'With one clever trick, I travelled to two countries for the price of one.'

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When I said yes to flying to Vienna, Austria with Scoot, I didn't expect to also find myself riding cable cars across Sentosa Island, eating the best Nasi Lemak of my life, and squeezing in a whirlwind stop at Marina Bay Sands. But thanks to a clever flight choice, I ended up experiencing two wildly different cities on the same trip.

I flew with Scoot, a low-cost airline that's recently launched a new route from Sydney to Vienna, with a stopover in Singapore. As someone who loves stretching both their annual leave and their spending money, it felt like the perfect excuse to turn a transit stop into an extra mini-holiday.

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A long-haul flight that didn't feel like one.

Let's start with the flight. I was a little nervous booking a budget airline for a long-haul trip, but Scoot completely surprised me. I flew one leg of my trip in ScootPlus — their premium cabin — and it honestly felt like a scaled-down business class for half the price. There was so much legroom, with comfy reclining seats and a nice sense of privacy. I was able to read, nap, and snack in peace.

And because I happened to be flying on their inaugural Vienna route, the whole experience felt like a party in the sky. The plane was decked out in colourful Pikachu-themed decorations, and halfway through the flight, a live string quartet performed classical music down the aisles. Talk about taking in-flight entertainment to the next level!

Scoot Inflight String Quartet. Image: supplied

A perfect stopover in Singapore.

After an eight-hour flight, I landed in Singapore with a full day to explore before my next leg to Europe. If you're going to break up a long trip anywhere, Singapore is hard to beat. It's efficient, clean, buzzing with energy, and easy to get around.

I started my adventure at Universal Studios Singapore, where I let my inner child run wild on the rollercoasters. Then, I hopped on the Sentosa Cable Car for sweeping views of the island and sea, which was a surprisingly peaceful way to sight-see after the adrenaline rush.

Next was lunch, and as a self-confessed Nasi Lemak obsessive, I made it my mission to find the best version in town. I ended up at a small local spot that served it just the way I like — fluffy coconut rice, crispy anchovies, spicy sambal, and that perfect fried egg. Singapore never disappoints when it comes to food, but this was a standout.

With a few hours to spare, I made a quick trip into the city to check out Marina Bay Sands and the iconic Gardens by the Bay. Even in the midday heat, the Supertree Grove felt surreal — towering sculptures wrapped in greenery, set against the backdrop of one of Asia's most futuristic skylines.

Marina Bay Sands and Lunch at Nasi Lemak. Image: supplied

And then… Vienna.

After my layover adventure, it was time to board my final flight to Vienna — and what a contrast it was. Where Singapore dazzled with heat, colour and chaos (in the best way), Vienna met me with cool elegance.

Sunny Vineyard and Sightseeing Architecture. Image: supplied

Austria's capital is one of those cities that feels like it belongs in a fairytale. Grand baroque buildings, twinkling palaces, horse-drawn carriages — it's all there. I spent my days exploring art galleries, drinking coffee in chandelier-lit cafés, and walking for hours through streets that felt like museum corridors.

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Two worlds in one trip.

The best part of the whole experience was how seamless it felt. I'd expected the flight to be purely functional, but it ended up adding a whole other layer to my trip. I got to experience the vibrancy of Singapore and the romance of Vienna — two completely different destinations — all in one round trip.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. If you're planning a European getaway and flying via Asia, don't just pass through. Turn your layover into a mini holiday — you might just come home with double the stories.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Scoot. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.

Feature Image: Supplied.