A long layover at the airport usually means boredom, expensive Wi-Fi, queues for electrical outlets, metal seats, sandwiches for 15 euros. Restaurants, boutiques and entertainment centers that not everyone can afford. However, at some major airports, travelers are even happy about the delay – because special free excursions into the city are organized for them. In this article we will talk about where and how you can brighten up a long wait for a flight.
Changi Airport, Singapore
Connecting time: from 5.5 hours.
Visa: transit visa to Russians is issued free of charge for up to 96 hours of stay in the city.
The required mark is placed at the point of entry. To do this, it is important for Russian citizens to comply with a number of requirements:
- travel through Singapore to a third country;
- have with you a valid foreign passport, a confirmed air ticket from Singapore to a third country, documents required to enter the third country (including a visa),
and enough funds to stay in Singapore;
- travel to a third country within 96 hours;
Final approval for entry into Singapore is at the discretion of border officials at entry points.
Schedule: There are 5 excursions of two and a half hours each day, the first starts at 9 am, the last at 6.30 pm. Detailed schedule can be found on the airport website.
What is included in the tour: Chinatown, Little India, Gardens by the Bay tropical park, Esplanade Theater, Marina Bay promenade.
How to get on the tour: The check-in counter is located in the transit area of Terminal 2 between Transfer Lounge F and the Skytrain stop near the escalator (Level 2). In Terminal 3 – near Transfer Lounge A and Gate A1-A8 (Level 2). If you arrived at Terminal 1, then, without leaving the transit area, go to Terminals 2 or 3. Registration for the excursion ends one hour before departure from the airport.
In addition, at the airport itself you can stroll through five gardens: a garden of orchids, butterflies and others, visit a free cinema hall, a cultural center and a relaxation area for transit passengers.
More on the topic: Unique Singapore: 9 reasons to visit the best city in Asia
Incheon Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Docking time: from 3 to 5 hours.
Visa: not required for excursion, boarding pass and passport are sufficient.
What is included in the excursion: Haedong Yongungsa ancient temple, Incheon-Daegyo cable-stayed bridge, Shinpo ancient market, Namsangol Hanok traditional village, Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Schedule: Depending on the time remaining before departure, you can choose one of seven tour options. In total, 14 excursions leave from the airport per day and not all of them are completely free: sometimes you need to pay 10 dollars for meals and entrance tickets.
How to get on the excursion: you can register on the airport website or the special Transit Tour main desk service on the second floor of the passenger terminal at the KoreanAir counter.
In addition, to brighten up the waiting hours for passengers, 7 gardens are open: coniferous, cactus, rock garden and others. There is a Korean Museum of Culture with a rich collection of works of ancient art. Traditional Korean handicraft workshops and even musical performances are also available for transit tourists.
This is interesting: 10 reasons to visit South Korea
Taoyuyan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan
Docking time: from 7 to 24 hours.
Visa: To enter the city, citizens of the Russian Federation need a transit visa, which should be obtained before the trip.
What is included in the tour: Tsushi and Long Shan temples, Taipei 101 Tower, Chiang Kai-shek memorial, cultural program and shopping.
Schedule: You can choose from two options for city tours. Option A starts at 8 am in Terminal 2 (8.30 in Terminal 1) and ends at 1 pm (13.30 in T1). Option B starts at 13.30 in Terminal 2 and at 13.45 in Terminal 1. You will be brought back at 18.00 and 18.30 respectively.
How to get on the excursion: Details can be found on the airport website, and sign up for an excursion there (you can only choose one).
See also: 7 places worth visiting in Taiwan
Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Connection time: minimum 5 hours as tours last 3 hours.
Visa: Russian citizens need a transit visa to enter the city, which is important to obtain in advance from the Japanese Embassy in Russia. A transit visa is issued free of charge. Processing time: 5-7 working days.
What is included in the tour: rural life of Japan and the Agricultural Museum, Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple, shopping, restaurants.
Schedule: 5 different tours are offered, which include visits to parks and museums, outdoor walks and tasting local cuisine.
How to get on the tour: You can sign up in person at the transit tourism counter in Terminals 1 and 2, open from 9 a.m. to midnight. Although the tour itself is free, you will need to pay for entrance to the museums and the restaurant bill.
Find out more:Things to do in Tokyo: 8 most interesting places in the city
Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
Docking time: from 6 to 24 hours. Important: only Turkish Airlines passengers can take advantage of the free excursion.
Visa: Russian citizens do not require a visa to visit Turkey.
What is included in the tour: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Taksim Square, Sultanahmet Square, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Theodosius Obelisk, Serpentine Column.
Schedule: the first round starts at 8.30 am, the last at 16.00. Duration of tours: from two and a half to nine hours. Detailed schedule can be seen here.
How to get on the excursion: you can sign up at the Hotel Desk in the arrivals area after passport control or online.
Hamad Airport, Doha, Qatar
Transfer time: 8 to 24 hours.
Visa:Only passengers traveling on Qatar Airways flights have the opportunity to obtain a transit visa. In the event of a forced long connection, the airline takes upon itself the organization of an entry visa, transfer, hotel accommodation and meals.
What is included in the excursion: Museum of Islamic Culture, Souq Waqif Arabian Market, “Pearl of Qatar” entertainment island, traditional village of Qatar.
Schedule: four excursions depart from the airport every day: at 8.00, 11.00, 16.00 and 20.00. Detailed schedule can be found on the airport website.
How to get on the excursion: you cannot sign up for the excursion in advance, so you should hurry – registration ends an hour before departure, the bus can only accommodate 22 people. The City Tour desk is located at the beginning of the waiting room between the Mont Blanc and WH Smith boutiques.
Important to remember:
• All excursions are conducted in English.
• In most cases, a visa is required for transit travel, with the exception of visa-free countries for Russians. It is better to arrange for a transit visa 10-14 days before the start of the trip.
• You will probably get hungry during the excursion, and visiting a restaurant is not always included in the program. Take care of food in advance, because sandwiches in museums are even more expensive than at the airport.
• If you have luggage with you, it is better to leave it at the airport in a luggage room.
• Control the time of return from an excursion trip to the airport: it is prudent not to take risks and be at your place an hour before departure.
Source: thriftynomads.com
