Traveling from Europe to Australia offers a unique opportunity to explore exciting stopover destinations. Whether you have a few hours or several days, these cities are perfect for breaking up your long journey. Here are some of the best stopovers to consider, along with frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip.
Table of Contents
Stopover in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
What to do in Dubai?
- Dubai Mall: A massive shopping center with an aquarium, ice rink, and over 1,200 shops.
- Burj Khalifa: Visit the world’s tallest tower (828 meters) for breathtaking city views.
- Dubai Fountain: Nightly water jet shows at the base of Burj Khalifa.
- Deira District: Explore traditional souks and authentic restaurants.
Airlines
- Emirates
- Qantas
Stopover in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
What to do in Abu Dhabi?
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque: Marvel at one of the world’s most beautiful mosques. Built in stone and marble and adorned with gold crystal, ceramic and semi-precious stones. It also has the largest Persian carpet ever woven. It dresses the floor of the prayer room that can accommodate in excess of 40.000 worshipers
- Emirates Palace: Visit this opulent hotel as if it were a museum.
- Bedouin Village will introduce you to life in the UAE before oil was struck. It has a traditional mosque and a traditional Bedouin encampment.
Emirates Heritage Village Museum and its 1.600 m2 park on the seafront near the world’s largest flag (40m2); - Yas Island: Enjoy Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and the Yas Marina Circuit.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi: Explore art from various civilizations.
Airlines
- Etihad
- Virgin Australia
Stopover in Doha (Qatar)
What to do in Doha?
- The Corniche is the ideal place to walk along the sea and take in the view of the skyscrapers that characterise the city.
- Heritage Village, a traditional Qatari village showing the ancient crafts of the country;
- Clock Tower located at the top of a hill next to the Great Mosque. It offers a beautiful view of the Corniche and the city;
- There are many museums around the city but to discover the art and culture of the country visit the National Museum of Qatar located east of the Corniche in a former royal palace. Also, the Museum of Islamic art is worth a visit. It houses many objects of Muslim dynasties around the world;
- Souq Waqif: Shop for local handmade crafts.
Airlines
- Qatar Airlines
For short stops (5 hours minimum), these three cities offer “City Tour”. You can discover the city and its main centers of interest by bus. For all information and bookings, visit the website of the city or directly at the ticket office of the airport upon your arrival.
Stopover in Bangkok (Thailand)
What to do in Bangkok?
- Grand Palace: Built in 1782 as the King’s residence, it is a the spiritual center of the Thai kingdom today. Do not miss the ‘Wat Phra Kaew’ Temple which houses the majestic Emerald Buddha and is one of the most sacred places in the country;
- Shopping: Choose between modern malls and markets like Chatuchak.
- Nightlife: Explore bars and clubs in Kao San and Soi Rambuttri.
- Do not miss the floating market of Damnoen Saduak which is situated a bit outside the city center.
Airlines
- Thai Airways
- KLM.
Stopover in Hong Kong
What to do in Hong Kong?
- Tian Tian Buddha: Visit the world’s largest sitting bronze Buddha on Lantau Island.
- Victoria Peak: Take the tram for stunning city views.
- Temple of Man Mo was built in 1847 and is dedicated to the gods of literature (‘Man’) and war (‘Mo’);
- Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade: Enjoy views of the harbor and nightly light shows.
Airlines
- Cathay Pacific.
Stopover in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
What to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
- French Colonial Architecture: Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office built by Gustave Eiffel.
- War Remnants Museum: Learn about the Vietnam War.
- Museum of History displays 4.000 years of history in a beautiful French colonial building surrounded by botanical gardens;
- Cholon District: Discover temples, street markets, and local cuisine.
- To see the most impressive pagodas go to the north of the city center. Here you can admire that of the Emperor of Jade or that of Vinh Hghiem.
- If you have multiple days to spend, leave the city and enjoy an excursion in the Mekong Delta to discover the natural riches and landscapes of the region.
Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
Stopover in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
What to do in Kuala Lumpur?
- Petronas Twin Towers are 452 meters high. You can admire the view from the sky bridge 170 meters above ground, or from the KL Tower which offers a 360 degree view and a restaurant;
- Visit the Hindu sanctuary of Batu Caves and climb its 272 steps. You will find the impressive golden statue of the god Murugan. This place is a must see for its mountains and beautiful temple in a 100 meter high cave;
- KL Bird Park: Visit the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary.
- Central Market: Shop for Malaysian handicrafts and souvenirs
Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- AirAsia
Stopover in Singapore
What to do in Singapore?
- The Marina Bay Sands area will allow you have an beautiful view of the city from the bay.
- Take a walk to the Garden by the Bay with its giant trees and huge greenhouses;
- Take a free tour of the Singapore City Gallery on Maxwell Road;
- Visit the Singapore Zoo to explore animals from South and Southeast Asia. It takes at least five hours to get around and the zoo offers very popular night safaris!
Airline
- Singapore Airlines
Stopover in Shanghai (China)
What to do during a stopover in Shanghai?
- Visit the west side of the bank (in the Bund) to get a great view of Shanghai.
- Renmin Square or People’s Square is the largest square in the city. You will find the museum district and many cultural places there. Visit Shanghai Museum, the Opera House and the Municipal Government Building.
- Temple of the Jade Buddha, considered the most sacred place of Shanghai. It is knows for its famous Buddha and other religious ornaments.
- The French Concession, very fashionable neighbourhood with old villas and tons of entertainment. You see the remnants of the French colonial era. It is also the starting point for a pleasant ride from Xintiandi to the former residence of Sun Yat-sen.
Airline
- China Eastern
Stopover in Beijing (China)
What to do during a stopover in Beijing?
- Built during the Mind Dynasty in the 15th century the Forbidden City was the seat of imperial power until 1911. It is truly a city within a city with its 800 palaces, shrines and pavilions.
- Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the the world. Here you can visit the People’s Assembly Palace, the Chinese History Museum, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and Mao’s Mausoleum.
- Summer Palace: The former refuge of the imperial family fleeing the heat of the city includes beautiful lakes, pavilions and gardens. The park is so large that it requires 2000 employees to maintain the 420.000 trees and 3.000 buildings.
Airline
- Air China
When to book your flight to Australia?
The ideal time to book a plane ticket to Australia can vary depending on several factors, including the time of year you wish to travel, the flexibility of your travel dates, the airline you choose, etc. However, it is generally advisable to book your plane ticket to Australia several months in advance (at least 3 months) to get the best fares.
If you are travelling during peak periods, such as the Australian school holidays or Christmas and New Year, try to book even earlier, around 4-6 months in advance, to avoid high prices and limited availability.
It is also important to note that airfares can vary considerably depending on the time of year. December to February months are generally more expensive due to Australia’s peak tourist and holiday season. On the other hand, the months of May to August are often cheaper, as they are considered the low season.
Read also : Cheap flights to Australia
