The term “layover” probably conjures images of slouching on an airport bench and sipping lukewarm $9 coffee as you debate how soon you’ll need to forage for an outlet to charge your phone.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In fact, many airports have free and unique amenities to keep you awake and entertained during a layover, from walk-through rainforests to indie movie theaters. And if your layover is over five hours, you might be able to score a free city tour sponsored by the airport itself.
Whether you’re stuck for three hours or 12, here’s how to make every minute count.
Pre-Layover Prep: Set Yourself Up for Success
If you know you’ve got a layover on your next trip, do a bit of pre-travel prep so you’re not left aimlessly wandering the duty-free for six hours.
1. Learn the rules for leaving the airport
If you have a long enough layover to consider leaving the airport, you’ll want to make sure you can leave the airport in the first place.
For the most part, domestic travelers within the U.S. can leave and re-enter the airport at will. You’ll just have to re-enter the security line if you leave the terminal.
If you’re traveling internationally, however, things are different. Some countries won’t let you leave the airport for longer than 24 hours — or at all — without a visa. Australia is one such example.
That said, many of these countries offer a “transit visa” that’s often cheap, easy to get, and allows layover travelers to hang out for 24 to 72 hours.
2. Make sure it’s safe to explore
Just because you can leave the airport doesn’t mean you should in many places.
Before you step outside for fresh air and adventure, check if the U.S. State Department has a Travel Advisory for the local area.
If you’re passing through a Level 2 country with lots of petty theft, you may want to protect your valuables. If it’s a Level 3 country, you may just want to chill in the airport lounge (especially at night).
3. Make arrangements for your luggage
If it’s safe and legal to leave the airport for a bit, you’ll want to consider what to do with your bags.
Luckily, most checked bags won’t need to be retrieved and re-checked as long as your layover is under 12 hours and you booked your connecting flight on the same itinerary.
But if you do need to get your big bag (or you’d just like to dump your large carry-on), many international airports offer cheap and easy storage options. Changi Airport in Singapore, for example, has large bag storage lockers costing just 16 SGD (~$12.25 USD) per day.
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Short Layovers (2–4 Hours): Maximize Airport Amenities
If your layover is shorter than a Lord of the Rings film, you’ll probably want to hang around the airport so you don’t miss your connection.
Thankfully, most airports these days — especially international hubs — have plenty to do, see, and explore for a few hours. Chicago O’Hare has live music, San Francisco International has yoga rooms, and Portland Airport has a free theater showcasing local indie films.
And if you’re lucky enough to pass through Singapore’s Changi airport, you can enjoy the climbing wall, golf course, jacuzzi, or a stroll through the tropical rainforest.
That said, if your connecting airport’s amenities are a little blasé (or you just need quiet time in a comfy chair), you can always head to a Priority Pass lounge for some R&R.
To see what amenities await you at your connecting airport, check the airport’s official website. Here’s Atlanta’s to illustrate.
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Long Layovers (5+ Hours): Explore the City
Five- to 10-hour layovers give you a nice window to explore the city without having to book a hotel room.
Some airports even offer free city tours to passengers with layovers, such as Istanbul Airport’s Touristanbul or Changi Airport’s Free Singapore Tour.
Alternatively, many large airports have public transit options that allow you to escape the airport, see a few landmarks, and come right back on the cheap.
In Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, for example, you can take the Line B train to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and back for under €32.00 total.
Just keep in mind that some tourist destinations may not be safe (or even open) if you travel late at night.
Overnight Layovers: Sleep for Free (or Cheap)
With an overnight layover, you’ll want to consider two things:
- What to do with your bag, and
- Where to sleep.
First things first, most layovers lasting longer than 12 hours will require you to retrieve your checked bag and re-check it. You can always store it in the airport (see no. 3 above), but you may want to bring it with you to the hotel.
Speaking of hotels, some airlines actually offer free accommodations to passengers with 12+ hour layovers. Turkish Airlines and Etihad are two examples.
But if your airline isn’t taking care of you, you can usually find cheap and convenient rooms within a stone’s throw of the airport — or inside the terminal itself.
Dubai Airport and Tokyo Narita offer “sleep pods” that are comfier than they look (ask me how I know), and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson has numerous sub-$100 options within a free, five-minute ride on the SkyTrain.
Layover Survival Kit: What to Always Pack
If you aren’t planning on retrieving your checked bag, you might want to pack a few extra essentials in your carry-on to make your layover more pleasant. Things like:
- Portable chargers
- Wall outlet adapters (e.g., U.S. > Europe)
- Spare outfit
- Plastic bag (for used clothes)
- Reusable water bottle (so you don’t have to buy $9 airport water)
- Toiletry bag
- Medications
- Lip balm and moisturizer (airports are dry)
- Sanitizing wipes
- Eye mask, earplugs, and neck pillow
- Noise-canceling headphones
- GPS bag trackers (e.g., Tile/AirTag)
Lastly, if you have room, my personal favorite thing to pack for long trips or layovers is non-perishable food. Dried fruit, turkey jerky, and Starkist quinoa bowls are some of my favorite ways to get lean protein and nutrients on the go — and stave off cravings for $28 airport ramen.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Layovers?
Before wrapping up, let’s discuss when travel insurance coverage — whether from your credit card benefits or a separate policy — might step in and help with long layovers.
In a nutshell, your travel insurance may help to cover the costs associated with a layover if:
- The layover was unexpected, and
- It resulted from a common carrier delay or cancellation (i.e., not your fault).
For example, let’s say you have a short layover in London on your way to Berlin, and Delta cancels your connecting flight due to a staffing shortage. The next flight isn’t for 13 hours, so now you’re looking at spending an expensive night in London.
On paper, Delta should help you cover meals, accommodations, and other expenses since they canceled the flight. But if they only cover, say, $500 out of your $700 worth of expenses, you can file a claim with your travel insurance provider for the remaining $200.
Alternatively, let’s say you missed a connection because you fell asleep in the airport or lost track of time. In either case, travel insurance is unlikely to help since neither case was the carrier’s fault.
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FAQs About Layovers
Can I leave the airport during a layover?
In most cases, yes. If you’re a U.S. citizen traveling domestically, you can typically leave and re-enter the airport at will. Just bear in mind that you’ll have to go back through security if you leave the terminal.
Internationally, some countries require you to obtain a visa to leave the airport for any amount of time, so check the rules and regulations of the countries you’ll be passing through.
Do I pick up my luggage during a layover?
According to Virgin Atlantic, you may need to retrieve and re-check your bags during a layover if you:
- Are connecting from an international to a domestic flight
- Bought your tickets separately (so they’re not on the same itinerary)
- Have a layover longer than 12 hours
- Your connecting flight is not yet confirmed
To find out for sure, ask an attendant when you check your bag at your departure airport.
Do you have to go through customs on a layover?
In most cases, you’ll only have to go through customs and immigration once when you reach your final destination — even if you connect through a different country.
That said, there are exceptions. If you leave the airport or need to retrieve/re-check your bag, you’ll likely have to go through customs on an international layover.
Also, you’ll have to go through customs as soon as you land anywhere in Europe’s Schengen area, but you won’t have to do it again as long as you stay within its borders.
TL;DR: Making the Most of Layovers
Whether you’re stuck for four hours or 24, layovers don’t have to suck. Before you leave, check out what cool amenities are available at your connecting airport. You might find a spa, a movie theater, or a lounge with free bread pudding.
If you have time, hop on the train to see some landmarks and grab an authentic local meal. And if you have to stay overnight, you can catch some Zs in an affordable airport hotel.
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