How many of you actually dread a long layover? Brian and I used to feel the same; we’d have far too many things on our plate that sitting around the airport felt like wasted time we couldn’t afford. It wasn’t until we started working remotely that we changed our tune. Suddenly, a long layover became one of the best ways to make our schedules more flexible and less stressful.
Changing Perspectives
Of course, having a willingness to plan around longer connections played a big factor. We eventually learned to see these layovers not as interruptions but as part of our travel experiences. After all, complaining about a long layover feels trivial when you consider all of the other things that could happen in life!
Rather than viewing it as wasted time, we started to use them as opportunities for added adventure, downtime, and even balancing work schedules. With this change in perspective, the annoyance of layovers almost completely fell away.
We don’t typically book flights with long layovers, but when we do, we make the most of it. Whether it’s a chance to stretch our legs or explore something new, we’re reminded that there’s more to travel than just reaching our destination.
Choosing a Long Layover
By intentionally choosing flights with extended connections, we can turn what might seem like a hassle into a worthwhile break. Here are a few reasons why we’d opt for a long layover:
1. To Save Money
Sometimes, it’s more affordable to book a long layover in order to catch a different flight the following day. Rather than flying direct, Brian and I have saved hundreds of dollars per ticket just by selecting a stopover to sleep for the night. We’ll often use a free stay or reward night so that we don’t end up spending much (if any) money on accommodations.
For example, we recently spent $40/ticket and a free hotel stay to reach our destination. In contrast, a direct or more convenient flight would have cost us over $300/ticket. That’s a lot of savings in my book! We appreciate the fact that we can save a decent amount of cash with a long layover, especially if it doubles as a way to break up a long-haul flight.
2. To Reduce Flight Fatigue
Our longest flight to date has been 10.5 hours. Conveniently enough, Hawaii is the halfway point from the US mainland to Australia. When Brian and I made plans to visit Melbourne, we decided to break up the flight time with a stopover in Honolulu. It was an amazing decision!
Since we didn’t splash out on First Class tickets, we knew we’d need a break from the cabin after a while. While we could have dealt with a marathon flight directly into Australia, we’re glad we didn’t. Instead, we opted for a more relaxed pace, with a Hawaiian layover that would give us a chance to stretch our legs, catch up on sleep, and do our own thing.
Going forward, we plan to split up long-haul flights whenever possible. As long as our schedule and budget allow, we’d rather have the opportunity to enjoy a longer layover than face a brief connection or remain seated the whole way through a lengthy flight.
3. To Visit With Loved Ones
Why not interrupt your flight time with a chance to catch up? Some of the best memories are made from brief moments that begin with a “Hey, I’ll be in town for a few hours. Are you free?” Brian and I have made a special effort to fly to specific airports just to connect with friends. We’ll enjoy a good meal and some quality time during the layover and eventually head back to the airport to continue on our way. When we can, we make it happen because we know it will be a worthwhile detour.
4. To Explore the Local Area
A long layover can be the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the airport, even if it’s just for a few hours. During our layover in Honolulu, we took advantage of the time to indulge in local eats, soak in the beautiful scenery, and stroll along the beach. We still talk about how delicious and fresh the sashimi and poke tasted, making that fleeting adventure one of our favorite travel memories.
A brief outing into the city adds a mini-adventure to our trip. If the airport is located in a destination that we’ve heard great things about or have always wanted to explore, we’d take the chance for a quick look around. For instance, a long layover in San Francisco provides a convenient excuse to wander through Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf. It allows us to dip our toes into a city without the commitment of booking an entire trip.
Of course, we’d want to be mindful of timing. If the layover isn’t overnight, we’d likely avoid venturing into the city unless there’s efficient public transportation!
5. To Accommodate Work Schedules
Brian and I prioritize our work schedules if we’re planning a workcation. Long layovers allow us to manage work hours and meetings effectively, providing the opportunity to continue onto our next flight without impacting our professional responsibilities.
Strategic planning is key! In this circumstance, we’d plan our flights during non-work hours, sometimes scheduling our continuing flight the following day or the day after. The length of our layover would depend on cost, energy levels, and our overall travel itinerary.
6. To Enjoy Airport Amenities
We’ve been known to choose flights with longer layovers at airports that feature impressive lounges. In fact, we sometimes actively avoid airports where we have limited or no access to the lounges they offer. Why opt for a short layover when we could spend 4 hours experiencing all kinds of exclusive buffets, drinks, and even spa treatments?
Though it’s been our experience that domestic Priority Pass Airport Lounges don’t measure up to their international counterparts (we loved the ones in Milan and Sydney!), we’ve found that most domestic lounges provide a nice enough escape during our travels. Fortunately, as Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, we also have access to the Chase Sapphire Lounges. These lounges offer a more elevated experience with fewer crowds, greater food and drink selections, as well as additional wellness treatments.
Longer layovers offer the opportunity to explore all kinds of airport amenities, including different airport lounges, featured art exhibitions, specialty restaurants, fitness centers, and even movie theaters!
A Welcome Break
Ultimately, Brian and I have discovered that long layovers can be a hidden benefit during our travels. Instead of dreading a long layover, we’ve learned to take them as they come, maximizing whatever opportunities they might provide.
From new airport lounges and mini-excursions to catching up with loved ones and more, we welcome the chance to make the most of our travel experience—even if it’s just to sleep in a bed for the night! Life is short. Why not try to turn a potential annoyance (i.e., a long layover) into a moment to relax and explore?!
The next time you find yourself facing a long layover, consider it an opportunity instead of a disruption. Who knows what kind of discoveries you’ll find in those extra hours between flights?
