Stopover suggestions? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**kiwichick** · 12-06-2006, 03:03 AM

Hey! Im heading from New Zealand to europe (probably london initially) mid august 07 and i wana break up my flight but not sure where to stop!!Im planning on using air points to go to australia when i return so would rather skip there, but am thinking maybe hong kong? Id be travelling solo at that stage, and although im not easily intimidated I am a 19 yo chick and wondering is this a safe enough place to do solo? how long would you suggets? and any thing i shouldnt miss??
Really appreciate any pointers

**raoulduke** · 12-06-2006, 04:01 AM

Hey hey!

I was at the travel agent this week and my flight to London was actually cheaper with a Hong Kong stopover. I'm now considering a Dubai stopover on the way there (because I have friends there) and Hong Kong on the way back (because it won't cost any extra) I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

I'd reccomend going to a travel agent and finding out which stopovers will be cheap/feasible and making your decision from there.

Good Luck!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 12-06-2006, 10:12 AM

Hong kong is very safe and is a great place for a stop over. They have a good subway system and english is fairly widely used, though taxis can at times be challenging. I would definately recommend a stopover in HK, its a great city with some nice sites to see and a great nightlife. It is rather expensive, however. Comparable to London or NYC in many cases. Good luck.

**kiwichick** · 12-06-2006, 08:29 PM

Awesome, this is all sounding very positive!yeh let me know how u go! I've gotta sort mine before the 15th i think to get early bird flights. Aparently the some airlines guarantee these as their lowest fares?? Im wondering if the stop over might change that tho? maybe a package type flight deal would work out better? will let ya know how it woks out

**omisan** · 12-06-2006, 08:42 PM

What airlines are you looking at? Some airlines offer free stopovers on their waypoint cities, some just for a small fee... That might determine where you end up going, if cost is of any concern to you. I'm sure no matter where you stop off, you'll have an excellent time.

**kiwichick** · 12-06-2006, 09:28 PM

Umm I'd like to fly AirNewZealand if possible just cos im already hooked up to their air points system. Lol think its time to bfriend a travel agent and see what they can some up with for me!! Yeh im quite flexible price and country-wise so hopefully that should help! Cheaper flights mean i can travel longer! and less hospo work....

**omisan** · 12-06-2006, 09:47 PM

Ooh, Air NZ is good with that. They usually offer free or $100 stopovers in the Pacific on their US-NZ flights, so hopefully they'll have a range of options for you. Check out their web specials to see what they've got on offer.

**raoulduke** · 12-07-2006, 04:21 AM

Me again,

Not sure this will be at all helpful to you but just letting you know that I'm now flying emirates and having a stopover in Dubai, unfortunately this mean HK is out of the question because Emirates don't stop there

It didn't work out that much more expensive than the free HK stopover so it's not all bad. Also the agent mentioned something about tons of people booking the same flight because the rates were aparrently going up around a grand after that. So get crackin ASAP

Any questions fire away

sam2468 · 12-07-2006, 04:38 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kiwichick @ Dec 6 2006, 11:03 AM) [snapback]146173[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hey! Im heading from New Zealand to europe (probably london initially) mid august 07 and i wana break up my flight but not sure where to stop!!Im planning on using air points to go to australia when i return so would rather skip there, but am thinking maybe hong kong? Id be travelling solo at that stage, and although im not easily intimidated I am a 19 yo chick and wondering is this a safe enough place to do solo? how long would you suggets? and any thing i shouldnt miss??
Really appreciate any pointers

[/b]

[size=4][b]
am from Petra Jordan..i think you have to give it a thought?
Jordan ..PETRA and WADI RUM

**LiveFreeorDie** · 12-07-2006, 05:52 AM

Quote:

unfortunately this mean HK is out of the question because Emirates don't stop there [/b]

Actually, Emirates does stop there. They fly a Dubai - Bangkok - Hong Kong - Bangkok - Dubai loop. I have actually hopped on this to fly Hong Kong to Bangkok before because its CHEAP...much cheaper than Cathay Pacific for example. So, don't give up, you can definately get to HK on Emirates if you are traveling through Dubai. Also, you could probably do a stopover in Bangkok if you wanted, though they really encourage Dubai stopovers as that is their HQ and they want people to spend money in Dubai - it's the shopping capital of the world.

Quote:

Umm I'd like to fly AirNewZealand if possible just cos im already hooked up to their air points system. Lol think its time to bfriend a travel agent and see what they can some up with for me!! Yeh im quite flexible price and country-wise so hopefully that should help! Cheaper flights mean i can travel longer! and less hospo work.... [/b]

Air New Zealand is part of the star alliance, which means you can connect and/or fly on any star alliance airline and earn points in your Air New Zealand account. See www.staralliance.com for a list of all Star Alliance airlines, there are a lot and they have excellent coverage in Asia.

**raoulduke** · 12-07-2006, 07:38 PM

^^^^Thanks for the tip, I'm starting to decide against a HK stopover though because I'll probably use up all my money and energy in Europe anyway.

foofiter · 12-10-2006, 06:53 PM

I'd say Bangkok. It is a great place to stock up cheap on the way to pricey London and beyond. Then maybe HK on the way back?

Good luck!

Foo

**kiwichick** · 12-11-2006, 09:40 PM

Im now looking at singapore maybe instead?? Singapore Air are part of the star alliance so i could get my airpoints and they have quite good open-jaw prices for europe.... Gotta have this sorted before friday which is becoming a pain cos im jst hitting exams for my summer courses, I have been dealing with STA travel but im not sure they are actually giving me the best price..Does anyone have experience with dealing with them or stopovers in singapore??

**kiwichick** · 12-14-2006, 01:27 AM

I BOOKED MY FLIGHTS!!!! so excited!!Got a deal flying singapore airlines (2 free nites accom in sing. & 5000 xtra kris point- which should get my a free trip to the pacific/aussie) will do a two nite stopover in singapore and arrive in barcelona on the 13th of August!! and did it thru house of travel so i get a $200 voucher i can use towards my eurail pass - very stoked!Wish me luck! Thanx for all the help!

**indierock05** · 12-14-2006, 11:14 AM

GOOD LUCk!!!

And congrats on getting your ticket!!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 12-14-2006, 01:55 PM

Have a great time! Singapore is fun place, very clean - 2 days is prob about right as it is small and there is not much to do outside of city type activities. Also, alcohol is really, really pricey. Don't be surprised by this when you go out - look for happy hours if you can. Cabs are cheap and they have a great subway system. Here are some quick search terms for you:

Shopping: Orchard Road
Nightlife: Boat Quay, Clark Quay, Mohammed Sultan Rd, Emerald Hill
Other things to do: Sentosa (beach resort type place), night safari

(Quay is pronounced 'key')

Good luck!