Cable Car Skydining Unveils Two New Private Dining Journeys Above Singapore

Mount Faber Leisure Group introduces two new private dining experiences aboard Cable Car SkyDining, offering guests distinctive culinary journeys at 100 metres above sea level. The Singapore Chronicles retraces Singapore's rich heritage through a thoughtfully curated menu inspired by local flavours, while Starlight Flight showcases contemporary Mediterranean cuisine against the ever-evolving skyline of modern Singapore. Served in the privacy of a dedicated cable car cabin, both experiences invite guests to discover one of Singapore's most iconic dining experiences from a fresh perspective.

In 1998, the Singapore Cable Car became the world's first to offer private dining aboard a cable car cabin. More than 25 years on, Cable Car SkyDining continues to offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience, taking guests from sweeping sunset vistas to the hilltop ambience of Mount Faber Peak, with glimpses of the nightly fireworks on Sentosa. Perfect for anniversaries, milestone celebrations and other special occasions, the experience is now available with a choice of two distinctly curated menus.

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The Singapore Chronicles: Travel Through Time in a Private Cabin

The Singapore Chronicles takes guests on a culinary journey through Singapore's history, with each course reflecting the ingredients, cultures and traditions that shaped the nation's growth from a humble fishing village to a global city. In celebration of Singapore's 61st Birthday, guests can enjoy The Singapore Chronicles (U.P. S$108++ per guest) with a one-for-one promotion from now until 31 August 2026.

The dining experience starts with a choice of Temasek Sunset, a refreshing blend of chai, grilled pineapple, pandan and lime, or Nanyang Twilight, featuring gin, butterfly pea, coconut water and lime, before continuing with Temasek – The Fishing Village, inspired by Singapore's early days as a humble fishing village shaped by coastal trade and the bounty of the sea. The chapter is told through the Tiger Prawn Tea Rice, aromatic herb rice topped with salmon roe and served with a jasmine tea kelp broth. At the heart of the dish are wild tiger prawns, a nod to Singapore's maritime heritage and the fishermen who once relied on the sea for their livelihood. The herb rice, fragrant with laksa leaf and lime leaf, reflects the simple staples enjoyed by local communities, while the jasmine tea broth pays homage to the tea culture introduced by early Chinese settlers.

As the old fishing village gave way to a thriving trading port, A Bustling City traces the merchants and settlers from China, India, the Malay Archipelago and Europe who arrived, bringing with them their cultures, ingredients and culinary traditions. For the main course, guests may choose the Crispy Red Snapper, served with sweet potato purée, coconut curry and laksa leaf oil, a nod to the prized catch once favoured by Singapore's wealthier settlers, and a dish drawing on Peranakan cuisine's masterful blend of Chinese, Malay and Eurasian influences. Alternatively, the Char-grilled Lemongrass Chicken, served with confit leek, sweet potato, black pepper purée and toasted coconut, is an ode to the coconut plantations that once covered Singapore's eastern coast, and the lemongrass and black pepper that were long essential to everyday local cooking.

The evening concludes with Sweet Harmony in Diversity, a dessert that brings pandan, gula melaka and European custard together in a single refined course. A fitting close to the journey, the dish celebrates the multicultural harmony upon which Singapore's success has been built, and the shared identity, preserved traditions and heritage the city carries into the present.

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Starlight Flight: Mediterranean Flavours Meet Singapore's Skyline

Curated by Barcelona-born Executive Sous Chef Daniel Vaquero, the Starlight Flight menu draws on his 18 years of career rooted in Catalan and Spanish cuisines, celebrating the bold, sun-drenched flavours of the Mediterranean. Each dish reflects his culinary roots, from heirloom tomatoes sourced from Spain and Italy to Catalan influences such as romesco sauce and seafood suquet, elevated with modern touches including molecular gastronomy.

