12 hour plane layover

Just out of curiosity, for those that have traveled, when you are forced to take a super long layover in between flights...

What are your options?

Like, are you forced to stay and protect with your bags at the airport?

Or is there a place to check your bags and you can go sight see for a couple of hours and then come back?

Or do you have to take your bags with you?

Or are you not allowed to leave the airport?

Do most large airports having a napping area?

Or like what would be the normal standard options?

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come2gether · 46-50, M

With 12 hours, you have a lot of options; depending on where you are. You can certainly leave the airport and tour the local city, just remember you have to go back through security. You will need to leave time for that. If you travel frequently enough, then there is another option. Get access to premium airport lounges. You get free food, you can rest, you can work with the free wifi, you get free alcoholic beverages if that is something you want. That's what I've done. It has totally changed travelling for me. Airports are now a pleasant experience.

sstronaut

@come2gether I don't think I'll be traveling enough for that. Though maybe there is a one day pass type of thing

I'm thinking the layover would be London international

come2gether · 46-50, M

@sstronaut With 12 hours in London, you have options, and you have to be careful. Traffic is a nightmare, but you could get an Uber or cab and whizz through a bunch of sights, without getting out of the car. But you will have seen things you otherwise wouldn't have.

sstronaut

@come2gether I'm thinking resting might be the best, as basically I would be traveling for 24 hours

And I don't sleep on planes very well

come2gether · 46-50, M

@sstronaut go with that

sstronaut

@come2gether Yeah, but I was just worried about my luggage during the layover, but as someone pointed out, they keep your checked bags during the layover and you don't have to worry about them.

come2gether · 46-50, M

@sstronaut oh, right, you're all good there. Only the airport employees will be going through your bags to steal any valuables, so just don't pack anything valuable.

sstronaut

@come2gether mainly be just cloths, deodorant, and maybe sun block or something.

Normally I'd like to keep a small knife, but with it being international and me not knowing what is or isn't legal, I probably won't pack that.

come2gether · 46-50, M

@sstronaut Don't pack the knife, that will immediately get you in trouble. For me, I've traveled internationally a few times, well, more than a few times. I've learned that checking luggage is the worst option. I travel internationally with an overhead bin case, and and under seat case. That way, nothing ever gets lost or damaged. All you have to do is plan to have somebody do your laundry, and in Europe, that's easy.

sstronaut

@come2gether I think I'm going to need at least one checked bag, I'm a big guy, clothes are going to need more space and I'm trying to ignore the thought of my legs being stuck in a plane for 6 hours at a time.

come2gether · 46-50, M

@sstronaut we all have our own need when travelling, so yep, I get it