The <24 hour 'stopover' - your experiences

[SeatBackForward]

I will have a 23hr 55min stoppover in LHR next week. My inbound flight just misses QF2.

 

[JohnK]

I have done this a few times through the years.

ZRH, HEL, BRU, ATH, SIN, HKG, TPE, JFK, TPA.

If I am feeling OK I will get out and about but a lot of times I am too tired so just relax in hotel.

 

[dajop]

Sometimes it's 24 hrs. Sometimes it's early am to late pm, but either way, with a little bit of planning (more so for cities I've never been too) can be useful way of extending the award bookings, round the world/circle trips or just extending a transit/adjusting to jet lag on a work trip where the destination is less exciting.

Some of the places on my list include LAX, SFO, ORD, NYC, MIA, LHR, TXL, BRU, BCN, ZRH, LIM and HKG. All good in their own way, and always happy to do this if I get the chance to in New York or London enroute to elsewhere without any planning whatsoever. I'm even happy to venture out for layovers as short as four hours and have done so for 4-6 hr layovers in HKG, KIX, SIN, BKK, SYD, PVG and even NRT (to Narita township not Tokyo which is way too far).

 

[footy99]

I quite enjoyed a 6am-11pm transit in JNB last time. Caught Gautrain to the slow lounge in Sandton for the morning, dropped bags off and had a wander around Sandton before being picked up and headed into Orlando, Soweto, for an afternoon soccer match, tour of Mandela's place and early dinner. Different lifestyle to Sandton out there! Returned to slow lounge briefly to pick up stuff then back on the train to the airport by 8.

Have done similar in many places - LHR, CDG, BCN, MAD, BUD, HKG, KUL, BKK, NRT, ORD, LIM, BOG, EZE that I can recall. The trick to those am-pm ones is getting plenty of sleep on the plane - too often the great plan is ruined by just being wrecked and wanting to crash, but I'm glad I did that JNB one. The full 20+ hour ones are much better.

 

[cambriamarsh]

My first trip to the UK 25 years ago had an am-pm in Honolulu. I was much younger then and had a great time on the beach before heading to LA.

Swmbo and I had an early late pm is SYD on our way to the UK a few years ago. A very relaxing time, an early dinner then on the plane to SIN and off to sleep. I think it helped the overall jet lag.

Definitely recommend.

 

[LadyC]

It wasn't a transit so to speak but did a 24 hour stop in RGN as part of an el cheapo fare a few years ago. It gave us an opportunity to see a few pagodas and parks before leaving to hear of to Europe.

 

[cmon0005]

Last week in J on QR flight CGG/DOH stop 20 hours then DOH to PER, at check in they refused to offload our luggage at DOH due to being under 24hour stopover, yet sent on same flight we were on later, protested to QR manger but she would not give in, lucky as seasoned travellers we had spare set clothes and few toiletries in small carry on, so we got by.

Funny that you mention this I have an upcoming QR set of flights in F to DOH then about 20-21 hours in DOH (staying at W Doha) followed by a J flight late the next day.
I asked the same question recently, as I am travelling with an infant and need access to the infant bag during the 20+hours layover and there is only so much I can put into my backpack (nappies, creams, clothes.etc.).
Not sure what the rationale is behind them not allowing your bag off, did they give a reason?

 

[drron]

We do schedule these sometimes.One is on this current trip.Coming home have an AA award DFW-LAX-NRT.Approx 23 hours transit in LAX.We hire a car and go to Cammarillo or Carlsbad for a last outlet shop for mrsdrron.This time Camarillo.

 

[boomy]

Good thread. I love doing <24hr stopovers, especially when traveling solo.

HKG is always fun, can do so much depends on the length of stay. I've done CityGate outlets and the big Buddha on short transits up to 6 hours. For overnight Macau is good option if landing in HKG before last ferry leaves (I took the ferry from HK station once and it was too much waste of time). Unlike the OP, I thought Macau worth an overnight trip. Enjoy the lights at night, do some historic tours during the day, enjoy a good meal and back to airport. I've stayed a few times in HK island and Kowloon during overnight stopovers to catch up with friends who live there. On my most recent 8 hours transit I just stayed at airport, did lounge crawl and took a nap in the cabana but I guess that doesn't count

HND was nice overnight stopover. Stayed at Shinjuku, good nightlife scene there and the the next day spent a few hours walking around exploring the gardens and enjoying some Japanese food before taking the shuttle to NRT.

BKK recent stopover was similar to what Smit0847 described: wasted a lot of time in traffic on the way to Conrad. Had some drinks in the lounge (probably not the best idea after coming from day flight in F ) then went to party at Khao San Road. The next morning we spent our remaining half day relaxing by the pool and going out just to have massage.

Had some other less memorable stopovers but by far the BEST ones were in CDG. My first transit there was daytime, I had about 12 hours total between flights (7am to 7pm) so went to explore Paris. Had some good luck with weather and managed to see and do so much that when I showed people all the photos I took everyone thought I've stayed there at least 2 days!
Being so happy with my daytime experience I've planned an overnight stopover next time in CDG (6pm to 1pm). This time I was less lucky with weather, it was constantly drizzling but nevertheless had good time exploring Paris at night and even got to sample all kinds of local dishes and wines at a busy night market along the Champs Élysées.

