panama city airport layover tour

The Layover Guide to Panama City

November 30, 2023

Nicknamed the “Miami of the South,” Panama City is two cities in one. There’s the historic district of Casco Viejo with its narrow cobblestone streets, dreamy balconies and Spanish colonial architecture, and downtown Panama with its glittering skyline—Panama City ranks third for number of skyscrapers in the Americas after New York and Chicago.

It’s home to the world’s greatest feat of engineering, the Panama Canal, 17th-century ruins, rescued pirate treasure, tropical rainforests, and swinging nightlife. It’s also a gateway to beautiful beaches along both Panama’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Panama City is a common layover spot between the US and South America, and it can easily be enjoyed on a long layover between flights.

• VISA REQUIRED:  NO
• MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME, INTERNATIONAL TO DOMESTIC: 90 mins
• MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME, INTERNATIONAL TO INTERNATIONAL: 90 mins
• MINIMUM CONNECTION TIME TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT: 6 hrs

Visa info for Panama

Americans do not need a visa to visit Panama. 

Minimum layover times for Panama City

To make an international to domestic connection: 90 mins–4 hours.

All international flights from the US arrive and depart from Tocumen Airport (PTY) but domestic flights may arrive and depart from either Tocumen or Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC).

If your domestic flight departs from Tocumen Airport (PTY) where you arrived from the US, you should give yourself at least one hour (1.5 hours during peak periods and holidays). Transit passengers who aren’t leaving the airport do not have to go through immigration or customs. 

If your domestic flight departs from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC), you’ll need more time, as PAC is about 18 miles from Tocumen (PTY). You’ll need a minimum of four hours to have sufficient time to clear immigration and customs and pick up any baggage and then cross Panama City by car, which can take anywhere between 45 minutes (with no traffic) and 90 minutes when traffic is bad (a taxi or Uber will cost $15-$25). You’ll then also need time to check in and go through security at the domestic airport.

To make an international to international connection: 90 mins–4 hours 

The minimum layover time to make an international to international connection also depends on your airports. If you’re departing from Tocumen Airport (PTY), 90 minutes is a safe window (though you can often do it in much less time) as you do not need to leave the secure area between flights. 

However, any travelers who are going to transit onto international flights with Air Panama or Wingo will depart from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (PAC) or Panamá Pacífico International Airport (BLB), a small airport that only serves Wingo flights. 

Getting to Panamá Pacífico Airport (BLB) from Tocumen (PTY) by taxi can take 60-90 minutes at a cost of $25-35. Give yourself a safe window of four hours for international connections from Panamá Pacífico International Airport (and from Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport as mentioned above). It’s a very small airport so clearing security doesn’t take long, however, traffic may be heavy getting there as the journey requires crossing the Bridge of the Americas which sees a lot of traffic.

To leave the airport and explore for part of the day: 6+ hours

Travel from the airport into the city center takes about 30 minutes (depending on traffic), and you’ll want to get back to the airport at least two hours before your next flight, too. That means the minimum layover time to leave the airport and explore for part of the day is six hours, which leaves you about two hours for exploring. A layover of at least eight hours allows more flexibility and time to explore. 

• 30-45 mins to deplane and go through immigration and customs
• 30 mins to transit to downtown
• 2 hours to explore
• 30 mins to return to airport
• 2 hours to go back through security, get to your gate, and board the plane 

Getting from the Panama City airport to the city center 

• BUS: 30 mins
• TAXI/UBER: 30 mins

There are three possible modes of public transport from Tocumen Airport (PTY) to the city center: the bus, official taxis and Uber. 

The bus is the cheapest and longest option. It costs $1.25 and you will need a Metro Bus card, which you have to buy at the airport. Take the Tocumen-Corredor Sur bus (not Via España) and get off anywhere on Avenida Balboa to get a taxi within the city, or go all the way to Albrook station to get the metro or another bus. The journey into the city center takes around 30 minutes and it runs daily from 4am till 11:48pm. Note that you cannot board with large luggage; there is luggage storage at the airport for $5 per piece per day.

You can also take an official Panama City yellow taxi. They don’t operate by meter and it’s best to negotiate rates before you get in. An official taxi will usually charge $25-30 from the airport to the city center, though the price is typically higher at night or on Sundays. There is no need to tip unless you feel service is exceptional. If you’re connected to WiFi or have data, ordering an Uber is the painless way to get from the airport. Uber fares hover between $9-14 depending on the time of day and they’ll meet you at the parking bays right opposite arrivals.

There are also several car rental companies by the arrivals hall including Dollar, Sixt, Mex, Thrifty, Budget, and Hertz, should you wish to make your own way into the city. Parking is widely available though it pays to beware of “buen cuidados” who offer to help you park and then demand a fee. Driving within Panama City is fine but the roads outside the city (towards the interior and the San Blas Islands) are rugged and bumpy. Keep this in mind when selecting your vehicle.

How to spend a short layover at the Panama City airport

Tocumen Airport (PTY) has only one terminal; the second is under construction. Facilities include the usual duty-free stores, ATMs, currency exchange services, a food court, lounges (The Lounge Panama and a Copa Club lounge for Star Alliance members) and international stores such as Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Diesel, and Kate Spade. There are a few 24-hour cafes for quick bites. 

The airport is known for being air-conditioned and often extra cold, so make sure you have layers to shield you from the arctic blast. You can get 30 minutes of free WiFi (per device) by joining the Eurona network or the Airport_Tocumen. WiFi also available for purchase.

How to spend a short Panama City layover outside the airport

If you’re exploring the city in daylight, head directly to Casco Viejo, the dining and entertainment hotspot. It’s the second-most visited place in Panama after the canal and the area is a pleasure to discover on foot. Everything is conveniently located within walking distance: hotels, chic eateries, ice cream parlors, quaint cafes, churches, historical squares and shops. While here, get the quintessential souvenir, a Panama hat, from Victor’s Panama Hats or buy souvenirs and trinkets from indigenous Kuna women at the outdoor stalls in Plaza de la Independencia or along Paseo Estaban Huertas, a seafront walkway with a bougainvillea canopy that offers great views of the Bridge of the Americas.

From Casco Viejo you can take a stroll to Cinta Costera, a scenic walkway and park that goes along the Bay of Panama. On this palm tree-lined promenade, you'll find picnics, joggers, an open-air gym, the iconic kaleidoscopic Panama sign, and tons of fresh air. Cinta Costera stretches from Casco Viejo to Punta Paitilla and essentially links the old town with the new.

