When we moved to Singapore we took the long way around. We flew from the east coast of America, over the middle east with a 19 hour layover in Abu Dhabi. Then continued on to Singapore the next day.

Here is why I recommend breaking up those painfully long flights with a long layover:

1. We saved a ton on our flight! The price was cut in half for taking the long layover. In addition, we got to avoid multiple short layovers that likely would have been in Narita or Shanghai, two of my least favorite airports. Instead, the flight was direct from Chicago to Abu Dhabi then direct from Abu Dhabi to Singapore.
2. We were able to take showers, sleep & get out of the airport for some sight seeing. One of the worst things about long haul flights is the toll it takes on my skin & how dirty I feel by the time I’ve finally arrived. I also find it extremely difficult to sleep on airplanes, buses or any mode of public transportation for that matter. This way, I was able to stay fresh & squeeze in a decent of sleep.
3. When else would I have gone to Abu Dhabi?! This layover was not only an opportunity to make the long journey more pleasant but also a chance to see a city I might never have seen otherwise.

So, with a 19 hour layover in Abu Dhabi I recommend staying at the airport hotel, the Premier Inn. It was super affordable, clean & had all that we needed for the day. The Inn also had shuttles going to & from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Grand is an accurate word to describe this mosque. It is spectacular with ornate details covering every portion of it & the capacity to hold up to 41,000 visitors at a time.

If you’re a non-Muslim visitor take note, the mosque is a place of worship & not just a site for tourists. Being that it is a religious place, it needs to be treated with respect. The guards that work there are extremely helpful in this matter since they see tourists by the hundreds everyday. They ask that you cover yourself with no wrists, ankles, legs or arms showing. If you’re a woman, your hair should be covered. I wore a long sleeved shirt & pants with a scarf over my head. However, if you don’t have the proper attire, they have a room where you can borrow burkhas for your visit. So don’t be intimidated by this. They are there to help you enjoy your experience!

Check out my pictures from visiting the mosque:

 

So, what’s been your greatest layover experience? What has been your worst layover experience? Leave me your thoughts below!