Can You Leave The Airport During A Layover? – A Handy Guide

Last Updated on Dec 12th, 2024 by Renu Dahiya, 7 comments

If you find yourself in a long airport layover with plenty of time, you may want to take the opportunity to leave the airport and hang out in a new city. Everyone has to deal with a layover at some point. It can surely save you big bucks on your journey, and with a little forward planning, they can be released and straightforward. And, even fun! It is a great way to catch up with a friend and explore the glitz of a new city. But, wondering if can you leave the airport during a layover, or are you allowed leaving airport during layover? Stop worrying! We’re here to help you. 

This blog walks you through everything you need to know before you leave the airport on both domestic and international flights during airport layover. Let’s dive right in.

What Is A layover Flight?

A layover is when you stop at an airport to switch planes between flights. It’s usually part of your whole trip, and you might have some extra time at the airport before your next flight. Basically, it means a connection between two flights and the time between the flights can be 3 hours to 24 hours. 

Check out the example of a Chicago to Delhi flight with a layover on Google flights and know what layover means – 

Can I Leave The Airport During A Layover On A Domestic Flight?

Yes, you’re allowed to exit the airport during domestic layovers. If your domestic layover is over an hour, you’ll receive two boarding passes. If you plan to explore local attractions, make sure to obtain and print your second boarding pass before leaving.

Fact to Remember – Make sure that you don’t miss your flight because you will need to go through the security checkpoint again before boarding the plane. Ensure that you have a long layover and a ton of time to explore a new place.

Can You Leave The Airport During An International Layover?

Yes. You’re allowed to leave airport during layover internationally if your passport grants you visa-free entry to the country and if there’s ample time between your flights. In fact, some travelers purposely choose flights with longer layovers, as they are usually more affordable, to explore a new city during their journey.

Many countries do allow passengers to leave the airport during an international layover without even having a visa of that country. For international flights, it is advisable to not exit the airport if you don’t have at least 6 or 7 hours between the flights. You will be required to go through the security checkpoint again before your next coming flight and there will be long lines.

Things To Consider Before Leaving An Airport During A Layover

There are certain questions whose answers are very important for you to know if you want to spend your layover time peacefully. 

How Long Should A Layover Be?

This is the most important factor in your decision to leave the airport during a layover because if your layover is too short, the rest doesn’t matter. Think about every factor carefully such as  – 

• Subtracting out the time it will take for you to get off the plane and go to the taxi at the gate
• The time you need ahead of your second flight
• The time you need to and from the city or wherever it is you want to go during your layover, etc. 

Then analyze how much time you have left. Or, is it enough time to explore the city? If yes, then you should definitely leave the airport and visit a new city otherwise consider staying at the airport only.

Is Your Layover In Another Country?

If you’re flying from one end of the country to the other and you have a layover in the middle, there are no immigration procedures to worry about. You just only have to go through security again to get to your second flight. 

But, if your layover is in another country, you will have to go through customs and immigration if you want to leave the airport. It adds extra time to the first item on the list. It can take as little as 10 minutes or several hours depending on the lines and where you are. 

Do You Need A Visa For Your Layover?

Many (but not all) countries require visas to enter the border of the country. You’ll have to get a visa to leave the airport in one of these places. Some countries require you to get one ahead of time, while others do a visa on arrival. So, it is advisable to always check visa requirements for your nationality for each country you travel through, even for layovers.

What Time Of Day Is Your Layover?

If you have a layover from early morning until late afternoon or sometime that night, you’ll have lots of daylight hours to explore the city. But, sometimes your first flight will land in the middle of the night and the next flight will take off early in the morning. And, in these cases (overnight layovers), it is not a good idea to leave the airport and check out the city. Just find a safe and comfortable place to sleep within the airport. There are many airports that have proper sleeping areas.

What To Do With The Luggage On A Long Layover?

Firstly, verify with the airline whether they are going to transfer your checked bags from one flight to the next. If the airline won’t be able to tag it to your final destination, then luggage lockers can be a good option for your bags while on a long layover. Train stations are also a good place to try, depending on the city. 

You can also book a luggage storage solution on various web portals. They have connections with hotels and other stores where you can drop off your luggage and pick it up again later.

What Are The Layover Flight Rules?

• Arrive at the airport early to allow time for unexpected delays.
• Check-in online to save time at the airport
• Stay informed about your flight status through airline apps or notifications.
• Follow airport guidelines for security and boarding procedures.
• Utilize airport amenities like lounges or relaxation areas during layovers.
• Stay flexible and patient in case of flight schedule changes or delays.  

 How Do Layovers Work?

• Arriving early ensures smooth transitions between flights.
• Layovers are scheduled stops between connecting flights.
• Passengers stay in the airport or nearby during layovers.
• Follow signs for connecting flights to reach the next departure gate.
• Check your boarding pass for layover duration and gate information.
• Stay close to your gate and be attentive to boarding announcements.

Do You Have A Backup In Case You Get Lost?

What if you get lost exploring the city? So, always make sure you have maps or a GPS to guide you back to the airport on time in case you get lost. And, always carry a portable battery charger so that your phone can remain charged up in emergencies. 

Tip for passengers – What if you miss your connecting flight? Don’t fret! We have a handy guide that explains what you should do if you miss your connecting flight. Check out now. 

Do You Have To Recheck Your Luggage On Connecting Flights Or Layovers?