For nature lovers, Panama City is blessed with two tropical forests where you’ll spot monkeys, sloths, keel-billed toucans, and agoutis (called ñeques here) if luck is on your side. Take a taxi to Cerro Ancon or Parque Natural Metropolitano for sweeping panoramic views after a brisk hike of around 40 minutes each. From the top of Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill), you can see Panama City's impressive juxtaposition of new and old with Casco Viejo on your right, and the skyscrapers of “new Panama” on your left.

A layover in Panama City can easily be combined with a beach trip. Though Panama’s capital is a waterfront city, it’s along a bay, and there are no beaches within the city. However, there’s one 20 minutes away by taxi in Veracruz, where you’ll find numerous beachside bars—check out Praia, Veri Veri and Panorama—selling fresh seafood. 

Isla Taboga, the “Island of the Flowers,” is also just 30 minutes away from the city by ferry. The Taboga Express ferry departs from Panama between 8am and 4:30pm. The first ferry back from Taboga is at 8:45am and the last is at 4pm. Return tickets cost $20.

Seeing the Panama Canal on a layover

The Panama Canal is the city’s star attraction and it’s definitely worth it, particularly if you get to see ships passing through—or better yet, a cruise. You can visit the canal by heading to the Miraflores Visitor Center, where there are terraces and observation decks with varied views as well as a 3D IMAX theater and an interactive, multi-story museum. A visit to the museum takes about an hour and provides insight into how this marvelous feat of engineering tore the country apart to unite two oceans.

Ships pass through twice a day. To guarantee a sighting, it’s best to visit closer to 8am or in the afternoon after 2pm. The Miraflores Visitor Center is open daily from 8am-6pm. Entrance tickets are sold until 5:15pm at a cost of $20 for adults and $12 for children.

The easiest and fastest way to get to the Panamal Canal Miraflores Visitor Center from the Panama City Tocumen airport is by taxi or Uber. You do not need to join a tour to see the Panama Canal.

How to spend an overnight layover in Panama City 

Panama City’s nightlife keeps going till around 3am. The lion’s share of glittering bars and clubs are in Casco Viejo, which is also known for its multitude of rooftop bars, such as Tantalo, Salvaje, Casa Casco and Lazotea. You can also dine till late at several of these establishments.

Outside of Casco Viejo, you can pay a visit to Panaviera, Central America’s highest pool bar, which is on the 66th floor of the Ocean Sun Casino in the ritzy Punta Pacifica neighborhood. The casino is open 24 hours but Panaviera closes at 2am. If you’re still going after that, swing by El Apartamento y e El Sotano, which is open till 4am every day except Monday when it’s closed (as many Panamanian businesses are).

Book a hotel in Casco Viejo, as this is the one area you don’t want to miss and it has the highest concentration of entertainment options within a small area. If you’re looking for a hotel near the airport, the Crowne Plaza Airport and the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino are good options.

Need to Know 

• CURRENCY: US Dollar
• LANGUAGE: Spanish
• COST : $$ (out of $$$$$)
• BEST TIME TO GO: Dec-Apr

Currency in Panama

Panama has two official currencies: the Balboa (PAB) and the US dollar, which has been accepted as legal tender for over a century. The Balboa exists only in coin form.

There is a Travelex currency exchange service inside the airport and you can also get cash from ATMs (there are several in the airport).

Cost in Panama City

Panama is more affordable than neighboring Costa Rica but more expensive than Colombia. Expect to pay $10-20 for a dorm room and $70-120 for a mid-range, 3-star hotel. 

If you eat street food or at fondas (small, family-run diners with affordable meals), you can spend as little as $5 per meal. A mid-range dinner will hover around $15-20. A national beer is $3-5 and a cocktail or mixed drink costs $7-$10. Tax is added on top and it will appear on your bill as “ITBMS.” A bottle of water costs $1 but you can save money by refilling your own reusable water bottle; tap water is drinkable in Panama City.

Shopping at supermarkets may keep your food bill low though some items are particularly pricey, like avocados, cheese, and asparagus.

Weather & Best Time to Go to Panama City

Panama enjoys year-round warm weather and sunshine, with temperatures ranging between 75 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, but there are two distinct seasons: dry and rainy. 

The dry season (summer) runs from December to April, and is the most enjoyable time to visit. The rainy season is from May to November. The rainy season is more humid and you can expect roughly an hour of rain every day. 

Over four days in February, Panama hosts the biggest carnival celebration in Central America. The whole country comes alive making this one of the best times to visit. In Panama City, the festivities are concentrated around Avenida Balboa where you can expect a procession of floats, dancers, traditional attire and revelers in wacky costumes.

November is a month of public holidays. Panama celebrates not one but two independence days, the first commemorating their separation from Colombia (November 3) and the second to mark their liberation from the Spanish in 1821 (November 28). The Los Santos Shout (Primer Grito de Independencia de la Villa de Los Santos) is sandwiched in there on November 10. Subsequently, many businesses are closed throughout November, and Panama City becomes somewhat of a ghost town as residents flock to the inland towns and the beaches.

Safety in Panama City

Panama is ranked at 56 out of 163 countries in the 2020 Global Peace Index and it’s in the top three safest countries in Latin America. The president’s work quarters are situated in the tourist enclave of Casco Viejo, so there’s a strong security presence there, as well as dedicated tourist police. For added security, take Ubers at night rather than yellow taxis and, as with anywhere in the world, keep your wits about you.

Transport in Panama City

Panama has a robust network of clean, air-conditioned buses (Metro Bus) though some old “Diablo Rojo” jazzed-up school buses still serve some routes. You will need to purchase a Metro Bus pass before getting on a bus. You’ll need to scan it when you get on and each journey costs $0.25 Cents. 

Panama City also has a metro system that runs 5am to 10pm most days (with reduced hours on Sundays). A single journey costs $0.35 Cents.

The best way to get around is undeniably by taxi. Uber is legal and rides are alarmingly affordable; a 20-minute journey costs on average $3 within the city. Yellow taxis may be cheaper depending on where you’re going and traffic levels. Bear in mind that drivers of yellow taxis have an aversion to seatbelts—you’ll notice they’ve been ripped out of many cabs.

