Can You Leave The Airport During A Layover?

[@BenDreamVacations]

What questions about layovers can I help answer?

[@Littlething41]

I'm a U.S. citizen traveling roundtrip from the Caribbean to Jacksonville, FL with a connection in Miami. The layover is 11 hours when it's only a 5 hour drive from Miami to Jacksonville. I'm thinking of skipping the connection. Will this affect my return flight?

[@BenDreamVacations]

@@Littlething41 Skipping the last leg of your flight won't affect your return flight just make sure you are not checking bag. It is however against the airline's Conditions of Carriage to purposely skip the last leg of the flight and if you have frequently flier miles they could cancel them but it is the only penalty the airlines can enforce but rarely do.

[@Littlething41]

@@BenDreamVacations Thank you!

[@stevec9669]

What's a good way to find a long layover or stop-over ticket?

[@BenDreamVacations]

@@stevec9669 I like to use Google flights. Once you enter the departing and arriving airport and click search. Click on all filters and scroll towards the bottom to where is says layover duration. From here you can adjust how long of a layover you would like.

[@javico79]

Great video...quick explanation and easy to understand , thanks!!

[@BenDreamVacations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SafiaOs]

Thank you so much for your useful videos! I didn't know lounge day pass exists, I recently had a 11 hours layover in Istanbul airport and it was hard finding a comfortable spot (not regular airport chairs) to relax and sleep ... Next time I won't miss it! It was my first layover experience anyway.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Lounges are great for those long layovers. Definitely check them out next time.

[@antoniodelrey164]

Great information! Have often wondered about this…

[@BenDreamVacations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alexandrerighi]

wow interesting info! Thx for sharing! I'm flying to Rio from Berlin next month and one stopover is in Amsterdam and the other in the US. I know we need a visa to visit it, but if I had it, would it be ok to leave the airport for a quick walk around? thanks a lot

[@BenDreamVacations]

I would say you need to account for at least 3 hours to go through immigration and customs to exit the airport and then go back through security and then the travel time to get to the city center and back. A 5 hour minimum layover would be what you need to leave the airport and get back in time to make your next flight. Just don't forget to get the necessary visa as well.

[@chantelpeters5160]

Hi Ben, great video. I am doing 1-way ticket from Canada to Denmark. I wish to explore France by leaving during a layover and wanted to know what is required considered I don’t have a round trip ticket and if that’s of concern? Thanks!

[@BenDreamVacations]

As a Canadian citizen there are no documents required other than your passport to be able to enter France and visit during your layover. However, a new requirement starting January will require you to get a travel authorization to be able to enter Europe including France and Denmark which will allow to travel within Europe for up to 90 days. You can find more information about it here 👉 travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.

[@theresnoyinkatie]

Great video! We have a *potential* 7 hour, 45 min. layover in Frankfurt coming up in October on a Friday morning. I've never been to this airport before. Do you think we'll have enough time to leave the airport and get an hour or two in Frankfurt? I see there's a train that goes directly from the airport into the city center.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Yes, with that long of a layover you should have enough time to visit the city for an hour or two. You will have to go through customs and immigration and then go back through security again when you return but that whole process shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours.

[@theresnoyinkatie]

@@BenDreamVacations Thanks so much for the feedback. Also forgot to mention that we're not checking bags - only backpacks and carry-on suitcases - which should buy us a little more time as well. I assume there are luggage lockers/storage at Frankfurt airport?

[@BenDreamVacations]

@@theresnoyinkatie Yes, Frankfurt has luggage storage for a small fee.

[@oleratogabasiane1394]

Hi, I’m from Botswana and I’ll be flying to Beijing via Cairo. I have a 17 hour layover in Cairo and would like to explore the city. According to my ticket, my baggage will be checked through, so does this mean I will be going past immigration with only my carry-on bag?

