Stopover in Asia: The company’s choices (Part I)

I was telling you last week about taking advantage of a stopover in Asia during a long trip because tickets with stopovers are cheaper and you get to enjoy another country!

Choosing Stopovers: Stopover in Asia

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In this article, I will describe the possible stopovers according to several criteria in various regions.

Stopover means “airport,” most of the time flights offering stopovers are those with the largest airports with heavy traffic.

First, we will focus on several destinations, for example flights to Australia. Secondly, I will present flights to Asia with stopover.

Thirdly, tickets for Europe with stopover. Finally, a description of the stopovers you should make if you are going to Central America.

I will not develop the South America part because I myself do not have the experience to give you tips on that.

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Flight to Australia with a stopover in Asia.

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What is simple is that when you go to Australia, there is necessarily a stopover to make, the journey is long so making a stopover is ideal!

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Price:

+ : low level

Airline	Hub	Ideal for
Qatar Airways	Doha	Asia, Oceania
Emirates	Dubai	Asia, Africa
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul	Everywhere
Singapore Airlines	Singapore	Southeast Asia
Cathay Pacific	Hong Kong	East Asia

++ : Average price

+++ : High price

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There are many airlines :

• Stopover in Asia at Kuala Lumpur with Air Malaysia

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Kuala Lumpur, this city has the charm of Asia, the nice neighborhoods to visit are Chinatown, the Petronas towers, and the shopping centers (Butik Bintang Plaza).

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Recommended time : 2 days / 1 night. Low-end hotels start at 10 euros in Chinatown. Count from 20 euros in backpacker mode.

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Opinion on the stopover : Malaysia is not limited to Kuala Lumpur, but if I had to choose, I would favor the stopover in Bangkok rather than KL.

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City price level : +

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• Stopover in Asia at Singapore with Singapore Airlines

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Singapore, the economic center of Southeast Asia, many travelers choose Singapore for a stopover and they are not wrong. This city is a mix of peoples, there is the Indian district (Little India), Chinatown, the more Expat district, several Bays including Marina Bay and also Bukit Timah, a place where nature reigns.

Recommended time : 3 or 4 days / 3 nights. Hostels with several people in the same room are 15 euros almost everywhere in the city. It is advisable to book in advance. &nbsp ;

Opinion on the stopover : Singapore has a very touristy and dynamic appeal, most people speak English, you will not feel lost. If you want to party in Singapore, you will be very disappointed, Hong Kong is better !

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Standard of living : ++

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• Stopover in Asia at Bangkok with Thai Airways

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Bangkok is the city that will dazzle you and open your mind, you will see everything ! I recommend visiting the Temples, Chinatown, taking a tour along the river, the backpacker district is Khao San Road.

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Recommended time : 3 days / 2 nights. Hostels start at 10 euros, the cheapest are found in the backpacker district. You do not have to book a hotel.

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Stopover review : Bangkok is really worth it and it is better to go to Bangkok than KL, but be careful of Tuk Tuk scams. I recommend Bangkok as a starting city if you want to begin a trip in Southeast Asia.

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Standard of living : +

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• Stopover in Asia at Beijing or Shanghai via Air China or China Eastern.

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The stopover in Beijing is really worth it but the visa application is annoying, you have to apply in advance at a Chinese embassy and it is paid. Otherwise, apart from this detail, Beijing is one of Asia’s gems, with the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China not far from Beijing, temples, Tiananmen Square.

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Recommended time : 4 days / 3 nights for the stopover. Hostels start at 7 euros, the cheapest can be found all over the city. I recommend staying longer.

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Stopover review : Beijing is one of the Asian cities with the most history, you will find everything and anything! It’s a pity that an entry visa is required.

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Standard of living : +

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I won’t elaborate on Shanghai because I find that this city has no historical interest and is just the image of a new large developed city made in China.

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• Stopover in Asia at Dubai via Emirates

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More and more tourists, with the emergence of airlines from the Emirates, stop in Dubai. It is quite a paradoxical city on one hand, better known for its petrodollar side, there is a gap between the rich and the poor there!

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Recommended time : 1 day or 1 night. Low-end hotels start from 30 euros. Ideally, you would arrive early in the morning and leave late at night, but it is very tiring.

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Opinion on the stopover : I only had a stopover of a few hours so I didn’t really have time to form an opinion on it. The airport is spacious and clean.

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Standard of living : +++

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The interview with Yannick, an expatriate friend, will be available soon.

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• Stopover in Asia at Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific or Qantas

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Although belonging to China, no visas are required! The attractions of HK are numerous; belonging to the Commonwealth, this city has retained the advantages while remaining an Asian city compared to Singapore. Take a tour of the city and you will be dazzled.

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Recommended time : 3-4 days / 3 nights. Guesthouses with multiple people in the same room start at 15 euros. Book your hotel in advance.

Review of the stopover : English and Cantonese are spoken there. The atmosphere in Hong Kong is very Western and Eastern. The parties are great. I recommend Hong Kong for living there. &nbsp ;

Standard of living : ++.

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The interview with Florent, an expatriate friend, will be available soon.

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• Stopover in Asia via Korean Airlines or Asiana Airlines

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Seoul has its own vibe, a city always very crowded, very different from Beijing, Koreans have developed their own cultures, as evidenced by these original temples, its cuisine, its culture. Seoul also has its Expat district Itaewon.

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Recommended time : 3 days / 2 nights. Guesthouses with multiple people in the same room start at 10 euros, the cheapest are found in the Mapo Gu district or. Book your hotel in advance.

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Review of the stopover  : Koreans are very warm people but be careful not to offend them too much. They like to party and drink alcohol. During my visit to Seoul, I felt very safe, the transportation is easy to use.

Other readings that follow the same logic: our feedback on tour of Asia which sets the tone, the practical guide on where to travel for concrete details, and finally flights with stopovers if you want to extend the reflection.

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Standard of living : ++, cheaper than Singapore.

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Conclusion of Stopover in Asia :

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I recommend making a stopover in Bangkok for small budgets and if you want to treat yourself, I would choose between Seoul or Hong Kong but I would have preferred Beijing if it weren’t for the visa issue.

Of course, to go to Australia, there is the possibility to go through other cities but I have only listed the main ones! For example, you can take a direct flight London – Sydney (very long)!

The interview with Ariel, a childhood friend expatriated in Korea, will be available soon.

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