"Growing up in Barcelona, some of my favourite memories were built around slow evenings spent sharing good food with family and friends. For the Starlight Flight experience, we wanted to bring that spirit, together with the flavours of the Mediterranean, through a menu that celebrates quality ingredients and bold flavours inspired by my hometown and culinary roots. More than just the food, the experience is about slowing down, savouring the moment and enjoying the transition from day to night in a private cabin on the iconic Singapore Cable Car."
— Chef Daniel Vaquero, Executive Sous Chef, Mount Faber Leisure Group

Now available at $118++ per guest for the four-course menu, the evening begins at Dusk @ Mount Faber Peak with a welcome drink and the Sautéed Hokkaido Scallops as a starter, inspired by one of the most well-received dishes at Dusk @ Mount Faber Peak. Lightly seared and served atop an asparagus velouté infused with Chardonnay, the scallops are finished with pine nuts and crispy puffed quinoa for contrasting texture.

Dinner continues aboard the private cable car cabin, with the entrée and main course served across two scenic rounds along the Mount Faber Line (approximately one hour in total), soaring 100 metres above sea level with panoramic views of Mount Faber, HarbourFront and Sentosa as the sky transitions from day to dusk. The Tiger Prawn Salad with Stracciatella entrée features six varieties of heirloom tomatoes from Spain and Italy, stracciatella cheese, and succulent tiger prawns in a lightly spiced vinaigrette.

For the main course, guests can choose from three Mediterranean-inspired creations:

• Catch of the Day: Pan-fried seasonal fish with crisp skin giving way to delicate, pearly flakes, paired with a creamy cauliflower purée, citrus sauce and Kalamata olive spheres crafted using molecular gastronomy techniques.
• Wagyu Ribeye: An Australian Marbling Score (MB) 4/5 cut seared to perfection and served with roasted hazelnut romesco, alongside smoky piquillo peppers from northern Spain and a buttery potato mille-feuille.
• Grilled Boston Lobster (Upgrade for +$38++): A whole Boston lobster served atop Arborio rice simmered in a traditional Catalan seafood suquet stew.

The evening concludes with the Red Plum Brûlée, combining red plum, almond nougat and frozen yoghurt, served at Arbora Café @ Mount Faber Peak. Vegetarian options are also available for Starlight Flight's three- and four-course menus.

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Savour the Journey: Menu & Booking Details

The Singapore Chronicles

• Price: S$108++ per guest (Special 1-for-1 promotion at S$54++ per guest until 31 August 2026)
• Welcome Drink: Served at Dusk @ Mount Faber Peak
• Starter & Main Course: Enjoyed inside a private cabin on the Mount Faber Line across two scenic rounds (~60 minutes)
• Dessert: Served at Arbora @ Mount Faber Peak

Starlight Flight

• Four-Course Menu (S$118++ per guest): Includes welcome drink & starter at Dusk, entrée & main course aboard the private cable car cabin (2 rounds, ~60 minutes), and dessert at Arbora.
• Three-Course Menu (S$108++ per guest): Includes welcome drink at Dusk, starter & main course aboard the private cable car cabin (2 rounds, ~60 minutes), and dessert at Arbora.

For the ultimate dining experience, early bookings are recommended. Stay tuned to the Mount Faber Dining website for reservations and further information.

Delta Air Lines Is Planning a Return to Singapore: What Travelers Need To Know

Delta Air Lines is preparing to make a significant move in the transpacific market: a return to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

After years of scaling back its footprint across the Pacific and focusing heavily on transatlantic networks, Delta leadership has confirmed plans to re-enter Southeast Asia’s premier financial hub. The move signals a broader shift in Delta’s global long-haul strategy, directly challenging legacy competitors on some of the world's most lucrative corporate routes.

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A Strategic Pivot Toward Asia

For years, Delta’s long-haul expansion has leaned heavily into Europe. However, airline executives have noted that the European market is largely saturated, leading Delta to look across the Pacific for future growth.

Delta last operated scheduled passenger flights to Singapore in September 2019, which flew as an extension from its historic hub at Tokyo Narita (NRT). With the dismantling of the old Narita scissors-hub inherited from Northwest Airlines, Delta pivoted to nonstop routes from the U.S. West Coast and connecting partnerships through Seoul Incheon (ICN) with joint-venture partner Korean Air.

Now, with a stronger West Coast footprint and new long-range widebody aircraft joining the fleet, Delta is ready to put its own metal back into Singapore.