[@BenDreamVacations]

I am not too sure about this one as I don't have any experience traveling through Cairo. Every country is a little different to how they handle international connecting flights and luggage but you should be able to verify this with the airline you are flying with. Usually if your ticket says that your luggage will be checked through then you will not have to worry about picking up your checked luggage in Cairo. Your carry-on will be the only thing that you will need to take with you through immigration and customs. I know there are places where you can store your luggage within the airport if you don't want to take your carry-on with you while you are out exploring the city.

[@divyani8569]

Hi , does having US visa and connecting flight to US matter if you have layover in UK and want to leave the airport? Or do I absolutely have to have a Uk visa??

[@BenDreamVacations]

The UK doesn't have a visa waiver program if you have another visa in another country such as a US visa. However, if you live in the EU, a visa will not be required for short visits. You can check to see if a visa will be required by visiting www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

[@oppongeric117]

I'm Eric from Ghana. Will i need a transit visa for layover in instanbul to Manchester

[@BenDreamVacations]

If you are checking a bag and know that you will need to collect it and recheck it in Istanbul then you would need a transit visa. Otherwise, if you are either not checking a bag or if your bag is automatically being transferred to Manchester then you will not need a transit visa.

[@AhmedDiamondBoss]

Hi can I leave Mexican airport while on layover with a tourist visa

[@BenDreamVacations]

Yes, as long as you have a Mexican tourist visa

[@joyjosphine6465]

Can I live the airport and meet my friends outside the airport during layover without a transit visa my final destination is kenya

[@BenDreamVacations]

It depends on the country and where you are coming from. Some require it and some don't.

[@aayushniroula7973]

Hey Ben, If I have a layover in Istanbul for about 23 hours during an international flight, do I have to go through the security and customs for luggage just immediately I land to Istanbul airport or just go to the hotel desk at Istanbul airport for free tour/hotel?

[@BenDreamVacations]

If you are leaving the secured area you will need to go through customs and immigration. I am assuming the hotel is outside this area. You will probably need to anyway since most luggage won’t transfer over with that long of a layover but double check with the airline to verify their luggage policy.

[@patriciadomagala7082]

I have a US passport, can I leave Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for my 16 hour layover and easily be able to go back through customs?

[@BenDreamVacations]

You will only have to go through customs leaving Charles de Gaulle airport but just have to go through security again once you return to the airport. It should be an easy process just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make it through security for your flight.

[@abdullahs2085]

Can I make the transit my last destination?

[@BenDreamVacations]

Hey Abdullah. I am not sure I understand your question. Can you rephrase your question?

[@shaksham786]

HI, I am from India. I will be traveling to Oslo for work and have obtained a single entry Schengen Visa. My return journey from Oslo has a layover at Munich Airport of about 12 hrs. Can I go outside Munich airport during this time and return back to catch my onward flight?

[@BenDreamVacations]

Since you only have a single entry visa, you would need to get a tourist visa to be able leave the Munich airport.

[@aryajyothish3429]

Hi i have 7 hours layover in abudhabi can i go out side the airport …

[@BenDreamVacations]

Yes you can go outside the airport. You will just need to get a transit visa in order to do so.

[@pocholo5947]

Hi Im John Paul from Philippines, My flight is Manila to Singapore and Singapore to Zurich , Switzerland . Zurich, Switzerland to Tel aviv, Israel. I have layover in Zurich, Switzerland for 6 hours, Can I go outside in the airport and explore the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Do I still need to get a transit visa? to get out of the airport and to explore the city.

[@BenDreamVacations]

Hello John, yes you will need to get a visa if you wish to leave the Zurich airport and explore the city.

[@lucymagbanua3990]

Hello i want to ask can i leave ni airport ni France during my lay over? even with out transit visa? My last destination is albania thanks for your answers...

[@BenDreamVacations]

You do not need a visa unless you are from China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, or South Africa.

[@mcrobielord1503]

Can I bring a military-type MRE in the airport

[@BenDreamVacations]

You can pack MRE’s in a checked bag without any issues. If you want to carry them in your carry-on bag then you need to make sure they don’t have any liquid in them. Also, some airlines do not allow MRE’s in carry-on bags due to the self heating element.