When travelling to another country half way around the world, you usually have two choices – endure a single direct flight or break up the journey into multiple flights. Opting for multiple flights instead of one flight does mean that it’ll take longer overall to get to your destination, however there are lots of perks that make breaking up a long haul flight a better decision. Here are just four reasons to split up the journey instead travelling direct.
You can explore new places on the way
Stopping somewhere else en route could give you the opportunity to get out and explore a new place. Whilst many people choose to hang around in the airport until the next flight, you could arrange enough time between each flight so that you go out and see the local sight and stay in a local hotel. For example, if you’re travelling from New York to Instanbul, you could consider stopping off at Paris for a night. You could take a quick afternoon trip of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe and then go back to a hotel near the airport such as the AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget Airport ready for your morning flight. It doesn’t even have to be a whistle stop tour, you could plan a few days and have effectively two holidays in one.
It’s often cheaper
Breaking up a long haul flight can also be cheaper in many instances than taking a single direct flight. Take a London to Tokyo flight as an example – you’re usually going to be paying a grand for a single person direct flight. However, divide the journey and you’re likely to only pay half that amount. Even with a night in a hotel thrown in and a meal, you’re still going to be paying less overall. This could save you hundreds that could be put towards spending money or better accommodation at your destination.
You’ll feel less jetlagged
When travelling horizontally across multiple time zones, breaking up a long haul flight can prevent you feeling as jetlagged when you reach your destination. When travelling from Sydney to Cairo you have to set your clock back eight hours – a time difference that could take you several days to adjust to. However, stop off at Dubai which is only six hours behind and you could ease into the new time zone more easily.
It gives you a last adventure on the way back
If you’re taking a return flight, breaking up a long haul journey also gives you something to look forward to on your way home. Rather than having to face a ten hour flight before returning to normality, you can look forward to the chance of exploring somewhere new on your way back, even if it just for a night. It’s nice way to finish off your vacation abroad by giving yourself a small treat at the end.
