Can You Leave The Airport During a Layover?  

Layovers can be a perfect opportunity to explore a new city or stretch your legs beyond the terminal, but knowing whether you can leave the airport during a layover depends on a few important factors. 

These factors may include the length of your layover, visa requirements, and nearby certain attractions. In this blog, we will provide you with some useful tips for deciding what to do with those long waiting hours.  
 

Express Layover (15 minutes - 2 hours) 

Since the layover time is short, it is suggested that you stay inside the airport. By doing so, you will eliminate having to recheck your luggage and clear security checks, which can take some time. The time taken for TSA screening could result in missing your connecting flight. Moreover, passengers on international flights also have to face immigration checks and clearing customs that may take too long and leave you with less time to make it back before your scheduled departure. 

Instead, you can use that time to visit one of the many retail stores in the airport. You can grab a coffee or a quick meal or even purchase a magazine or book to read during your flight. Staying within the airport during international layovers ensures you are ready and have your boarding pass when it's time to board. 
 

Standard Layover (2 - 6 hours) 

Lasting between 2 to 6 hours, you might have enough time to leave the airport and explore this new destination. However, several factors must be considered: 

• Visa Requirements: Ensure you have a valid visa or qualify for visa-free travel to your international destination. Some countries offer transit visas, which are necessary even for short stays. 

• Public Transportation: Check the availability and reliability of public transportation to and from the city. Some airports are well-connected, making it easier to reach certain attractions without spending too much time in traffic. 

• Time Management: Consider the time needed to clear security and customs and return to the airport for your next connecting flight to reach your final destination. Frequent flyers often suggest leaving a buffer to avoid missing your connection. 
  For example, if you have a 4-hour layover in one of the countries in South America, you might consider spending a few hours exploring a nearby museum or city center or enjoying fresh air at a local park. You can also benefit from any stopover programs offered by your airline. 

Full-Time Layover (More Than 8 Hours) 

This is a great opportunity to visit the city in which your layover occurs. If you are traveling on a domestic flight within the United States and choose to leave the airport, it is important to check with the airport regarding their security and check-in requirements. 

If you are on an international flight, several countries will request a special permit or visa during this long layover period. A transit visa is a document that shows that a traveler has permission to pass through a country, but it will not allow you to stay as a tourist. To obtain more information on transit visas, please visit the U.S. Department of State Travel Website. 

If you are not interested in getting into the process of clearing customs and security checks at the airport again, below are some additional tips to help manage your time. 

• Reading good books or magazines. 

• Browse the retail airport stores. 

• Take the time to watch a movie or television series on your laptop. 

• Listen to music. 

• Browse the many airport restaurants and mini coffee shops.   

• Start a travel diary. 
   

Final Tips 

Now, you have the answer to the question: can you leave the airport during a layover of your international or domestic flights? Whether you leave the airport or stay inside, ensure you have a valid visa, clear security and customs on time, and double-check the gate for your next flight. Missing your connection could lead to purchasing a new plane ticket, causing unnecessary hassle. 

To protect yourself from such situations, consider getting AXA travel insurance, which offers coverage for missed connections, helping you manage the cost of rebooking flights or additional accommodations. 

You can check AXA's travel protection for missed connections, trip delays, interruptions, and more. This will help you to take care of expenses in case of unexpected delays or changes to your travel schedule. 

Please don’t delay and obtain your travel protection quote today.