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Layover Logistics 101: Two Trips For The Price Of One

27/8/2015

 

Two trips for the price of one? It's not a scam! It's a layover and mastering layover logistics is how we see the world.

Understanding travel layover logistics: Old buildings in central Stockholm
Figure out layover logistics and you can explore Stockholm for the first time like we did!
Istanbul, New York, Singapore, San Francisco, Stockholm. We've seen all these cities (and more!) for free, thanks figuring out layover logistics when we travel. Layovers happen when a plane touches down for less than 24 hours in one city while on route to another and embracing them has become a key part of our value travel philosophy. 

Layovers allow us to explore new cities without spending any extra money to get there. In fact, sometimes we even save money! Most travelers avoid long layovers and indirect routes like the plague and thus these undesirable flights are often less expensive. Seeing more and playing less? We'll chose that option every time! 

If you're ready to fall in love with layovers like we have, here are some practical considerations for getting the most from the experience. 

How much time do you need for a layover?

Vanessa in a boat in Istanbul
16 hours in Istanbul started with a cruise on the Bosphorus .
Consider your layover length carefully. There's nothing worse than the sinking feeling that you might miss your fight. You need at least one hour to clear customs and make your way to the city center. Add another hour for your return journey and don't forget that international flights require passengers to arrive two hours early. And just like that, you're tied up for four hours! 

I recommend a minimum of eight hours to enjoy a layover. Your time on the ground should never be less than the time you spend on transportation and logistics. When we had a 4 hour layover in Vancouver, we knew there was no way we could fit in a city visit. Instead, we purchased passes to an airline lounge and spent the time reading and - of course! - eating. On a future trip, with 10 hours to spare, we were able to go downtown and visit with a friend without feeling rushed.

Not all hours are equal.

Vanessa at a sidewalk table in Dublin at dusk
If your layover is late at night, you might spend a lot of time walking around and people watching.
I recently turned down the opportunity to spend about 14 hours in Belgrade. 14 hours sounds ideal but in this particular case I would have arrived late at night and departed early the next morning. I wouldn't have seen the city, just the inside of a hotel room. I realized the time you commit to a layover is only really valuable if you are able to enjoy it. 
An empty tour bus filled with red seats
There's a reason the tour bus was empty - it was shoulder season!
The timing was more advantageous when we visited Stockholm while on route to Athens but it still could have been better. We arrived late afternoon and walked around, seeing the city before enjoying a late night dinner. The following morning we spent several hours taking photos and we fit in one circuit of a hop on, hop off bus before returning to the airport. 

Unfortunately our shoulder-season visit coincided with reduced hours at the museums and galleries and we weren't able to enjoy any city attractions. We still had a fantastic visit but it was an important reminder that, when it comes to making the most of a layover, timing is everything.

Make your accommodations count.

Holiday Inn Express Singapore - small bed
Not the most exciting hotel, but the location was perfect.
When your layover includes an overnight stay, there's a lot you can do to make the most of the experience. First, try to chose a property close to the main transportation line. Doing so will save you valuable time and minimize frustration. It's the main reason we chose to stay in a Holiday Inn Express in Singapore over more fashionable properties. It was 3 minutes away from the metro and it was easy to find when we arrived late at night.
Hostelling International Fort Mason
You won't find a property like this anywhere else in the world.
Secondly, if you can't get a great location (or even if you can), chose a property with character, something truly local and unique. For our layover in San Francisco, that property was a private room at Hostelling International Fort Mason. The hostel has a rare historical pedigree - and an incredible view of the water. We could see the Golden Gate Bridge from our bedroom! Even when we were doing mundane tasks like packing it still felt like we were soaking in all the amazing things the city had to offer. Hostel time didn't feel like wasted time.

Whatever you do, this is not the time to stay in the suburbs or at a cookie cutter chain hotel in order to save $20. This is the time to invest in convenience, comfort, and character. 

Layovers and luggage - easier said than done.

Outside Stockholm's central station
Looking for motivating to pack light? Book a layover!
One of the biggest logistical challenges of a layover is what to do with your luggage.  Very few airports offer luggage facilities. When such amenities do exist, there may be a lengthy walk or terminal change to find it (I'm looking at you, Heathrow!) Checking your bag through to your final destination is a better solution - just remember to carefully plan what you'll need in your day bag. 

