When life gives us lemons, we’re often told to make lemonade. So why not apply that same theory to those extra long layovers? Now we’re talking about those seemingly excruciating intervals, when most of us just curl up uncomfortably into a plastic airport seat in a futile effort to catnap. Well, we’ve got great news for you and your back! If you’ve got 7 or more hours in an airport that’s located in a major city or travel hub, one that you’d love the chance to explore, then take the following necessary steps to turn a stop over into a sightseeing feat.
Get a Transit Visa
When traveling through a country to get to your final destination, you’ll more than likely need a transit visa. Whether or not you’re required to have this visa for a particular trip depends on your citizenship and the length of your layover. Prices vary, totaling anywhere from fifty to five-hundred US dollars. Additionally, the reasons for your trip also play a role in the visa process -- students, vacationers, and business travelers often have different requirements, so make sure to call the airline; and if you’re still at a loss, try contacting the consulate of the country you’ll be traveling through. Visas can take a few weeks to obtain, so take care to organize this well in advance.
Once you’ve arrived in your layover country, you’ll need to get to and from the airport in good time. Because while you may want to have a fun-filled layover, you absolutely don’t want to miss your flight, right? First things first, find out the distance between the airport and the area where you’re headed in town. It’s best to opt for a destination that has a good number of tourist destinations and sites in one area, so that you’re doing a majority -- if not all -- of your sight-seeing by foot. Once you’ve determined where you’re headed, research the best mode of transportation to get there. Whether it’s by train, subway, taxi, bus, mini-taxi, avoid the scammers by finding out how much the ride is and stay safe by verifying each mode (with a local or native, if possible). This will require learning the conversion rate of your currency and the country’s, a fact that you should know like the back of your hand in order to avoid dropping a fortune on a cheap ride. Once you’ve got that down, calculate how much time it will take to and from the airport, making sure to overestimate and take into account rush hours.
Map out your Sights
Now, for the fun part! This leg of the layover adventure is totally up to you. Do you want to rest at a cool hostel? Taste the local cuisine? Visit the Travel Channel-worthy sites? It’s completely up to you. Creating an itinerary is key, ensuring that you have enough time to truly enjoy each location without worrying about your upcoming flight. Don’t forget to check the hours of each location, either by visiting their websites beforehand or checking with the airport tourism employees. And do some thorough research so that you don’t miss out on any gems, like that little spice market or the unique beadwork business. If you do your homework in advance and plan accordingly, you’re guaranteed to have a layover trip to rival your actual vacation destination!
