Long layover? Here are some ways to kill time at these airport transits

Singapore, Changi Airport

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Named the World’s Best Airport again in 2023, Singapore’s Changi Airport offers some of the best amenities you can find in the world. From a rooftop swimming pool and butterfly garden to the famous HSBC Rain Vortex in Jewel, you'll be spoilt for choice. In fact, if you’re stopping by for just a short time, Changi Airport is an attraction in itself, and you’ll be swamped with the myriad activities the airport has to offer.

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If you’ve got more time on your hands, the Free Singapore Tour for layover travellers offered by Changi Airport has resumed since its hiatus during the pandemic. It offers four guided daily tours that will provide a fully immersive experience of the Singaporean culture. These tours include the Changi Precinct Tour, City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour. For first-time visitors to Singapore, the City Sights Tour is a must to catch the magnificent views of modern Singapore, including the Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by The Bay.

Dubai, Dubai International Airport

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Strategically located between East and West, Dubai is the best place for travellers to sojourn before continuing their long journeys. As the first Middle Eastern city to make the UNESCO list in terms of creative cities of design, Dubai is a melting pot of rich Middle Eastern heritage. Even if you’re here just for a while, you can dip your toes into the surreal charm of Dubai. If you’re looking for a fuss-free experience, book the Emirates’ Dubai Stopover Tour to check out what the city has to offer.

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Alternatively, you can also plan your own tour and visit places like Dubai Mall, where you can splurge in luxury retail, watch the world’s largest choreographed fountain show or visit the iconic Dubai Aquarium. Climb atop the Burj Khalifa for impressive views of the skyline, or soak in the Arabian sun at Jumeirah Beach. After that, escape the city bling into the old Al Fahidi district, where you can catch a whiff of old-world Dubai, and catch a quick meal before rushing off.

Seoul, Incheon Airport

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Drop by South Korea’s capital city Seoul for a glimpse of trendy K-fashion, K-pop and all things Korean. Within the Incheon Airport, check out the Korean Cultural Street and Korean Traditional Culture Experience Center. What's more, they also got an indoor inline skating rink, casino and golf course for you to enjoy.

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However, if you have more time on your hands, we highly recommend that you check out the K-Stopover Tours at Incheon Airport which will take you on an experiential trip around Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do in a matter of hours to days. From the royal palaces where Goryeo and Joseon kings once lived to the heart of K-pop and Korean youth culture in Hongdae and Gangnam, these comprehensive K-Stopover Tours will cover everything from past to present.

Tokyo, Haneda Airport

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Aside from Singapore's Changi Airport, one of the other World’s Best Airport, is the Haneda Airport in Tokyo which is also known as one of the world’s busiest airports. Located beside the wharf, take the Tokyo Bay cruise tour offered by Haneda Airport for a waterway journey along the Tokyo Bay and Tamagawa River.

If you’re short on time, you can still briefly experience Japanese culture within Haneda Airport in Doshin Juveniland, a Japanese antique toy collection, or Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge which holds Edo period art from the National Museum of Japanese History.

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To experience the whole breadth of Japanese culture and tradition, take a trip to Tokyo to learn more about its rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and more. For a quick stop in Tokyo, you could visit Takeshita Dori or Shibuya for some retail therapy, Sensoji Temple in the historic Asakusa district or check out the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park. This whirlwind exploration of Tokyo is sure to convince you to come back for more.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport

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Stop over at Hong Kong International Airport for a taste of the city’s enchanting neighbourhoods, culinary delights, geological wonders and more. Within the airport, Terminal 2’s IMAX Cinema and the Aviation Discovery Centre are perfect for some relaxation if you’re in a hurry.

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Hong Kong boasts a sensory blend of its Chinese roots, colonial connections and homegrown influences. If you’ve got ample time to spare, head out to the city. Take a tram ride up to Victoria Peak for a bird’s eye view of the city, or take a ferry to Lantau Island for the famous Buddha statue on Po Lin Monastery. Lastly, head over to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for luxury grabs, or sample some mouthwatering dim sums over at the Temple Street Night market.