Some travelers worry that their layovers may be too short to allow them to make their connecting flight. Do short layovers offer enough time to make my connecting flight? International layovers are longer to give travelers enough time to go through customs and immigration before boarding their next flight. Short layovers often run between 30-minutes for domestic flights and around an hour for international flights. What usually affects the duration of a layover is the type of flight you’re in: domestic flights often have shorter layovers than international flights. There are two types of layovers: short layovers and long layovers. Relax in an airport lounge, grab some food, or snag a few trinkets! If you’re anxious about spending time outdoors, there’s plenty to do at the airport you’re in, especially if it’s a major airport. Visit a landmark, try some local food, or buy a souvenir. With time and logistics factored in, you can explore the city! If you’re allowed to leave the airport, the sky’s the limit. Still, other countries will not allow you to leave the airport for the duration that you wish.

While some countries allow free transit visas for short visits, others will require you to pay for a full-entry visa.

Can you leave the airport during a layover?Īlways make sure to check visa rules for the connecting country you’re in. Other times, you must get off the plane and head to a new aircraft at the airport. Sometimes, layovers require you to stay in the aircraft until it departs. What is a layover flight and how does it affect travelers? Flights with layovers are often (though not always) cheaper than direct flights by virtue of their inconvenience, as they often serve no beneficial purpose for travelers other than to extend the duration of their flight.ĭuring layovers, your aircraft may land at the connecting city to drop off and pick up new passengers. They run under 24 hours and are often included by default in tickets. Layovers may be thought of as mere connections – a short break before heading to your final destination. If you want to understand the difference between layover vs stopover, the key element to pay attention to is time. In a nutshell, a layover is a stop that you make for a short time at a connecting airport en route to your destination. Layovers are more common than stopovers, which explains why most travelers are more familiar with this term.

Other related airline terms you should know about.

How can you book a flight with a free stopover?.

Can you leave the airport on a stopover?.

Do short layovers offer enough time to make my connecting flight?.

Can you leave the airport during a layover?.

How to Earn Rewards Without a Credit Card.

The layover review