How to Survive Any Airport Layover
Most travellers don't think much about airports until they're sprinting through one, desperately hoping the gate agent hasn't closed the door.
I've been there. In September I'll have just 78 minutes to get from a domestic arrival gate in Vancouver to an international departure gate. On paper that's enough time. In reality? I'll probably be jogging.
Whether it's racing between gates in Vancouver, navigating unfamiliar airports in countries where I don't speak the language, or spending far too much money on airport food during a long layover, I've learned that surviving airports is really about preparation.
The good news? Airports don't have to be stressful.
Most travellers know their local airport like the back of their hand. In my case, that's usually Victoria (YYJ), where I begin most international journeys, connecting through Vancouver (YVR) before heading overseas. I've also flown out of Nanaimo (YCD), which is even easier to navigate.
Vancouver International Airport is one of my favourites. While it's a bit of a hike from the Vancouver Island arrivals area to the U.S. and international departure gates, having everything under one roof makes the experience much less stressful than airports with multiple terminals. Having previously used Toronto Pearson (YYZ) as my home airport, I can confidently say that I much prefer Vancouver.
Things become much more interesting when you arrive at a foreign airport.
Even though most customer-facing airport staff speak English reasonably well, language barriers, unfamiliar layouts, multiple terminals, and complicated transfer procedures can quickly turn a simple connection into a stressful experience.
That's why I always research an airport before I travel. I check airport maps, browse traveller forums, verify baggage transfer procedures, and figure out whether I'll need to clear security again. Knowing these details in advance can make the difference between a smooth connection and a frantic sprint through the terminal.
After countless layovers ranging from one hour to more than a full day, here's what I've learned about making airports work for you instead of against you.
The Airport Sprint (3 hours or less)
I tend to give myself a minimum of three hours for a layover…even in the smaller airports. This is mainly to allow for delayed incoming flights as well as navigating an unfamiliar airport. However, I have also had some short layovers where I have been running between gates, thankfully I was travelling with carry-on only, or I wouldn’t have made it. This is when airport maps are helpful in planning your transit between gates. In bigger airports, this advance research could be the difference between making or missing your flight.
Food is expensive in airports…the most expensive airport lunch I’ve ever eaten cost my husband and me $75 CAD in Hong Kong. Ever since then, I make sure I have snacks in my carry-on. Make sure that you have some snacks on your layover, if you don’t want to pay the airport prices…just remember that foreign countries have restrictions against some foods (meats, fruits etc.).
Depending on the airport that you are laying over in, you may not be able to stay airside and will have to go through security again. This will add to the required time needed between flights, especially in larger airports where it can take over an hour. Also take into account that the flight time and boarding time are two different times and most flights close the gate 10 to 15 minutes before a domestic flight and 30 to 60 minutes for international flights.
Sometimes if you are transferring on the same ticket with the same airline, you have more of a chance that they will hold the plane, but in 2026, it’s becoming less and less something that you should rely on. Also, if you have a tight connection, there is a good chance that any checked bags will not make it onto your connecting plane.
Ultimately, it depends on the airport and whether or not you have a domestic or international flight. Proper advanced planning will let you know how much leeway you will have. I have seen several flights with connections under 2 hours in some of the busier Asian hubs and I have learned from experience that it is too short of a layover.
My upcoming 78-minute Vancouver connection is exactly why I prefer longer layovers whenever possible. I've made tight connections before, but they usually involve more running than I'd like.
On my ATW trip, I ran from the end of the domestic wing through US Customs and onto the US gate…better than going to international gates, but I was totally stressed the whole time.
Food is expensive in airports…the most expensive airport lunch I’ve ever eaten cost my husband and me $75 CAD in Hong Kong. Ever since then, I make sure I have snacks in my carry-on. Make sure that you have some snacks on your layover, if you don’t want to pay the airport prices…just remember that foreign countries have restrictions against some foods (meats, fruits etc.).
