Long Layovers

I've done that in Istanbul, but there is a hotel on the airline near the gates so it works out that I get a decent meal and a good night's sleep before traveling on the next morning. Not sure if I would do it if I had checked bags or had to go through security again.

I had an opportunity to use aa miles to fly business class to Dublin, even though my ultimate destination was Madrid. The miles were significantly less.
So created my own layover,spent 2 nights somewhere I'd never been and then took a Ryanair flight to Madrid.
Many Americans don't realize how easy and cheap it is to fly from European cities to other countries in Europe.
United airlines has direct flights from American cities to Brussels and Frankfurt, maybe more. Both cities are well connected to other European cities.

Your grandmother probably boiled those brussels sprouts, which is definitely disgusting. Roasting is the way to go, preferably with bacon. But you can just moules-frites and chocolate when you're there.

I've enjoyed a number of long-layover runs into towns, from 24 hours in London to 5 hours in Helsinki (really want to get back there.) And 24 hours how long most east-coast flight crews get to spend in western European cities.

For me, 16 vs 24 hours might depend on the schedule—what direction/routing/time—and maybe the hotel arrangements. (I really prefer getting straight to my room off of an overnight flight, to the point where I'll pay for the previous night.)

To me it depends on how much value you place on your time. If I was still working I wouldn’t want to use two vacation days in a place other than my ultimate destination. As a retiree I might consider it. Brussels isn’t my favorite city and other than the Grand Place, I could easily skip it, since I’m not a museum person. With 24 hours you could easily take a train to Ghent, Antwerp, or Bruges right from the airport. In my opinion, each of those has more to see than Brussels.

I had an “accidental” long layover in Iceland when I wasn’t looking closely at the flight connections because I was riveted by the price. I just turned it into an adventure. What could I do in 14 hours? It turns out the answer was quite a bit!

The key here is are those long layover hours daytime hours or evening hours? Daytime hours give you many options and keep you moving if you are dealing with a time change. Nighttime hours give you a chance to rest. Both could be good.

I agree with Scudder on the Brussels sprouts (roasted with bacon is the way to go!) and jaimeelsabio on the time factor. I DO have time to spend - and if I were comparing 16 hrs to 24 hrs, I might choose the 24 hrs and see a small amount, like a trip within a trip. I have done it with an Emirates layover in Dubai on the way to Thailand. And $1000 cheaper would make a big difference to me….. :)

Finally, someone else who was traumatized by Brussel sprouts. Maybe we should start a support group.

If you have the time it would be worth it to save the money. Are you talking a daytime layover or during the night?

I still remember sitting with my sister at the table for hours after dinner looking like hamsters with Brussels sprouts poking out of our cheeks. We simply refused to swallow them and even my sister's tears didn't help our plight. I discovered that our dog loved them and secretly fed her under the table. I learned that I shared my mother's love for veggies when I was an adult. Normally she followed Dr. Spock but not when veggies were involved.

Back when WOW Airlines were in business, I flew from CVG to AMS with a 36 hour layover in Iceland. I was able to explore Reykjavik the day I got there and then did a quick Golden Circle tour the second day. It left me wanting more, but it was wonderful to be able to spend even a short amount of time there. I know this is longer than your layovers, but there is always something to see if you push it a little.

Another advantage was that by the time I got to Amsterdam, I did not have any jet lag because of the long layover in between. Sort of like what Carol was saying - even if you just go to a hotel and sleep, you will get some rest and will be better off at your final destination. Btw, where are you going, Mike?

Hey, thanks for the answers. I do enjoy reading them. Andrea, daytime arriving midday and leaving the next morning, so we would be limited in time to see museums, but that's OK as with jet lag I try to stay outside as much as possible.

Mardee, Edinburg July 2023. At this point in our lives if we can't afford premium economy for long haul flights, we're not going. Some fares are around $1600 so all considered that's not bad, but for now I'm just adding alerts to Google Flights and so forth to keep track of fares.

I know I've said we're not going to Europe in the summer any more, but I'll make an exception for a northern location like Scotland. Now just watch and they'll have the hottest heatwave in history. That's how things usually work out for me haha.

OMG, the things you learn on this site! Tonight I learned that Silas Marner is actually my brother 😉

If the layover is to be in Brussels for 16 hours and the reward is saving $1,000, that's incentive enough. I'll take it. If the arrival in Brussels is in the morning, which it probably would be since it's a flight from the West Coast, that gives me enough time to get to the museum.

We were able to visit Dublin for "Free" on a layover to Paris and we really enjoyed it and now look for these longer layovers where you can actually leave the airport and enjoy that city a little. Actually looking to do this again on our next trip.

On the Brussel Sprouts, I now roast all my veggies, drizzled with olive oil and salt, roast in the oven at 425 for about 20 min, turning at around 10 min, top with fresh grated parmesan cheese at the end...your welcomed.

You would not need to restrict yourself to Brussels, yes there are things to do there, but aside from beer and the Grand Place, I find it a dingy, dirty city. Antwerp is much more pleasant and only a 40 minute train ride away, with direct connections from the airport to Antwerp.

Paul's suggestion, coupled with the thousand bucks, sounds like a winner to me.

Take culinary solace by replacing Brussels sprouts with other proud Belgian foods. First and foremost, in a world when foods sometimes masquerade their origins under aliases, indulge in their fine "French" fries, actually developed in Belgium. The natives rejoice in many varieties of spud. The national dish seems to be North Sea mussels cooked in white wine and butter. Belgian chocolate can further stretch both wallet and waistline. Or just relax in a dim warm tavern with pints of beer you may not recognize. 24 hours could drift past dangerously easily.

Considering that diet, why isn't everyone dead by 55?

Southam, maybe the alcoholic intake "cuts the fat" so to speak. That's scientific right there.

Well, folks, I found an Air Canada premium economy for two for under $3,000, total, so no layover this time. From IAD through YYZ to EDI about 11 hours, so that's not bad.

As a kid I was fascinated with those little cabbages. Less than tasty and boiled to death by my culinary deficit mom. I gave them up for 50 plus years. A few years ago a friend ordered them as an appetizer ( I thought she was nuts) baked similar to Letitia’s way. I pigged out. I just can’t get hubby to try them.
Have some wonderful muscles and head to Ghent or Bruges.

I may have asked this before, so apologize for the redundancy and repetition 🙄 if so. Do any of the online search engines or specific airline booking sites allow you to specify minimum layover times in a search? I know Delta lets you specify connecting airport preference, but not time.

Sprouts boiled and covered in Velveeta - bane of my childhood. Roasted crispy with olive oil - a delight.

Thanks Amann, I was thinking more of being able to specify say 3 hours minimum time as an example, so as to avoid the ones with an unreasonably short layover. I most often have to take regional jets to gateway airports, and the airline searches often give unreasonably short connections, not taking into account the frequency those regional jets are delayed because of low priority. I know I can pick through the offerings, but its difficult to mix and match reasonable connections yourself if they dont pop up that way.

BMWBGV, I apologize for once again hijacking your thread.

I believe Stan may be a Pirate from The Crimson Permanent Assurance.

Speaking for myself only it's a no-brainer ... if I have the time and can save that kind of scratch, I'm staying and figuring out what I can do (even if it is just dinner and a good night sleep) ... and especially Brussels, I can go see mannequin pis and find a boat-load of good Belgian chocolate for what I'm saving in airfare.