18 Dec Planning a Pre-trip Stopover
When it comes to crossing the globe, I’m a big fan of breaking air travel up into bite-sized pieces. After a 10- or 12-hour flight from San Francisco to Europe or Asia, the last thing I want to do is get off, wait a few hours, and get on another plane. I usually try to book 2- or 3-day stopovers in interesting international cities instead. This usually winds up costing a little more than going direct, but much less than visiting the two places separately. An added bonus is that we arrive at our ultimate destination mostly rested and ready to go. Here are some strategies for planning a stopover of your own.
1. Decide where you want to stop
© BigLip
This is the fun part! If you’re headed for Africa or India, you might want to stop in Dubai. If you’re off to Vietnam or Cambodia, decompress for a few days in Tokyo or Singapore. On your way to Italy? You can see a lot of London in just a few days.
2. Consider a less direct route
© zoom-zoom
Sometimes it makes sense to take an indirect flight even when direct flights are available. For example, if you travel from the U.S. or Canada on Icelandair to more than 20 destinations in Europe, you can stopover in Reykjavik for a few days for no extra charge. If you’re headed to Australia or New Zealand from LAX, check the Air Tahiti Nui website before you book. Every year they offer a free 3-night stopover in Tahiti for that route, hotel included.
3. Start with the airline websites
© leungchopan
Let’s look at a hypothetical economy class ticket in June from San Francisco to Bangkok, through Hong Kong, with either a layover (where you don’t leave the airport) or a stopover (where you do). Booking directly through the Cathay Pacific website, it’s $1,638 for an itinerary with layovers in Hong Kong or $1,653 for an itinerary with a 4-day stopover in Hong Kong. If you have time, you can see a lot more of Asia for a nominal amount of money.
4. Next, check that price against an airline booking tool
_ © jarnogz_
Once you’ve got a route you like and a baseline price from your preferred airline, check it against one of the airline booking tools like Kayak.com or FareCompare.com. If you’re flexible on your stopover location, this is also a great way to take stock of your options. Fly with Korean Airlines and you can stop over in Seoul, while China Eastern Air routes through Shanghai.
5. Finally, pick up the phone
© andrearoad
While there is almost always a charge to make a reservation@ over the phone, it can be money well spent. Call the airlines reservations number, explain what you’re trying to do, and ask for the agent’s advice on the best way to book it. If you get someone who seems impatient or unhelpful, hang up and call back.
If you still can’t find the route you want at a price you like (especially on a complex multi-stop international itinerary), consider using a travel agent. Maybe not for long, but human beings still trump search engines when it comes to creativity. Sometimes a vacation package is cheaper than just a flight, but you can’t book it if you don’t know about it. Don’t spend a week Googling “Hong Kong vacation packages” though — leave that to an expert. Don’t know where to find one? Asta.org is a good place to start.
Latest posts by Jamie Pearson (see all)
- The Seven Best European Attractions for Kids - June 7, 2015
- How to Pack Cables, Cords, and Chargers - March 3, 2015
- Do You Need a Chip and PIN Card in Europe? - September 11, 2014
No Comments