, Bali
North America
Hawaiian Airlines
Honolulu
Europe
Japan Airlines
Tokyo
Asia
Jet Airways
Singapore, Mumbai
Europe
Korean Air
Seoul
South America
LATAM
Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, Lima, Sao Paulo
Europe
Malaysia Airlines
Kuala Lumpur
North America
Philippine Airlines
Manila
Europe
Qantas
Singapore
Europe, Africa
Abu Dhabi, Doha
Europe, Asia
Singapore Airlines
Singapore
Africa
South African Airways
Johannesburg
Europe
Thai Airways
Bangkok
Africa
Turkish Airlines
Istanbul, Singapore
North America
United Airlines
Los Angeles
Europe
Virgin Atlantic
Hong Kong
North America
Virgin Australia
Los Angeles
Best flight deals with stopover airlines
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Moscow return from $1796
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