A five-hour layover doesn't have to mean five hours of staring at a departures board. With a little planning it can be genuinely useful — or even a chance to see a new city.

If you're staying in the airport

  • Find a quiet zone or a rest area to recharge — see sleeping better during travel.
  • A day pass to an airport lounge buys comfy seating, food, showers and Wi-Fi — often worth it on a long wait.
  • Keep essentials (charger, snacks, layer) accessible; airports get cold and expensive.
  • Stay near your gate area's info and watch for gate changes.

If it's long enough to leave

  • Check whether you need a transit visa and how long immigration takes.
  • Only leave if you'll have a comfortable buffer to get back through security — aim to be back 2–3 hours before departure.
  • Store bags in airport lockers so you're not dragging them around.
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Don't cut it fine

Traffic, queues and delays eat time fast. If leaving the airport would leave you sprinting back, it's not worth the risk of missing the connection.