With under 5 hours, stay airside: eat, shower in a lounge and rest. With 6–10 hours, a short city trip is possible if your passport allows entry and the city is less than about 45 minutes away. With 12+ hours or overnight, book a transit hotel or turn it into a mini-stopover. Always plan to be back at the airport 2.5–3 hours before departure.
A long layover can be wasted time or a free extra destination. The difference is planning. Use the layover maths below, then pick the plan that fits.
The layover maths
Before you leave any airport, do this quick calculation:
Layover length
− 45 min to deplane and clear immigration
− travel time to the city (each way, ×2)
− 3 h back at the airport before departure (long-haul)
= time you actually get in the cityExample: 9 h layover − 45 min − (30 min × 2) − 3 h = 4 h 15 min in the city. That’s very doable.
If the result is under 2 hours, stay airside.
Before anything else: can you enter the country? Check our transit visa checker. No entry permission means no city trip.
Plan A: 2–5 hours (stay airside)
- 🍜 Eat properly: try a local dish rather than fast food
- 🚿 Shower and recharge in a lounge
- 🚶 Walk: your body will thank you on the next long flight
- 🗺️ Explore the terminal: gardens at Singapore Changi, art and indoor gardens at Doha
- 📍 Find your gate early at big airports
Plan B: 6–10 hours (quick city trip)
If you can enter the country and the city is close:
- Leave hand luggage in left-luggage if available.
- Take fast public transport, usually quicker and more predictable than taxis.
- Pick one area, not a whole city: a famous neighbourhood, waterfront, market or landmark.
- Set a hard return time on your phone.
Cities where this works well thanks to fast airport links include Dubai (metro), Doha (metro), Singapore (MRT), Frankfurt (15-minute train) and London (Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line).
Plan C: 12+ hours or overnight
- 🛏️ Book an airside transit hotel for a real sleep. See sleeping at airports.
- 🎟️ Look for free airline programs, such as free hotels or city tours. See free stopover programs.
- 🌆 Do a morning city visit after sleeping, when queues are short.
Long layover checklist
- Entry visa or visa-free status confirmed for this country
- Bags checked through to final destination
- Local currency or a card that works abroad
- eSIM or roaming set up, since you’ll need maps and transport apps
- Return time set with a 3-hour buffer (long-haul)
- Boarding pass for the next flight (or know where the transfer desk is)
Related: How long should a layover be? · Airside vs landside
Frequently asked questions
How long a layover do I need to leave the airport?
As a rule of thumb, at least 6–8 hours. Add up immigration on arrival (30–60 min), the trip to the city and back, and returning 2.5–3 hours before departure. What remains is your sightseeing time.
Can I leave my luggage at the airport during a layover?
On one ticket, checked bags are usually transferred automatically. For carry-on, many large airports have paid left-luggage services, usually landside.
What should I check before leaving the airport?
Your entry requirements for that country, the time needed to clear immigration and security on your return, transport times to the city, and whether your bags are checked through.