How To Turn A Long Layover Into An Exciting Mini Trip
Have you ever looked for flights only to find that the shortest travel routes are way more expensive? Well, fear not; stop avoiding long layovers and start using them to turn your transit time into an exciting mini trip on the way to your destination!
While it seems counterintuitive, using long layovers can be a great way to see additional places. Not only that, but many times when I’ve used this method, I haven’t even needed to purchase any hotels or hostels, nor waste the time checking in, leaving me with even more time to explore and more money in my pocket. Let me show you how I make this work.
What Counts As A Long Layover?
A long layover is viewed differently from person to person. To some, 4 hours is too long, whereas others enjoy having a bit more time to spare without rushing through the airport. Generally speaking, I think many of us can agree that a layover lasting 18 hours or more is an extremely long layover, yet when booking flights, sometimes these are the cheapest options to choose from.
On one of my trips in particular, I had my first unavoidable long layover traveling from Germany to South Africa. No matter which service I used, Google Flights, Booking.com, or SkyScanner, it was all the same. In short, I was going to be forced to pass through Qatar and be there from about 5am until 10pm. While I hadn’t previously considered visiting the country, I figured that I might as well get out of the airport and explore some of the city if I would otherwise be stuck at the airport waiting for my next flight.
Turns out, it was a great chance to see somewhere new!
If you’d like to read more about what I did in Qatar, check out my article on What To Do On An 18-Hour Layover In Doha, Qatar!
What Arrival And Departure Times Are Best?
The idea of making a short stop on your journey only works in a few ways to make the most of your time without adding stress to your itinerary. Personally, I have found that anything arriving early morning before 7 am and leaving at 9 pm or later works best for me to have meaningful time to see or do something interesting while still allowing me ample time to go through customs on arrival, and check in at the airport for my connecting flight.
Flights that come in or leave around 12 pm/noon are likely not ideal to make the most of your time, and will also require you to find accommodations to stay, thus reducing the cost savings of taking a long layover.
Isn’t One Day Too Short To See Anything?
One day is a short time to visit. While you won’t get to see everything the country or city has to offer, it’s a great opportunity to do something new, to pave the way for a return visit if you enjoyed your experience.
Don’t think that just one day is your only option. Many airlines offer stopover programs that allow customers to call the airline when booking and purposely book a long or even multi-day layover in an effort to encourage more tourists to visit. Some airlines will help you book your flights with an 8+ hour layover, and others offer stopovers without increased cost for up to a week!
Several airlines offer a program, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Iceland Air, and more. For some helpful information on some of their programs and offerings, check out this program guide from Sky Bird.
What About My Luggage?
While I primarily travel with just one bag, not everyone is so sparing with their packing list. Even with one bag, I often find that I won’t necessarily want to drag it along everywhere I go that day. This brings me to luggage storage and storage lockers.
Many airports, but certainly not all, offer baggage checking services or lockers where you can pay per hour, or per day, to store your luggage while you are out and about. I highly recommend first checking the airport’s website before assuming that the service is offered or available.
Additionally, metro and train stations in some countries like Japan also offer luggage lockers that you can use. If the airport you arrive at doesn’t have any luggage storage, make sure you check the public transit hubs to see if there is an alternate option for you.
How Will I Get Around?
Some places are more layover-friendly than others, so it’s vital to do your research before you go. Even if the place you’re passing through does not have much in terms of public transportation, an alternative option of booking a private driver, an organized tour with pickup from the airport, or a taxi is usually an option.
If I am really on a time crunch when I go, I’ll usually look for a Viator or GetYourGuide tour that has some of the things I want to see or do included. Oftentimes, the tour operator will be willing to do pickup and drop-off at the airport, but I would be sure to message the provider ahead of time.
How Do I Find Flights With Long Layovers?
When I am going somewhere far, I always keep a lookout and filter in for layovers that exceed 18 hours to see if there are any potential stops I can make along the way. On any of the major booking sites, you should be able to choose between layover times, filter by layover location if you want to make a stopover somewhere specific, or if you want to stay a few days, perhaps give the airline a call to see if they offer anything you wouldn’t normally see online.
Here’s a tip: consider splitting up your flight purchases. If you book two one-way flights instead of a round-trip flight, you’ll often find additional long layovers that you may not see when booking round-trip or multi-city.
Tips And Considerations
Customs And Visa’s
Depending on your chosen stopover location, all travelers need to remember that, despite a short visit, all legal entry requirements need to be met first. If you are only passing through the airport, you won’t need to worry, but even on a layover, remember you are still entering the country when you are leaving the airport.
Time Management
If you are considering such a short visit, be aware of your time and give ample consideration to airport procedures. If you feel that you are starting to cut your time close to your departure, be willing to call it early and get back to the airport. Taking a pitstop on a long layover is great until you forget that you need to be back at the airport and go back through security and have just missed your flight.
Airport Lounges
Particularly if you are only spending the day, remember that you may not have an accommodation. Many airport lounges offer showers that you can use to freshen up after a long day, and they can really make a difference in your comfort when you’ve been rushing around.
Depending on your airline status, seat purchase, credit cards, or other options, the lounges at the lounges may only be available on departure and not arrival. Even if you don’t have access to a lounge, you can usually purchase for the day for a nominal fee, which may or may not be worth it to you.
Sleep And Fatigue
Most of the time, these early arrivals and late departures on long layovers are a result of traveling a far distance. Maximize your energy by getting a good night’s rest before traveling, and sleep on the plane if possible, so you have the energy to take full advantage of a short stop. If you’re anything like me, after your stopover, a nap during your connecting flight after your visit will be well-earned.
Hotels
If you feel that luggage storage isn’t an option and you desperately need a 1-2 hour power nap, hotels are still a good, albeit more expensive option to take a quick break.
Should you book a hotel to have a rest and are arriving early in the morning, book the night before as well, and message the hotel that you will be arriving after midnight. That way, you won’t need to worry about check-in times, as you’d already paid for the day prior and should be able to go right to your room.
Don’t forget to see if the hotel has an airport shuttle to save you some money on transportation.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for checking out this article on how to turn a long layover into a mini trip! I’ve used this method of seeing new places several times. Some places I’d love to visit again, and others I felt that a day was enough for me. Best of all, since I was passing through anyway, it didn’t cost me anything extra, and sometimes it even saved me money.
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