Later this year I'll probably have 10 hour transit in NRT (9am to 7pm) and thought to contact this tour company:
http://naritatours.jp/
Anyone had positive experience with them? Does it worth taking guided tour around Narita or can just explore solo? Any advice appreciated.

 

[dajop]

Later this year I'll probably have 10 hour transit in NRT (9am to 7pm) and thought to contact this tour company:
Narita Rainbow Tours
Anyone had positive experience with them? Does it worth taking guided tour around Narita or can just explore solo? Any advice appreciated.

From memory, when I visited Narita township during a transit, from exiting immigration in T2 to reaching Narita township took about 20 mins or so, the train ride itself is only 7 or 8 mins. It was very easy to get there, very easy to walk around and find the sights, some interesting temples, nice gardens, and certainly plenty of local places to eat (although I didn't have time to sit down and eat). What I did/saw doesn't sound too different to what the tour company is offering.

 

[seanpodge]

I often take the chance to have a day in Singapore if the schedule lines up nicely. The ease and speed of getting to and from the airport along with non existent immigration queues and security at the gate helps greatly in this regard. Have also done this in Beijing (connecting domestic to international) where the Airport Express Line helps a lot.

On this topic, I was considering doing a little shopping trip in LA while I had 9 hours on Monday but the lack of luggage storage at LAX put paid to that. Is it really so hard to have such facilities at major airports or is security theater that important?

 

[dajop]

but the lack of luggage storage at LAX put paid to that. Is it really so hard to have such facilities at major airports or is security theater that important?

They certainly have it at SFO. All luggage x-rayed prior to storage, so the security theatre remains intact.

 

[RooFlyer]

Good thread. Have planned a number over the years. A bit preoccupied with a current TR but will revert. In the meantime, my question re a HKG stopover received a number of great replies.

 

[smit0847]

Later this year I'll probably have 10 hour transit in NRT (9am to 7pm) and thought to contact this tour company:
http://naritatours.jp/
Anyone had positive experience with them? Does it worth taking guided tour around Narita or can just explore solo? Any advice appreciated.

From memory, when I visited Narita township during a transit, from exiting immigration in T2 to reaching Narita township took about 20 mins or so, the train ride itself is only 7 or 8 mins. It was very easy to get there, very easy to walk around and find the sights, some interesting temples, nice gardens, and certainly plenty of local places to eat (although I didn't have time to sit down and eat). What I did/saw doesn't sound too different to what the tour company is offering.

I cant think there would be enough to warrant doing a tour? Narita town is a very simple layout- the main street starts at the train station and winds its way up to the temple. Most of the restaurants are along the way. TBH theres not much that much to do/see so 10 hour stopover will be ample. Try Eddekozushi for lunch.

 

[seanpodge]

They certainly have it at SFO. All luggage x-rayed prior to storage, so the security theatre remains intact.

I can handle x-ray-ing before storage (they do the same at PEK) but to have none at all like at LAX is a bit silly really.

 

[k_sheep]

On my way to/from Europe in December, I'm doing stopovers in LHR, ATH and NRT. Really looking forward to all of them! Happy for any advice

 

[boomy]

From memory, when I visited Narita township during a transit, from exiting immigration in T2 to reaching Narita township took about 20 mins or so, the train ride itself is only 7 or 8 mins. It was very easy to get there, very easy to walk around and find the sights, some interesting temples, nice gardens, and certainly plenty of local places to eat (although I didn't have time to sit down and eat). What I did/saw doesn't sound too different to what the tour company is offering.

I cant think there would be enough to warrant doing a tour? Narita town is a very simple layout- the main street starts at the train station and winds its way up to the temple. Most of the restaurants are along the way. TBH theres not much that much to do/see so 10 hour stopover will be ample. Try Eddekozushi for lunch.

Sounds a bit like Nara from your comments.
Good to know it's easy to navigate around Narita, I'm not a big fan of organised tours.
Glad to hear 10 hours is more then enough as I was hoping to dedicate a couple of hours to the fabulous JL F lounge

 

[Nizar]

Great idea for a thread.

My wife and I tried to do one of these at LHR earlier this year (8am-4pm) but then decided not to when immigration queue was a joke and we learnt that the city is about 1.5 hours each way from the airport.

My brother and I will attempt one in January in DOH. Arriving at about midday and departing about midnight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Great idea for a thread.

My wife and I tried to do one of these at LHR earlier this year (8am-4pm) but then decided not to when immigration queue was a joke and we learnt that the city is about 1.5 hours each way from the airport.

it's a shame you were misinformed! the Piccadilly Line would have taken you from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus in 48-55 minutes depending on which terminal you depart from.

 

[Nizar]

it's a shame you were misinformed! the Piccadilly Line would have taken you from Heathrow to Piccadilly Circus in 48-55 minutes depending on which terminal you depart from.

Oh no !
Oh well always next time.

One of the best of these stopovers I had was at IST - arriving at 9pm and departing at 3pm the next day.

It was Ramadan so the old city was lit up and alive. We were up and about and exploring until 3am or so that night. A few hours shut eye then it was off to the grand bazaar at 8am the next morning before checking out the hagia sofya and blue mosque then heading to the airport at about midday.