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The benefits of a night-long stopover on a long haul flight

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to long-haul flights, there is nothing easy about being stuck in a plane for hours on end. </p> <p dir="ltr">Flying is exhausting, and can impact us in many physical and mental ways.</p> <p dir="ltr">While boarding a plane is undoubtedly exciting as you jet off to begin your holiday, looking at a long flight ahead can also make you dread the air travel. </p> <p dir="ltr">One solution to these long, sleepless hours on a plane is to break up your travel with a night stopover along the way to your destination. </p> <p dir="ltr">Say you’re flying from Australia or New Zealand to somewhere in Europe, taking 24 hours to recharge in Asia can make all the difference. </p> <p dir="ltr">Here are just a few reasons that taking a night stopover on a long haul flight is something you should consider on your next overseas journey. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Adjusting to jet lag</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Flying from one side of the world to the other often means travelling through multiple time zones that can mess up your body clock. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stopping along the way can often help you ease into a new time zone a lot easier, even if the time in your stopover destination is different to your final stop. </p> <p dir="ltr">Taking a few hours off the plane and living in a new time zone often helps beat the jet lag when you arrive at your final destination, making the first days of your holiday a breeze.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Giving your body a break</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Air travel physically affects your body in many different ways. </p> <p dir="ltr">From dehydration, stress on your ears, swelling limbs, and exposing you to germs in the recycled air, the physical toll of flying is no joke. </p> <p dir="ltr">Taking a much needed break from these harsh elements can limit how long these effects hang around for. </p> <p dir="ltr">You are able to rewind these physical effects much quicker with a break in your air travel, meaning you are able to bounce back from the second leg of your trip easier to enjoy your time away. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Being able to rest and recharge</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It's no secret that being able to get good quality sleep on a plane is near impossible. </p> <p dir="ltr">Having a night stopover along your journey means you can get a shower and good nights rest to make the rest of your journey feel like a walk in the park. </p> <p dir="ltr">Breaking up two long-haul flights with a sleep, refresh and good quality meal is sometimes all it takes to make air travel feel much easier. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Exploring somewhere new</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Stopping somewhere along the way to your final destination means you get to explore a new place that you might not have thought of visiting. </p> <p dir="ltr">Experiencing a new culture along the way to your holiday spot is a great way to discover new destinations, even if it’s only for a short while. </p> <p dir="ltr">You could easily fall in love with your stop-over destination and all it has to offer, giving you a reason to start booking your next holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Tips

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How missing a flight on purpose could save you hundreds

<p>Everyone has their own little ways of saving a few extra bucks on their holidays, but this trick has to be one of the strangest we’ve ever heard. An increasing number of travellers are choosing to deliberately miss their flights, claiming it saves them hundreds.</p> <p>Known as “hidden city ticketing”, the idea was first popularised by website Skiplagged, which suggested passengers leave a flight during the stopover instead of continuing to the final destination.</p> <p>As <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/4094680/how-missing-a-flight-on-purpose-can-knock-hundreds-off-plane-fares-but-airlines-will-hate-you-for-it/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Sun</span></strong></em></a> explains, someone wanting to fly from New York City to Chicago could buy a ticket taking them there directly for about $500. However, they could cut the price in half by booking a flight to Los Angeles with a stopover in Chicago for just $250. We know which one we’d choose!</p> <p>But before you go crazy booking flights, there’s a catch. While it’s not illegal to do, airlines – and your fellow passengers – will hate you for it. Why? Two simple reasons. One, the plane would appear fuller, pushing up the seat prices for other travellers. Two, passengers on the connecting flight would be forced to wait around on the tarmac for late passengers, possibly causing a delay.</p> <p>In addition, if you’re bringing checked luggage with you, it will most likely end up at the final destination and not the stopover, so you might get there cheaper, but your bag won’t.</p> <p>Some airlines have banned the practice, so if you’re a frequent flyer or part of a loyalty scheme you might want to give it a miss, but if you’re desperate enough for those savings, then maybe it’s worth the risk.</p>

