A new international study from AllClear Travel Insurance has revealed the best -and worst – airport cities in the world for a stopover.
Long-haul travel often comes with the inevitability of a layover, but new research reveals which cities around the globe transform those stopovers into mini-adventures rather than airport drudgery.
Analysing 25 of the world’s busiest transit hubs, the study considered factors that turn a short stay into a memorable one, including how quickly travellers can reach the city centre, the cost of a one-night hotel stay, walkability, average daily expenses, and the distance between major attractions.
Frankfurt Tops the Global List
Frankfurt, Germany, claimed the top spot with a ‘Stopover Score’ of 78.3/100. Its combination of a swift 15-minute airport-to-city transfer, compact city layout, and rich mix of medieval architecture make it ideal for travellers with limited time. Visitors can stroll the scenic Römerberg Square and enjoy a glass of Apfelwein before returning to the airport with time to spare.
Doha Takes Second Place
Doha, Qatar, came in second with a score of 75.4/100. Its airport, Hamad International, is widely recognised as one of the most luxurious in the world and sits just 15 minutes from the city centre. Travellers can explore Souq Waqif or visit the Museum of Islamic Art, designed by the same architect behind the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Top 10 Cities for a Layover
Other cities making the top 10 include Atlanta, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Dublin, Vienna, Baltimore, Amsterdam, and Zurich.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is one of the world’s busiest hubs, connecting over 900 onward destinations and hosting more than 108 million travellers annually. Copenhagen ranks highly for its short 13-minute transfer and attractions clustered within 2.3 km, making Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn easily accessible. Warsaw earns its place thanks to affordability and walkability, while Amsterdam is celebrated for its flat terrain and scenic canals.
Budget-Friendly Options
Some of the most cost-effective cities for a short stopover include Delhi, where a four-star hotel costs around AUD 34.85 per night, and Bangkok, which offers excellent value for meals and local transport.
Cities That Miss the Mark
Not all cities make ideal stopover destinations. Los Angeles ranks lowest, scoring just 21.9/100, mainly due to the long 59-minute journey from the airport to the city and sprawling distances between attractions. Other low-ranked destinations include Houston, Lima, San Diego, Mumbai, and Abu Dhabi, which present challenges such as high costs, lengthy transfers, or dispersed tourist sites.
Expert Commentary
Sarah Collinson, International Director at AllClear, comments: “For those facing long journeys, planning a stopover can make a big difference to how rested and ready you feel when you reach your final destination.”
She continues, “All too often, travellers land in popular cities and stay airside during their layover, missing out on what could be a thrilling 24 hours in a new city.”
She Further Added, “We wanted to highlight the destinations that make for the perfect pit stop, and this list is designed to do just that.”
She follwed it by saying, “To secure a low-cost stopover, look for long-duration layovers when booking – many flight search engines allow you to filter by journey time so you can book yourself an intentionally long layover for the same cost.
Additionally she said, “There are also airlines that offer ‘free’ or discounted stopovers in popular tourist destinations.”
She concluded by sayin, “If you plan a two-in-one trip with a stopover, remember that it’s important to check that your travel insurance policy covers both your connecting hub and your end destination if you’re planning to leave the terminal, as some policies limit cover by region.”
Caution on ‘Skiplagging’
The report bu AllClear also highlights a growing trend known as ‘skiplagging’, where travellers book flights with stopovers and deliberately skip the final leg of the journey to remain in the connecting city. Searches for the practice have risen by 39% in the past quarter, but experts warn that this could breach airline terms and conditions, potentially leading to cancellation of return flights.
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