You have an exciting trip coming up and decided to make the most of your layover. Now what? Here are 11 time-saving tips to get you off the ground!
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Pro Tip: Don’t overwhelm yourself. This list is in the ideal chronological order to make the most of your layover.
Not all of these steps are necessary for domestic layovers.
1. Know the Entry and Exit Requirements
Important: This section is informational only. Always check directly with your destination country for the most updated requirements.
This is the first step in panning your layover. If the entry requirements for your layover destination are too onerous, it’s just not worth it. You may have found really cheap tickets that look like they have a great layover option. But, when you factor in a couple of hundred dollars per person per visa application, it’s no longer inexpensive. While cost alone is not a deterrence for everyone, be aware that visa applications can take several weeks to process and may even require multiple visits to the local consulate/embassy. Exit fees can also add up in certain destinations.
Additionally, you may need to fulfill certain passport requirements for entry (blank pages, validity length, biometrics, etc.).
Visa requirements for US Citizens, EU Citizens, British Citizens, and Israeli Citizens
Another consideration is COVID requirements. This is going to require a two-step process. You have to check the vaccination, testing, and quarantine requirements for your layover destination based on both your citizenship as well as departure location. Furthermore, you will also have to check the requirements of your ultimate destination based on your layover location in addition to your origin location. These requirements are much more fluid and updated more regularly than visa requirements. They can even change mid-air! So, you may want to consider double checking (triple checking?) the requirements of your ultimate destination again before you actually leave the airport for your layover.
You will likewise need to check the requirements for your return home based on all places visited while away.
If you have dual citizenship, when possible, use whichever passport is most beneficial for what you are trying to accomplish.
2. Check the Flight Schedule
When you book your flight, it may look like you have a 10-hour layover, but it’s not so helpful if those 10 hours are from 10 PM to 8 AM. Make sure the time of day makes sense to you for what you want to do. If it’s a Saturday night during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and you want to experience nightlife–go for it! But if you’re hoping to see the Eiffel Tower with your kids, aim for daylight hours. Also, be sure to keep in mind that the availability of certain attractions may vary by season and day of the week. And, not every country observes the same holidays.
7 Hour Layover in Paris-See it All!
Certain airlines, as well as certain routes, are notoriously late. So, check the “on time record” of the first leg of your flight when booking. This will give you a realistic sense of their reliability. Don’t plan a jam-packed 10 hours if your flight only has a 25% on time record.
3. Print the Airport Map
You are about to become VERY familiar with the airport’s website. The first thing you will need to do is print the airport map. There are several reasons I recommend actually printing a paper copy. If you rely on accessing it from your cell phone, what if you don’t have reception when you get there? If you plan to download it, so you aren’t reliant on reception, what if your battery dies? A paper copy can be marked up, oriented in various directions, and checked by multiple people simultaneously. Furthermore, the most crucial time to reference the airport map is immediately prior to landing–when even your airplane mode devices need to be turned off.
Prior to arrival, review the most expeditious route from the gate all the way to ground transportation. Depending on the airport, your luggage storage options may either be before or after customs/passport control. If there are multiple storage facilities or passport control points, plan for the one that makes the most sense for you, taking into consideration both ends of your day. When the pilot announces your gate arrival, be sure to double check that your planned route still works.
For your departure, you are essentially retracing your steps, assuming your departure gate is in the same vicinity as your arrival gate. You want to find the closest possible ground transportation to your needed point of entry to the airport, whether that is storage or security. On your way back to the airport, confirm your departure gate information. Keep in mind many airports do arrivals and check-ins on different levels.
If you are the super organized type, print several copies. You can plan your “arrival” strategy on one and your “departure” strategy on another. Keep a couple blank copies in case those plans need to be drastically changed (i.e. arrival/departure gate is at a completely different part of the airport than previously anticipated, you had planned to take the train back to the airport and then decided to take a taxi, etc.). You can give copies to each [adult] member of your family–especially if you plan to split up at some point.
4. Plan Your Luggage Storage
Even though you were assured that your luggage was checked all the way to your final destination, you will probably need airport luggage storage–especially if you are travelling with kids. Do you really want to run around all day with everything you brought as a carry-on?
