Why fly halfway around the world just to sit in an airport lounge eating packet peanuts for eight hours?

According to Flight Centre’s 2025 Global PR Survey, only 49% of South Africans say they always prefer direct flights. That means more than half are open to stopovers – especially when it means squeezing more experiences out of every ticket and landing feeling refreshed!

For savvy South African travellers, long-haul layovers are no longer dead time – when well-planned, they double up as bonus holidays. With a bit of know-how (and help from someone who knows what they’re doing), you can turn your stopover into a street-food safari in Singapore, a museum hop through Doha, or even a nap-and-spa session in Seoul.

“More travellers are asking how they can ‘double dip’ on their trips,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa. “We love that energy. With smart routing and insider knowledge, we help them turn transit zones into bucket-list moments.”

So, if you’ve got an international trip coming up and you’re open to exploring beyond your final stop… welcome to the art of the intentional layover.

Plan it like a pro

Not all layovers are created equal. Some are just overpriced coffee and bad Wi-Fi. Others? Total game-changers.

The trick is to choose your stopover city like you’d choose your destination. Look for places that offer visa-free entry for South African passport holders (hello, Singapore and Doha), fast airport-to-city transfers, and bonus perks like free tours or hotel deals.

“Most travellers don’t realise how much value is hiding in their flight path,” says Turner. “We help customers spot those sweet spots where a longer layover actually adds something to the trip.”

A few things to keep in mind:

• Check the visa rules before booking – even short exits might require paperwork.
• Don’t overcommit. Leave buffer time for queues, traffic, or that one friend who always gets randomly selected at security.
• Ask about stopover packages offered by airlines (like Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines) that include hotels or city tours at reduced rates.

Rest stops that actually feel like holidays

Sometimes, the bucket-list moment is sinking into a proper bed between flights and waking up without a crick in your neck!

According to Flight Centre’s 2025 Global PR Survey (conducted across South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada), 87% of South African travellers say they’re seeking ‘quiet travel’ experiences. For them, stopovers are recovery time disguised as luxury.

So, instead of white-knuckling your way through back-to-back long-haul flights, why not build in some breathing room?

Here are some top-tier stopover perks:

• Doha’s Oryx Airport Hotel: Check in without leaving Hamad International. Shower? Nap? Sorted.
• Changi Airport’s wellness zones: Look forward to reflexology paths, nap pods, free snooze lounges, and swinging pendulum chairs.
• Istanbul Airport lounges: Indulge in gourmet buffets, private shower suites, and more.

Not every stopover needs to be go-go-go. Sometimes luxury is doing nothing – just really well!

Your layover adventure toolkit

Got eight hours to kill? You could scroll Instagram in a departure lounge… or you could be riding the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour with dim sum on your mind.

The secret? A little bit of prep and a lot of curiosity.

Here are three smart ways to turn your layover into a highlight:

1. Book an airport tour

Airports like Incheon (Seoul), Changi (Singapore), and Schiphol (Amsterdam) offer free or low-cost transit tours designed around your flight times. No stress or guesswork – just board the bus and go.

2. DIY day trip

If you’re confident navigating public transport (and your bags are safely checked through), hop on an express train or airport shuttle and explore solo. Just set an alarm; missing your next flight is NOT the vibe.

3. Eat like you mean it

Layover too short for sightseeing? Go straight for flavour. Grab Turkish tea in Istanbul, ramen in Tokyo, or kaya toast at Singapore’s airport hawker stalls. One meal can be a cultural deep-dive.

According to Turner, travellers often come home raving more about their stopover than their main destination. “It’s those unexpected moments that stick,” she says.

5 incredible stopovers for SA travellers

Doha, Qatar
South Africans get up to 30 days visa-free in Qatar, which makes Doha one of the easiest stopover cities around. With just six hours to spare, you can shop spices and souvenirs at Souq Waqif, take in skyline views along the Corniche, or explore Islamic art masterpieces at MIA. Qatar Airways even offers hotel deals and city tours designed specifically for layovers.

Singapore
Another stopover superstar, Singapore also offers South Africans 30 days visa-free entry. Plus, Changi Airport is a destination all on its own! If you’ve got a layover between 5.5 and 24 hours, sign up for one of their free city tours or head out on your own to visit Gardens by the Bay or Marina Bay Sands. Don’t miss Jewel at Changi, home to the world’s largest indoor waterfall (standing at a whopping 40m).

Seoul (Incheon), South Korea
South African passport holders can get a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days in Seoul (costing just over R700*), and Incheon Airport does layovers brilliantly. Join an organised transit tour (some as short as two hours) or venture out yourself to explore Gyeongbokgung Palace or sample Korean street food like tteokbokki and hotteok before your next flight.

Hong Kong
With no visa required for stays under 30 days, Hong Kong is ideal if you’ve got six hours or more between flights. The Airport Express whisks you downtown in less than a half an hour – perfect for catching a ferry across Victoria Harbour, riding up Victoria Peak for panoramic views, or tucking into dim sum in Mong Kok.

London (UK)
If you already have a valid UK visitor visa (or qualify under specific transit conditions), London is packed with potential even on short notice. Paddington Station is just 15 minutes from Heathrow via express train, giving you time to stroll along the Thames, snap Big Ben selfies, or grab lunch at Borough Market.

What’s the best thing about turning a layover into a mini-holiday? You’ve already paid for most of the journey – now you’re just upgrading the experience.

So, if your next trip includes a long haul… make it count – twice!

*Visa costs are subject to change