Food & Drink in Panama City

Be sure to try sancocho, Panama’s national dish. It’s a broth of chicken, corn on the cob, starchy vegetables and culantro (not to be confused with cilantro), and it’s reputed to be one of the best hangover cures in the world. Panama’s version of the snow cone, raspao, is a delightful refresher that’s often topped with condensed milk. 

Coffee lovers shouldn’t miss an opportunity to try Panamanian Geisha–one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Dubbed “the Champagne of coffees,” it incidentally tastes more like tea. Seafood lovers should visit the Mercado de Mariscos fish market for cheap and cheerful fresh ceviche and generous seafood portions. Typical Panamanian food can be enjoyed in Casco Viejo at Fonda Lo Que Hay or Diablicos restaurant.

Panama has a booming craft beer scene. One of the most prominent breweries is La Rana Dorada, which has a generous happy hour (half price beer all afternoon Monday to Saturday) and each new customer is gifted with a sample tray in the shape of a Panama Canal ship.

Spanish is the official language in Panama, though a strong ex-pat community and years of US influence means English is widely spoken—particularly in the restaurants, bars and shops of Casco Viejo where many visitors spend most of their time. It does help to speak a bit of Spanish but you can get by without it.

A hidden gem within the city is the Biomuseo (Bio Museum), a celebration of architecture and nature on the Amador Causeway, a stretch of land made with rocks and sand from the excavations of the Panama Canal. Frank Gehry designed the impressive, colorful structure and it’s his only work in Latin America. Visit the museum masterpiece to learn some mind-boggling facts about Panama and its ecological impact on the world. 

Don’t bother

Many guides will tell you to go to Panama Viejo, the archeological site where Panama City was situated before pirate Henry Morgan sacked the city in 1671. While these well-preserved ruins are indeed impressive, it’s a fair journey from the airport and the city center. Skip Panama Viejo. Instead, spot ruins right within the historic old town of Casco Viejo, including the ruins of Iglesia de Santo Domingo, the Iglesia de Compania de Jesus ruins, and parts of the city’s old defensive walls scattered around the four plazas.

Read our guide to booking a flight with a long layover , see Going's deals on flights to Panama City , and join today to get cheap flights from all over the world delivered right to your inbox.

Freelance Writer

Published November 30, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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Layover in Panama City – the ultimate guide 2024

Tocumen International Airport is the main international airport for Panama and is situated 14 miles from the center of the city. There are several options for getting into town, including a metro system. If you are on a short layover, you might want to consider using a taxi.

Panama City itself is a charming city with delightful architecture that lends itself to short-stay tourism. As the airport acts as a hub for many international flights, it is quite conceivable that you could find yourself stuck there while you wait for a connection. Rather than pacing the airport for hours, you could drop your luggage at a Panama luggage storage service and use the time to discover a new city.

If your stopover extends to an overnight stay, there will be plenty to keep you occupied. Here are some ideas to get you started.

6 hour layover in Panama City

Having gone through the usual rigmarole of collecting your suitcases and clearing customs, you are best off storing your bags at a Panama luggage storage and travelling light. You won’t have much time on your hands, so grab a taxi or jump on the metro and get to town as quickly as possible to make the most of your Panama airport layover.

A great place to start and one that will give you a feel for the city is the Casa Viejo district. Here, you can wander the cobbled streets and marvel at the quaint colonial architecture. The area is dotted with tiny churches as well as the San Jose Church with its famous golden altar. 

Built in 1670, this historic district was once the preserve of wealthy Panamanians. Today it houses a wide range of population groups and its classic buildings are thrown into contrast against the backdrop of modern high-rises that make up much of the rest of the city.

Even with very little time on your hands, you will be able to sample some of the unique atmosphere, sip a quiet coffee, and perhaps pick up a curio or two.

• The area is small enough to be enjoyed on foot.
• Allow yourself enough time to catch your connecting flight without stress.
• Storing your suitcases will make for a more pleasant experience.

8 hour layover in Panama City

That extra couple of hours means that you can afford to relax a little and perhaps enjoy a traditional meal at some stage during your venture. Yours will still be a short stopover so you will need to use your Panama City layover wisely. 

The diverse history of this country means that the cuisine has been heavily influenced by its colorful past. Here you will find dishes with a little Spanish, a little African, and a little Native American Indian influence all mixed together.

Of course, it is not just the diversity of cultures that influences a nation’s food choices. The local ingredients also weigh heavily on the way people cook. Along with an abundance of seafood, you will find yucca, maize, and plantains being incorporated into what are now traditional dishes.

Here are a few you should look out for: Carimanolas are stuffed yucca fritters, Sancocho is a chicken soup with herbs, and although Ropa Vieja translates to ‘old clothes’ it is actually a delicious beef stew. 

All of these dishes you will find easily while wandering through the historical streets of Casa Viejo or the neighboring San Felipe. From either of these suburbs, you are well-positioned for your return trip to the airport.

• Even if you lose some time traveling to and from the airport, eight hours still gives you a chance to get a feel for this city.
• Traveling light will enhance your experience so drop of those suitcases at a Panama luggage storage service.
• Don't try to cram in too many sites. Instead, focus on just one or two.

12 hour layover in Panama City

Twelve hours starts to feel like a lifetime if you are trapped in an airport, so use this long layover to dive into some of the Panamanian way of life. You won't be able to delve too deeply, but that doesn't prevent you from having some memorable experiences. 

If you have been to Panama, sooner or later somebody is going to ask you about that famous canal. The canal might only be 50 miles long but it sees more than 13 000 ships passing through each year, which makes it one of the busiest sea routes in the world.

One of the best places to see the canal and marvel at the heavy-duty traffic passing through is at the Miraflores locks. Here, a viewing point has been established so that people can get an overview of just what an impressive undertaking this engineering feat was.

If you plan carefully, you might still have time to include a visit to the Biomuseo . Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this museum celebrates the unique biological diversity that inhabits this Central American zone and provides a heavy emphasis on habitat preservation. Allow 1 – 2 hours for a complete tour.

• You will need to move around if you are going to explore more than one site so try to travel as light as possible.
• If you can, prepare your itinerary in advance so you can book ahead for site that might be busy.

24 hour layover in Panama City

On an overnight layover, you have the option of exploring further afield than you would on a short stopover. Panama city has some exciting attractions that are near enough to include in an overnight stay but might be just a little too far to include in a short layover.

The Metropolitan National Park is one of the few national parks that lie at the gateway to such a major city. Covering 265 hectares and containing 322 animal species and 227 species of birds, this is an ideal way to experience some of the unique flora and fauna of the area without having to venture too far from Panama City itself.