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Where Will Delta Fly From?

While official schedules and exact start dates are pending formal route filings, route analysts and leadership comments point to key West Coast hubs:

• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA): Geographically positioned as the fastest U.S. gateway to Asia, Seattle is viewed as the prime candidate for nonstop transpacific service into Singapore.
• Fleet Deployment: The ultra-long-haul route will rely on Delta’s flagship widebody aircraft—the Airbus A350-900 and incoming Airbus A350-1000—featuring premium-heavy configurations including Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

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Competing in a Crowded Pacific Sky

Delta's return to Singapore places it in head-to-head competition with two major players:

1. United Airlines: The sole U.S. carrier currently offering nonstop flights between the U.S. mainland (San Francisco) and Singapore.
2. Singapore Airlines: The Star Alliance carrier known for its acclaimed service and ultra-long-range nonstops to Newark, New York (JFK), Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

By re-entering Singapore, Delta aims to capture corporate travel demand and give SkyMiles members direct redemption opportunities into Southeast Asia without relying solely on connecting partners.

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What’s Next?

Delta’s return to Singapore is part of a larger Pacific resurgence that includes route restarts and expansions across Hong Kong, Manila, and Tokyo. Expect official route announcements, schedules, and ticket availability as aircraft delivery timelines are finalized.

Singapore Recrowned Most Powerful Passport In The World

Singapore breaks away from the peloton of six countries that shared the top spot on the Henley Passport Index as we entered the new year, reclaiming its title as the world's most powerful passport in the latest ranking published today. The city-state also sets a new record score, with its citizens now enjoying access to 195 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain drop to joint-2nd place, each with visa-free access to 192 destinations, and an unprecedented seven-nation cohort, each with access to 191 destinations without a prior visa — Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden — now sit in 3rd place on the ranking, which is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The UK hangs onto 4th place along with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, despite its visa-free destination score falling to 190. The US, on the other hand, continues its now decade-long slide down the index, dropping to 8th spot, with access to just 186 destinations visa-free. Former passport powerhouses, the UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index 10 years ago in 2014. Afghanistan remains firmly entrenched as the world's weakest passport with access to only 26 countries visa-free — the lowest score ever recorded in history of the 19-year-old index.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, says: "The global average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access a record-breaking 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan."

According to IATA, airlines will connect nearly 5 billion people over 22,000 routes on 39 million flights in 2024 but its Director General, Willie Walsh, says the margins are incredibly tight: "The aviation industry expects revenues of almost USD 1 trillion this year but expenses will also be at a record high of USD 936 billion. Net profit will be USD 30.5 billion. This translates to a modest net margin of around 3%, making the profit per passenger just USD 6.14 — barely enough for a single espresso in a typical hotel café. Despite this, the real cost of air travel has fallen 34% over the last decade."

Climbers, fallers and elections

The UAE makes it into the Top 10 for the first time, having added an impressive 152 destinations since the index's inception in 2006 to achieve its current visa-free score of 185, making it the biggest climber by rising a remarkable 53 places from 62nd to 9th position. The biggest faller over the last decade is Venezuela, which has plunged 17 places from 25th to 42nd. The country is due to hold decisive presidential elections on 28 July that could change the fate of more than seven million Venezuelans who have fled their country over the last ten years.

Commenting in the July 2024 edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report, published today alongside the latest passport ranking, former career diplomat with the U.S. State Department and a senior non-resident associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Annie Pforzheimer, says business groups in immigration- and tourism-dependent industries in America are extremely concerned about the upcoming US election: "Their major worries relate to measures likely to be imposed under a second Trump administration, including ending the Temporary Protected Status regime, rolling back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, and consequent mass deportations for up to 1 million people now eligible for those programs."

