The Ultimate Layover Survival Guide

One word, two syllables and means extra time tacked on to your travel. You guessed it, a layover. For so long, layovers got a bad rap, and the idea of surviving a long layover fell somewhere between weathering a zombie apocalypse and a dentist appointment. For many, the point of flying is to spend the least amount of time in transit, so having a layover is delaying that feeling of instant gratification that air travel usually awards. However, there are benefits to the occasional layover. Having an extended layover can save you some serious cash on the cost of flights. Layovers are also the perfect excuse to explore a new, (and unplanned) city or destination. So instead of dreading that stitch of time between your flight between Singapore and Sydney or Munich and Nairobi, think of your layover with the ‘glass half full’ attitude. You’ll be surprised at how enjoyable that extra time can be. And in case you are still skeptical about how those extra hours can work for you, we’ve compiled your guide to surviving, or should we say, thriving during your next layover- no matter how long it is.

While six hours is not quite enough time to leave the airport and go exploring, it doesn’t mean you can't optimize your time whilst waiting inside the airport. Here’s three ideas to make the most out of your time.

Find a quiet zone, like the one in Doha's or Vancouver international airport, or Singapore's Chiangi airport. For a small fee, passengers travelling through Helsinki can rent a sleep pod (if all the free ones are taken) for an ultra comfortable mid-transit rest. If you know you don't sleep well on planes, a mini layover could be the perfect opportunity to catch up on some sleep. If you plan on catching some Zzz's during your layover be sure to pack earplugs, warm socks, a travel pillow and a jacket in your carry-on luggage to ensure your airport nap is as comfortable and quiet as possible!

While aeroplane food is free, unless you are flying first class it probably leaves much to be desired. Instead of settling for stodgy in-flight food, hold off until your layover to enjoy a leisurely and tastier meal. Many airports offer a host of quality dining options that give their outside counterparts some competition. These airport eateries range from stylish steakhouses and posh bistros to celebrity-chef outposts and juicy burger bars. Plus, it’s also a great way to sample some local specialities, like an authentic Cuban sandwich in Miami International, sashimi in Tokyo or a cheesy slice of margherita pizza in Rome. A layover is also the perfect time to hydrate between flights. The low humidity on aeroplanes leads to dehydration and air travel is notorious for picking up pesky bugs. Sometimes it’s inconvenient to stay hydrated during flights, especially when you’re in a window seat, so using your layover to drink plenty of water will help keep you healthy while travelling.

There’s no better way to stretch your legs and kill time then walking through a new airport. An airport tells a lot about the destination it serves, so while you walk through the terminals, try and pick up some cultural cues from the airport’s shops, architecture and restaurants. And while you walk, maybe you’ll pick up a new book or magazine along the way to keep you busy. Passengers lucky enough to be stuck in Changi International Airport might never want to leave. Changi is renown for its over-the-top amenities like fish spas, saunas, fitness centres, a butterfly garden and koi pond and free movie theatre! Other explore-worthy airports include: Seoul Incheon International Airport's many culturally inspired activities and decor; Hong Kong International Airport because its IMAX theatre is the largest in the country; and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport with its Hello Kitty themed gates, free 15-minute showers complete with shower kit, a host of art and museum exhibits and duty-free shops that are known to give away lots of free samples!

This layover can be a travellers delight, just long enough to pop into wherever you have landed and explore. But it's important to take into account you will want to be back at the airport with at least 2 hours to check in. If you book ahead, many cities offer day tours that give you a snapshot of the city or place you land in. Airports like Sydney, Hong Kong, and Chicago have direct train services that allow passengers to check their bags before making a daytrip downtown. Before you fly, check to see if your layover airport offers city tours to passengers who have layovers of at least five hours, like Singapore’s Changi Airport. For a list of other airports that have free city tours for layover passengers, click here.

Hive five to the savvy travellers who know how to squeeze a holiday within a holiday. A  24-hour layover may seem daunting, but if you plan it right, you can see and experience the best of an exciting new city, in no time at all. Here’s a step-by-step guide to squeezing the most out of your 24-hour layover.

1. Pre-flight:

• When searching for your flight, try to booking an overnight flight that lands in the morning or one that lands and takes off in the evening, that way you'll have a full day of exploring!
• Book an airport transfer with hoppa and you can dash away from the airport ASAP if there are no direct trains from the airport to the city-centre or shuttles available.
• Check to see if your layover airport has a luggage storage service, like Lax Luggage Storage by calling your airport or checking out the airport’s website for more information.
• Book a hotel, hostel or Airbnb for the night in your layover city.
• Do your research. With a tight time limit, make a realistic itinerary of all the sights you want to see during your layover. Or, opt forCity Sightseeing Tours and take advantage of their hop on, hop off service. Either way, be sure to book tours and museums tickets online to save you precious time!

1. Post-Flight

• After disembarking, collect your luggage, go through customs and drop luggage in storage service or utilise airport lockers.

 *Note: If there are no luggage storage services available, be prepared to carry your luggage with you.

• Then catch a hoppa airport transfer to your hotel to check in, drop your luggage and maybe grab a shower before heading out for your ultimate (and speedy) tour through your layover city!