March 28, 2025, 5:27 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Use the stopover at one of the airline hubs for a city trip? This is becoming increasingly popular now. Sunnytrips reveals the best places for a stopover.
Why just wait at the airport when you can use the time for a short trip? Many major airline hubs are fascinating cities worth exploring. If you have a longer stopover, you can take the opportunity to take a short sightseeing tour on the way to your actual destination.
Some airlines have recognized this trend and offer special stopover programs. These make it possible to extend your stay for a few days - often at no extra charge for the ticket. There are also discounts on hotels and city tours.
Here are seven airports where a stopover is particularly worthwhile:
7 turnstiles for which a stopover is recommended
Helsinki, Finland
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Finnair airport is optimally connected to the city center: you can reach the center in about 30 minutes with trains I and P. Highlights include the Helsinki Design Museum, the Design District with its boutiques and cafes, the historic Ruttopuisto Plague Cemetery, the National Gallery and the Art Museum. If you are looking for relaxation, you will find it in the sauna and pool area “Allas Sea Pool”, which has the largest terrace in the city.
Paris, France
Big city with flair. Orly airport is ideal for short stays. Because of its proximity to the city center, it is even possible to drive to the Eiffel Tower in just under an hour and a half, take a photo and maybe have a café au lait. But be careful, because depending on the traffic, the 20 minutes that a taxi ride from Orly to the Eiffel Tower can take can easily turn into 45 minutes. There is also the much cheaper option of taking the train into the city. It then takes 48 minutes to get to the Eiffel Tower.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is also ideal for a stopover. From the Air Europa and Iberia hub you can easily reach the central Sol station by taking the metro (line 8, then changing to lines 6 and 1 or 2). Many sights are within walking distance from here: the impressive Plaza Mayor, the old town with its cozy tapas bars, the Royal Palace and the San Fernando Academy of Art. Art lovers can visit Retiro Park from Atocha station and explore the famous Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Prado museums.
Istanbul, Turkiye
Turkish Airlines offers the free “Touristanbul” service for passengers with a stay between 6 and 24 hours. Depending on the tour - half or full day - highlights such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the 15th century Grand Bazaar with its around 4,000 shops can be visited.
What a city! And what an airport! Changi Airport regularly wins awards as the best airport in Asia and even the world. If there are more than five hours between landing and the next takeoff, the airport offers tours of the city. See the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel or visit one of the many food markets - no problem with an organized tour from the airport. And the best thing about it: the excursion is free!
Also interesting: »This was my visit to the best airport in the world
Reykjavik, Iceland
If you are traveling with Icelandair, you can reach the city center by bus from “Airport Direct” or “Flybus”. A convenient hop-on hop-off bus makes exploring the city easier. Special sights include the impressive Hallgrimskirche, the modern Harpa concert hall and parks such as Laugardalur. The 18 public geothermal baths also provide relaxation.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
From the Emirates hub you can take a stopover on the red metro line directly to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 830 meters. Nearby, the free “Dubai Fountain” water show is fascinating. Other highlights include the Dubai Mall, the traditional souks on the creek, cheap water taxis and beaches such as Kite Beach. Architecture fans should also visit The Frame or the Museum of the Future.
With material from dpa
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