8 Free Airport Layover Tours: Explore Singapore’s Merlion and Gardens by the Bay

▲Night view of Taipei 101 (Photo by reporter Ji Xiangru)

By Rita

Did you know that many airports offer free city tours for transit passengers? These hidden perks not only help you kill long layover hours but also let you explore another country for free without spending much — a great deal indeed. Here’sCondé Nast Traveler’s list of 8 airports with free city tours:

1. Taipei
Passengers transiting through Taipei Taoyuan Airport for more than 8 hours can consider joining a free city tour. The airport offers two options: Tour A takes you to Sanxia Longfu Temple and pottery shops, while Tour B brings you to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Taipei 101. Those interested must register at the passenger service center in the arrival hall.


▲Singapore travel - Merlion Park during the day along the coast (Photo by reporter Lin Shiwen)

2. Singapore
Changi Airport offers two types of free city tours for passengers transiting for over six hours. The City Sights tour covers landmarks such as the Merlion and Gardens by the Bay, while the Heritage Tour includes Little India and Singapore’s Muslim quarter, Kampong Glam. Passengers can sign up in Transit Lounge F of Terminal 2 or Transit Lounge A of Terminal 3.

3. Salt Lake City
If you have a layover of more than two hours at Salt Lake City Airport, you can join free tours to places like Temple Square, a 10-acre site owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If temples aren’t your thing, you can also walk to the popular City Creek Park or the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.

4. Istanbul
For those transiting through Istanbul Atatürk Airport for over 6 hours, consider taking a tour covering highlights such as the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.

▲Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo (Photo by intern reporter Yuan Yin)

5. Tokyo
Narita Airport offers both sightseeing and shopping options for free tours. The sightseeing tour takes you to places like Asakusa and Shibuya, and you can also visit the Aviation Science Museum. Independent travelers can take a train from the airport to nearby shopping malls.

6. Seoul
Incheon International Airport offers highly flexible tour options — even passengers with just one hour of layover can join. English-speaking guides can take you on temple-focused or city-focused tours. Alternatively, you can also join airport-led guided tours.

7. Amsterdam
If you have a layover of more than 6 hours in Amsterdam, you can join a locally guided tour. You can fill out a form in advance to indicate your interests — such as fashion, food, or technology — and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will match you accordingly. You’ll then take a free bus into the city, be hosted by a local, and return to the airport afterward.

8. Doha
If you’re flying with Qatar Airways and have a layover of over 6 hours in Doha, don’t miss the free tours, which include attractions like the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, and the Qatar Cultural Village.