Travel Further and Save Money with Stopovers
It’s no secret that flights are one of the most expensive parts of any travel itinerary. One of my favorite cost-saving tips for traveling overseas and saving money on flights is to budget in time for a day-long stopover, or a dayover. The length of a dayover fits neatly in between a layover, which lasts less than 24 hours, and a stopover, which typically lasts for several days or even weeks. I find that 24 hours is the perfect length of time to balance taking a break from your journey, experiencing a new area, and still leaving enough time to get to your final destination.
Why Should You Schedule a Dayover?
Explore New Destinations:
A dayover allows you visit an additional city or country without the need for a separate trip. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore a new place and experience its culture, food, and attractions. I’ve explored places like Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and Taiwan this way.
Break Up Long Journeys:
Long flights can be exhausting. A break in between flights can give you time to rest, stretch your legs, and refresh yourself before continuing to your final destination. After breathing in an aluminum tube for the better part of a day, getting out of the airport, getting some fresh air, and eating something other than sandwiches can do wonders.
Maximize Travel Experiences:
By incorporating a dayover into your travel itinerary, you can make the most out of your trip. For instance, when traveling from Chicago to Osaka, my friend and I found that there wasn’t a direct flight that went between those two cities. However, you can instead fly to Taiwan using EVA Air and use it as a stopping point between the two airports.
The Taiwanese Tourism Administration offers free half-day tours of Taiwan for anyone with a layover 7 hours or longer. You can tour a Taiwanese temple, explore the night market, or go on a self-guided tour through Taoyuan City. After the tour, you can come back to the airport and take your connecting flight to Osaka. This is a great way to add another country to your itinerary for less than the cost of a nonstop flight.
Potential Cost Savings:
Sometimes, flights with stopovers can be cheaper than direct flights. When traveling to London for my cousin’s wedding, I found that nonstop flights from Chicago to London were very expensive. Instead, I opted to fly from Chicago to Sweden on Scandinavian Airlines, spend the day in Stockholm, then travel onward to London, all for less than half the cost of a nonstop flight.
Frequent Flyer Miles:
Adding a stopover can help you accumulate more frequent flyer miles, which you can use for future travel perks such as upgrades or free flights. Alternatively, you can redeem your frequent flyer miles for a dayover. Air Canada is a good example – for only 5,000 points, you can add an additional stop (outside the USA and Canada) to your itinerary. Just make sure to consult the award chart while making your redemption, to maximize the value of your points.
How to Take Maximum Advantage of a Dayover
Check Airline Policies:
While scheduling, check your airline’s policies to see what programs you can take advantage of. Icelandair and TAP Air Portugal both allow you to add a couple nights in their home countries, free of charge. Incheon International Airport offers transit tours for passengers with an under-24 hour layover. There are probably many different options available for the city you intend to stop in, or you can consult the Destination Guides section for assistance.
Plan Your Itinerary:
When booking your flights, look for options that allow stopovers. Use multi-city search options on airline websites or travel booking platforms. Alternatively, you can do your dayovers in positioning cities – if you find a great flight deal to a city that you want to go to, but it’s just out of range from your home city, take a flight to your desired airport and spend your stopover there. For example, if you find a great deal from Vancouver to Tokyo, but you live in Portland, you can take a flight to Vancouver and spend the day in Vancouver before heading onwards to Tokyo. This also mitigates the risk involved in scheduling your positioning flight – if your flight from Portland to Vancouver got delayed or canceled, there’s enough time between your arrival in Vancouver to your departure to Tokyo for the airline to reschedule or rebook you.
Research Your Dayover Destination:
Make a list of must-see attractions, local foods to try, and cultural experiences to enjoy during your stopover. The Destination Guides section has guides to many different cities, including transportation to and from the airport, main attractions in the city, and places to stay. If your stopover includes a significant climate change, pack clothing and essentials suitable for both your stopover and final destination.
Check Visa Requirements:
Ensure you have the necessary visas or entry permissions for your stopover destination. Some countries offer transit visas or visa-free entry for short stays – if you’re taking an airport tour, make sure to check the website for your visa requirements. Participants in Taiwan’s airport tour may need a travel authorization certificate or other short-term visa. This website lets U.S passport holders check if a short-term visa is needed for your country of choice.
If you’re ready to schedule a dayover, read these destination guides to find out how to make the most of your stay!