If you travel with carry on only luggage as we do, be prepared to haul that bag around! Fortunately, most hotels and hostels offer secure luggage storage and are happy to stow your gear before check in and after check out. And if that doesn't work out, we have a sneaky solution.
New York City On Location tour bus
Walk with a pack on your back or sit with a pack on your lap? I know what I'd chose!
When we face long layovers and the prospect of lugging our packs, we turn to bus tours. The quality, style, and value of bus based tours can vary widely but they all have one thing in common. You don't have to walk with your pack on your back!

This worked out perfectly for us in New York City and I'm so glad we chose a movie-themed tour bus. We really enjoyed our experience and it was the perfect layover activity-  entertaining and informative. And best of all is that we weren't walking around with our backpacks!

Mastering airplane and airport logistics

Inside Singapore's Changi Airport
Despite the great shopping, you don't go to Singapore to spend time at the airport.
Nobody wants to spend extra time at the airport. A minute saved is a memory earned, so in the final hour before your plane lands, use the washroom, organize your gear, and prepare your customs documents. It's also a great idea to check the airport maps at the back of the in-flight magazines so you know your way around once you land. 

I think it's worth spending extra money to pre-select your seat so you can sit at the front of the plane. Your speedy exit and subsequent arrival at the front of the customs line will easily save you 30 to 60 minutes in delays.
Stretching our legs in an airplane exit row Picture
All this legroom in economy? It never hurts to ask for the emergency exit.
Before you leave the airport to enjoy your layover, check in for the next leg of your flight.  I find it a lot easier to check in early when the lines are short. And if something goes wrong and I'm running late, I have peace of mind knowing that I already have my boarding card. This is also a great time to sweetly ask if there is a seat available in the emergency row - or even a complimentary upgrade to first class. Hey, it never hurts to ask!

Verify your visas.

Image of an open passport
It's not enough to have a passport. Research your visa needs well in advance.
Visas are never fun. They soak up your time, your money, and sometimes can be a massive logistical nightmare - and every country is different. During our first layover in Istanbul, we spent more money on our Turkish visas than we did on food, activities, and transportation.

There are two important things to remember about visas. First, just because you're on a layover it doesn't exempt you from visa requirements. Secondly, you might be eligible for a different kind of visa because you are technically in transit. Fortunately, while you might have to spend more time reading the fine print about this, transit visas are often less expensive and easier to obtain than others.

Money, money, money.

Image of camera and assorted currency
No matter how short your visit, you won't go far without money.
Do you need money for a short layover? Yes. Should you get it in advance? Yes. It's always a smart idea to have cash on hand. It's great for public transit tickets, it's great for tips (and sometimes bribes), and it's great for street food. But where should you get it?

Never get money at the airport foreign exchange office. The rates are absolutely horrible! You'll find far better rates at a foreign exchange in your destination's  city centre, but you'll pay in wasted time. Sometimes tracking down currency exchange in a new city is part of an exciting adventure - but mostly it's just a boring administrative task. The theoretical savings on the very small amount of money you need to exchange doesn't justify the very real time commitment.  Grab the equivalent of $50 at your local bank at home before departing and spend your travel time doing things you actually enjoy.

Come up with a transportation plan.

Vanessa on the subway in Singapore
The cheapest option? Public transit.
Singapore subway car
I'm not alone in Singapore!
A layover is a good time to indulge in a travel splurge, like a wonderful hotel or a memorable meal. One of the ways we save money for these treats is by being frugal in more mundane expenditures, like airport transportation. Fortunately, most airports have a multitude of transportation options and a bit of advance research will help you save time, money, and frustration. 
Sitting on a tour bus with other passengers
Buses are often quicker than taxis. They make more stops but many cities have dedicated bus lanes.
You'll want to evaluate your options for convenience and value. Carefully research hours of operations. A 24 hour shuttle bus that only runs every two hours after dark may not be very helpful. Inquire if there is a deal to purchase a round trip ticket or a combination ticket that includes 24 hour unlimited transportation in the city.

Organize everything - or nothing.

Pile of travel books on a shelf Picture
Does your travel style include tons of guidebooks or none at all?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending a layover wandering around. Letting a little spontaneity into your life can result in some fantastic travel memories! But if your travel style leans towards more structured activities, doing some advance planning will pay huge dividends once you're on the ground. 

