Hannah_reads_for_fun

I was thinking recently about my upcoming layover in Warsaw (5 hours, not counting the time for lines in and out), and it occurred to me that I wasn't sure how to balance my time there. Did I want to sit in a cafe and people-watch? Did I want to run around and see all of the sites that I can squeeze in? Did I want to find one place/activity and plan my day around that? How spontaneous do I want to be? etc.

And I thought, well, regardless of what I decide to do (and I haven't yet), I'm very curious about what all the good Fodorites are doing.

Once you've decided that there's enough time to leave the airport, how do you decide how to spend your day in this new place? What have you found works best for you (and your traveling companions)? