My family and I have a lot of experienced long layover times in Asia. Wherever you go, if you find yourself in Asia airport, please check with the desk for more information. Most airports in Asia offer great deals to kill time while your layover. If you have 5-6 hour layover, so many things you can do in the airport like, enjoy the local culture, sleep (rent a hotel), also authentic food, get a massage, meet new people, learn to make local crafts, and my favorite is having a city tour. Before you decide to leave the airport for a city tour, please keep these tips:
If possible, when you are checking in for your flight, check your bags straight through to your final destination. If your layover is too long, however, and you’re not planning on booking a hotel, most large airports will have lockers for your luggage.
Pack your carry-on with just what you will need during your layover. Don’t forget a change of clothes if you’re staying overnight, or seasonal clothing depending on the location of your layover. Also, don’t forget important identification, money, and any other needs.
Check with your airline to see if your ticket permits you to leave the transit area. Some tickets may not permit you to leave the airport.
If your layover is overnight, ask your airline if they provide a hotel room. Some airlines offer accommodation, and sometimes food.
When you fly to Bali, some possibilities airports you will have layover with different length of times. Several ideas you can do in each airport on your way to Bali:
Singapore Changi Airport
Changi airport is in Singapore. This airport is my favorite one, is famous to have it all. Enjoy the open-air gardens, the two-story butterfly grotto featuring a 27-foot waterfall, indigenous plants, and a thousand free-flying native butterflies (T3); the 40-species cacti garden (T1); or the rare orchid and sunflower gardens (T2). Added crowd-pleasers include T1’s Balinese rooftop pool ($13 nets you shower access, plus a free drink); the world’s tallest airport slide (T3); the Entertainment Deck (T2) with complimentary XBox and PlayStation consoles; and a trio of free movie theaters screening Hollywood flicks 24/7.
There are recharging kiosks and free Wi-Fi hotspots. Didn’t bring your laptop? You can use one of the 550 free Internet kiosks.
Visit Food Center:
Sample Singaporean specialties like laksa (a piquant noodle soup) and spicy pork rib soup at Prima Taste, or try Imperial Treasure for Cantonese roast goose and fresh fish.
Sleep Inn Ambassador Transit Hotels are located in each terminal.
City Tour
Minimum layover: 5 hours
Travel Time to City Center: 20 to 25 minutes
How to do it: Changi offers a free Singapore bus tour (five times a day) that leaves right from the airport; register in Terminal 2 or 3.
What to do: The excursion covers major sights, including the Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel, the futuristic Marina Bay Sands resort, and the 250-acre Gardens by the Bay park. There’s a stopover in Merlion Park to see
the iconic half-lion, half-fish statue.
Hong Kong International Airport
The airport is located roughly 25 miles from downtown Hong Kong, which makes the city accessible only for those with long layovers.
If you don’t have enough time to leave the Hong Kong airport during your layover, fortunately you are in the airport that was currently ranked #1 in the world's top airports. There are many choices of restaurants and shops, you can get a foot reflexology massage, see the 4D extreme screen in Terminal 2. A full-motion plane-cabin ride simulator and much more. Please check with the desk information for more info.
For those of you have enough time for a city tour:
Minimum layover: 6 hours
Travel Time to City Center: 24 minutes
How to do it: Airport Express Line to Central ($23.50 round-trip; trains every 10 minutes)
What to do: From Central, it’s two MTR stops to Wan Chai, home to chef Alvin Leung Jr.’s renowned Bo Innovation. After sampling experimental Chinese cuisine, visit the nearby Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, with items dating back to the 11th century B.C.
Taipei (Taiwan Taoyuan Airport)
This airport is the busiest in Taiwan and the hub for China Airlines and EVA Air, and is located roughly 25 miles (50 minutes by car or bus) from downtown Taipei which makes the city accessible to those on a long layover.
If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport during your Taipei layover, The airport offers a number of restaurants and shopping (both regular and duty free), ATMs and currency exchanges, prayer rooms, there are also a couple beauty salons in the airport that cater to both men and women, and shower facilities.