A layover is a great opportunity to see a city's most famous sites - but what about those massive lines? They're lines you can happily avoid if you book tours, activities, and museum passes in advance. You might even save some money as there are often deals to bundle several activities. The short length of most layovers also makes it financially feasible to hire a private guide for your visit. You'll experience a more personal itinerary and make a new friend without having to worry much about directions, traffic, or language barriers. 
Vanessa sits in a crowded diner Picture
Plan A = huge breakfast.
Vanessa sits in a crowded diner Picture
It also means entertainment!
We've had a lot of success adopting a Plan A, Plan B approach for our layover activities. There are so many logistical variables that it is often hard to predict how long it will take to clear customs, arrive at our destination, check into our hotel, and so on. We don't want to be frustrated when the world seems to be moving at a slower pace, nor do we want to be wondering what to do with a few bonus hours on those rare days when all the travel stars align. So we have a Plan A for the most ideal scenario and a Plan B that takes into account what we'll do if things are progressing with maximum delays. 

In New York City, our Plan A was to be first off the plane, clear customs in record time, catch a train into the city right away, have several free hours to explore, and take in an amazing breakfast performance at Ellen's Stardust Diner before catching our tour bus. Plan B was for a late flight, a slow customs line, waiting a later train, and grabbing a bagel before directly joining our tour. Happily Plan A went off without a hitch but I'm glad we had Plan B - I knew I wouldn't worry about food, timing, or transportation even if we faced huge delays.

Lasting layover love.

Vanessa in a small cafe in Stockholm Picture
Image of a cyclist in Stockholm Picture
I can honestly say I've never regretted shaving a travel day away from my main destination in order to fit in a layover. I can't remember if I spent 6 days in Athens - or was it 7? - but I know I'll never forget visiting Stockholm. Would I have enjoyed two extra days in Australia? I'm sure I would, but I'm glad I gave those days up to see Singapore and San Francisco when I was in transit. 

I could never afford to plan individual trips to all the cities I've seen and incorporating a layover into my travel plans is like flying to two destinations for the price of one.  And with a bit of savvy planning, anyone can do it!

Tell us - where would you love to have a layover?


If you enjoyed this article, you'll like:


Your Ultimate Travel Budget Planner
My Value Travel Philosophy 
Finding Extra Cash for Travel Treats


Deborah
29/8/2015 01:11:19 am

Another great article Vanessa, thanks for sharing some great tips, which welsh to put into practice now that we are both retired and have nothing but time :)

Vanessa
29/8/2015 05:03:43 am

Can't wait to hear all about your retirement adventures!

Gemma link
29/8/2015 06:30:55 am

You guys are so right. We NEVER make use of the layover and just see it as a waste of a couple of hours. We've just booked our flights for March 2016 for the Europe leg of our career break from Austin and left one day in NYC in between. Mainly because it was cheaper to fly he next day but it means Craig gets a bit of The Big Apple which he's never seen (bar the inside of an airport hotel!)

Vanessa
29/8/2015 06:49:27 am

I'm still struggling with how to make the best use of those shorter layovers, when there's not enough time to leave the airport. I'd love to get work done, but sometimes it's hard to settle down. I like the lounges but I really don't want to be buzzed on champagne when I fly (I know the headache that's coming!). I'd like to get into a book or a movie but it's a fine line between a busy airport and then one so chaotic it's impossible to do any quiet activities. So right now for me it's either a short layover (2 hours) or a long, long one (like 22 hours!)

Good luck in NYC and by all means check out On Location Tours. We did their general movie and TV themed tour of the city and can happily recommend it. It's not going to revolutionize your life (after all, a bus tour is a bus tour) but it's a perfectly pleasant way to spend a layover and it's a fun way to see the city.

katja - globetotting link
29/8/2015 11:18:40 am

Great tips! I always fly direct and avoid layovers as much as possible - but that's because I now travel with three kids aged 8, 5 and 5 months. For the time being, it's all about getting to our destination as quickly as possible :)

Vanessa
30/8/2015 05:50:30 am

It would definitely be more challenging with kids in tow- but maybe a long layover (like as close to 24 hours as you can get) with an overnight in a hotel would be a nice break in travel and give everyone a chance to sleep.

Amanda link
29/8/2015 11:48:22 am

Great ideas on how to make the most of layovers. The best thing about these under 24 hour city visits is you really have to make the most of your time. Sometimes I'll spend 2 weeks or more in one place and leave not doing half of what I had planned because I put it off because I thought I had so much time!

Vanessa
30/8/2015 05:51:07 am

Very true- a short amount of time makes us very focused on what we want to see

Laura link
29/8/2015 01:00:48 pm

We've many stopovers in cities around the world and love that as an option to see other places for the price of our original trip. You can actually stay for multiple days if you want and it's still the same price. Good way to see big cities if you're like me and not big on spending a lot of time in cities.

