How the 'stopover-cation' trend is helping Aussies see more at a lower cost
'Stopover-cations' are the latest travel trend Aussies are making the most of.
Those who want to save more on international travel while maximising the number of destinations they visit are now considering stopping over at closer destinations on the way to far-flung places like Europe, breaking up the long-haul flight and saving on additional airfare costs.
We talked to Scoot Australia General Manager Adam Kelly about why stopover-cations are so popular and how to book your own.
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Bangkok, Thailand is one popular stopover-cation destination for Australians. Getty
How do stopover-cations work?
A stopover-cation transforms a standard layover into an extended travel experience, like a mini holiday within a trip, Adam tells 9Travel.
"Travellers can spend a few hours or several days in a stopover city before continuing to their destination – often at little to no additional airfare cost," he says.
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Popular stopover-cation locations for Australians are located in Asia, as it's on the way to Europe and other destinations.
Why are stopover-cations so popular with Aussies now?
Three quarters of Australians are considering incorporating stopover-cations into their 2025 travel plans to get more value from their trips, according to Scoot's latest research.
Seoul is one of several Asian destinations ideally suited to a stopover-cation from Australia. Getty
The cost of living crisis is a big reason for this, Adam says.
"We've seen that rising costs have become a barrier for many Australians wanting to travel internationally - but on the other hand, we're seeing travellers becoming more creative in how they make travel work," he says.
With the inflated price of overseas airfares, many Aussies want to make the most of their long haul trips by maximising how many destinations they visit in one holiday.
Nine/Graphic: Polly Hanning
"Rather than treating a layover as just a stop between flights, more travellers are using it as an opportunity to explore a new city without significantly increasing their airfare or altering the route they were already taking," Adam says.
Millennials - those aged roughly between 29 and 44 years old - are leading the trend, as a more cost-conscious demographic of travellers.
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They make up 89 per cent of those taking stopover-cations, according to the research.
"Flexible itineraries, such as flying into one city and out of another, also allows travellers to experience more without the added cost of extra flights," Adam says.
Singapore is the main stopover hub for Australians, Scoot Australia General Manager Adam Kelly says. Getty
What are the best stopover-cation destinations?
"Singapore remains a key stopover hub, particularly for Australians travelling onwards to Europe or Southeast Asia," Adam tells 9Travel.
"Many travellers are opting for shorter stays of three to seven days, with its broad appeal across different age groups."
Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Dubai and Doha are also all great options, as common stopover spots between Australia and Europe with airports not too far from major cities.
You'll be able to explore the sights and taste the local cuisine before jumping on a flight to your next adventure.
