Six surprising stopover destinations from Australia

Break up a long-haul flight from Australia to the UK, Europe, South Africa or North America by adding one of these unexpected stopover destinations to your flight itinerary.

Even the most intrepid of travellers inwardly cringe at the prospect of 24 hours or more spent flying from Australia to Europe, Africa or North America. However, if your journey has one or more connections, you have the opportunity to transform a common transit between gates into an (almost) free holiday. By incorporating one of these stopover destinations, you can break up the monotony of a multi-flight route and add a whole new dimension to your trip. Imagine exploring the vibrant city-state of Singapore, eating ramen in the metropolis of Tokyo or delving into the history of Istanbul – all before arriving at your final destination. A well-planned stopover, whether for 24 hours or several days, can be the key to a revitalised arrival and a richer travel experience. We consulted Mark Trim, the founder and managing director at RoundAbout Travel, to get his expert advice on the best stopover cities for Australians venturing into Africa and the northern hemisphere. With more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry, Mark Trim has an in-depth understanding of airfare pricing, market trends and premium travel products.

The best stopover destinations between Australia and Europe, South Africa and North America

Tokyo, Japan

Australians heading to Europe and North America can break up the journey with a stop in Japan. “Japan is incredibly popular at the moment, but a return ticket to Japan from Australia isn’t that much cheaper than going to Europe or North America via Japan, either on a return ticket through Tokyo in both directions or including Japan as your Asian stopover destination on a round the world trip,” says Trim “This is an especially great value add-on in premium cabins with well-priced deals from ANA and Japan Airlines. Get more bang for your buck while breaking up the travel time: instead of six weeks in Europe, perhaps consider four to five weeks in Europe and one to two weeks in Japan.”

Mark’s top tip for frequent flyers:
“Stopping for more than a couple of nights? Be sure to include Kyoto on your trip, the cultural heart of Japan, which is easily accessible by train from Tokyo or Osaka. Travelling with kids or a kid at heart? Check out Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea, which has recently opened new Frozen, Rapunzel and Peter Pan attractions in the Fantasy Springs precinct. Visiting Disneyland in Tokyo is a much cheaper alternative to the US parks or Disneyland Paris.”

Seoul, South Korea

Those travelling from Australia to Europe can apply the same formula of a Japan stopover to Seoul in South Korea, says Trim. “Similar to Japan, tickets on Asiana or Korean Airlines are often cheaper than direct flights across the Pacific. This can open up the option for adding a stopover destination in Seoul, saving you money while adding a destination.”

Muscat, Oman

Although Oman is located in West Asia, it shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, and maritime borders with Iran and Pakistan. It is perhaps the most progressive of the countries in the region, and the capital city of Muscat is fast becoming a popular stopover destination between Australia and Europe due to the incredible value airfare deals flying Oman Air, especially in premium cabins, says Trim. “Flat Beds offers return business class fares to Europe for under $6500 from major ports across Australia via Asia and Muscat to a small number of European destinations including London, Frankfurt, Milan and Paris.”

Mark’s top tip for frequent flyers:
“Oman has an interesting history and impressive architecture, from the Grand Mosque to the Mutrah Fort, but the beaches and mountainous terrain will surprise you the most. You can even swim with turtles, and excellent snorkelling and diving options are available off the coast.”

Singapore

If you’re planning a holiday in Europe, South Africa or North America, Singapore is one of the best stopover destinations for all travellers, especially families. “Singapore continues to be an important stopover point due to the flight connections offered, especially from Perth, Adelaide, Cairns and Brisbane where longer transits are more likely than in Sydney or Melbourne,” says Trim. “Cheaper airfare prices through Singapore drive strong volumes of bookings from Australians, but the relatively small number of direct connections to Europe – compared to the larger destination footprints of the Middle Eastern carriers – can mean it’s more important to break a longer journey at the transit gateway in Singapore as you may be connecting via another hub, such as London, Frankfurt or Munich.”

Mark’s top tip for frequent flyers:
“If you’ve been to Singapore before and are looking for something unique to do, try the Museum of Ice-Cream, a multi-sensory experience for anyone with a sweet tooth that feels a bit like being in a Katy Perry film clip. Need to work off the extra calories? Head to Henderson Waves for a unique skywalk above the jungle canopy. It’s Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge and connects beautiful nature walks around Singapore’s green belt.”

Istanbul

Whilst many wouldn’t consider Istanbul a stopover destination en route to Europe, rather within Europe, landing in Istanbul is a great way to reduce your flying time into more reasonable legs before heading to your final destination, says Trim. “What better way to take advantage of Turkish Airlines’ new flights from Melbourne, or a multitude of routing options via Asia from various Australian departure points, including often-overlooked Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or Manila? Often it’s the last few hours of a long flight that are felt the most, so why not stopover at the gateway to Europe in one of the most impressive cities in the world: Istanbul.”

Mark’s top tip for frequent flyers:
“Taking a few days to acclimatise and sightsee before continuing to your destination can add another layer of enjoyment to your holiday – and Turkish Airlines service more countries than any other airline in the world.”

Hawaii, USA

The key to adding an island break on your way to or from mainland North America is a stopover in Hawaii. While most airlines charge a premium for this – sometimes adding thousands of dollars to a return ticket – Trim says there are two ways around it. “Look at flying Hawaiian Airlines via Honolulu in both directions. This can be a good value option at times but often leaves you with longer flights from Hawaii to the mainland USA on narrow-body jets with an average onboard experience. Instead, consider a ‘Circle Pacific’ or round-the-world ticket which can include a stopover in Hawaii for a very reasonable premium. These fares are fantastic for those with extra time on their hands.”

Mark’s top tip for frequent flyers:
“Been to Honolulu before or do you prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of Waikiki? Consider adding an island stay with a huge range of cheap and short domestic flights offered. Visit the black sand beaches of the Big Island or laze on the beautiful beaches of Maui at one of the resorts dotted along the coastline.”

What is a stopover destination?
A stopover destination lets you extend your layover or connection on a long-haul flight into a full-fledged visit. Instead of being confined to the airport, you can explore a new city, unwind on a beach, or dive into local culture – all before continuing your journey to your final stop.

How to book a flight with a stopover destination
Booking a flight with a stopover destination requires a slightly different approach than a standard one-way trip. Many airlines offer stopover options directly on their websites. Look for ‘multi-city’ or ‘stopover’ options during your search. Alternatively, some travel agents specialise in crafting such itineraries. Be sure to communicate your desired stopover destinations and length of stay to ensure the airline or agent understands your travel goals.

Most common stopover destinations from Australia to Europe
For Australians on long hauls to Europe or the USA, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, or the West Coast of the US are the most common connection points. Expect stopovers in cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Seoul.