Vanessa
30/8/2015 05:52:38 am

It's a great solution for anyone who only like a small taste of cities.

You're right - some flight paths allow you to have a formal layover that can be for many days (like when Iceland Air offers flights to Europe with a layover of unlimited length in Iceland) but for the purposes of this post I'm talking about natural layovers that are already a predetermined part of a flight path.

Donna Meyer link
7/9/2015 09:20:46 pm

Thanks for this, Vanessa. I love this idea, and you have given us some great tips and info. My question is about how one can actually look for flights with long layovers? Even better, do you have any tips for how to book a flight with a 2-3 day layover, with no additional cost? That would be a really great way to add an additional city to a trip!

Jeh-C link
29/8/2015 02:52:50 pm

Thanks for this great tips! I've done a few layover trips and they were kind of hectic, but I'm going to put your tips into practice for the next one and hopefully get closer to mastering the art of layovering.

Vanessa
30/8/2015 05:54:42 am

We do always manage to have a few hectic moments in each layover. There's a bit of the 'hurry up and wait' mentality to get to the airport early for our next flight and then once you've rushed there, made it through security, you have a bit of a letdown when you just got to sit around forever until your fight.

Meg Jerrard link
29/8/2015 03:46:51 pm

Fantastic tips for a layover! I don't think people consider the wasted opportunity by spending 8-10 hours in an airline lounge when they could be out making the most out of the day. I actually took a layover in Dubai to the extreme extent of a layover...does 7 days still count :D!

I was flying from Kenya to Australia and had to stop over in Dubai so figured why the heck not just make it a week :D Though 8-10 hours is perfect. You really do need to plan ahead and think of what you'll do with your luggage though, so you've really provided a comprehensive check list here for everyone to use when considering it. We found that most airlines wont allow you to check your bag until 5 hours out from the flight. Awkward for those 10 hour stints. We usually aim for airport storage.

Going to point everyone here for tips and ideas on sorting out their layovers! Thanks Vanessa!

Vanessa
30/8/2015 05:57:58 am

I've heard so many great things from people about layovers in Dubai!

Good point about the luggage checking. Since you are technically flying to Destination A and NOT the city where your layover is taking place, you can usually check your luggage when you check in at your home airport and it will be checked through to your main spot. But if you only want to check it in the city of your layover, it might be a challenge to do so early like you report.

Anne | Girl Chasing Sunshine link
30/8/2015 12:44:45 pm

You're a master of layovers! Agree, it really maximizes time and money. We're having a 20-hour layover in Dubai en route to Prague this October and I can't wait to put into practice your helpful tips!

Vanessa
1/9/2015 03:46:40 am

Dubai again! This sounds like one of the hottest layover spots around. Hope you enjoy it.

Jennifer @ Made all the Difference Travel Blog link
30/8/2015 04:33:33 pm

Make sure to check the timing to and from the airport into town. Also have a back-up plan for things like an accident on the Heathrow Express that delays it for 3 hours.

Vanessa
31/8/2015 03:49:38 am

YES! I listed an average time of an hour to return from the city center to the airport but of course this is just an average. In Ottawa i might be 25 minutes - in London I would give myself at least two hours to get out to Heathrow. I would also chose the most consistent form of transportation, not the quickest. It might be quicker on average to get a taxi but statistically the metro is a more predictable choice in terms of being accurate in estimating the time.

Jenna link
8/9/2015 01:02:54 am

Great tips and suggestions! Thanks for sharing. We don't do layovers enough--I think I'll have to start planning them in more as we always have a great time when we do get to have a layover! I'm always concerned about the luggage situation when we have layovers--we always try to do carry ons as well, but it gets so annoying when you have to lug them around all day if you don't have a spot to store them. I like the tip about the bus tour as a way to store your luggage--never thought about that before!

Vanessa
8/9/2015 08:25:14 pm

I can't wait to hear about your next layover - hopefully this post has given you a bit of inspiration to plan one! The bus tours are a real gem - great for the luggage and also a nice treat to help with jet lag.

Alouise link
19/9/2015 02:49:25 pm

I've never had a long enough layover to really make use of the idea of exploring a city on a layover. Except I do have a 17 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany, coming up in a few weeks so I'll definitely be exploring a little bit of that city. Thanks for these tips I'll definitely use some of them for my future layovers.

Vanessa
19/9/2015 07:44:31 pm

I would love to hear how your layover goes and if you have any additional tips we should include based on your experience. Frankfurt is such a popular destination and I imagine a ton of people have layovers there.


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