That visit would still leave you time to take in some of the city’s nightlife and one or two of the major tourist drawcards such as the canal or Calzada Amador. As far as nightlife is concerned, Panama City offers as wide a range of bars and nightspots as you might expect in any other international city, but with that added Latin touch to make things that little bit more exotic. 

• Twenty-four hours gives you the opportunity to try local cuisine, visit one or two sites such as Miraflores Locks and still experience the local nightlife.
• Even with a longer layover, you will still need to be selective and not try to do everything.
• Allow time to get back to the airport and make your connection without getting stressed.

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Panama City Private Layover (Stopover) Tour

Starting from $89/pers $99/pers

While waiting for your next flight take advantage of your extra time. This specialy designed layover/stopover tour is the best way to discover Panama City.

Here is the typical itinerary however it can be customized and adjusted based on your layover schedule and available time:

The Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Visitors Center & IMAX 3D $ Located right in front of the Miraflores locks on the Pacific side of Panama, this is where you can see up-close the operations of the canal and the transiting ships through one of the original locks. $ Tickets can be purchased onsite.

Canal Admin Building Located on the foothill of Cerro Ancon This building was inaugurated in 1914 as a landmark for Panamanian history and a centralized physical location for administrative activities.

Bridge of the Americas viewpoint This commemorative square outlines the Chinese efforts and contributions to the Panamanian economy and also serves as a beautiful viewpoint located right next to the Bridge of the Americas and the entrance of the Canal from the Pacific side.

Amador Causeway This gorgeous 6-kilometer road extension connects Panama City to several islands known as the Causeway Islands. It was initially built as a breakwater for the canal entrance from the rocks extracted during the excavation of the Panama Canal and now serves as an entertainment boardwalk and a popular social destination. It’s the ideal place for photo enthusiasts as you can capture a beautiful panoramic of the city’s skyline or a romantic sunset plunging into the ocean.

Days availables

We do offer longer layover tours ( contact us for more information and details )

• Private transportation
• Private guide
• Bottled water

Not included

• Entrance fee to Panama Canal Miraflores Visitors Center (tickets available for purchase during checkout)
• Lunch / Meals

What to bring

• Passports of all passengers (mandatory)
• Hat / Cap / Sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes
• Light & comfortable clothes
• Cash (USD) for meals and souvenirs
• Level: Easy
• Details: Little walking (1h to 2h), some stairs.
• Suggested age: All ages

Mi Pueblito

Street in Casco Viejo

Reservation

Searching Availability...

• Please note that currently the Miraflores visitors center is undergoing a major renovation. Because of that, the museum and exhibition halls are currently closed.
• This tour must be booked at least 2 days in advance of the tour date.
• Kids 0-5yo are always free
• Cancellation terms and conditions

Question about this tour?

• Secure payments
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Worry-Free cancellation
• Tailor-made
• Safe and secure
• Certified guides
• Fully insured for your peace of mind

GET AN EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE PANAMA'S HIDDEN GEMS, BEST RESTAURANTS, MOST FAMOUS SPOTS...

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Panama City Layover Tour – What to See & Do When Passing Through

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel and an important passage that affects 6% of the world’s commerce. Seeing this historic lock system in person has long been a bucket list item for this transportation nerd. After a two-year delay thanks to the pandemic, I finally got to check it out on a Panama City layover tour. In the process, I discovered so much more than the waterway the country is famous for. From a storied past to shiny glass towers shooting 75 stories up, this is my Panama City layover tour experience along with why I think it’s worth seeing, nerd or not.

Table of Contents

See Panama City With a Local

I booked my Panama City layover tour with Toursbylocals , a company that connects travellers with experienced local guides passionate about their home country and backyards. I used Toursbylocals in Bavaria a few years back and had a great and memorable day out. This Panama City layover tour was no different and even started off with excellent customer service. Somewhere between Cancun and Panama City, I received an email indicating that my tour guide had fallen ill. By the time I landed, Toursbylocal already had another guide lined up and on his way to the airport. Well done!

How Long Do You Need for a Panama City Layover Tour?

For a Panama City layover tour, I recommend six hours minimum between flights. This will allow for customs, traffic, and checking back in at the end of the tour.

What Can You See on a Panama City Layover Tour?

On my Panama City layover tour, I had a full 12 hours. This was more than enough time to have breakfast then visit Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo, the Amador Causeway, and watch some a couple of ships pass through the Miraflores locks. I also stopped for a meal in the city before being dropped up with three hours to spare.

Panama Viejo (Old Panama)

After about 40 minutes to deplane and clear customs, I made my way to the airport exit. There I was met by Miguel, my Toursbylocal guide for the day. After welcoming me to his country, we were off.

Miguel laid out the plan for the day using a map of the city to illustrate both the geography and the tour through history we were about to make.

This started with a visit to Panama Viejo. Also known as “Old Panama,“ this area contains the remains of the original Panama City. It’s now a world heritage site that visitors can wander through…except when it’s closed on Mondays, the day of my visit. No worries though as Miguel gave me a great rundown of the history while viewing the ruins from the car.

Panama Viejo dates back to 1519 and was the first permanent settlement by Europeans in the Pacific. Established by the Spanish, it quickly became a jumping-off point for many expeditions in South America for gold and silver and prospered as such. This wealth, however, also caught the eye of pirates and privateers. The city was subject to several attacks with the last by Morgan Henry who left the town in ruins in 1671.

Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)

After the destruction of Old Panama, the settlement moved several kilometres southwest to its present-day location. Casco Viejo, or the Old Quarter, is the heart of this resettlement and the most scenic area of the city. Miguel took me on a guided walk of the Quarter highlighting historical buildings in squares along the way. This included the French Plaza, Bolivar Plaza, the National Theater Presidential Plaza, Independence Plaza, Saint Joseph Church (Home of the Golden Altar), and the Basilica of Santa Maria la Antigua. The latter was beautifully renovated for the Pope’s visit in 2019.

Casco Viejo is currently undergoing a transformation with plenty of restoration projects underway. There are a ton of trendy hotels, cafés, and restaurants to enjoy with plenty more on the way. Thanks to the area’s cobblestone roads and colourful buildings, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular place to visit and stay in Panama City.