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5 airports that offer free city tours during a stopover

<p>Cheap airfares are great when you can get them, but when you reach your stopover destination, you might find yourself with more hours to kill than you expected. Well, why not think of your layover as a chance to tick another destination off the bucket list? Leave the crowded, uncomfortable and expensive airport and go on a free tour of your stopover city. Here are five destinations where you can do just that and return to the airport in time for your connecting flight.</p> <ol start="1"> <li><strong>Singapore</strong> – Singapore’s Changi airport is a marvel itself, but the city is something everyone should see in their lifetime. The City Sights and Heritage tours run six times a day, showing off all the highlights of this incredible city. To book, head to Transfer Lounge F in Terminal 2 or Transfer Lounge A in Terminal 3.</li> <li><strong>Taipei</strong> – If you have between seven and 24 hours to spare upon landing at Taoyuan airport, you can see all the sights of Taiwan’s capital city for free. There are two tours on offer each day, which can be booked upon arrival at the Tourist Service Centre in the Arrival Lobbies of Terminals 1 and 2.</li> <li><strong>Tokyo</strong> – All you need is five hours at Narita Airport to see some of Narita’s most beautiful sights, including the stunning Narita-san Shinso-Ji Temple. Register for one of five different tours at the Narita Transit Tourism Counter in Terminals 1 and 2 between the hours of 9 am and 12 pm.</li> <li><strong>Doha</strong> – Qatar’s intriguing, bustling capital boasts some incredible architecture, art and culture. Anyone arriving between 4 am and 7 pm with a layover time of five to 12 hours is eligible. Simply visit the Dohar City Tour desk between the departures board, Chanel/Dior duty free store and a store named Marmalade.</li> <li><strong>Istanbul</strong> – Turkey’s east-meets-west capital city has one of the busiest airports in the world – Ataturk. If you’ve got six or more hours to spare, you can sign up for the free “touristanbul” tour which takes you to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Upon arrival, look for the Hotel Desk (located next to Starbucks) in the international arrivals hall.</li> </ol>

International Travel

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5 best locations for a stopover

<p>A stopover isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but if you’re lucky enough to be stranded in one of these destinations at the very least you’ll have a decent time.</p> <p><strong>Hong Kong</strong></p> <p><strong>Direct from: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide</strong></p> <p>One of Asia’s most vibrant, fascinating cities, Hong Kong is an easy hop from most Australian states. The Airport Express Train will have you in the centre of the city in just 30 minutes, so you have plenty of time for shopping at one of the buzzing street markets, dining on delicious street food or exploring grand colonial buildings. Once you’re in Hong Kong, the world is your oyster and you can fly pretty much anywhere you want.</p> <p><strong>Seoul, Korea (Pictured)</strong></p> <p><strong>Direct from: Sydney and Brisbane</strong></p> <p>In case you haven’t heard, Korea is seriously cool at the moment. It has a café culture that leaves Melbourne in the shade, including different ones where you can pet dogs, cats and sheep. The fashion, design and music is cutting edge, and the streets are filled with young people dressed in their best at all hours of the day. There’s no denying Seoul can be overwhelming, but it’s certainly somewhere you will never forget.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34434/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (124)"/></p> <p><strong>Hawaii, USA</strong></p> <p><strong>Direct from: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane</strong></p> <p>Take a look at a map – between Australia and the Americas there is a whole lot of empty ocean. So why not break that flight over the world’s largest ocean with a little beach getaway? Flights from Australia land in the capital Honolulu, which is just a short distance from the resort mecca of Waikiki. Flop and drop here or take a short flight to one of the other gorgeous islands. Spend a few days snorkelling, diving, surfing, playing golf or doing absolutely nothing at all.</p> <p><strong>Beijing, China</strong></p> <p><strong>Direct from: Sydney and Melbourne</strong></p> <p>China is opening up to the world at a rapid pace and is a great new option for Australian travellers on their way to Europe. A special visa program lets you spend 72 hours in the country, which is enough time to marvel at a city with roughly the same population as our whole country. Soaring skyscrapers rub shoulders with historic temples, narrow hutong (laneways) have been turned into hip hangouts and more than 60,000 restaurants are serving up a dizzying array of cuisine from every corner of China.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34436/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (126)"/></p> <p><strong>Johannesburg, South Africa</strong></p> <p><strong>Direct from: Sydney and Perth</strong></p> <p>Stopover safari? Yes please! This one is a little out of the way, but it really lets you have two holidays in one. From Jo’burg (as it’s known) you can easily spend a few days in the incomparable Kruger National Park, a two million hectare wilderness wonderland that’s home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. The flight itself can even be pretty spectacular, crossing over the Antarctic sea ice that will be visible on a clear day.</p> <p>Have you stopped over at any of these destinations? Share your experience in the comments below.</p>