Check the airport’s website to determine what the options are. Some airports have coin operated storage lockers (some will take credit cards). These are great since they are accessible 24/7. To save time, try to estimate how many and what size lockers you will need and make sure to have the right coins ready. Other airports have manned and screened storage facilities. While these feel more secure, they will also have lines to wait in and limited hours of operation.
In order to maximize your time in the city, shift around your carry-ons prior to landing. This way you have what you need for the day in one or two bags ahead of time.
Bonus Tip: If you have airport lounge access, check ahead of time to see if there is a lounge that offers free luggage storage. Be sure to check the lounge’s accessible hours and location. Nonetheless, if the lounge is in the opposite end of the airport, it may be worth paying the airport’s storage facility fee. If you do stop in the lounge, don’t forget to grab some snacks for the day too!
5. Know Your Ground Transportation Options
Again, time to head to your airport’s website. Planning your ground transportation options goes hand in hand with planning your time in the city.
The train may be the fastest and cheapest, but you may not want to wait 45 minutes for it or walk 20 minutes across the airport to catch it. You also don’t want to walk a half hour through 90% humidity from the train station to the museum just to save a couple dollars. I definitely believe in saving money (ask my husband), but when it comes to maximizing time–especially for once in a lifetime experiences–the regret isn’t worth it. If you plan to use the train, be sure to consult the schedule ahead of time (and determine if it is a “holiday schedule” in that locale) and see if you can even pre-purchase (refundable) tickets.
Most cities have rideshare options. However, many airports have begun restricting how and where they can pick-up/drop-off. When every minute counts, you want to know what the walk time and wait time will be.
The rideshare restrictions are mostly in place to protect the livelihood of the taxi drivers. So, a taxi is often the most convenient option, although not the most cost efficient. The government regulation, safety, and reliability of local taxi service varies greatly. Private airport transfer can also be booked through tour companies. Be sure to do what is safest for you and your family.
Airport bus and shuttle services are probably the least attractive options since it tends to combine the worst aspects of trains and cars. You have to buy a ticket for each person, it makes multiple stops, it has a schedule and route that might not work for you, and it is subject to traffic.
Another option not often considered is a private tour company. If your plan for the day includes some sort of private tour, you may be able to include airport pick-up and/or drop-off as part of the package.
You don’t even want to consider the car rental option for a limited layover.
You can use the same or different options for your return to the airport. Keep in mind, rideshare may be a better option on the return since most airports only restrict where they can pick up not where they can drop off.
If you will be visiting with friends or family, they may be able to give you a ride. There may be some locations that offer rickshaw, donkey, or boat transportation. Let me know where you’ve found any interesting options.
6. Work Backwards on Your Timing
You are now armed with the information you need to actually plan your time in the city. Always keep local time in mind and change your watch before you get off the plane. You don’t want to miss a tour or your flight.
Estimate the total amount of time it will take you to get to the city from the moment you land and back to the gate from the city for the return trip as well (customs, storage, traffic, etc.). Make sure you are checked in and have your boarding pass for the next leg of the flight. Figure out what time you are comfortable getting back to the airport. Are you comfortable breathlessly running up to the gate at final boarding call? Or do you want to get back in time for dinner, a shower, and a massage before departure? Then, add in a bit of a buffer just to be safe. Subtract this from the total amount of time you are scheduled to be on the ground and this is the amount of time you have to tour.
This is what I call “Layover Math”
Before returning to the airport, it is highly advisable that you check your flight status. Nothing is more disappointing than rushing back to the airport and discovering you could have had a couple more hours of fun!
Confirm your gate and consult your airport map on the way back to the airport.
7. Plan Your Time in the City
Finally, this is what you’ve been looking forward to! Realistically, you are likely not going to be able to do everything you want in the limited amount of time that you just established you have. So, pick what I call your “big rocks”. Decide the major things you want to see or do and make sure you can fit those in based on operating hours and how long you anticipate spending at each place.
The Big Rocks of Route Planning
If you really just want to get a feel for a city, see its architecture, and learn about its history, then a bus or boat tour is the way to go (even a helicopter if money is no object). These will have a defined length of time. Many have a hop-on/hop-off option as well. Although this is a better option if you have a bit more time to actually get off at the different stops. Most listings will tell you the amount of time the route takes. And, since you can get off at any of the destinations, this is also a good option even if you only want to spend time at one or two attractions but still want to see the whole city (or get on at one end and off at the other).