Amador Causeway

After enjoying a nice view of the city from Casco Viejo, this Panama City layover tour continued along the Amador Causeway. During the construction of the Panama Canal, 300 million yards of rock and dirt were excavated with some of it creating the six-kilometre long causeway. This road connects four small Islands to the mainland. Originally built as a breakwater for the canal entrance, the islands were fortified during the Second World War. Today it is a popular local hang out with bike rentals and restaurants along the way. It’s also an excellent place to view the city and ships waiting to enter the canal.

Well enjoying the view, Miguel pointed out a bird that was diving into the water for fish. I let them know that it looked a lot like an Arctic Tern, a bird I would watch do the same thing growing up in northern Canada. I looked it up on my phone and sure enough, it was an Arctic Tern. It was a really cool thing to see some 5,500 km into its migration to or from the north.

Panama Canal

Now typically on a Panama City layover tour, visitors would head to the canals Miraflores Visitors Center. Since I was visiting on a Monday, this too wasn’t open.

Not to be defeated, Miguel an app to track the current traffic through the locks. With that, we were able to align a drive along the canal while watching a massive tanker make its way through. After checking out the Panama Canal administration building, we crossed over the Centennial Bridge for an incredible birdseye view of the canal. From there you can really see the carved out mountains and terrace-like rock shelves cut along the way. This feat would be a hell of an accomplishment today. The fact that the canal was built in the early 1900s is mind-blowing. This, as Miguel explained, came at a cost.

An estimate of 25,000 people lost their lives during the construction, many to malaria and yellow fever. The bulk of these deaths came under the watch of the French, who in the 1880s, attempted to build the cancel. They were led by Ferdinand de Lesseps and were unprepared for the jungle climate. Ferdinand de Lesseps was the architect of the much larger Suez Canal and approached the Panama Canal with naivety. This ultimately lost him the project and the United States bought the rights in 1904.

From the bridge, we made our way to the entrance of the Miraflores locks to watch the ship tie off for its journey through. Interestingly, the old locks only have a little over a metre of space on either side for large ships. As such, electric locomotives guide the ships through. On the larger and newer locks, there is more space and this is not a requirement.

Downtown Panama City Towers and Shops

As we watched the ships go through the locks, Miguel let me know that millions of dollars in fees are collected per day from the ships passing through. Revenue hit 3.4 billion Panamanian Balboa (1:1 to USD) in 2020. Suddenly, the massive glass towers in Panama City started to make sense. Even more so since the country ended its original agreement with the United States and took full control of the locks on December 31, 1999.

The amount of money funnelling through has brought big banks, chain hotels, and designer brand stores. As such, downtown Panama City is unlike any other city in Central America.

Although interesting, there is nothing authentic to this. To get a little more culture before heading to the airport, I asked Miguel to take me to a local eatery for some Panamanian food. This included Pollo Al Ajillo (Panamanian Garlic Chicken), beans and rice, and Patacones (fried plantain chips). I also tried a salted deep-fried fish ball which was tasty.

After our meal, Miguel took me back to the airport concluding my excellent Panama City layover tour. As mentioned, 12 hours was more than enough time to take in the city and its surrounding sights. Although I highly recommend visiting on any day except Monday so you can get to the Miraflores Visitors Centre and tour Panama Viejo, Miguel was able to fill the gap with his local knowledge and love for his hometown. This really highlights the value of visiting somewhere with a local. It can make all the difference and is a curated and cultured way to visit somewhere new. Companies like ToursbyLocals do a great job of doing just that!

For the full Panama City tour itinerary along with how you can book this tour for yourself, check out the ToursbyLocals website!

What say you? Thoughts on this  Panama City Layover Tour ? Let’s hear it!

For more reviews from Central America  and beyond see HERE .

— ToursbyLocals on Facebook — — ToursbyLocals on Twitter   —

Although I was provided with a complimentary tour of Panama by  ToursbyLocals , the experience, opinions, and friendly experience are my own.

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6 Things to do on a layover at Panama City Airport

Many regional and longer-haul flights fly through the modern Panama City Airport, leaving many travellers with layovers. Long layovers can be annoying, frustrating, or just downright boring, but you can avoid all that with these six things to do on your layover at Panama City Airport:

1. Get something to eat

2. Visit the lounge

3. Shop til you drop

4. Go sightseeing

Public bus routes provide frequent, cheap connections to downtown, but will take about 50 minutes to reach the city center. Cut that time in half by opting for a licensed taxi waiting outside the airport. Travellers have reported a luggage storage area where you can pay per day.

Once in Panama City, head directly to Casco Viejo , the historic heart of the city. Stroll winding alleys, view well-preserved churches and architecture, pop into souvenir and art shops, and explore numerous restaurants, bars, and rooftop lounges. Contrast this area with the ultra-modern, newly built skyscrapers and international shops along Avenida Balboa , which follows Panama Bay .

If you’d rather see the Panama Canal , your best bet is to join a tour. There are many operators to choose from, and some even pick up at the airport. These can be as short as 3 hours, so you may be able to squeeze one in on slightly shorter layovers but do plan ahead. Tours often stop at the Gatun Lake outdoors area, too.

Whether you spend your layover in the city or exploring nearby nature, leave plenty of time to make that next flight!

WiFi is free for 30 minutes (as per a reader in 2019) per device. After that, you’ll have to pay for a 24-hour WiFi session.

These are just a few things to do on a layover at Panama City Airport. Visit our Panama City Airport Guide for more information about the services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.

• Panama City Tocumen Airport Guide
• Panama City Tocumen Airport Lounges
• Panama City Tocumen Airport Reviews
• Panama City Tocumen Airport Sleep Guide
• Things to do at Panama City Tocumen Airport
• Panama City Tocumen Airport Layover Sightseeing
• Airport Guides
• Airport Hotels
• Airport Reviews
• Things to do on a Layover
• Airport Layover Sightseeing
• Airport Lounges
• Buy a Lounge Pass
• Airport Lounge Pass FAQ
• Write an Airport Review
• Sleeping in Airports FAQ
• About Sleeping in Airports
• Press & Media
• Privacy Policy
• 2024 Airport Survey
• Write a Review

Toll Free:   (315) 210-8559 [email protected]

Eco Tours PANAMA

CAR HIRE WITH DRIVER

Each and every group has different requirements, and no travel situations are exactly the same. for this reason, we aim to tailor our services in accordance with your individual needs. the service we offer includes a driver, there is no self-drive option. we offer the choice of  large vans 9 seater, coaster bus 20 seater, and coach 40 seater .