Africa tops the list of EU visa rejections

In exclusive new research published in today's report, Prof. Mehari Taddele Maru, Adjunct Professor at the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute, and Johns Hopkins University in Italy, compares Schengen visa rejection rates for African applicants to those from other regions. The results show that around 3 in 10 or 30% of African Schengen visa applicants were rejected, compared to 1 in 10 applicants worldwide, despite the continent having the lowest number of visa applications per capita. He also found evidence that the poorer the African country of origin, the higher the rejection rate for its nationals:

"Despite justifications based on apparent security or economic concerns, the European visa system clearly demonstrates a pre-determined bias against African applicants who face a triple whammy: lower passport power, higher visa rejection rates, and consequently, limited economic mobility. In short, the poorest individuals face the greatest difficulties when seeking to travel or move to more prosperous countries."

10 Countries with the Strictest Rules & Regulations for Tourists and Locals

In the United States, it’s easy to take for granted a certain amount of freedom. We can travel freely from state to state, and — by and large — each of us is in control of our own destiny (socioeconomic or intellectual limitations notwithstanding). That’s not the case for several places throughout the world. And while that information may not be particularly revelatory, the extent to which some countries go to crack down on perceived bad behavior for both residents and visitors is pretty amazing. From Singapore to Iran, here are the world’s strictest countries.

10. Cuba

Visitors to Cuba are usually treated very well. In fact, most tourists get easy access to amenities we take for granted (like the internet). For those people who live in the communist nation, however, things are different. Incoming and outgoing news is strictly controlled, for example, and those who are critical of the government are jailed. With the ease on travel restrictions, it’s hoped that the country will gravitate to a more liberal position, but at the moment, living there isn’t exactly a treat.

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9. China

Another communist nation with a real jones for controlling the flow of information, China runs a very tight ship for its citizens. Like Cuba, most tourists are allowed a little bit of leeway, but it’s a tough row to hoe if you live there. The biggest hardship is the government’s harsh control over the flow of information into and out of the country. Hollywood films aren’t even regularly allowed in China unless they pass a rigorous screening process — even then there’s a strict limit on the foreign films that can be shown in the country.

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8. Eritrea

The concept of religious freedom is nonexistent in Eritrea, an African country located in the region of the Horn of Africa. Though the country represents a mix of both Christianity and Islam, sects like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists are actively forbidden from worshipping openly. The regime also eagerly controls the media and censors most information from the outside world.

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7. Syria

Most Americans would get completely shut down if they tried to enter Syria legally. Of course, that’s because the government has bigger fish to fry. These days, you could probably enter Syria illegally with little to no trouble, because the country is in the midst of a years long effort to oust entrenched jerk (and Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad. As a result of the combat, those people struggling to live a normal life in Syria must endure a statewide communication blackout that’s essentially stopped the influx of information.

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6. Iran

Iran is still ruled by Sharia Law, a religious tradition that’s especially tough on women. Along with the obligatory prohibitions on speaking out against the government, Sharia Law enforces a whole lot of social crimes with some pretty brutal punishments. Those found guilty of adultery are publicly stoned (women get buried up to their neck first). Men and women’s hair styles are strictly enforced. Women must cover their heads in public, and must adhere to strict dress codes. Most “Western” music and movies are strictly prohibited, as are social media outlets like Facebook and YouTube. For those people trying to gain access to the country, it’s best just to give it up now.

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5. Russia

The current American President may have no problem buddying up to the folks who run Russia, but the country still has a reputation for old school oppression. Vladimir Putin has overseen a crackdown on the LGBT community that’s positively draconic. He’s also ransacked the offices of supposed detractors. What’s more, Putin’s political opponents have a weird way of getting shot in the street or disappearing. It’s nuts. If you’re an American hoping to visit Russia, you could experience some issues. Not only do most people need to be explicitly invited, but there’s also an obligatory form that asks entrants to fill out their personal information along the lines of where you went to high school, the last three places you’ve worked, your parents names, etc.

journal-neo.org

4. Saudi Arabia

In spite of the fact that the United States counts Saudi Arabia as one of its allies in the Middle East, the country’s inner workings are as different as night and day. Its social rules — even for visitors — are strict. Women aren’t allowed to drive, or spend time with a man to whom they are not related. Anyone daring to speak out against the government or its policies faces excoriation and potential job loss. While business travel into the country is increasingly relaxed, it’s still extremely difficult to get into the country on a tourist visa.