I like to have my kids experience things that are unique or the attraction for which the city is best known (think: Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Changing of the Guard in London, etc.). Also, I try to have them taste local food (yes, this is markedly more difficult when you are a kosher traveler).
With limited amount of time, I recommend a “skip the line” option for more popular attractions. They are more expensive, but time is a commodity, and never more so than when it is so limited. You will be able to experience more of the city this way. You can wait in lines back home.
If you are in a city with a lot of history and looking for a way to keep younger kids interested and involved, try a scavenger hunt style self-guided tour. More active options include bike or walking tours and more unique options include segway, rickshaw, tuktuk…the options are truly endless. If you’ve been before, consider an off the beaten path tour or even a food tour.
Another great option is a private tour. Private tours will be more accommodating of your time constraints and can often tailor some of the content and attractions to your group. My children tend to ask more questions and be more interested in this milieu. Also, depending on the size of your group, you may be surprised that it might be less expensive than paying for each ticket individually.
As mentioned earlier, some of these tour groups–especially when you go private–may even include or be able to add on transfers to/from the airport. Furthermore, if you book the entire day with the same driver, you will be able to keep your carry-ons in the car, saving you the time and expense of dealing with luggage storage (i.e.: skip step #4 entirely). You may be surprised how affordable a private driver can be depending on the location. When calculating the expense, you have to include luggage storage, ground transportation, tour fees and the headache/hassle factor.
In planning your day you need to allow buffer time. Don’t book your first scheduled activity for the earliest possible time you think you will make it. What if your flight is delayed or you are held up in customs? Give your self some extra time. You can always do your souvenir shopping then or grab a bite to eat if you have the time.
Another tip: don’t run your kids ragged. Positive memories and experiences is the goal. Younger kids need more buffer time throughout the day.
It is worth having a paper map of the city, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking. It may look touristy, but do you really want to spend time asking for directions in a foreign language? Everyone knows you’re a foreigner anyway.
8. Change Currency Ahead of Time
Although credit cards are now ubiquitous, it is always prudent to have some local currency on you. You may want to tip someone, buy something from a street vendor, have better negotiating power, or just not be stuck.
One thing you should do to save time at your layover destination is change some money ahead of time. This is something I usually do at my home airport while I’m waiting around anyway. I know I may not get the best exchange rate, but it’s not that much money in any case.
If there are currencies you find yourself using somewhat regularly, just keep a couple hundred dollars worth with your passports.
Cash or no cash, always be sure to inform your credit card company of your travel plans. You really don’t want to get stuck, especially on a limited layover, and then ruin the main part of your trip.
9. Split Up If Needed
This tip is obviously only applicable if you are not alone, nor on your own with small children. But, it can be a big help. For example, if you need to wait for a stroller when deplaning and you also need to store luggage, then you can split up. Or one of you can buy train tickets while another takes a child to the bathroom. (Bonus time saving tip: have everyone go to the bathroom before the fasten seat belt sign comes on so you don’t have to factor that into your airport exit time.)
You can split up in the city as well. If you are trying to accommodate teenagers and preschoolers simultaneously or want to eat in different restaurants or don’t fit in one cab. Of course, make sure you always feel safe and have a way to communicate.
Special Precaution: If you split up at any point–whether in the airport or in the city–make sure that you also split up the tickets, passports, and cash as well. This way you can always meet up back at the gate if you get really separated.
10. Check the Weather
You may not be able to check the weather as far in advance as you can book your tickets. But, you can have an idea of what the normal weather conditions are for that time of year and plan accordingly. As it gets closer, you should know more specifically. You want to be able to cancel the walking tour if there are expected thunderstorms or plan the afternoon in an air conditioned museum if it’s going to be 100 degrees with 95% humidity.
11. Learn a Few Key Phrases
While this may not seem like a time-saving tip, it is always to your benefit to be polite. When the locals see that you are trying and not just assuming “everyone speaks English”, they will be more happy to help you. And, this will actually save you time from figuring things out yourself. For the actual “conversation”, you can definitely rely on Google Translate. But a few key phrases are always helpful to get things started.
Even if it doesn’t save you time, you never lose from being a mench and learning something new.
I am looking forward to hearing from you and how you used these 11 time-saving tips to make the most of your layover.
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