By Briana Seftel
Don't think of a long layover as a nuisance. With these tips, you'll get the most out of any layover, whether it's in Dublin or Dubai.
Do your research
Do research ahead of time and map out what you want to see. Don’t try to overwhelm yourself with too much to do, instead focusing on a few must sees. Choose things that are relatively close to each other so you are not wasting time getting from one place to another.
Write everything down
A dilemma when traveling abroad is having no cell phone service. Finding WiFi abroad can be tricky which is why you should have everything you want to see written down. Knowing where you need to go takes the stress off and makes for a happier traveler.
Get local currency beforehand
Don’t waste time at a bank or get price gouged at the airport. Before leaving for your trip, stop at a currency exchange and change money. You may not always be able to pay with a credit card so having some cash on you is a smart move.
Download Uber
Navigating public transportation in an unknown city can be daunting for many travelers. If you’re willing to spend the time researching, using public transportation will definitely save you money. If not, download Uber and get around easily. Uber operates in more than 500 cities worldwide so you shouldn’t have an issue finding one in your city.
Taste the local food
Skip bland airport food and try the local specialties in the city you're in! Tasting a county's cuisine is a great way to get to know a place in a short amount of time.
Find a place to rest your feet
If your layover is 12+ hours, you will probably want to rest somewhere that isn't a noisy and crowded airport. Don't make the mistake of booking a hotel room for a night - instead, research hotels that you can book by the hour. There are several websites like DayUse and HotelsByDay that make booking a room by the hour a cinch.
Leave ample time to return to airport
This might seem too obvious, but leaving enough time to get back to the airport is crucial. If you’re lucky, the airport you will fly into will be located within the city limits. As a general rule of thumb, leave at least one to two hours to get back to the airport because you will need enough time to go through security and arrive at your departure gate.