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3. Equatorial Guinea

The dictator in Equatorial Guinea only approves state-run programming. There’s one newspaper. Citizens are actively discouraged from reading. Of course, thats not a big deal for most Americans, because most people actively petitioning for entry into Africa’s only Spanish speaking country have their visas denied immediately. In fact, to even visit Guinea, you have to go to Lisbon in Portugal, because there’s not an embassy in the US or the United Kingdom.

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2. North Korea

The North Koreans make no attempt to hide their suspicion of visitors. Provided you’re not from South Korea or the United States, you can visit, but you’ll be followed by a constant chaperone, called a “minder” whose sole purpose is to make sure tourists don’t break the rules. Locals, meanwhile, are diligently policed to ensure that they’re not doing crazy things like loitering in a park. In North Korea, citizens have to have an express purpose for being on the street and walking around. “I felt like it,” doesn’t work as an excuse in Pyongyang.

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1. Singapore

Singapore may have an international reputation for prosperity and safety, but that success comes at a cost. The city is extremely strict for both travelers and residents. Want to behave badly? You better have lots of money or thick skin, because Singaporean authorities will issue fines or corporal punishment for anything from smoking in public to wearing the wrong clothes when you’re traveling. People can’t even spit in public.

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Source: https://www.destinationtips.com

"World's Best Airport" Unveils Canopy Park At Jewel Changi Airport

Lifestyle Destination at Singapore Changi Airport to Feature Iconic Attractions, Majestic Gardens and World’s-Tallest Indoor Waterfall

Singapore Changi Airport, named “World’s Best Airport” for five consecutive years, today unveiled plans to maintain its hold on the prestigious #1 ranking with new attractions for its landmark Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel), located in the heart of the airport.

Changi Airport serves close to 60 million passengers from around the globe annually and is the world’s most awarded airport, being named as the World’s Best Airport by air travelers for the fifth consecutive year at the 2017 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

When the Jewel mixed-use complex opens in early 2019, the addition of unique play attractions, a five-story indoor garden, hotel chain YOTEL, multiple shopping and dining options will create a world-class lifestyle destination.

“Not only will Jewel capture the hearts and minds of travelers and boost Singapore’s appeal as a transit hub, it will enhance the Changi Airport experience for our passengers and visitors,” said Ms Jean Hung, CEO, Jewel Changi Airport Devt. “More importantly, it will be a space where Singapore meets the world to allow for sharing of ideas at the doorstep of Changi Airport.”

The newly-unveiled elements of Canopy Park on level five of Jewel feature three iconic play attractions – Sky Nets, Canopy Mazes, and Discovery Slides. It will also have open play areas including Foggy Bowls, for children to wander through mists as though walking among clouds.

The play areas will allow visitors to bounce, roam and slide through Canopy Park, elevating the airport experience with a level of interactivity. They are designed by world-renowned consultants from Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore and the United States to integrate the beauty of nature and science.

The attractions at Canopy Park are the third centerpiece of Jewel along with the Forest Valley, a five-story garden filled with thousands of trees, plants, ferns and shrubs, and the 40-metre high Rain Vortex, currently the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. A 164 feet-long Canopy Bridge will provide visitors an excellent vantage point to enjoy the Rain Vortex. Suspended 75 feet above ground, a glass pane flooring in the centre of the bridge will allow visitors to look right through to Jewel’s level 1, adding to the thrill factor.  

The Jewel complex spans five stories above ground and five basement stories encased in a distinctive steel and glass façade. The building was given the 2016 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press, Ltd.

The Best Layover Cities In The World From Travel Experts

If you are trying to find the best flight deal on your travels, chances are more than once you’ve had to pick which city you want to spend a long, 6+ hour layover in. But instead of seeing it as an annoyance and hassle, why not make the layover an extended part of your journey by discovering the best layover cities in the world?

When I returned from Budapest to LA this May I spent six hours in Oslo, Norway. A 19-minute express train from the airport to the city center meant I could zip to Oslo, take in a few sights, have a meal, and get back with more than enough time for my second flight to LA.