International Travel

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6 rules to get the most out of a stopover

<p>Singapore's population is made up by roughly 75 per cent Chinese, 15 per cent Malaysian, and 7.5 per cent Indian.  The place to buy stolen goods in this muggy metropolis used to be the (creatively titled) Sungei Road Thieves markets, and back in the day in the city-state's Little India district the shopkeepers battled their colonial leaders to let their stalls spill out into the street.</p> <p>These ultimately useless facts cemented themselves firmly on my brain halfway through my third go-around on the city's hop-on, hop-off bus tour.  I sat on the top deck, with all the enthusiasm of a dad dragged along to his kid's school play.  What fun.  On any other holiday I would look down on those sunburn-bound hordes manically clicking away on cameras from the top deck, but today the sodden seat of the Singapore hop-on hop-off tour was my saviour.</p> <p>Of course, it was never supposed to be like this. "Two overnight flights with 18 hours in Singapore is just making the most of my journey back to London," I had foolishly thought two days earlier.  After 11 hours crammed down the back on an overnight flight, I landed at the much-lauded Changi airport.</p> <p>The airport's add-ons such as a rooftop swimming pool, butterfly house, shops, and restaurants suddenly countered for naught as I struggled with the most basic of tasks.  I stumbled into the arrivals hall at Terminal 3 and headed to the pay-per-use lounge.  I had no idea what they charged me, I didn't care – I needed to dump my luggage and settle in to a dark 3x3 cube away from crying babies, seat recline rebels, and stale bread rolls.  The list of "must-dos" in Singapore coincidently shrunk in correlation with my lack of sleep.  That little dim-lit oasis was a life-saver and I still can't fathom why these innovations are reserved for only the mega-hubs of the travel world.</p> <p>Eventually I did manage to peel myself off the tour bus seat, and dined on chilli garlic crab and dim sum in Chinatown, walked around Boat Quay and the famous Raffles Hotel (sans Singapore Sling), check out the futuristic Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands, but if it hadn't been for a three-hour recharge in the airport's Haven Lounge I may still now be zombie-eyed on the Singapore hop-on hop-off tour bus doing my 50th loop.</p> <p>Given New Zealand's isolation, many routes to Europe, the Americas, and Africa require a transit through a hub city, which can be easily elongated into a stopover: simply build a route using the multi-booking option through an airfare website such as Skyscanner or Kayak, and push your travel dates out a bit to allow for a day or two in the transit city.  Travel agents can also come in handy if your itinerary is more complicated or you want to investigate your stopover options.</p> <p>The point of a stopover is often to rejuvenate, but this can be more trouble than it's worth if you have to worry about entry or transit visas.  The US and Canada require a bit of online form-filling and fee-paying for transiting (all the more reason to make the most of it and leave the airport).  You'll need an ETSA or ETA, respectively.  Quick stopovers through Chinese ports Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou are now easier with a 72-hour transit visa on arrival.  Always check before you fly because, as with Air New Zealand via LAX, you may not even be allowed to board without the correct, completed entry clearance.</p> <p>Sue Matson, the general manger of retail at Flight Centre, also recommended checking that the airport and airline allow you to even leave the airport transit lounge (this can be complicated further if your luggage is checked through to your final destination).</p> <p>Matson said: "The distance from the airport to the city is a big oversight many travellers make.  Paris Beauvais Airport for example is 88km for central Paris so a quick trip into the Eiffel tower could be a costly and timely exercise."</p> <p>Despite my sub-par start to Singapore, Matson said the Asian hub is a perennial stopover favourite, along with recent addition Dubai, owing to their weary-traveller focus – cue the in-airport hotels, 24-hour malls and pay-per-use lounges.</p> <p>House of Travel 's Ken Freer suggested thinking first about the kind of stopover you'd like and time you have, before locking in a transit city. "Different destinations cater to rest, exploring, or just a long period in an airport, so knowing what you want out of a stopover will be crucial to where you go and how long you stay."</p> <p><strong>What to know before planning a stopover:</strong></p> <ol> <li>When booking online or through an agent, you can often extend a transit into a stopover at no extra cost – so ask.</li> <li>If stopping off in the US or Canada, you'll need to fill out online clearance forms and pay a fee.</li> <li>Eight hours is probably the minimum time needed to leave the airport, explore, and then return on time for your departing flight.</li> <li>Always be conservative when assessing transport times into the city.  Stopover cities with excellent transport links (e.g. Singapore and Hong Kong) can save your stress levels.</li> <li>Airlines, and even airports, offer stopover discounts on tours, transport, activities, and even hotels – my Singapore tour bus-come-napping spot was half price due to my Singapore Airlines boarding pass.</li> <li>Adding a stopover city to your trip will likely mean adding another currency to your wallet or travel card, so stock up to avoid credit card fees per purchase.</li> </ol> <p>Have you ever had a memorable stopover? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Written by Josh Martin. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">To arrange a quote, click here.</span></a> For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/12-expert-ways-to-manage-stress-at-airports/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">12 expert ways to manage stress at airports</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/tips-for-getting-through-the-airport-stress-free/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 tips for getting through the airport stress-free</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/10-clever-and-creative-ways-to-pass-time-on-a-layover/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 clever and creative ways to pass time on a layover</strong></em></span></a></p>

