When traveling to a long destination, people usually look for direct flights. Nobody wants to spend hours waiting at the airport for the next flight. Everyone tries to avoid the long layovers as much as possible. But what if it had its own benefits you weren’t aware of? You would miss out on a lot by spending extra on those expensive direct flights.
Find out how to book long layover flights and get the maximum out of them, while spending almost nothing!
A “long layover” is a lengthy wait between connecting flights, typically lasting 6-7 hours. It frequently allows you to explore the airport or even exit to visit the city and the local area. The break can even be for more than 6 hours. It could be for a full day or even longer.
Long layovers can be a good option to break up long trips, allowing visitors to visit a new place or go sightseeing. Depending on the length of the stopover and the visa requirements, passengers may opt to explore the city, visit local sights, or dine at restaurants before taking their next flight.
Now, do not get confused with the different types of layovers. If you are wondering how long should a layover be, read this:
Layovers can be enforced by carriers as part of your ticket and can also be booked by passengers who book separate flights.
Layovers are a pervasive aspect of international travel, so many passengers frequently have a few hours to kill in an airport between flights. While brief layovers may be a minor nuisance, extended layovers are an opportunity. A long stopover breaks up an otherwise long trip and can even help reduce jet lag. Plus, there are other perks!
For Travelers: If you are a travel enthusiast, rushing through a location you’d otherwise like to explore can be really frustrating. To avoid that, you can easily include a long stopover in your itinerary with a bit of planning and flexibility. Instead of being stranded at an airport for 8+ hours, you can then visit a new place.
Cost-Efficient: Flights with long layovers can sometimes be more cost-effective than direct flights. It may also be cheaper to plan your schedule rather than booking everything on a single ticket.
Flight Availability: Long layovers may be required when connecting planes have restricted schedules or when more favorable departure times are available. This might be the only way to ensure quicker transitions between aircraft or better connections to your final destination.
When booking flights with extended layovers, utilize the multi-city feature on flight search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner.
First and foremost, decide on the place you want to visit. Once you’ve decided where you want to travel, you can begin searching for flights.
When looking for flights, many routes pass through famous hubs. These cities are frequently used as layover destinations, and several airlines provide free longer stopovers. Identify the typical connecting cities between your starting and ending points; these are possibilities to add another city to your itinerary.
To find long layovers, ensure your flight search includes connections (uncheck “non-stop”). Search through travel possibilities to find ones with lengthy layovers, ideally between 12 and 48 hours, so you can get out, see the city, and return comfortably.
For example, a trip from New York to Paris may include a 21-hour stopover in Charlotte or a connecting through Reykjavik, Iceland. If the cost is comparable to a direct trip, this becomes an effective strategy to gain more experience for less money.
If you want greater control over the duration of your layover, book using the multi-city search function rather than the conventional round-trip or one-way options. This allows you to enter manually.
Flight 1: Origin → Stopover City
Flight 2: Stopover City → Final Destination
You can select the exact number of days you wish to spend in the connected city. Compare the overall cost to that of conventional round-trip flights with stopovers to confirm that it is still affordable.
Check on a few things before finalizing your plan:
After your flights are booked, make reservations for each city. Make sure your layover city plans are reasonable regarding time, accessibility, and cost. Then pack your luggage; your multi-city journey awaits!
There are several choices for booking accommodations for a trip with a long stopover.
If your stopover is due to the airline’s schedule and no prior flight is available, you may be eligible for complimentary hospitality. Some airlines also encourage passengers to arrange a multi-day layover (or stopover) in specific locations, typically where the airline is based. These prolonged layovers do not incur any additional ticket costs, and in some circumstances, bonuses are offered. If you have a stopover due to a delay, you may request a reduced rate at a local hotel or compensation for incidental expenses from the airline.
Some airlines may offer free extended layovers as an incentive to attract more tourists and promote tourism in a particular area. So it’s a win-win for everyone!
Besides that, many airports provide lounge access for a more relaxing wait. Some even offer layover excursions specifically designed for tourists with extended layovers. Try these excursions if you’re wondering how to order accmondation for my flight with long layover. These trips often include transport and visits to major sights. This will provide an easy approach to seeing the city without the need to arrange everything yourself. Check to see if any tours are available in your stopover location so you can book ahead of time and ensure your position.
Alternatively, you may book a transfer hotel near the airport or city. Secure your lodgings for each place you’ll be visiting to ensure a seamless holiday (and one that stays within your budget!).
Choosing a long layover or a stopover location is a clever travel hack that allows you to visit another place without paying for a separate journey. Whether you use multi-city flight searches or airline stopover initiatives, you may get more out of your trip for less money. These stopovers are frequently included in the airline’s standard booking choices, so you don’t have to pay extra – just pick the correct flight.
Remember that the approach only works if you plan your trip in advance. Booking a long stopover flight is not recommended if you are making impromptu arrangements, as you may have trouble securing hotel rooms. No matter which city you choose to stop over in, when planned right, your trip will be nothing less than exciting! So book smartly and get the most out of your long layover flights.
You can use tools and multi-city searches to book a long stopover.
Consider aspects such as simple city access, accommodations, transport, visa restrictions, and luggage handling when planning a long bookover.
Layovers are of two types: short and long. If the stop is for 4 hours, it is a short layover; if it exceeds that, it is considered a long layover. However, if the break lasts about 24 hours or more, it is a stopover.
Yes, you can leave the airport when you have long layovers.
Domestic flights are typically considered anything longer than 4 hours for long layovers. On the other hand, international routes often do not reach stopover territory until the break lasts at least 24 hours.
Usually, airlines do not immediately give free lodging for extended layovers unless there is a flight delay or cancellation. However, several airlines provide free hotel stays as part of transit programs for more extended layovers, especially in their home country hubs.
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