Hiace Large Van City Tours, Eco Tours For up 14 passengers

Perfect for navigate the city, the old town, and the modern city. With safety belt per each seat.

Coaster Bus  City Tours, Eco Tours For up to 22 passengers

Perfect for navigate the city, the old town, and the modern city. 

Coach Bus  City Tours, Eco Tours  For up to 44 passengers

Tripadvisor reviews.

Panama Layover Tour

We took a 5 hour layover tour of Panama, we really enjoyed it. It turned out to be a private tour and our guide Rafael was very knowledgeable giving us the insights of Panama. We got a chance a to see the Big ships moving across Panama Canal. Rafael went about and beyond to give us the best tour of Panama. I would definitely recommend it.

Excellent Service and Very Reliable

Our round trip transfers with R & E were seamless. I had not used this company before but I plan to deal with them exclusively on future trips to Panama.

PERFECT layover in Panama - we loved it!

Rafeal's tour of Panama was exactly what we were looking for! Our friendly, knowledgeable guide met us on arrival and took us to the main sites of the city. He called ahead to the Canal to see when the boats were coming through and rushed over there first so we could see a freighter going through the locks. We learned so much and it was a very easy day.

Meet The Team

Manuel 

He started working with us in 2013, and is very knowledgeable about all sightseeing in Panama.  

Edwing 

Edwing speaks English, Spanish and French, With over 7 years of experience dealing with international guests.

Rafael 

Rafael speaks Spanish & English and will assist you with your bookings.

Enrique Levy 

Fully bilingual and experienced guide.

CONTACT US Office: Business Point, Peru Ave. Office 25 Panama: +507 6253-8109 (WhatsApp) USA & Canada Toll Free:  (315) 210-8559 [email protected] [email protected] Partnership with Reluxus Tours Panama S.A. licensed tour operator.

Thank you for your message. We will respond to you as soon as possible. If there is anything at all that we could help you with please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone +507 62538109

Long Airport Layover? 30 Creative Things You Can Do To Pass the Time

Updated: September 26, 2023

Have you ever heard the term airport layover ? Have you ever heard it expressed as long airport layover ? If so, you may be wondering just what are long airport layovers?

What is an airport layover? A layover flight "is a period of rest or waiting before a further stage in a journey. It is a stop between flights."

Usually there are a number of reasons for layover flights:

• Planned - You plan for the layover while making your travel itinerary or a layover is the only itinerary that you could make work to get to your destination.
• Unplanned - Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, flight delays (which can then cause missed connections), mechanical issues, staffing, or canceled flights.
• Traveler Error - You miss your flight by not allowing enough time to get through security, customs, or long airport lines.

Whether your long airport layover is planned or unplanned, layovers are not always a fun part of travel. And your next question should be, "How to survive a long layover?"

Incheon, Korea airport layover

Stuck at the Airport?

Layovers are especially not fun when you are stuck on an airplane due to a mechanical issue. If you don't have access to WiFi to help pass the time or even some snacks when you miss a meal, this delay becomes miserable as it drags on and on and on.

Let's face it, when you arrive at an airport and have a long layover looming in front of you, sometimes you just want to invent time travel and beam ahead to your final destination.

The best thing to do is to plan ahead for ways to survive a long travel layover . If your airport layover is a scheduled part of your itinerary, you have the advantage of scoping out things to do in the airport (or outside of the airport) in advance.

If your airport layover is unplanned, use this list of preplanned ideas and long flight layover tips to discover what you CAN do to help to pass the time.

I recommend always packing travel essentials in your backpack or handbag.

While non-stop flights go straight from Point A to Point B, when your flight stops somewhere else en route to your final destination, it’s called a layover.

~ Scott's Cheap Flights

>> Related: 10 Best Travel Essentials for Long Haul Flights and Long Layovers

What is the Difference Between a Travel Layover vs Stopover vs Connecting Flight?

A LAYOVER is a stop between a flight that goes from Point A to Point B.

A layover vs a CONNECTING FLIGHT involves a travel itinerary where you have to take two or more flights  to reach your final destination. It means that you are traveling without any direct flights.

A layover vs a STOPOVER gives you the opportunity to explore a city that is en route to or on the way home from your final destination. It is like getting two vacations for the price of one ; however, stopovers aren’t as available as they used to be.

The difference between a layover and a stopover is the amount of time you spend in your stop before reaching your final destination.

• Domestic Flights - most airlines define a layover as a stop that is less than four hours. It becomes a stopover if it's longer than four hours.
• International Flights - a layover is said to be a stop that is less than 24 hours; a stopover is defined as spending more than 24 hours in a city.

See Tip #30 to learn more about Stopovers .

30 Things You Can Do To Pass the Time on a Long Airport Layover

Take advantage of your downtime during an airport layover to catch a few zzzzz's. This is where ear plugs, noise canceling headphones, eye masks and neck pillows such as Trtl come in handy.

Be sure to have someone you trust wake you up or set a timer on your phone that you will either feel through vibrations or hear so you don't sleep through the boarding for your next flight.

If you are completely exhausted, you may just be happy with some floor space and not even care where you are sleeping! The above photo shows my girls completely exhausted on a return trip from the Philippines.

Create the habit of always flying with a light jacket or even a scarf that you can use for a layover travel blanket. If you are traveling solo and wish to keep your personal items secure, try using them as a pillow.

2. Book a Minute Suite

Image courtesy of Minute Suites

If you happen to be grounded for an airport layover in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Dallas-Forth Worth, Detroit, LaGuardia, Nashville, or Philadelphia, check into the new Minute Suites .

Minute Suites offer private rooms in airport terminals once you are past security where you can sleep, relax, work or enjoy a little quiet time. These suites are especially helpful if you are traveling with small children who could benefit from a nap.

If you know you are scheduled for an airport layover at one of the airports listed above, call ahead to reserve your space. The private retreats fill up quickly. The suites can be booked for one hour, two hours, an extended eight-hour stay, or options in between.

3. Read a Magazine or an eBook

Flipster Magazine Options

A long layover is the perfect time to catch up on reading a book from your favorite author. I highly recommend eBooks as they can be downloaded to a tablet or phone and do not take up any extra space or add to the weight of your personal items.

Be sure to download your eBooks or magazines in advance. This is especially important if your delay is caused by an unforeseen issue (ie., mechanical or weather) while you are sitting on an airplane waiting to take off or deplane and do not have access to WiFi.

