Why do you sit in an airport lounge and fly halfway through the world to eat 8 hours of packet peanuts?
According to a 2025 Global PR survey by Flight Center, only 49% of South Africans say they always prefer direct flights. That means over half are open to stopovers, especially if it means squeezing more experience from all tickets and the landing is refreshed!
For a savvy South African traveler, long-distance layovers are no longer a time of death. With a bit of know-how (and with the help of someone who knows what they're doing), you can turn your stopover into a Singapore street food safari, a museum hop through Doha, or a nap spa session in Seoul.
“More travelers are asking how to 'double dip' on their trip,” says Antoinette Turner, general manager of flight centres in South Africa. “We love that energy. Smart routing and insider knowledge help us transform our transit zone into bucket list moments.”
So, if you are on international travel and you are open to explore beyond your final stop… Welcome to the art of intentional layovers.
Plan like a pro
Not all layovers are created equally. Some are overpriced coffee and bad Wi-Fi. others? Total game changer.
The trick is to choose Stopover City, so that you choose your destination. Look for locations that offer visa-free entries to South African passport holders (Hello, Singapore, Doha), fast transfers from the airport to the city, and bonus perks such as free tours and hotel deals.
“Most travelers don't understand how much value lies in their flight paths,” Turner says. “We'll help longer labours find these sweet spots that actually add something to their trip.”
A few things to keep in mind:
Please check the visa rules before booking. Even short exits may require documents. Please do not issue it. Leaves buffer time for one friend that is always randomly selected in queue, traffic, or security. You will be asked about stopover packages offered by airlines (such as Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines).
The break that actually feels like a holiday stops
Sometimes, bucket list moments are sunk into the right bed during flight, awakening without clicking around your neck!
According to the Flight Center's 2025 Global PR Survey (in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada), 87% of South African travelers said they wanted a “quiet trip” experience. For them, stopovers are luxuriously disguised recovery times.
So instead of making your way white on a back-to-back long distance flight, why not create some room for breath?
Here are some top tier top over perks:
Doha's Oryx Airport Hotel: Check in without leaving Hamad International. shower? nap? sort. Changi Airport's Wellness Zone: Looking forward to the reflexology pass, nap pod, free snooze lounge and swing pendurum chairs. Istanbul Airport Lounge: Enjoy a gourmet buffet, private shower suite and more.
Not all stopovers need to be Go-Go. Sometimes, I'm not doing anything luxury – just really good!
Your Labor Adventure Tool Kit
Did you have eight hours to kill him? You can also scroll through Instagram in the departure lounge. Alternatively, you can cross Victoria Harbor and take a Star Ferry and dot it all over your heart.
secret? A little preparation and a lot of curiosity.
Below are three smart ways to turn layover into highlights:
Book an airport tour
Airports such as Incheon (Seoul), Changi (Singapore), and Schiphol (Amsterdam) offer free or low-cost transit tours designed during flight time. There's no stress or guesswork – just take the bus.
If you're sure you'll navigate public transport (and your bags are checked safely), jump on highways or airport shuttles to explore your solo. Just set the alarm. It's not the atmosphere to miss your next flight.
Is Labor too short for sightseeing? Go straight for flavor. Kaya toast at Turkish tea in Istanbul, ramen in Tokyo, and airport hawker stalls in Singapore. One meal can be a deep cultural dive.
According to Turner, travelers often go home more about stopovers than their main destinations. “It's those unexpected moments,” she says.
5 incredible stopovers for SA travelers
Doha, Qatar
Doha is one of the easiest stopover cities as South Africans are earned in Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days. With just six hours left, you can shop for spices and souvenirs at Souq Waqif, enjoy views of the skyline along the Cornish, and explore Mia's masterpieces of Islamic art. Qatar Airways also offers hotel deals and city tours specifically designed for layovers.
Singapore
Another stopover superstar, Singapore also offers 30 days of visa-free admission to South Africans. Plus, Changi Airport is a destination in itself! If you have a layover between 5.5 and 24 hours, sign up for one of our free city tours or visit the bay or Marina Bay Sands gardens and head out yourself. Don't miss the gems of Changi, home to the world's largest indoor waterfall (straight 40m).
Seoul (Incheon), Korea
South African passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival for a maximum of 30 days in Seoul (just over R700), and Incheon Airport is brilliantly overcame it. Take an organized transit tour (as much as 2 hours short) or explore Gyeongbokgung Palace before your next flight or sample Korean street foods like Tteokbokki and Hotteok.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is ideal if you are within a flight of more than 6 hours, as you don't need a visa for stays less than 30 days. Airport Express whisks downtown within 30 minutes. Perfect for crossing Victoria Port and taking a ferry ride, riding Victoria Peak for panoramic views, or shoving into the dim sum of Mongkok.
London (UK)
If you already have a valid UK visitor visa (or qualify under certain transport conditions), London is packed with possibilities even for a short period of time. Paddington Station is just 15 minutes from Heathrow via Express Strain, giving you time to walk the Thames, snap a Big Ben selfie, and have lunch at the Borough Market.
What is the biggest thing about turning Laber into a mini holiday? You've already paid for most of your trips – now you're just upgrading your experience.
So if your next trip includes a long period… count – twice!
*Visa costs are subject to change
