By I sometimes quite like a stopover, layover, connecting or transit flight. If you are smart enough, you can kill two birds with one stone; take a glimpse of a country – provided you have enough time to do so. And the indirect flight usually works out cheaper than a direct flight!
I recently booked a flight to Singapore with a stopover in China for only £356! That is cheap kids! You can actually benefit loads with a stopover flight.
However, if you haven’t done one before you can easily make a few mistakes and end up missing your flight. So, before you decide to get a stopover/layover. I have prepared you with a tips on things you should be made aware of when taking a stop overflight.
5 Things You Should Know When Taking A Stopover Flight
Be prepared for luggage delays
If you have a short layover AND you have checked-in luggage – you may have to prepare yourself for luggage delays when you get to your destination. When I landed in Singapore this year, It learnt that my luggage was still in Bejing. I can’t say I was delighted with the news.
Be sure to be at the right airport
This might sound crude, but honestly, make sure you are at the correct airport and at the right platform. If I give you a story from the past, you will understand where I am coming from. I remember flying from Japan and doing a stopover in Taiwan. No one in the airport spoke English, and I was literally 2 mins away from missing my flight. You should have seen me running around the airport frantically – it wasn’t a pretty sight! Luckily my spirit was telling me to stay where, and I managed to catch my flight.
Know the entry requirements
If you’re seeking to have a bit of a wander during your layover destination. Then it is essential you check the requirements for entry. The worst thing you can do is to NOT do any research. Get there, try to enter the country (bare excited as well) and then be denied entry.
Be sure you have enough time to connect to your other flight
This is important when booking a split flight, for example, you could book one flight with KLM and Delta Airlines). If the first flight is delayed this could be a big problem! Going through security can be time-consuming so just be sure you have enough time to get to your next trip.
If the connecting flight is with the same airline, then you usually have nothing worry about. They can’t leave without as they will have stewards guiding you to your connecting flight.
Be sure to Pack emergency items into your hand luggage
This point makes me laugh because honestly, people don’t utilise there had luggage enough. After my ordeal in with AirChina and seeing Lulu from Flights and Feelings had her drama in Doho. Pack some essentials in your hand luggage. This can be a change of clothes, toothbrush, wipes etc.
Hope you find my tips useful. Have you ever had any layover disasters? Share in the comments below…
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What do you think?