7 international airports offering free layover city tours.
Travelling with Qatar Airways and taking advantage of their free Doha city tour got me thinking, a) why aren't there more airports offering free transit tours, (they're brilliant), and b) I wonder what airports do...
Below is a list of 7 international airports offering free city transit tours and links to find out more information. Hamad International Airport
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Timetable & info
Four tours daily. Tours start at 8 am, 11 am, 4 pm and 8 pm.
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For a review of this tour please read Don't Mind if I Doha - Qatar Airways Free Doha City Tour.
Salt Lake City International Airport
Utah, USA
Temple Square Tour
Layover time
2+ hour transit.
Register/ check-in
Head to the information desks in Terminal 1 or 2 on arrival to register for the tour.
Visit
Temple Square.
Timetable & info
Summer (June - August) departs every 30 minutes between 9 am - 7 pm.
Autumn/ Fall (September - October) departs every hour between 9 am - 7 pm.
Winter (November - March) departs every hour between 9 am - 2 pm.
Spring (April - May) departs every hour between 9 am - 7 pm.
2+ hour transit.
Register/ check-in
Head to the information desks in Terminal 1 or 2 on arrival to register for the tour.
Visit
Temple Square.
Timetable & info
Summer (June - August) departs every 30 minutes between 9 am - 7 pm.
Autumn/ Fall (September - October) departs every hour between 9 am - 7 pm.
Winter (November - March) departs every hour between 9 am - 2 pm.
Spring (April - May) departs every hour between 9 am - 7 pm.
- Tours do not run on Sundays or public holidays.
- There is no luggage check available during the tour. You will need to carry backpacks and carry-ons with you. Large suitcases or bags will not be allowed in the shuttle vans.
- For more information please visit templesquare.com.
Ataturk International Airport
Istanbul, Turkey
MULTIPLE ISTANBUL TOURS
Layover time
6 - 24 hour transit.
Tour duration
Varied.
Register/ check-in
Register for the tour on arrival. Look out for the hotel desk in the International Arrival Hall, located next to Starbucks.
Visit
Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome Square, Old Book Market, Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, Topkapi Palace, Beyazit Tower, Column of Constantine Hagia Sophia Aya Triada Church etc
Timetable & info
Five different tours (covering different locations) offered daily:
8:30 am - 11 am sightseeing tour.
9 am - 3 pm day tour.
9 am - 6 pm day tour.
12 pm - 6 pm day tour.
4 pm - 9 pm cultural walk tour.
6 - 24 hour transit.
Tour duration
Varied.
Register/ check-in
Register for the tour on arrival. Look out for the hotel desk in the International Arrival Hall, located next to Starbucks.
Visit
Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome Square, Old Book Market, Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, Topkapi Palace, Beyazit Tower, Column of Constantine Hagia Sophia Aya Triada Church etc
Timetable & info
Five different tours (covering different locations) offered daily:
8:30 am - 11 am sightseeing tour.
9 am - 3 pm day tour.
9 am - 6 pm day tour.
12 pm - 6 pm day tour.
4 pm - 9 pm cultural walk tour.
- You must be flying with Turkish Airlines to qualify.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before tour starting time.
- Please visit istanbulinhours.com for itineraries and information.
Taoyuan International Airport
Taipei, Taiwan
Multiple Taiwan Tours
Layover time
7 - 24 hour transit.
Tour duration
5 hours.
Register/ check-in
Book your tour on arrival at the Tourist Service Center located in the Arrival Lobby of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Visit
The morning tour will take you to the Shou Sin Fang Creativity Wagashi and Cultural Centre plus the Sanxia & Zushi Temple.
The afternoon tour takes you to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the Longshan Temple.
Timetable & info
Morning tour: 8 am - 1 pm.
Afternoon tour: 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
7 - 24 hour transit.
Tour duration
5 hours.
Register/ check-in
Book your tour on arrival at the Tourist Service Center located in the Arrival Lobby of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Visit
The morning tour will take you to the Shou Sin Fang Creativity Wagashi and Cultural Centre plus the Sanxia & Zushi Temple.
The afternoon tour takes you to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the Longshan Temple.
Timetable & info
Morning tour: 8 am - 1 pm.
Afternoon tour: 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
- There is no room for luggage on the bus, you can store your luggage at the airport baggage service counter (for a fee) before boarding the bus.
- Limited to 18 passengers per tour.
- You will be required to have completed a immigration embarkation/disembarkation card available at immigration counter.
- For more information please visit taiwan.net.
Incheon International Airport
Seoul, South Korea
Multiple Seoul Tours
Layover time
2+ hours.
Tour duration
Varied. Travelers can choose among 7 different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour course.
Register/ check-in
You can find the transit tours information desks located on level 2, in front of gates 25 and 29, and on level 1 in front of gate 8 (desks 41 and 42 labeled ‘Hana Tour’).
Visit
Passengers can enjoy various sightseeing, cuisine and modernized dynamic Korean life. The major hot spots include, the Royal palaces and museums in downtown, Seoul, Youth street around Hongik University, Dongdaemun market, and Incheon Port.
Timetable & info
1 hour Yonggungsa Temple tour: 7 am, 8 am, 11 am, 12 pm & 2 pm.
2 hour Incheon Temple tour: 7am, 8 am, 11 am, 12 pm & 2 pm.