One of the main issues that usually comes to our mind during connecting flights or layovers is luggage. After all, luggage is the second most important thing on the flight (after yourself, of course!). People often wonder, if you’re going to stop for a significant period between flights, what happens to your luggage? Is it automatically rerouted to your next carrier, or are you expected to pick it up yourself and recheck it in the new airport? Stop worrying anymore! We will give you all the answers to your doubts. 

Domestic Travel

Usually, you don’t have to recheck your bags when you’re flying domestically. The main motive for rechecking the baggage of passengers is for the customs to make sure that you’re not bringing in anything illegal from another country. If your destination is in the same country, there’s no need to get your luggage rechecked. 

But, if you have booked your connecting flights with different airlines and both the airlines don’t have an interline agreement, then you have to recheck your bag. 

International Travel

If you are flying internationally, the rechecking of your luggage heavily depends on which countries you’ll be flying through. If you’re flying to India from the USA, they require everyone from international flights to re-check their baggage upon the first landing point.  

For example, if you’ve booked flights from New York to Delhi to Hyderabad, you’d have to pick up your bag in Delhi, go through the customers, and then drop off your bag again for your next flight to Hyderabad. 

Suggested Read: The List of Biggest and Busiest Airports

Check The Luggage Label

The simplest way of confirming a luggage recheck is to check the label that the airport employee will attach to the handle of your luggage. The label contains complete information about where the bag is heading. If it says that your checked bag is going to your final destination, not the layover, then you won’t have to recheck your luggage. 

But if, for example, you are planning to book Chicago to Delhi flights and the route will be Chicago to Amsterdam to Delhi, you should make sure that the label says Delhi. If the label says Amsterdam, you’ll have to recheck your bag in Amsterdam. 

Top Airports For A Fruitful Layover 

Airports are like mini-cities packed with fun, adventure and lots of new places to explore. Don’t believe us? Here are some airports in India and the USA worth spending a layover at. Go and see for yourself. 

Best Airports In India 

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Delhi
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai
• Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad
• Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata
• Cochin International Airport (COK), Kochi

Best Airports In the USA

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, California
• Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York City, New York

Tips To Survive A Long Layover Inside The Airport  

Here are some tips to escape the layover boredom- 

• Plan ahead: Research your airport well in advance such as its lounges, entertainment options etc. 
• Stay connected: If you have a long layover, consider purchasing a data plan or make sure you have access to the airport’s wifi so that you can browse endlessly and stay connected with your loved ones at all times.
• Eat well: Try different cuisines and meal options during your layover. However, make sure you eat as per your capacity only.
• Freshen Up: Some airports offer very good shower facilities to the passengers. You can use them to freshen up and change into comfortable attire.
• Rest: Tired after a long flight? It’s time to take some rest! Many airports even offer sleeping pods or have specially designed quiet areas for passengers to take a short nap. 

Conclusion

If you’re trying to decide if can you leave the airport during a layover or not, ask yourself some questions and analyze every single factor. Spending a long layover in the airport can be tedious. So, leaving the airport to explore the city can be a much better option if you have enough time and visa requirements aren’t much hassle. 

But, if you don’t have enough time between your connecting flights or have a short layover or an overnight layover, it is better to stay at the airport only and enjoy its amenities. To get more clarity, first know the difference between a Layover flight vs connecting flight & travel smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to pay additional fees when rechecking luggage on international flights?

A: No, you should never have to pay extra luggage fees, no matter how many times you check in your luggage. The baggage allowance or fee you pay on purchasing your flight ticket applies to each segment of your itinerary.

Q: What should I do if the layover is short?

A: Try exploring the things to do at the airport and all the lounges. Nowadays, most of the airports offer enjoyable layover experiences for passengers. Avoid leaving the airport during a short layover.

Q: If you have a layover, can you leave the airport during an international layover?

A: Yes, you can leave the airport during an international layover. But, it is never easy as compared to the domestic layover. The country you’re in could require a visa to explore it. So, if you have a valid visa for the country it is safe to step out of the airport.

Q: What are the things to do near Orlando Airport during layover?

A: Enjoy a meal, go shopping, take a tour of the Orlando Airport, sleep, visit the museum, go to a spa, go for a winery tour and tasting at Lakeridge vineyards, and take in a concert at the Amphitheater at Lake Eola.

Q: How long should a layover be?

A: A layover time could differ depending on the airlines, airport, or the countries you are flying to. It could be as short as 30 minutes, a few hours, or even longer, and around 23 hours and 59 minutes on international flights.

Q: How long of a layover do I need to explore a city?

A: Three types of layovers are – a short layover (1-3 hours), a medium layover (4-8 hours), and a long layover (8+ hours). It is recommended you explore the city when you have a long layover. You may have sufficient time to explore the city more thoroughly.

Q: Is a 6-hour layover enough time to leave the airport?

A: Leaving an airport during a short layover is a risk, but if you just want to stay in a hotel and you would not go far from the airport it is a good idea to step out of the airport. Most airports and airlines recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight, the time may vary depending on the airport & airlines.

So, an answer to ‘Can you leave airport during a layover?’ is – Absolutely, yes! But if you want to leave the airport during a layover on an international flight or domestic flight, just be sensible about it. And, with this handy guide, you can make your layover hassle-free and enjoyable. 

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