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International Flight Question (Regarding layovers)

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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,558
If you have a layover in a random country is it possible / reasonable to leave the airport and go poke around for a bit.

Or would they be like GTFO at customs.

Not sure if I'm going anywhere but if I do might end up with a connection in germany on the way there and switzerland. Haven't been to either. If it's semi reasonable to do I might be down to take a 12+ hour layover and see what kind of trouble I can get into. Wouldn't really be properly seeing the countries but it would be cool to get a little taste while you're already there. I mean airports are wildly exciting and all but it would be cool to ditch out and do something else.

Anyone ever done it or know what the deal is? Or anyone wanna crush my dreams?
Jun 2 2015 7:22PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,558
Alright, I decided to not be lazy and learn how to use the intranets but still curious if anyone's done this and if it was a good idea or a terrible idea.
Jun 2 2015 7:26PM
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*DUMBCAN*
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 5,628
Look for visa waiver agreements. I know other countries (including the UK) have agreements with the US, basically we have an ESTA that we renew every two years that lets us in for 90 days a time, these things often go both ways. I'm fairly certain Germany and Switzerland are part of the program.

Layovers aren't a problem at all. Just arrange your flights so it works out.
Jun 2 2015 7:37PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,558
*DUMBCAN*Look for visa waiver agreements. I know other countries (including the UK) have agreements with the US, basically we have an ESTA that we renew every two years that lets us in for 90 days a time, these things often go both ways. I'm fairly certain Germany and Switzerland are part of the program.

Layovers aren't a problem at all. Just arrange your flights so it works out.


Word, that's what I was thinking but wasn't sure.

Saw some flights with 11-15 hour layovers and was thinking it might now be a bad idea to roll with one of those. That said if I couldn't leave and chose those layovers I'd go crazy. Airports are lame.

They're like a shitty shopping mall where you can't just leave and go somewhere better.


If any green peoples see this and wanna delete it it's all good. Or just let it ride into the abyss of nsg. Doesn't matter to me
Jun 2 2015 7:42PM
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r._ed
Posts: 234 - Karma: 855
Just bear in mind that sometimes if you leave the airport they won't check your baggage through which can suck if you have a ski bag. I had an 8 hour layover in Bangkok and couldn't leave because I would have had to take my 27kg ski bag with me and lug it around and then you would also have to go back through security. But if you have 15 hours or so this might not be a problem
Jun 2 2015 7:48PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,558
R-EDJust bear in mind that sometimes if you leave the airport they won't check your baggage through which can suck if you have a ski bag. I had an 8 hour layover in Bangkok and couldn't leave because I would have had to take my 27kg ski bag with me and lug it around and then you would also have to go back through security. But if you have 15 hours or so this might not be a problem


Yeah I'm hoping I won't have this problem because I can't go out with my board bag. Honestly one of the biggest reasons I didn't travel as much as I wanted to in NZ. Lugging that shit around is fucking hopeless.
Jun 2 2015 7:50PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Depends on the country and the visa requirements, but unless you're transiting in a place like Jeddah, you can typically ditch the airport for a while and check some stuff out. Just allow enough time to get back and clear immigration.

If it's a really long layover, some airlines won't check your bag to your destination, so you may have to recheck your bag - check the terms with whatever airline(s) you might use. Most international airports have a left luggage facility where you could store your baggage for a while in the worst case scenario.

Just read the details with the airlines. It should all be there. I've done it a bunch without issue.
Jun 2 2015 11:21PM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
If you have more than about 5 hours and easy transportation go for it. I've done it in Hong Kong on an 8 hour layover. Plenty of time to catch a train into downtown, eat breakfast, walk around for a few hours, then head back to check in for the next flight.
Jun 3 2015 12:28AM
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