The 7 Best Cities to Spend an Extended Layover

To book a connecting flight or spring for the direct? That’s the question most travelers face when browsing flights for their long-haul excursions. While direct options are, of course, the most convenient choice, they often carry heftier price tags than itineraries that include layovers. In other words, convenience versus cost. Fortunately, for those on the fence, airlines are beginning to sweeten the deal with layovers, launching what are called stopover programs—incentives to lengthen your layover and spend 24 hours or more in your international transfer city (listed in alphabetical order).

In hubs and layover hot spots around the globe, carriers are now offering in-the-know passengers visa-free entry into the country, discounted airport transfers, luxury-hotel deals, and custom itineraries tailored to shorter trips.

AD’s got the scoop on the world’s most intriguing stopover programs, ranging from five-star stays in Doha to Nordic shopping and sauna experiences in Helsinki. Below are the seven cities that are making the most compelling cases for the connecting flight.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Etihad invites its passengers to spend 48 hours in Abu Dhabi free of charge. The airline has partnered with an array of three- and four-star properties that will comp two-night stays for Etihad travelers. More lucrative, though, is the airline’s two-for-one promotion that includes, as its name suggests, one free and one paid night at one of the city’s luxury hotels, like the posh St. Regis Abu Dhabi, the sleek Edition, or the sweeping, beachfront Emirates Palace. Those who reserve the latter hotel promotion are also eligible for discounted city excursions with tour operator Hala Abu Dhabi.

Montreal, Canada

Air Canada will either foot the bill or extend a discounted rate for an overnight stay in Montreal, depending on the passenger's ticket type. Also available on the airline’s Vancouver and Montreal flights, this promotion may be just the incentive snow lovers need to venture to The City of a Hundred Steeples for some al fresco adventures, like ice skating in the Old Port and snowshoeing on Mont-Royal. Those open to splurging a bit during their Canadian sojourn should consider booking a stay at the Four Seasons, the new crown jewel of Golden Square Mile—located next to the city’s premier department store, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy.

Doha, Qatar

Travelers flying through Doha’s Hamad International Airport can take advantage of a stopover promotion from Qatar Airways, which enables its international passengers to remain in the country for up to four nights without a visa. The airline has partnered with a number of four- and five-star hotels that will offer rates as low as $23 a night for participating customers. Those with a more flexible budget may opt for a stay at the recently opened, luxe Mandarin Oriental or Park Hyatt hotels, located in the city’s brand-new Msheireb Downtown district. The world’s first sustainable regeneration project, this cultural, gastronomic, and retail hub is among Doha’s must-visit stopover sites, along with the Jean Nouvel–designed National Museum of Qatar, the open-air Souq Waqif market, and the waterfront Katara Cultural Village. Tours of Doha take passengers to architectural and cultural points of interest, including Katara; The Pearl Qatar, a man-made island replete with marinas, residential towers, luxury boutiques, and upscale restaurants; the Museum of Islamic Art and its seaside park; and Souq Waqif, a sprawling historic bazaar lined with sidewalk cafes and stalls where vendors sell jewelry, spices, and handicrafts. Passengers who opt to head into the desert can go off-roading among towering sand dunes in a monster bus, or go on a private desert safari in a luxury 4x4 vehicle. Before boarding their next flight, passengers flying premium can head to the airline's lavish lounge at Hamad International for a hot shower in a private suite and refuel with a bite from one of the lounge's international dining options.

Reykjavik, Iceland

One of the world’s best-known stopover programs, the Icelandair initiative invites travelers to visit Reykjavik and surrounding cities for up to seven days en route to their final destination. The airline has popularized the use of #MyStopover on Instagram, and a search of the hashtag yields over half a million photos of radiant sunsets, mesmerizing views of the Northern Lights, horseback rides, and, of course, fjords. Modern lodgings are in abundance here, and the city’s top hotels include the convenient and classic Hotel Borg and the smartly appointed Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel. No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to—and a soak in—the Blue Lagoon, which includes a luxury hotel, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland. Conceptualized by the same team behind the Blue Lagoon itself and located on a private inlet of the UNESCO Global Geopark, the Retreat has 62 minimalist-style suites, plus its own spa, lagoon access, and restaurant. Beyond the Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik's Nordic restaurants, boutiques, and museums are ripe for exploring, and the island nation's southern coast offers adventures aplenty, from ice climbing and snowmobiling to waterfall treks and horseback riding.

Helsinki, Finland

Spa days and treks to see the Northern Lights are in the cards for travelers with layovers in Helsinki. Finnair’s stopover program enables flyers to remain in the capital city for up to five days and its website offers a number of suggested activities, including Baltic Sea–front sauna visits, boat tours, and hikes. Other local recommendations include a stop at the Wes Anderson–esque Café Regatta, a visit to the 19th-century Sinebrychoff estate, and a stay at centrally located Hotel Kämp, a member of Leading Hotels of the World.

Finland is a hotbed of smart Scandinavian design, a location where passengers can explore Helsinki highlights, including shopping for Finnish brands like Marimekko and Iittala and visiting eye-popping sites like Kamppi Chapel of Silence in Narinkka Square. Other stopover options include popping over to Tallinn in neighboring Estonia via a fast ferry, and stargazing in Eastern Finland's Koli National Park, which is home to a nature center, spa, and tranquil hiking trails.

Singapore

All passengers making connections at Singapore’s Changi Airport can choose between two free city tour options, depending on the length of their layover. The Heritage Tour delves into Singapore's past and present with visits to its colonial, financial, and commercial districts, the latter of which is a hot spot for traditional hawker fare. Passing through Little India and Chinatown, passengers will get a feel for the city's international flavors. As does the Heritage Tour, the City Sights Tour includes stops at Merlion Park and its famous half-lion, half-fish sculpture and fountain; the historic Kampong Glam neighborhood, which is the heart of the city's Malay community; the Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel; and the Instagrammable and otherworldly Gardens by the Bay. In December 2017, Singapore Airlines began rolling out new cabin products aboard its fleet of A380s, including six spacious private suites apiece. Each sliding-door suite is outfitted with a fully lie-flat bed (double beds are available for couples), a plush leather chair, a 32-inch HD monitor, a full-size personal wardrobe, and leather-lined amenity box. Singapore Air is incentivizing travelers to spend one to two nights there with its Singapore Stopover Holiday packages, which feature hotel stays, airport transfers, free entry to local attractions, and discounts on dining experiences. Packages range from $30 to $162 and can be reserved through the airline’s website.

Zurich, Switzerland

Swiss International Airlines is making travel to its hub city more tempting with its comprehensive Stopover Switzerland offerings. The carrier is promoting various packages—each includes free train, bus, and boat travel, along with free or reduced entrance to most local museums. Must-experience Zurich attractions include the Kunsthaus Zurich (its immersive Olafur Eliasson exhibition is on through March 22, 2020), the historic Polybahn funicular, and the astounding, cacti-filled Sukkulenten-Sammlung botanical garden.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest