Layovers, especially during international travels, are often regarded as a simple break between flights. However, when faced with a long layover lasting 9 hours or more, travelers have the chance to maximize their travel experience. Such extended breaks provide an opportunity for individuals to explore new destinations, effectively turning a potential inconvenience into an exciting adventure.
Integrating a long layover, or stopover, into one’s travel itinerary requires minimal effort and enables travelers to experience additional cities, cultures, and experiences within a single trip. With a little bit of foresight, these strategic breaks offer individuals the ability to broaden their travel horizons, making the overall journey more enriching and memorable.
Why Should You Add a Long Layover?
Adding a long layover to your trip provides an opportunity to explore a new city, making the most of your travel time and expanding your sightseeing experiences. Long layovers not only offer a chance to try local cuisine and visit tourist attractions, but they can also break up long flights, reducing the effects of jet lag. Moreover, layover flights can be more affordable than direct ones in some instances.
For example, a round-trip flight from Boston to Sydney, Australia, could be priced around $1,267. However, if you’d like to spend some time in Los Angeles, you can book a round-trip flight from Boston to Los Angeles for $197 and another from Los Angeles to Sydney for $710. By splitting your flights and creating your own itinerary, you can save $360 and explore an additional city.
Some ideal routes for adding a long layover include:
- Traveling between North America and Africa, with a long layover in a European hub like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or London
- Flying between Australia and the US East Coast, with a long layover in San Francisco or Los Angeles
- Going from North America to Europe or the UK, stopping in Iceland or another large European hub such as Zurich, Barcelona, or Amsterdam
- En route to a smaller destination in Southeast Asia, taking a break in a larger hub like Hong Kong or Bangkok
In summary, adding a long layover enhances your travel experience by allowing you to discover new cities, sample local flavors, and visit iconic tourist sites, while also potentially saving money and alleviating jet lag.
What are the different types of long layovers?
Long layovers and stopovers can be classified into two primary categories. The first is an airline-imposed layover, where the journey includes a long stopover as part of a single ticket itinerary. In this scenario, travelers can choose an itinerary with an long layover, such as a 19-hour stopover in Hawaii on a flight from Boston to Sydney, even if shorter flights are available. This offers a chance to explore the layover city without additional costs.
The second type is a self-created layover that involves booking two separate tickets. This option allows for greater flexibility in choosing the layover duration, ranging from overnight layovers to international layovers of several days. This strategy helps passengers make the most of their journey by experiencing additional destinations. However, it’s essential to factor in possible risks like flight delays or cancellations to avoid complications on the self-created long layover option.
Airlines Offering Complimentary Stopovers
Several airlines provide attractive stopover programs to encourage tourism and entice travelers with extended layovers at no extra cost.
Icelandair stands out with its long layover program, allowing passengers on flights between North America and Europe or the UK to enjoy up to seven days in Iceland without any additional airfare charges.
Qatar Airways offers a Doha stopover of up to two days, including a free hotel stay for one or two nights. To take advantage of this, travelers should verify their eligibility for visa-free entry into Qatar on the airline’s website.
TAP Air Portugal enables passengers to enjoy up to five nights in Lisbon or Porto at no extra cost as part of their Portugal stopover program.
Additionally, Finnair provides the opportunity to stay in Helsinki for up to five days when flying round-trip between Europe and Asia.
Utilizing these programs from airlines such as Icelandair, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and others allow travelers to explore new destinations while maximizing their travel experiences.
Airlines that Offer Complimentary Long Layover Hotels and Tours
Certain airlines provide free hotel accommodations, known as STPC (Stopover Paid by Carrier), for passengers with extended layovers due to the airline’s scheduling. Some of the airlines offering this service include Turkish Airlines, China Southern, and Royal Jordanian.
- For Turkish Airlines, Buesiness class passengers with a long layover in Istanbul exceeding 10 hours (or 7 hours for business class) can take advantage of the STPC, provided there is no earlier available flight to the same destination.
- China Southern offers transit hotels to passengers with an 8- to 48-hour stopover in Guangzhou. This comes with up to 72 hours of visa-free transit, but certain conditions apply, such as prespecified nationalities listed on their website.
- Royal Jordanian provides a free hotel, transit, and meals for layovers between 8 and 24 hours when no same-day connection is available.
Discovering whether airlines offer STPC for long layovers might require some research on their websites, as this information is occasionally difficult to locate.
Meanwhile, several airlines and airports offer free or low-cost transit tours for passengers with shorter layover durations. Airport transit tours are available in locations such as Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, Doha International, Tokyo Narita, Taiwan Taoyuan, and Istanbul Atatürk.
Tours
- At Seoul Incheon, passengers can join guided tours exploring Incheon’s Songdo Hanok Village or the Jeondeungsa Temple, Korea’s oldest temple. There is a wide variety of transit tours offered on the airport’s website, with attractions’ entrance fees and additional expenses being the only costs.
- Singapore Changi provides passengers with a free heritage tour through Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Additionally, a city sights tour comprising stops at Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade is available.
To ensure a smooth transit tour experience, thoroughly review all the details and restrictions, including specific registration times and layover duration requirements. For instance, tours from Singapore Changi often necessitate at least 5.5 hours of layover time.
How to Plan and Reserve Flights with Extended Layovers
To create an itinerary with a long layover, start by using Google Flights for a general search of your final destination. For example, if you’re traveling from New York City to London and considering a stopover in Iceland, first search for flights to and from London to find suitable dates. Then, search for flights to and from Iceland to determine the most affordable options.
With the cheapest dates for transatlantic flights identified, proceed to a multi-city search and create three searches:
- New York City to Iceland, Iceland to London, and London back to New York City
- New York City to London, London to Iceland, and Iceland back to New York City
Experiment with different orders and dates to find the most favorable combination. Google Flights conveniently displays the total price for combined separate tickets, but booking may require visiting multiple websites.
Another option is to book a cost-effective open-jaw flight, such as from New York City to London and then Paris back to New York City. In this case, arrange a separate flight or train ticket between London and Paris to complete your travel plans.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Long Layover City
When deciding on a layover city for your travels, it is crucial to consider several factors to maximize your experience and minimize any potential inconveniences. Here are key points to keep in mind:
- Accessibility from the airport: Choose a city that offers smooth and easy public transportation options from the airport, like London or Amsterdam. Avoid cities where the airport is far from the city center or has limited transportation options, as this could lead to spending excessive time or money in transit.
- Layover-friendly hubs: Opt for cities that promote long layovers by providing benefits such as free tours or affordable hotel accommodations. Cities like Singapore, San Francisco, and Dubai are known for such offerings.
- Visa requirements: Ensure that the city you select does not necessitate a visa, or has easily obtainable transit visas, like Doha. This can help you avoid the expenses and complications associated with acquiring a visa for places like Russia.
- Compatibility with your travel plans: Factor in your trip’s overall theme and the layover city’s climate when making a decision. For instance, if you are going to relax on Thailand’s beaches in winter, stopping in chilly Frankfurt might not be suitable as it would require extra cold-weather gear.
- Luggage logistics: Consider your luggage situation, especially for overnight layovers or short connections. Ascertain whether you can check your luggage through to your final destination or store it at the airport during your stopover. Alternatively, look for nearby hotels or hostels that offer luggage storage for a nominal fee, ensuring you won’t be burdened by heavy baggage while sightseeing.
- Customs regulations: Be mindful of the various customs rules in different countries, especially if your baggage isn’t checked all the way through. For instance, if you’re carrying dairy products from Europe to Australia with a long layover in Guangzhou, ensure your luggage is checked through, as dairy items are prohibited in China’s customs.
To better understand what to expect during your layover, consider reading guides on popular layover cities such as Seoul, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Doha, and Panama City.
How Much Time to Allow for a Layover
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Layover Time
Immigration Procedures: When you land in a new country, you may need to go through immigration, which can take up to two hours in busy hubs. Exceptions might occur when traveling within the Schengen Area where immigration control is not required. Keep this in mind when calculating the time needed for your layover.
Airport to City Travel Time: Consider the time needed to travel between the airport and the city. Some cities have excellent transit systems (e.g., Amsterdam and London), while others may require more careful planning to avoid traffic delays. Ensure you research the transportation options at your layover destination.
Airport Security Time: Allocate 2-3 hours before departure back at the airport to recheck your luggage (if necessary), get through security, and locate your gate.
Layover Example: New York to Istanbul via London Heathrow
Let’s say you are flying from New York to Istanbul with an 8-hour stopover at London Heathrow. Here’s a breakdown of the time you would need:
- Immigration and baggage handling: Budget 2 hours.
- Heathrow Express: 30 minutes minimum roundtrip.
- Arriving back at Heathrow: Allow 2 hours.
Total time: 4.5 hours (or 5 hours if you prefer to be cautious)
Time left to explore London: 3 hours.
If your layover were at another London airport, like Stansted, you’d need to account for a longer direct train journey, up to an hour, which might make you reconsider leaving the airport.
Also, consider the time of day of your layover. For example, a layover between 6 am and 2 pm is ideal for exploring the city, while a layover from 11 pm to 7 am might be less desirable. In the latter case, you might prefer to rest at a hotel and continue your journey the following day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective method for discovering flights with a long layovers?
Utilize airfare search engines like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find flights with long layovers. Enter your origin and final destination, then explore the various flight options provided which include layovers of different durations.
Which websites specialize in booking stopover flights?
Some popular websites for booking stopover flights include Air Canada, Skyscanner, and Dollar Flight Club. These sites provide options for booking long layovers and often have special offers or stopover programs from various airlines.
Do any hacks exist for securing longer layovers on international trips?
Yes, there are a few techniques such as selecting multi-city flights on booking websites, which allow you to choose the layover city and duration. You can also piece together your desired itinerary by manually searching for flights with layovers in the cities you want to visit.
How can someone ask for a particular layover length when booking?
When booking flights using a website like Skyscanner, you can use the search filters to modify the layover duration. This may require adjusting your departure or arrival times to find a flight with the layover length you desire.
What activities can be undertaken during a long layover?
During a long layover, travelers can engage in various activities such as:
- Exploring the layover city, provided there is enough time for exiting and re-entering the airport
- Shopping or dining at the airport’s facilities
- Relaxing at an airport lounge or hotel, if available
- Participating in cultural experiences or tours offered by some airports
How much time is needed for a layover to leave the airport securely?
A layover of at least 6 hours is recommended if you plan on leaving the airport during the layover. Depending on the airport and country, travelers need to consider time required for immigration, security checks, and the possibility of traffic or delays when returning to the airport. Always be sure to leave plenty of time to clear security upon re-entry and arrive at your next gate.
