A stopover of several hours is a chance to discover one more city along the way: a meal in Istanbul, a walk in Lisbon, a sunset in Bangkok. With separate tickets, you can even choose to stay a night or a few days. Here’s how to tell whether you really have time, and what to prepare.
1. Are you allowed to leave the airport?
To go into town, you go through passport control: it’s the country’s entry rules that apply, not the transit rules. Depending on your passport, you may be able to enter with no formalities, with an online authorisation to get before you leave, or you may need a visa. Check it for your stopover city with our stopover visa tool, then confirm with the embassy: the rules change.
2. What do you do with your bags?
With a single ticket, your checked bag usually goes all the way to your destination. With separate tickets, you collect it at the stopover: you’ll have to keep it with you or leave it at a left-luggage office, if the airport has one. Travelling with just a cabin bag makes everything easier. Details in our guide to baggage and stopovers.
3. How much time do you really need?
Add up, playing it safe:
- the time to get off the plane and go through passport control (it varies with the time of day and the airport);
- the round trip between the airport and the city centre (look up the real time by train, bus or taxi at that hour);
- getting back early for the second flight: check-in and bag drop if you have a bag, then security and passport control to leave the country;
- a margin for the unexpected (a late first flight, queues, traffic jams).
What’s left is your sightseeing time. If there’s only an hour left, you’re better off enjoying the airport. If your first flight arrives late, don’t hesitate to give up on the trip into town: the second flight comes first.
4. Does your second flight leave from the same airport?
Some cities have several airports (London, Paris, Istanbul, Bangkok, New York…). If your second flight leaves from another airport, add the journey between the two. Our changing airports tool gives the distance and an estimated travel time for each pair of airports.
5. Get ready before you land
- Internet: an eSIM for the stopover country helps you find your way and keep track of your flight. See our guide to eSIMs.
- A little local cash or a card that’s accepted everywhere, for transport.
- The airport address and the terminal for your second flight, written down somewhere you can see without internet.
- An alarm set for the time you need to head back to the airport, not for the flight time.
What if you stayed a night?
With separate tickets, nothing forces you to fly on the same day: you can choose a second flight the next day, or a few days later, and really visit the city. It’s often less stressful than a tight connection, and sometimes even cheaper. In the Getzy search, the “Nights OK” option allows stopovers with a night on the spot. Start a searchto see the possible stopover cities on your route.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of layover do you need to leave the airport?
There’s no single rule: it all depends on the airport, the trip into the centre, passport control and your bag. Do the maths above with realistic times, and keep a real margin.
With a single ticket, can I leave the airport during the stopover?
Often yes, if your passport lets you enter the country and your bag goes all the way to your destination. Check with the airline, and work out how much time you need to get back.
What happens if I miss my second flight?
With separate tickets, the second airline generally has no obligation towards you. Read our guide to missed connections before you leave.