Depending on the airport that you are laying over in, you may not be able to stay airside and will have to go through security again. This will add to the required time needed between flights, especially in larger airports where it can take over an hour. Also take into account that the flight time and boarding time are two different times and most flights close the gate 10 to 15 minutes before a domestic flight and 30 to 60 minutes for international flights.
Sometimes if you are transferring on the same ticket with the same airline, you have more of a chance that they will hold the plane, but in 2026, it’s becoming less and less something that you should rely on. Also, if you have a tight connection, there is a good chance that any checked bags will not make it onto your connecting plane.
Ultimately, it depends on the airport and whether or not you have a domestic or international flight. Proper advanced planning will let you know how much leeway you will have. I have seen several flights with connections under 2 hours in some of the busier Asian hubs and I have learned from experience that it is too short of a layover.
My upcoming 78-minute Vancouver connection is exactly why I prefer longer layovers whenever possible. I've made tight connections before, but they usually involve more running than I'd like.
On my ATW trip, I ran from the end of the domestic wing through US Customs and onto the US gate…better than going to international gates, but I was totally stressed the whole time.
The Sweet Spot (3 to 6 hours)
This is the best length for a layover for international transfers, at least in my opinion, especially if you have checked bags that you have to transfer and have to go through security and/or passport patrol.
You don’t feel rushed and more importantly, you will feel less stressed. There is nothing worse than seeing a sea of people in front of you in line for security and you are running late…knowing that you have plenty of time makes the line less stressful.
Even if you are solo-travelling, sometimes you can strike up a conversation with a person near you in line. When I went around the world and had to wait in long lines, I tried to find someone to at least say a few words to…maybe they were Canadian or Filipino, maybe they had a neat looking bag or a great outfit. Even if you are introverted and aren’t comfortable talking with strangers, the people you talk to will never see you again, so what do you have to lose?
This length of a layover will give you time to explore the airport shops (duty-free or souvenir shops), visit a lounge (if you have access), or grab a bite to eat at a restaurant. Always check the flight boards and visit your gate before visiting the lounge or getting food…you don’t want to find out that where you are is nowhere near your gate and it’s showing ‘Final Boarding’ for your flight.
I don’t recommend leaving the airport on a layover of this length. I technically entered Iceland in order to visit the lounge for my Sage Premium flight on my ATW trip, but Reykjavik airport is not that busy and it only took me a few minutes to go through security. I also didn’t technically ‘leave’ the airport…there was an exit that said “you are now leaving the secure area” and decided not to cross through.
If you do your research, you’ll find out whether or not your layover will allow you time to leave, or whether you should just hang out in the airport. Some airports, and a lot of lounges, have a shower if you have a long travel day and need to get refreshed. When I had a 2-hour layover in Auckland, I happened to be pulled aside for another screening and mentioned to the Customs agent that I would love a shower and she told me that they had public showers (I didn’t have a towel and had to dry off with paper towels, but it was a much-needed treat). Find out what your layover airports offer and plan accordingly.
This length of a layover will give you time to explore the airport shops (duty-free or souvenir shops), visit a lounge (if you have access), or grab a bite to eat at a restaurant. Always check the flight boards and visit your gate before visiting the lounge or getting food…you don’t want to find out that where you are is nowhere near your gate and it’s showing ‘Final Boarding’ for your flight.
I don’t recommend leaving the airport on a layover of this length. I technically entered Iceland in order to visit the lounge for my Sage Premium flight on my ATW trip, but Reykjavik airport is not that busy and it only took me a few minutes to go through security. I also didn’t technically ‘leave’ the airport…there was an exit that said “you are now leaving the secure area” and decided not to cross through.
If you do your research, you’ll find out whether or not your layover will allow you time to leave, or whether you should just hang out in the airport. Some airports, and a lot of lounges, have a shower if you have a long travel day and need to get refreshed. When I had a 2-hour layover in Auckland, I happened to be pulled aside for another screening and mentioned to the Customs agent that I would love a shower and she told me that they had public showers (I didn’t have a towel and had to dry off with paper towels, but it was a much-needed treat). Find out what your layover airports offer and plan accordingly.
