What a joy to have a layover here — these six airports offer “free transit tours”!

▲ Tokyo Narita Airport. (Photo / Provided by EVA Air)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Long-haul flights often involve layovers, and the waiting time at the airport can easily stretch for hours, even nearly a full day. Aside from browsing duty-free shops or killing time in a café, facing a cold, impersonal terminal can get pretty boring. That’s why......many airports around the world have caught on to this trend and started offering free transit tours. You don’t need to go through customs or pick up your luggage, nor do you need a tourist visa to enter the country — you can step out of the airport and explore another country. Travel search engine...Skyscanner...Skyscanner has compiled a list of airports that provide “free transit tours.” Next time you’re booking a flight, consider transiting through one of these cities.

1. Tokyo Narita Airport, Japan
Taiwanese travelers love visiting Japan, and Japanese service is especially well-regarded. Since March 2016, Narita Airport has introduced five transit tour programs divided into two main options: a free guided cultural tour led by a guide, and shopping itineraries at outlets and malls. Except for transportation and entrance fees, everything else is free. Sign up at the Narita Airport Transit Program counter between 9 AM and 12 PM daily — both domestic and international transit passengers can join, but you’ll need to check if your layover time is suitable.

▲ Incheon Airport, South Korea. (Photo / Reporter Lee Jong-chuan)

2. Incheon Airport, South Korea
Incheon Airport boasts a wealth of facilities and has consistently ranked among the top two best airports in the world alongside Singapore’s Changi Airport. It offers free amenities such as a cinema, showers, and a skating rink (you only pay for skate rentals), making it very traveler-friendly. The airport provides free transit tours with full English guidance, featuring eight different itineraries including Seoul sightseeing buses, Incheon sightseeing buses, temple tours, and Seoul night tours. Tour durations range from 1 to 5 hours, allowing you to choose based on your layover length. Some attraction tickets and meal costs are not included.

▲ Changi Airport, Singapore. (Photo / Reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

3. Changi Airport, Singapore
Changi Airport once again topped the SkyTrax World’s Best Airport list in 2016. It features numerous comfy nap zones, movie theaters, massage chairs, charging stations, and even an indoor garden to explore. On top of that, the airport offers a 2.5-hour free transit tour program, with options for a cultural tour or a city sightseeing tour. You’ll need to book in advance or register at the airport one hour before the tour. It’s recommended to have at least a five-hour gap before your next flight, as Changi Airport itself has plenty of attractions to discover.

▲ Turkish Airlines. (Photo / Screenshot from Turkish Airlines’ official fan page)

4. Turkish Airlines × Istanbul Atatürk Airport
This free guided tour is a collaboration between Turkish Airlines and Atatürk Airport. Passengers holding a Turkish Airlines connecting ticket with a layover of more than 6 hours can join city tours that include landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. Even better, transportation, entrance fees, and meals are all free. No advance booking is required — just sign up at the hotel desk in the International Arrival Hall 30 minutes before the tour. Note that you’ll need to apply online for an e-Visa to Turkey.

▲ Qatar Airways. (Photo / Qatar Airways)

5. Qatar Airways × Doha Airport
Qatar Airways partners with Doha Airport to offer free guided tours for transit passengers. Those holding a transit certificate with a layover between 5 to 12 hours can join. Sign up at the Doha CityTour counter without reservation — first come, first served. There are four tour options, all completely free, making this a great perk for travelers flying through Qatar on their way to Europe.

▲ Vietnam Airlines. (Photo / Screenshot from Vietnam Airlines Taiwan’s official fan page)

6. Vietnam Airlines × Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Airports
Flying with Vietnam Airlines is a popular choice for seasoned travelers heading to Europe. A flight from Taipei to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for a connection to European destinations like Paris or Frankfurt can save you a lot of money. Vietnam Airlines offers visa-free transit city tours and free accommodation. Note that you’ll need a layover of at least 6 hours in Ho Chi Minh City or over 8 hours in Hanoi to be eligible. You’ll receive dedicated service from Vietnam Airlines staff at the airport, but remember to reserve your spot in advance through Vietnam Airlines or a travel agency before booking your ticket.