Most people would not choose to book a long layover on their next flight.  In fact, most people would do everything in their power to avoid that. Why would you choose a 21-hour flight when the flight duration is really only 8 hours?

That extra-long layover is for your bonus country.  Why just visit one country when you can pay the same price to visit two countries!

I did this in 2019. You can check out my free airport tour post where I go into detail about what I did during my time in Taiwan. My actual destination was South Korea.

I chose a long layover because I heard about the Taiwan airport’s free tour. The tour was completely free. We left the airport in a bus and were able to explore popular tourist areas in Taipei.

Beware of overnight layovers

Do not choose an overnight layover. Everything will be closed. You will not be able to explore your bonus country.  It’s possible everything in the airport will be closed as well. Not all airports are open 24 hours a day.

Be mindful of time

You can still miss your flight even if your layover is 11 hours long.  Give yourself enough time to get back to the airport. Not all airports are close to popular tourist areas.

Give yourself time to rest

You may want to fill all of your layover with exploring your bonus country. That sounds great in theory. Remember that travel can be exhausting. Give yourself time before your next flight to relax and decompress. This may include visiting an airport lounge.

Where to put your things

Traveling around in a new country with your carry-on luggage is not ideal. Most airports have lockers. Lock up your belongings while you explore your bonus country.

Research entry requirements

Some countries require a visa for entry. This means you may not be able to leave the airport in your bonus country. Do you research and make sure you will not need a visa. I do not recommend choosing a long layover in a country where you will need a visa to enter.

I just booked a flight with a long layover last week. In the fall you will see where I went.