Time to Explore (6 to 12 hours)
When you have this long between flights, if the airport is close to a major city, you will normally have a chance to leave the airport. That being said, having 6 hours and 12 hours is a big difference, so you should judge each airport accordingly. I had an 11 and a half hour layover in Sydney and six-and-a-half-hour layover in Dubai where I left the airport. In Sydney, I was able to leave my backpack (carry-on) in a locker so I wasn’t dragging it around the city and in Dubai, my bag had been checked from Ho Chi Minh City to Nairobi, so I only had a day bag. Almost all airports allow for luggage storage, and I availed of that option for most of my layovers, when I left the airport. When I had a 10 hour overnight layover in Brussels on my train trip from Berlin to London, I was able to book a hotel near the train station that was also close to the Grand Place…win-win.
I have also had layovers at airports where I haven’t been able to leave the airport due to safety concerns. In 2019, I planned a 7-1/2 hour layover in Hong Kong and was hoping to visit the city - even if it was just a quick trip. Unfortunately, due to the student protests at the time, our travel agent recommended that we didn’t leave the airport. It was a long layover being stuck in the airport, but my husband found a sleeping room and I walked around catching Pokémon…that said, I would’ve booked a shorter layover if I knew that I would be stuck in the airport.
You also have to look into whether or not you need a visa to enter the country that you want to enter. Some countries allow visas on arrival but others require getting one in advance. When I was on my ATW trip, I used iVisa to get the visas that I needed for my trip…mainly because I needed several and was able to get a one-year membership so the admin fees were waived. I probably could’ve spent less money and gone to the government’s website for every country and got a visa that way, but it was nice to be able to just use one app and have all of my visas in one place. The only downfall was when I went to get my New Zealand visa (last minute) as I was trying to check in my flight to Sydney, via Auckland and found out that I needed a transit visa. I ended up booking a travel visa that was good for two years that cost about $150 CAD more than it needed to be. Going forward, I may look into a different option, depending on the visa, and go directly to the foreign government’s website. 2026 is bringing new visa and entry requirements for many countries, I recommend googling the country to see what you need depending on your country’s passport. Do your research before you travel and choose the option that works best for you.
I have also had layovers at airports where I haven’t been able to leave the airport due to safety concerns. In 2019, I planned a 7-1/2 hour layover in Hong Kong and was hoping to visit the city - even if it was just a quick trip. Unfortunately, due to the student protests at the time, our travel agent recommended that we didn’t leave the airport. It was a long layover being stuck in the airport, but my husband found a sleeping room and I walked around catching Pokémon…that said, I would’ve booked a shorter layover if I knew that I would be stuck in the airport.
You also have to look into whether or not you need a visa to enter the country that you want to enter. Some countries allow visas on arrival but others require getting one in advance. When I was on my ATW trip, I used iVisa to get the visas that I needed for my trip…mainly because I needed several and was able to get a one-year membership so the admin fees were waived. I probably could’ve spent less money and gone to the government’s website for every country and got a visa that way, but it was nice to be able to just use one app and have all of my visas in one place. The only downfall was when I went to get my New Zealand visa (last minute) as I was trying to check in my flight to Sydney, via Auckland and found out that I needed a transit visa. I ended up booking a travel visa that was good for two years that cost about $150 CAD more than it needed to be. Going forward, I may look into a different option, depending on the visa, and go directly to the foreign government’s website. 2026 is bringing new visa and entry requirements for many countries, I recommend googling the country to see what you need depending on your country’s passport. Do your research before you travel and choose the option that works best for you.
A Bonus Destination (12 to 24 hours)
Unless you are laying over in Changi Airport in Singapore - which I would absolutely recommend you spend this long of a layover at (I will have a 12-hour layover there later in 2026), you will probably want to leave the airport. That being said, you will need to make sure that you are able to enter the country - whether it is due to safety reasons or visa costs/requirements. As I mentioned above, we stayed in the Hong Kong airport due to student protests at the time, and sometimes the process of getting a visa is just not worth the effort. If it is fairly complicated and costly to get a visa, it may not be worth leaving the airport for this short of a layover.