If your library participates , you can "check out" their online selection of magazines, audio books, movies, music, and ebooks that can be downloaded to your phone, tablet or PC at no charge. You will need a valid library card and time to download each item before you leave home or when you have access to WiFi.

Library services include:

4. Watch a Movie or TV Show

Want to pass the time on a layover flights watching movies or binge-watching your favorite TV Show? If you do not have a WiFi connection, this is another one of those long layover ideas where you will need to be prepared and download your entertainment options in advance .

If you have access to WiFi in the airport, you can possibly stream your entertainment options.

Where to find movies that you can download ?

• Check out your local library for the options they offer
• Amazon Prime
• Hulu , Disney+ , Discovery+
• Rent or buy movies on iTunes

My husband ALWAYS reminds our girls to download their movies a couple of days before we leave on vacation. Inevitably they leave it until the last minute!

Did you know that you could watch a movie at the Hollywood Theatre at Portland International Airport? Once you are through security, enjoy the free 22-seat microcinema at PDX on Concourse C .

5. Catch Up on Your Favorite Podcasts

Do you love to listen to podcasts? When you have a little extra time due to an airport layover, catch up on your favorite podcasts or search for new and interesting content to add to your listening library.

What is your favorite podcast?

6. Listen to music

The benefit of listening to music during a travel layover is that you can do it while you also do a lot of other things on this list of long flight layover ideas. Be sure to download your playlists, especially if you are using a streaming service such as Spotify.

7. Create a Christmas Wishlist on Amazon

It is always a perfect time to create a wishlist on Amazon , whether for Christmas, your birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or your next anniversary.

Whether you are new to travel or are an experienced traveler, you might be inspired with new gift and gear ideas to make your trips more enjoyable or streamlined.

• Amazing Amazon Prime Day Deals for Travelers
• Gift Ideas for Adventure Seeking Women
• 19 Top Travel Gifts Guys Love
• Essential Travel Gear and Gift Ideas for Adventure Seekers
• 41 Coolest Gift Ideas for Travelers (That They Actually Want!)
• 14 Genius Gadgets for Travel
• 15 Popular Photography Gadgets

8. Check and Post to Your Social Media

Do I really even need to suggest this idea? No doubt, if you have a spare moment or want to pass the time as you stand in line while traveling, you are checking or posting to your social media : Twitter, TikTok, Facebook , Instagram , Threads or Pinterest .

While you have a travel layover, you will have plenty of time to update your status.

9. Research Your Destination and Review Your Itinerary

An airport layover is also the perfect time to review your itinerary and do a little more research on your destination. You can make a dinner reservation, check for Broadway Play tickets, finalize your train schedule, or double check your hotel and apartment bookings .

Booking.com

10. Plan Your Next Trip

If you are still wondering what to do in an airport during a layover, here's an idea: plan your next trip ! Seriously! Do you have a bucket list? How about some frequent flyer miles to be used?

Hint * If you haven't already signed up for frequent flyers miles, now would be a good time to do it!

11. Play a Game

If you have had a long and tiring day of travel and now find yourself with hours to kill on an airport layover, sometimes the best option is to play a game that doesn't require much brain power. Allow yourself some downtime.

12. Catch up on Travel Blogging or Journaling

Are you like me and have a long list of journaling topics to catch up on? Or maybe you need to blog about or journal your recent trip ; an airport layover is a great time for writing.

I always travel with my iPad, a keyboard, a notebook, and a pen. When I travel, I record details and destinations, mishaps and memories all along the way that I can then use to create travel posts with detailed supplemental information.

If you keep a list of travel topics, be sure to snap a picture of your written page or keep a Note on your device for reference.

13. Meet New People

Are you the kind of person who strikes up a conversation with people around you? A travel layover allows you plenty of time to make new friends and meet new people. If they are on a travel layover as well, they may be the perfect sounding board for sharing your frustrations.

Or maybe you can begin to collect recipes or stories from the people you meet around the world.

14. People Watch

If you would just prefer to people watch, the airport can be a pretty entertaining place. #peopleoftheairport #peopleoftheworld #peopleofinstagram

Create a theme for your photos such as #peopleservingpeople . You'll be amazed at the kindness you find when you look for it. Tag @simplyjolayne or use #simplyjolaynetravels . I would love to see what you share.

15. Exercise

Do your body a favor and just walk around the airport. Take advantage of this downtime to stretch before boarding your next flight.

Do a little research in advance to find out if your layover airport has a gym or workout facilities.

16. Charge Your Devices

What to do if your flight is delayed three hours or more. Make sure to charge your devices while you wait!

Most airports have updated their gate facilities and offer plentiful outlets to travelers. You may find the outlets at your seat or at a charging tower close to your gate. However, if this is not the case for you, I highly recommend traveling with a portable charger.

A portable charger is one of the top travel gadgets that I always recommend.

Having a charged phone is essential for a variety of reasons on your airport layover:

• Use the alarm so you don't sleep through your boarding call
• Rebook to a new flight
• Receive alerts
• Entertain yourself
• Connect with family and friends

Treat yourself to a nice meal. Depending on your seat assignment, you may not have the option of eating the "oh so delicious" airplane food later.

You might even luck out and find a nice restaurant serving local cuisine.

Always, always, always travel with snacks in your backpack or travel bag. Bring snacks you enjoy that will be filling as well.

18. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is a basic need we tend to forget while traveling . If you don't already have a water bottle, buy a water bottle from one of the snack shops at the airport. Refill as needed and stay hydrated as you wait.

19. Visit the Airport Lounge

There are quiet places in an airport where you can get away from the noise and activity of the airport terminal. Airport lounges are great for spending time before your flight, but they are even more awesome if you are on a long layover and just need a place to relax and recharge. You will often find free food and drinks, lots of seating, and free Wi-Fi.

Some lounges have additional amenities such as showers and nap pods, spas, massage chairs, barbershops, and workout equipment.

Our family's best airport layover experience was at the Incheon Airport in Korea. Not only was it a beautiful airport, but the lounge was top notch. I can now say that I have showered in Korea.

You may be able to gain access to Airport Lounges in a few different ways:

• Credit card benefits
• Purchase a membership pass with Priority Pass
• First Class or Business Class benefits when you fly internationally on many airlines
• Elite Status perks for loyal customers on some airlines
• Purchase one-time access

20. Chat With Friends and Family via Texts or Facetime

A great way to pass the time while at the airport is to chat or text with family and friends. It is also important to let them know of the delay and potential change to your itinerary.

