Can You Leave Airport During Layover – Know The Answer Here

Posted on Nov 16th, 2022 by Heena Ganotra, Last updated on Dec 27th, 2022

Travelers lounging in airports often wonder, ‘can you leave the airport during a layover?’ It’s not uncommon to have a layover at the airport. In fact, it can be fun if you’re traveling with friends or family. However, things can get pretty boring when your layover turns into an extended stay in an airport hotel room. Instead of just sitting there, you may want to take advantage of a layover flight and explore the city. 

What is a Layover?

A layover is when you book a connecting flight and need to spend some time in an airport between your flights. For example, you may have booked a flight from New Delhi to Toronto with a layover at airports like Frankfurt or Dubai in between. 

A short layover isn’t a problem and usually doesn’t involve a prolonged stay at a strange airport. But a long layover flight can be a bit tiresome.

Can You Leave the Airport During a Layover?

Yes, you can leave the airport during a long layover. However, there are several factors to consider when you do so:

1. Is it a Long Layover?

If your stopover flights give you time to explore nearby places, you should take advantage of it. For example, if you have an overnight layover, there’s ample time to walk around, visit a few sites, and dine at local establishments. However, if you’re stopping for just an hour or two, don’t leave the airport. 

There is no need to risk missing a flight and this is especially true for international trips, where you may need to go through security and immigration again if you step out of the airport. 

2. Domestic or International?

If you have a domestic airport stopover, you can leave and enter the airport without much fuss. However, if you’re in an international airport in a foreign land, the process of getting in and out of an airport becomes complicated. In most cases, you will need to go through immigration and security once again and that can take a lot of time. 

If you do step out, you need to be back in the airport at least 3 hours before the departure time to ensure you can go through the process smoothly. Delays may cause you to miss the flight entirely. 

3. Luggage 

If you’re traveling light, this isn’t a concern. However, if you’ve checked in your bags and are on an international flight, you may want to consider things carefully. With domestic travel, you can simply park your bags at the airport and allow the airline to handle the transfer process. In international travel, you may need to take your suitcases and check them in once again. 

This can be a big obstacle for people who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of their layover city. Most airlines will only open their luggage drop counters a few hours before the flight so you won’t find a place to store your luggage easily. 

What is the Difference Between a Connecting Flight and a Layover?

They both seem like the same thing but they describe two different aspects of long travel. A connecting flight is the next flight you take on a trip involving two or more flights. For example, if you have a British Airways flight from Vancouver to Heathrow and a Lufthansa flight from Heathrow to Mumbai, the flight from Heathrow to Mumbai will be a connecting flight. 

The meaning of layover in flight is different. The word describes the time you spend in an airport between flights. So when you spend whatever number of hours (say 4) at Heathrow airport before your trip to India, it is considered a layover. 

How do I Leave The Airport During my Layover?

There are several ways to leave the airport during your layover. You can take a taxi, rent a car and drive yourself, take public transportation or just walk out of the door.

• Taxi – Taxis are available at most major airports. If you know how long your trip will take before leaving on the day that you arrive at your destination city and let them know when they pick up their passengers, this should work out just fine! Be aware that most taxi services will charge a premium for picking you up at an airport. 
• Renting a Car – Rental cars are another option that works well, especially if there’s an interesting sightseeing area nearby where people might want to go see something different than what’s around them in everyday life.
• Public Transport – Some cities have great public transport networks that can connect you to different locations quickly and affordably. They are a good choice if you’re on a budget and are familiar with the local area. 

Make sure you understand where you are going and plan for your return before you leave the airport. It is easy to encounter unexpected hurdles and miss your connecting flight if you’re careless.

Is it Safe to Leave the Airport During a Layover?

Yes, it is safe to leave the airport during your layover. You can go to a restaurant or shop, walk around the terminal and use the bathroom, or relax in one of the lounges.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to take advantage of being at an airport but don’t have time for a full-day excursion into town or city life, consider making a short trip into town. For example, an overnight layover in Toronto will give you some time to explore the wonderful nightlife of this vibrant city. 

What to Do On a Long Layover in an Airport

There is no need to leave the airport to avoid boredom. If you’re looking for something to do, there’s no shortage of options. You can hang out with friends, watch TV or movies, and even work on your laptop. If you don’t mind the noise from other travellers, there are plenty of places where you can meet up with fellow travelers: bars, restaurants, and hotels all have Wi-Fi access if it’s available.

Airports are like small cities with many options available to keep tourists engaged. You can even just watch people going about their business as you listen to music, which is surprisingly engrossing and entertaining. 

Is it Safe to Leave the Airport?

Yes, it is safe to travel alone. It can be fun to travel alone. However, you may want to consider the city you will be exploring first. Most major airports are located in relatively safe cities. However, if you’re on a trip to obscure destinations, you may end up staying in cities without comprehensive security arrangements. Make an informed decision by seeking details about the city online. 

Leaving the airport can be an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends. 

Should You Stay at the Security Check-Point During a Layover?

If you are flying out of the same airport, it would be best to stay at the security checkpoint. If it is a long layover and you have time, there are plenty of lounges where you can relax and wait for your flight.

If it’s not a direct flight, or if you need to go through another screening checkpoint before boarding your direct flight (such as customs), then this might not be an option for you. However, if this applies to yourself then take advantage of what resources are available! Most airports offer free wireless Internet access so that those who need some downtime during their travels can do so without having their devices confiscated by security staff. 

So, can you leave airport during layover? Yes. But it depends on how long of a layover you have and whether or not you are going through security. If you are just doing some shopping at the airport, then there’s no need to worry. However, if you’re trying to make sure everything is ready for departure like going through security again or having all luggage checked in then it may not be worth leaving the airport since it could mean missing out on connecting flights.

FAQs

Q. Do I Need a Visa for Stopovers?

Ans: You will need a transit visa for stopovers if you step out of the airport at an international destination. This is necessary because you will be going through the security check and immigration again. However, if you don’t intend to leave the airport, you won’t need a transit visa. 

Q. Are You Allowed to Sleep in Airports?

Ans: There is no rule for or against it. Most airports will allow passengers to catch some shuteye between flights. If you can handle sleeping in uncomfortable airport seats, go for it. 

Q. Do You Go Through TSA During Layover?

Ans: Yes, you need to go through security during layover, even if you aren’t required to go through immigration. Security is a basic requirement to ensure passengers don’t carry anything dangerous or undesirable onto the flight. 

Now that you have the answer to ‘can you leave airport during layover,’ it is time to start planning!

That’s where we at MyTicketsToIndia step in. We can find the most amazing flight deals on Canada to India flights and help you save hundreds of dollars on your trip. All you need to do is give us a call or request a callback from us. If you have any questions regarding layover flights, we will be happy to answer them!