Arrival and departure times are also a consideration…landing at 6AM and leaving at 10PM is a much better layover than arriving at 10PM and leaving at noon the next day. If you are looking to explore the city, try to plan a day layover, but if you have no choice and you have an overnight layover, research your airline’s website to see if they provide a free hotel layover. On my first trip to Asia in 2015, I had a 26-hour layover in Guangzhou, China and was able to get a free hotel room and shuttle to and from the airport due to the length of the layover. Some airports also have free tours into the city that you may be able to avail of on your layover.
You can also plan your own trip into the city yourself. When I visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2024, I took a Grab car into the city to explore before I took a food tour on the back of a scooter. I had the Grab car bring me to the meetup point for the food tour, so I would be able to orient myself after my morning of exploring. In Santiago, Chile, I took a taxi into the town centre, booked a CityPass/Hop-On Hop-Off ticket and explored some of the sights before taking an Uber back to the airport.
Arrival and departure times are also a consideration…landing at 6AM and leaving at 10PM is a much better layover than arriving at 10PM and leaving at noon the next day. If you are looking to explore the city, try to plan a day layover, but if you have no choice and you have an overnight layover, research your airline’s website to see if they provide a free hotel layover. On my first trip to Asia in 2015, I had a 26-hour layover in Guangzhou, China and was able to get a free hotel room and shuttle to and from the airport due to the length of the layover. Some airports also have free tours into the city that you may be able to avail of on your layover.
You can also plan your own trip into the city yourself. When I visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2024, I took a Grab car into the city to explore before I took a food tour on the back of a scooter. I had the Grab car bring me to the meetup point for the food tour, so I would be able to orient myself after my morning of exploring. In Santiago, Chile, I took a taxi into the town centre, booked a CityPass/Hop-On Hop-Off ticket and explored some of the sights before taking an Uber back to the airport.
Airport Survival Kit
Regardless of the length of your layover, I recommend several things that you should have in your “Airport Survival Kit”.
- Empty water bottle (there are water filling stations in every airport)
- Empty water bottle (there are water filling stations in every airport)
- - Charging cables (make sure that you can charge in wall outlets as well as USB outlets…although wall outlets are safer)
- - Headphones (no one in the airport wants to hear what you are listening to)
- - Pen (not only for immigration forms, but you never know when you’ll need one)
- - Downloaded airport maps (you may not be able to connect to the airport wi-fi)
- - Alternatively, download offline Google Maps to help you navigate through the airport
- - Google Translate (with the local language downloaded for offline use)
- - Offline boarding passes (either a screenshot or printing an actual pass at the airport)
- - Snacks (sometimes this isn’t always possible, but if you can pack some, they can save you money)
Final Thoughts
Do your research! I can’t stress this enough. A 90-minute layover in your local airport could be fine for a transfer, but an epic fail in a busy airport. When booking flights, most search engines/airlines etc. will allow for the minimum transfer times. These times are great in the wee hours of the morning, but not midday or on a holiday weekend. As I mentioned above, I have a 78-minute layover in Vancouver this September, where I will go from the far end of the domestic terminal to the far end of the international terminal. I have no wiggle room for delays and will probably be running between gates as international flights close their gates earlier…I have luckily booked it as a connecting flight, so I have a bit more confidence that they may give me some leeway. If it was any other airport, I wouldn’t even consider that short of a layover.
The difference between a stressful airport experience and an enjoyable one usually isn't luck—it's preparation. Research your airports, understand your connection times, and always have a backup plan. Then, when everyone else is panicking at the departure board, you'll be the traveller calmly filling your water bottle and heading toward the gate.
The difference between a stressful airport experience and an enjoyable one usually isn't luck—it's preparation. Research your airports, understand your connection times, and always have a backup plan. Then, when everyone else is panicking at the departure board, you'll be the traveller calmly filling your water bottle and heading toward the gate.