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7 sensational stopover destinations

<p>Making a flight connection can be annoying, but if you find yourself having to spend time at any one of these destinations you’ll be thanking your lucky stars.</p> <p>We’ve put together a list with seven sensational stopover destinations.</p> <p>To see the whole list of stopovers, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p><strong>Hawaii</strong></p> <p>Trips to New York often involve a stopover in LA or Dallas, but Aussies are increasingly opting for Hawaii as an option to get your trip off to a perfect start or significantly lessen the sadness that comes with heading home.  </p> <p><strong>Maldives </strong></p> <p>If you’re looking to get to London there are plenty of options, but a lot of people are now opting for the Maldives, as a way to top up on their tans on the way to the UK.</p> <p><strong>Dubai</strong></p> <p>Many travellers head to Europe via Asia, but Emirates’ and Etihad’s emergence has seen destinations in the Middle East like Dubai becoming increasingly popular for travellers.</p> <p><strong>Fiji </strong></p> <p>The quickest way to get to Los Angeles is straight from Sydney, but if you’ve got a bit of extra travel time up your sleeve why not add a couple of days in Fiji and enjoy time by the beach.</p> <p><strong>Korea </strong></p> <p>Australians looking to take an African safari should take advantage of the non-stop services offered from Seoul Incheon to Nairobi.</p> <p><strong>Abu Dhabi </strong></p> <p>Another Middle Eastern destination worth visiting, and becoming increasingly popular is Abu Dhabi for routes to South Africa and parts of Europe that you’d like to visit.</p> <p><strong>Reunion</strong></p> <p>If you feel as though you need some beach time on your way to Paris, Air Tahiti offers flights to Papeete that go on to the French capital. Voila! </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/01/10-most-amazing-man-made-structures/">10 most amazing man-made structures</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-beautiful-churches-in-the-world/">10 beautiful churches you must see in person</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/01/strange-street-foods-from-around-the-world/">9 strange street foods from around the world</a></strong></em></span></p>