Oslo Waterfront – Photo by Moyan Brenn via Flickr (since I had no camera in Oslo)

I loved this little excursion and wanted to start doing something similar on all my other trips as well. The only problem was, for many cities offered as layover options, I didn’t know how easy it would be. Did the airport have a good range of amenities? Quick and easy transport into the city center? Was the center easily walkable?

So I asked my favorite travel bloggers, writers, and photographers, which cities in the world they love to spend their time between flights in. Now next time you fly, you will know which are the best layover cities to add to your journey (a couple of East Asian airports especially seem preferred among travelers worldwide).

Best Layover Cities

1. Hong Kong International Airport (2x Choice!):

Ken Kaminesky (Ken Kaminesky Photography)

Inside Hong Kong International Airport – Photo by IQRemix via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

My favourite city for a layover is Hong Kong. The airport is one of the best in the world but what makes it special is the Cathay Pacific lounge! I always fly with Cathay Pacific to Asia if possible and their lounge at Hong Kong International Airport is the best I’ve ever seen. Showers, good food, complimentary massages, and more. Just what a weary traveller like me needs after a super long haul flight. I’m blessed to live a life well-travelled and grateful that there are companies like Cathay that value their customers to such a high degree. In fact, I’m heading to Cambodia tomorrow and thrilled to be stopping in Hong Kong for my layover on the way to Siem Reap.

Michael Hodson (Go See Write)

I tend to complain a lot about airports and layovers. There are, however, many airports that do everything they can to make your layover more comfortable and enjoyable. The best experience I had was in Hong Kong International Airport. If education is your thing and you want to stimulate your brain more than you want to get a hand massage, then you’ll really enjoy this airport. There’s shopping and dining, as usual, but there are also a lot of really interesting exhibits to experience and enjoy.

2. Singapore Changi Airport (2x Choice!):

Barbara Weibel (Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel)

Photo by Cheryl via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

Without a doubt, Singapore Changi Airport ranks as my favorite airport in the world for long layovers.

This airport is more like a destination than a transit hub. It provides free Wi-Fi, has an almost overwhelming array of dining choices, and even offers massage and reflexology services. Skytrains whisk passengers between terminals to view sculptures scattered throughout the airport and gardens that feature cactus, sunflowers, and orchids. Travelers with layovers of more than six hours can even take advantage of a free Singapore tour.

Kristin Addis (Be My Travel Muse)

It has fast, free Wi-Fi, a movie theater, and even a free tour of the city if your layover is a long one. It’s easily the best airport in the works for layovers!

3. Dubai International Airport: Liz Carlson (Young Adventuress)

Dubai at Night – Photo by Kemal Kestelli via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

My favorite city for layovers is Dubai. Usually I stop there on trips between New Zealand where I live, and Europe. Since it’s such a long journey and I hate to do back to back long haul flights, I try to stop there for a day or two to rest. Dubai is a city for comfort so I don’t feel pressure to go out and about and explore, but rather to relax in the nice hotels with spas and just chill, which is exactly what I need between trips. Also I usually do all of my shopping there for gear and clothes that I can’t find anywhere else. Dubai is perfect for stopovers and a place to indulge.

4. Keflavík International Airport, Reykjavik: Stephanie Yoder (Twenty-Something Travel)

Photo by Marco Bellucci via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

Keflavík is a really nice, safe, and clean airport where you can safely hang out for hours. It is kind of boring though, so I recommend taking a bus to the famous Blue Lagoon, a milky colored hot spring set against a barren moon-like landscape. Within the span of just a few hours you can visit one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions and get back in time for your flight!

5. Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport: Gary Arndt (Everything, Everywhere)

Downtown Minneapolis – Photo by m01229 via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

Minneapolis. MSP is, in my opinion, the best airport in North America. It has great restaurants and many options. If you have a really long layover, you can also take a light rail train from the airport to the nearby Mall of America, which is less than 10 minutes away.

6. Istanbul Atatürk Airport: Earl Baron (Wandering Earl)

Photo by Moyan Brenn via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

With either a 45 minute shuttle ride to Taksim Square or 45 minutes on the metro/tram to reach Sultanahmet, you have excellent food, fascinating sights, interesting neighborhoods and markets, shisha cafes, shops, museums, bars and more are all right there, ready to fill up the hours you have between flights.

