How To Have A Great Airport Layover
Airport layovers are often seen as an inconvenience or a necessary evil when travelling, but they don’t have to be. In fact, with a little preparation and planning an airport layover can actually become a really productive and enjoyable part of your trip. As a seasoned traveller with years of experience navigating airports, I’ve mastered the art of turning layover time into something worthwhile. In this post, I will share with you the best ways to optimise your airport layovers and by the time you finish reading, you’ll view like me, airport layovers in a whole new light.
What Is An Airport Layover?
An airport layover, is a break in your flight itinerary where you pause to take a connecting flight on your way to your final destination. This pause can vary significantly in duration, depending on various factors like the airline’s timetable and airports involved, but are generally between 3-10 hours long. Layovers can be typically categorised into two main types: domestic and international.
With a domestic layover, you remain within the same country. These layovers tend to be shorter, just a few hours to allow you to move from one gate to another, normally within the same terminal or airport. During domestic layovers, you are not required to clear any customs or immigration process, making the experience more straightforward and less time-consuming. The only thing to be mindful of, is having enough time to get to your next gate; especially when the airport is large.
On the other hand, international layovers can present more complexity. These layovers occur when traveling between different countries, usually on a connecting flight, and the duration can vary widely, from a couple of hours to almost a day. With international layovers, you may need to clear customs and immigration in the transit airport, depending on the country’s regulations and whether you plan to leave the transit airport. This can take a lot of time, so again it’s important to allow plenty of time to get through any procedures and to the gate for your connecting flight.
Layovers Vs. Stopovers
A layover and a stopover may sound similar, but they serve different purposes in air travel. A layover is a break between connecting flights, less than 24 hours and often used for quick refuelling of planes. On the other hand, a stopover is an extended pause, typically more than 24 hours. Many airlines use stopovers as a marketing strategy to promote tourism, offering free or discounted hotel stays, city tours, or itinerary packages to entice you to visit their hub cities. We’ll cover more specifically on Stopovers later on in this blog.
However, now that we’ve covered what a layover is, it’s time to focus on the exciting part—making the most of it, so let’s get started!
Choose Your Flights Wisely
When planning a trip with an airport layover, selecting your flight times carefully can greatly enhance your travel experience; if other flight times are available. Opting for well-timed layovers helps minimise any time pressures on one side and on the other reduce waiting periods at the airport. However, an extended layover will potentially give you some time to leave the airport and do a quick city tour for example; which is a great option.
By aligning your layover with available airport amenities, you can turn layover downtime into an opportunity to relax in a comfortable lounge, grab a meal, or even explore local attractions. Thoughtful scheduling also reduces the risk of missing connecting flights, especially during peak travel times when airports are busier and delays are more likely; such as holidays. Choosing the right times ensures smoother transitions, giving you a more enjoyable overall journey.
Research The Airports
Every airport is different, and knowing what facilities it offers can help you prepare for your airport layover. Check online for terminal maps, dining options, and services like free Wi-Fi, nap pods and lounges. When facing a long layover, researching the airports you’ll be travelling through can make all the difference in turning idle hours into a pleasant experience. By understanding the airport’s layout, amenities, and services ahead of time, you can plan how to spend your time effectively. Knowing what’s available helps reduce stress by eliminating uncertainty and allows you to seek out airport features. For example many major airports offer unique amenities that allow you to explore and pass time and some notable airport experiences include:
Singapore Changi Airport features a garden, rooftop pool, and a free movie theatre.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is home to mini Rijksmuseum exhibits and offers yoga rooms.
Doha Hamad International Airport showcases impressive art installations and luxury lounges.
Check Into An Airport Lounge
Using airport lounges are a fantastic option for making the most of your layover, offering a calm space away from the bustling terminal. These spaces provide comfort, with great seating options and quiet areas that are perfect for relaxing or catching up on work. Lounges typically offer complimentary amenities such as food and beverages, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and even shower facilities to freshen up. Some lounges go the extra mile with unique features like nap pods, spa services, and private meeting rooms.
Compared to the general airport areas, they provide more privacy and a sense of exclusivity, helping reduce the stress and chaos of travel.
Take Advantage Of Shopping Opportunities
Duty-free shops are great for picking up items and gifts at tax-free prices. Many airports also feature pop-ups or shops offering regional products, like Swiss chocolates in Zurich or Korean skincare in Seoul. So use the time to pick up some bargains or local finds during your airport layover.
Savour Local Cuisine
Fortunately, many of today’s airports have evolved into culinary hubs, offering you the chance to sample authentic local cuisine during your layover.
For example, Hong Kong International Airport, offers an impressive variety of dining options including a Michelin-starred restaurant, serving exquisite dim sum, barbecued meats, and classic dishes.
Another airport is Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, which ensures you don’t miss out on the famed French gastronomic culture. Michelin bistros like I Love Paris by Guy Martin offer a luxurious menu featuring classic French dishes such as foie gras and tarte tatin. If you are just looking to indulge in a perfectly flaky croissant or a rich café au lait, the airport also features artisan bakeries, providing you with a quintessential Parisian vibe.