Just be mindful of keeping your device charged as video chats can use your phone's battery quickly.

21. Explore the Airport

What to do during a three-hour layover?

If you have the time during your airport layover, explore your airport concourse. You may find access to a quiet balcony, locate a cool tourist shop, or find the perfect spot for lunch. The added benefit of exploring the airport is that you can get in some steps for the day.

If you have not checked your luggage, you will need to take it with you. Never trust a stranger to "watch your stuff".

22. Catch Up on Work

My husband regularly has 1000+ new email notifications in his inbox. Not all are essential to check right away, but when he has an airport layover, it is the perfect time to knock out replies to a few of those emails.

If you are a travel blogger, this is a great time to work on your next post or brainstorm ideas for future posts.

23. Learn a Language

If you are traveling overseas and have layovers for international flights, take some time to learn basic phrases in the country's language: thank you, please, hello, goodbye, where is the restroom?

If you are ready to dive deeper into a new language, how about a language app to help you on your journey?

24. Pamper Yourself

Have you ever thought about getting a massage, manicure, or pedicure at the airport? Most of the time you are busy getting to and from your destination without wanting to spend extra time in the airport. BUT... on a long layover, pampering yourself is the perfect solution.

Xpress Spa  operates in many airports around the world, offering neck and back massages, foot massages, pedicures, manicures, even virtual reality relaxation. When you have a few hours to spare at the airport, pampering yourself seems like the obvious solution.

Having stopped at a few airports around the world, I can say that the Incheon International Airport in Korea has the nicest shopping area that I have ever experienced in an airport. It looks as though it is a high-end mall with options such as Gucci and Prada mixed among the duty-free shops. In my opinion, it is one of the best airports for layovers.

Even if you are only window shopping, you'll enjoy the break from sitting at your gate.

26. Ask For an Upgrade

No doubt you've already looked into the possibility of changing to an earlier flight, but if that isn't possible, you could ask the gate agent for a seat change or upgrade, food vouchers for the airport, or vouchers to use on your next flight.

You won't be the only one asking, so if you are going to check into an upgrade or wish to see if there is an earlier flight , time is of the essence.

27. Take Pics, Organize and Edit Your Photos

Raise your hand if you are still taking pictures at the airport while you wait. 🙋

You also have the time to sort through all of the photos you just took on vacation, reminisce over your favorites, and edit your photos with a photo-editing app such as Adobe Lightroom .

28. Freshen Up

There is something about travel that can make me look like a hot mess. You too? Be sure to have a layover travel bag packed with some essential toiletries to help you feel refreshed and ready for the next leg of your journey.

You may wish to:

• Brush your teeth
• Take a shower
• Touch up your makeup
• Comb your hair

29. Get Your Shoes Shined

With travel attire so informal, shoeshine services at airports may seem, like pay phones, to be on the way out. But in the most recent  passenger amenities survey  conducted by Airports Council International–North America, the number of airports with shoeshine stands (about 50) exceeds those with business centers and TSA PreCheck enrollment stations.  ~ USA Today

If you happen to be flying in or out of Denver International Airport, Executive Shine is a great place to stop.

My husband, a frequent business traveler , is also a frequent shoe shine customer.

30. Plan Your Layover as a "StopOver" and Take a Day Trip Out of the Airport

Day trip to Seoul, Korea

What? Can you plan a layover daytrip? Yes. If your layover is long enough, you can plan to leave the airport and explore your layover city . Feel free to sign up for a tour, rent a car for the day, go visit friends, or explore a new city.

A stopover is the perfect opportunity to add a new destination city to your itinerary.

Ever hear of United's Excursionist Perk program to use with your stopovers? Members of United's MileagePlus Program qualify with these stipulations:

• "The Excursionist Perk cannot be in the MileagePlus defined region where your travel originates. (For example, if your journey begins in North America, you will only receive the Excursionist Perk if travel is within a region outside of North America.) Travel must end in the same MileagePlus defined region where travel originates.
• The cabin of service and award inventory of the free one-way award is the same or lower than the one-way award preceding it.
• If two or more one-way awards qualify for this benefit, only the first occurrence will be free." United

The Points Guy does a good job of explaining the ins and outs of the Excursionist Perk program and how to book a layover on United award travel.

As noted at the beginning of this article, stopovers aren’t as widely available as they used to be. If you happen to have the time on a stopover and wish to leave the airport, you will want to take note of the following:

• If you need to recheck any baggage, be sure to budget enough extra time to wait for your bag to be offloaded and then rechecked before leaving the stopover airport
• Be sure to pack a backpack to take with you
• Bring your ID
• Find out if you need a visa for your stopover country
• Try to facilitate your stopover during the day
• Check out available tours from the airport
• Make sure you can use your credit card or carry some cash to exchange in a pinch
• Plan enough time to go back through security

Improve Your Airport Layover with These Apps

• Lightroom for photo organizing and editing
• Weather.com to check the weather if you plan to leave the airport on a day trip
• Podcasts - Android and iOS
• Messaging and Facetime Apps
• The flight app for your airline (ie., United )
• A Note-taking app

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a layover.

A layover is usually defined as any connection of less than four hours on a domestic flight or less than 24 hours for an international flight.

Do airlines pay for layovers?

It depends. While some airlines may provide a hotel stay for a layover longer than 8 hours, others require a layover to be longer than 12 hours. And even then, some will only provide the hotel stay if the layover is caused by an airline delay or mechanical issues.

Do I have to collect my luggage on a layover?

If your layover flight is booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination.

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Final thoughts on long airport layovers and 30 creative things you can do to pass the time.

If you have ever experienced a layover, particularly an unplanned layover, you may wish to title this post, "How to Survive the Airport Layover from Hell" or "Surviving your Nightmare Airport Layover" . However you choose to describe the experience, a little bit of preplanning can go a long way in helping you to pass the time on your next layover.

Seriously, if I knew that I had a planned travel layover on the way home from Italy and scheduled a massage at the airport, I would be looking forward to that stop!

On the other hand, I have chatted with my husband on numerous flight layovers and delays where his plane sat ten feet from the jetway for over two hours waiting for staff to be available to allow passengers to deplane. Those moments are frustrating beyond belief when all you want to do is go home.

Even in those frustrating moments, having a movie to watch or a book to read will help pass the time.

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