3 hour Incheon Culture tour: 3 pm
3.5 hour Incheon City tour: 10 am & 2 pm
5 hour Seoul City tour: 8 am
5 hour Seoul Shopping tour: 10 am
5 hour Seoul Cultural tour: 10 am
2+ hours.
Tour duration
Varied. Travelers can choose among 7 different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour course.
Register/ check-in
You can find the transit tours information desks located on level 2, in front of gates 25 and 29, and on level 1 in front of gate 8 (desks 41 and 42 labeled ‘Hana Tour’).
Visit
Passengers can enjoy various sightseeing, cuisine and modernized dynamic Korean life. The major hot spots include, the Royal palaces and museums in downtown, Seoul, Youth street around Hongik University, Dongdaemun market, and Incheon Port.
Timetable & info
1 hour Yonggungsa Temple tour: 7 am, 8 am, 11 am, 12 pm & 2 pm.
2 hour Incheon Temple tour: 7am, 8 am, 11 am, 12 pm & 2 pm.
3 hour Incheon Culture tour: 3 pm
3.5 hour Incheon City tour: 10 am & 2 pm
5 hour Seoul City tour: 8 am
5 hour Seoul Shopping tour: 10 am
5 hour Seoul Cultural tour: 10 am
- English speaking guide provided.
- All tours are provided for free, however, tourist site admission fees and meals are excluded (if opted for).
- For more information please visit visitkorea.or.kr.
Singapore Changi Airport
Changi, Singapore
Multiple Changi Tours
Layover time
5.5 hours.
Tour duration
There are two tours to choose from: the Heritage tour (2.5 hours) & the City Sights tour (2.5 hours).
Register/ check-in
Look out for the 'Free Singapore Tours' booths in each terminal.
Visit
Heritage tour: Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, with a short stopover at the Merlion Park where you get a photo opportunity with the symbol of Singapore. The second stopover is at Kampong Glam, one of Singapore’s colourful ethnic precincts.
City Sights tour: Lion City, the Merlion, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade. The tour also offers another short stopover at Gardens by the Bay.
Timetable & info
Heritage tour: 9 am - 3:30 pm.
City Sights tour: 6 pm - 7:30 pm
5.5 hours.
Tour duration
There are two tours to choose from: the Heritage tour (2.5 hours) & the City Sights tour (2.5 hours).
Register/ check-in
Look out for the 'Free Singapore Tours' booths in each terminal.
- Terminal 1: Stay in the transit area and proceed to Terminal 2 (Transit Area) for registration.
- Terminal 2: in the Transit Area, between Transfer Lounge F and the Skytrain toTerminal 3 (near the escalator to Arrival Immigration).
- Terminal 3: In the Transit Area, near Transfer Lounge A and Gate A1-A8 (Level 2).
Visit
Heritage tour: Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, with a short stopover at the Merlion Park where you get a photo opportunity with the symbol of Singapore. The second stopover is at Kampong Glam, one of Singapore’s colourful ethnic precincts.
City Sights tour: Lion City, the Merlion, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade. The tour also offers another short stopover at Gardens by the Bay.
Timetable & info
Heritage tour: 9 am - 3:30 pm.
City Sights tour: 6 pm - 7:30 pm
- First-come-first-serve basis.
- Tour itinerary may change, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
- One tour, per person, per transit.
- For more information please visit changiairport.com.
Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo, Japan
Multiple Tokyo Tours
Layover time
5 hours.
Tour duration
There are 5 tours available, all between 2.5 and 3 hours duration.
Register/ check-in
Register on arrival at the Narita Transit Tourism Counter in Terminal 1 or 2 [view map]. The desk is only open from 9 am - 12 pm.
Visit
Tour 1: Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple and Narita-san Omotesando Japanese Culture Experience.
Tour 2: Discovery of aeronautical science history and air craft pilot experience
Tour 3: Japanese Country Life Experience.
Tour 4: Shisui Premium Outlets Shopping Bus Tour.
Tour 5: AEON Mall Narita Shopping & Wonderful "WA" Experience.
Info
5 hours.
Tour duration
There are 5 tours available, all between 2.5 and 3 hours duration.
Register/ check-in
Register on arrival at the Narita Transit Tourism Counter in Terminal 1 or 2 [view map]. The desk is only open from 9 am - 12 pm.
Visit
Tour 1: Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple and Narita-san Omotesando Japanese Culture Experience.
Tour 2: Discovery of aeronautical science history and air craft pilot experience
Tour 3: Japanese Country Life Experience.
Tour 4: Shisui Premium Outlets Shopping Bus Tour.
Tour 5: AEON Mall Narita Shopping & Wonderful "WA" Experience.
Info
- All tours are provided for free, however, tourist site admission fees (if you would like to enter) are excluded.
- For more information please visit Narita Transit Program.
For information on cities offering transit tours for a fee, please select from the following cities:
9 Comments
I had no idea such tours exist - thanks for the heads-up! My layovers are usually long enough to leave the airport and do a bit of sightseeing, but this is a great idea for people who are on a tight schedule and still want to get a glimpse of the city they are transiting in.
Reply
30/10/2016 01:17:03 pm
Not a problem, I tried and tested the Doha, Qatar tour and really enjoyed it. Happy to pass on the info!
Reply
Natalie Marie
15/9/2017 09:06:17 pm
Appreciated. Thanks for the compliment.
Reply
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