For those of you to have 5-6 hours layover time:
You can choose Tour A or Tour B below
Tour A
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Sanshia & Zushih Temple - Yingge - Return to Airport
Sansia & Zushih Temple
Sansia is about 22km southwest to Taipei, a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and historical brick buildings. The main attraction is Zushih Temple, popular known as the Sanshia Bird Temple, built in honor of Song Dynasty (960-1279) loyalist Cheng Chao-Ying. Cheng was a famous General knitted as "Protector of the Country" for his achievements and value. This temple was in ruins at the end of World War II, and a meticulous restoration project had been underway for some forty years. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, especially the temple's unique bird art. There are also carved stone lions, camphor wood carvings, and exquisite bronze bast-reliefs.
Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven
A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate
Tour B
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport
Taipei 101 Building
It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.
Longshan Temple
Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.
Presidential Office Building
The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was
Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven
A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate
Tour B
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport
Taipei 101 Building
It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.
Longshan Temple
Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.
Presidential Office Building
The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
An impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. The elegant Ming Dynasty styled arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classic buildings: The National Theater and The National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festival occasions.
Martyrs' Shrine
This is an excellent example of classic Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony Time before the entrance, which many people
4 South Korea (Incheon Airport)
Incheon is a good 30 miles from Seoul’s city center, nine miles from downtown Seoul. There are many things to do at Incheon, so no matter the length of your layover, you may not even want to leave.
If you find yourself with a layover in Seoul that is over five hours, you might as well go and explore the real deal. Plenty of historical, cultural, commercial and entertainment destinations are sure to keep you occupied as you explore this fascinating and rapidly developing Asian
Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven
A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate
Tour B
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport
Taipei 101 Building
It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.
Longshan Temple
Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.
Presidential Office Building
The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
An impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. The elegant Ming Dynasty styled arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classic buildings: The National Theater and The National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festival occasions.
Martyrs' Shrine
This is an excellent example of classic Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony Time before the entrance, which many people
4 South Korea (Incheon Airport)
Incheon is a good 30 miles from Seoul’s city center, nine miles from downtown Seoul. There are many things to do at Incheon, so no matter the length of your layover, you may not even want to leave.
If you find yourself with a layover in Seoul that is over five hours, you might as well go and explore the real deal. Plenty of historical, cultural, commercial and entertainment destinations are sure to keep you occupied as you explore this fascinating and rapidly developing Asian city.
Seoul Incheon airport cleverly packages all the city’s best sights together in a series of free tours geared towards transit passengers.
Incheon International Airport provides a wide range of free transit tours. Choices include the Incheon City Tour, Seoul City Tour, Temple Tour, and many more. Travelers can choose among the different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour courses. Each transit tour is accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, so even those who do not speak Korean can enjoy the tours without any difficulties. Moreover, all tours are provided for free. However, tourist site admission fees and meals are excluded and must be paid individually.
You need to stop at the desk to arrange your tour.
If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport, the Incheon airport offers plenty of cultural activities (Walk through the Korean Culture Street (Public Area, 4F), which features traditional buildings and architecture, or visit the Traditional Craft Gallery (4F Transfer Lounge).
And available shopping, restaurants, and the best possible amenity are free Wi-Fi.
Free Transit Tour
2F: in front of gates 25 and 29
- 1F: desks 41 and 42 ‘Hana Tour’ in front of gate 8
- 1F: desks 41 and 42 ‘Hana Tour’ in front of gate 8
“Incheon International Airport provides a wide range of free transit tours. Choices include the Incheon City Tour, Seoul City Tour, Temple Tour, and many more. Travelers can choose among the different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour courses. Each transit tour is accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, so even
those who do not speak Korean can enjoy the tours without any difficulties. Moreover, all tours are provided for free. However, tourist site admission fees and meals are excluded and must be paid individually.” Incheon airport
Gyeongbok Palace
“Constructed in 1395, Gyeongbok (or Gyeongbokgung) Palace was for many years the most powerful place in South Korea. Today, it is used for entirely touristic purposes – and has been voted to be one of the most stunning locations in the city. Within it, you can visit the National Palace Museum of Korea and a series of traditional folk Korean gardens. Wander through the classic architecture, checking out ancient artifacts, cultural depictions and educational information. The president’s Blue House, the National Folk Museum, and the impressive US Embassy are also within walking distance from here.” Incheon airport
Time Required: The Palace can take anywhere from one – five hours to explore, depending on the time you wish to spend in the various exhibits. Note that this does not include travel time to and from the airport.
Happy Travels!
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