Then there is San Francisco International Airport which has an impressive showcase of local and sustainable Californian cuisine or Narita International Airport in Japan that offers some of the best Sushi.
Whether you’re in the mood to explore a new cuisine or revisit familiar favourites, international airports with gourmet dining is a great way to relax and enjoy a layover; so make sure you do your research on the food options available; you’ll be nicely surprised.
Freshen Up
Use your layover time to freshen up, change into comfortable clothes and reorganise your belongings for the next leg of your journey. Also, use the time to confirm any arrangements for when you arrive, such as transport or hotel reservations (taking advantage of free Wi-Fi).
Make sure you spend time walking around the airport to stretch the legs and get your blood flowing.
For more great information on how to have a great flight, read my blog on Great Flight Hacks That Will Make Your Journey More Comfortable.
Relax & Recharge
Layovers don’t have to be a tedious wait—they can actually be a perfect opportunity to relax and recharge during your travels. In fact how often do you have a chance to just sit and relax?
Many modern airports are designed with amenities that cater to comfort and quiet time. Taking full advantage of these facilities not only helps you feel more relaxed but also ensures you’re energised and ready to tackle the next portion of your journey with ease.
Ways to relax and recharge include spending time in the airport’s quiet zones that have been specifically designed for resting. Some airports also offer dayrooms or sleeping pods you can rent by the hour to get some quality sleep.
Another great option is to visit the airport spa for a massage or skincare treatment. Many airports, like Seoul Incheon and Dallas-Fort Worth, feature fitness centres and for a more spiritual timeout, yoga and prayer rooms are also increasingly common.
Finally, how about having a swim during your layover? There are several airports that offer access to swimming pools, such as Changi Airport in Singapore or access to the pool of the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. These great facilities provide a chance to unwind and rejuvenate before the next leg of the journey. Just don’t forget to pack your swimming costume in your carryon.
Get Productive
If your plate is full with work or personal projects, layover time provides the perfect window to catch up. Many airports offer friendly working spaces and free WI-FI for you to catch up on emails and other project activities. Also, remember you can also book into an airport lounge for on tap refreshments while you work on your projects and admin activities.
Binge On Entertainment
Airport layovers can be the perfect time to dive into your favourite entertainment shows, movies, podcasts and audiobooks. With uninterrupted hours ahead, you can binge-watch shows or make progress through a book that you’ve been wanting to read. So, get downloading those shows and audio files before you travel and enjoy some entertainment time.
Leave The Airport For A Short Break
Some airports go the extra mile by providing free or affordable tours, making it easier than ever to leave and explore the city. Changi Airport in Singapore, for example, offers free guided city tours for passengers with layovers over 5.5 hours. These tours include visiting iconic landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion for a few hours. Similarly, Incheon International Airport in Seoul provides several complimentary tour options, including visits to historical temples and bustling markets, giving you a taste of Korean culture. Likewise, Hamad International Airport in Doha provides free city tours for layovers of at least 8 hours, introducing you to Doha’s stunning skyline, souks and museums.
Even if the airport doesn’t offer layover tours, leaving the airport for a short period of time is possible, but it requires careful planning to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll need at least 6-8 hours to leave the airport, explore, and return in time for your next flight. Check the visa requirements for entering the country, as some destinations may require transit visas even if for only a couple of hours.
Research the proximity of the airport to the city centre and the availability of transportation options, such as trains, buses, or taxis, to estimate the time needed for commuting and factor in rush hour time. Keep a close eye on your schedule, including time to go back through security checks and reach your boarding gate. Planning ahead, including mapping out what is it you are going to do or visit and understanding local customs and transport options.
Take Advantage Of An Airline Stopover Program
Several airlines offer exciting stopover programs, allowing you to explore new destinations during your layover without additional airfare costs. Emirates provides the “Dubai Connect” program, which includes free hotel stays, meals, and airport transfers for layovers of certain durations in Dubai.
Qatar Airways offers deeply discounted hotel packages in Doha for up to four nights, giving passengers a chance to experience Qatari culture and attractions.
Turkish Airlines makes Istanbul a delightful layover destination, offering free hotel stays (for example two nights in a five-star hotel for business class passengers and one night in a four-star for economy passengers) for layovers over 20 hours.
TAP Air Portugal similarly offers free stopovers in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days, along with discounts on hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing activities.
These stopover programs transform layovers into mini vacations, providing cultural experiences, sightseeing opportunities, and a more enjoyable travel experience. So check with airlines if any of these can be available to you and turn your layover into a mini-vacation.
So To Wrap Up On How To Have A Great Airport Layover…
Remember, layovers don’t have to be boring, stressful and wasted time. With the right attitude and some planning, they can become an enjoyable part of your trip. So next time you find yourself with a long layover, embrace it and do some planning to make the most out of it!