International Travel

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The best cities to plan a stopover

<p>There are plenty of things to consider when planning a stopover (however brief) on your next long-haul journey – quality of the airport, distance from the city, length of the connecting flights, whether or not you need a visa and the cultural offerings, just to name a few. Here are some of the most exciting and practical cities to break your flight.</p> <p><strong>Dubai</strong></p> <p>The airport itself is spectacular, with an exclusive terminal just for Emirates aircraft, endless designer stores and restaurants, and a five-star hotel if you just want to stop and sleep. It’s also one of the best destinations for connecting flights, serving more than 20 cities in Europe with direct flights. You might think the city itself is all malls and hotels, but you can also explore the historic souks or venture out into the desert for camel rides, falconry demonstration or dune bashing in a 4WD. If you’re staying overnight, don’t miss the opportunity to dine under the stars in a desert camp.</p> <p><strong>Singapore</strong> <em>(pictured)</em></p> <p>An old favourite, this one is frequently voted best airport in the world in the prestigious SkyTrax Passengers’ Choice Awards, you could spend a week in there and never be bored. There’s lush indoor and outdoor gardens, vertical green walls, a rooftop swimming pool with a sun deck and cocktail bar, free (yes free!) foot massage stations throughout, a butterfly garden, two free movie theatres, a 24-hour gym and shops, shops, shops. If you must leave, jump on one of the free two-hour city tours that depart four times a day.</p> <p><strong>Guangzhou</strong></p> <p>Quality can be variable, but China Southern is a four-star airline of an international standard and flies regularly from New Zealand's major cities through its hub of Guangzhou. New Zealand passengers can access a visa-free 72-hour stopover and the airline is working with local travel providers to offer stopover packages that explore local sights and sample authentic Cantonese food. If you want to stretch your legs, the beautiful White Cloud Mountain is just outside the city and a great spot for hiking.</p> <p><strong>Abu Dhabi</strong></p> <p>It’s often thought of as Dubai’s quiet little sister, but Abu Dhabi is a fascinating city in its own right. The local carrier, Etihad, is also one of the largest players in the New Zealand market and has a top notch product (especially if you have enough money to fly in the mini-apartment style Residence first class suite). Depending on how much time you have, you can play nine or 18 holes on one of the city’s world-class golf courses, visit the Ferrari World theme park or marvel at the magnificent Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. If you want to spend the night, Etihad frequently runs specials offering a free night of accommodation for its passengers.</p> <p><strong>San Francisco</strong></p> <p>Ask any traveller who frequents the US and they’ll tell you that Los Angeles LAX airport is a nightmare and best avoided. So veer a little further north and go via San Francisco. The airport just won the category for best staff in North America and was chosen as the fourth best overall in the region in the SkyTrax awards. Outside, it’s only around 20 kilometres from the city so you can leave your luggage at the Airport Travel Agency and catch the BART train system into town. Ride a classic cable car, visit Alcatraz or have lunch with the sea lions at the Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking the famed Golden Gate Bridge.</p> <p><strong>Mauritius</strong></p> <p>Why go via a big, congested city when you could spend a couple of days on one of the world’s most beautiful tropical island en route to Europe? Air Mauritius flies from Perth to Mauritius and either it or Air France flies onward to Paris, and it’s about the same flight time as going via Asia or the Middle East. The airport itself isn’t much, but this Anglo-French island in the middle of the Indian Ocean is pretty much paradise. Explore the vibrant markets and see a stuffed dodo in the museum of the capital St Louis or just check into a beachside hotel and sip daiquiris in the sun.</p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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