7. Prague, Václav Havel Airport: Ivana & Gianni (Nomad is Beautiful)

Photo by Moyan Brenn via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

You get from the airport to the heart of the city in half an hour easily by bus and metro. Even if it’ll be difficult to avoid crowds in the very center of Prague, especially if you visit it only for a few hours, it’s definitely worth to roam in the gardens near Petrin, in Letna park, Prague’s Castle and the Lesser Town district.  

8. Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport: Melvin Boecher (TravelDudes)

Photo by Greg Knapp via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

My favorite layover city is Bangkok, as that city just gets you. Usually travelers who come here first enjoy their stay a lot, but also don’t mind to leave again after 2-3 days. The city is full of culture, friendly people and yummy food. But it also provides lots of traffic, smog and some scams. So a few days gives you a great first feeling for the city and then you can head on to your next destination. This could be in Thailand itself, in the surrounding countries or even further away, as Bangkok has good flight connections all over the world. And my experience is, the more often you visit and explore Bangkok, the more you will fall in love with the city and could stay a complete holiday alone in the “City of Angels”.

9. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Spencer Spellman (Whiskey Tango Globetrot)

Photo by Moyan Brenn via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

The reason I love layovers in Amsterdam is two-fold. One is that theoretically, you could be into the heart of Amsterdam in 20-30 minutes from the airport, since the core of Amsterdam is less than 10 miles from the airport (rare for most cities). However, additionally, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of my favorite airports. You’ve got a couple of different spas, a museum, casino, and a number of great bars and restaurants, such as East Bar & Bites, which I particularly like for their sake cocktail menu.

10. London Heathrow Airport: Ayngelina Brogan (Bacon is Magic)

There is so much to see, do and eat. There are great airport lounges and spa services but I also love shopping at Boots so I’m happy to stopover and spend an hour browsing around. But most of all I like Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Plane Food, it’s a great dining room and very reasonably priced.

11. Shanghai Pudong International Airport: Laurence Norah (Finding the Universe)

Photo by hans-johnson via Flickr/CC BY 4.0

The city is very easy to get to from the airport, and in fact the mode of transport is one of my favorite things – it’s the fastest train in the world. Then the city itself is very easy to explore, you can sight see for as long or as short as you like, and if you get tired  there is no shortage of tea houses to relax in!

Layover Tips & Lessons

With layovers, ALWAYS make sure to watch the clock, as Dan & Audrey (Uncornered Market) warn:

Layover in Barcelona. Can’t check-in for 3 hours. What to do? Head into town, hit the streets, and have a tapas-filled lunch of roulette peppers (every 100th one is hot!), fried artichokes and a bevy of local fish. Then soak up the streets and color, hop the bus back to the airport and hope they’re ready to take you to your destination — which on our last stop there was Bogota, Colombia.

We had about 6 hours. We arrived at terminal T2, but were departing from T1. So we took the shuttle there to leave luggage and get a lay of the land. Glad we did, because that removed an unknown. Took the bus into town. Had a couple of hours. We focused on lunch and walking neighborhoods, including Ribera. When we returned by bus, we were just under 3 hours from our flight departure. We’d already checked in online, so removed that variable. After security, we ended up at our gate with 1hr, 40 mins. Audrey even tried to get a manicure at the lounge, but time was tight and staff bounce between lounges. Outside of that, we found our gate area sparse, so we’re glad we popped into downtown Barcelona.

And keep an eye out for Layover Perks: Alyssa Ramos (My Life’s a Movie)

When I think of making the best out of long layovers, I always suggest finding flights with the longest layover (if a long layover is inevitable) so that you can possibly go see a little bit of the city. I did that during my flight to South Africa with a layover in Dubai. I chose the longest layover which was 8 hours (it also made the flight cheaper), and the airline even gave us a free hotel to shower and relax in while we waited!

What’s your favorite layover city? Have you ever had a great layover experience? Share below!

photos by: & , , , , , Moyan_Brenn 

Source: http://www.losethemap.com/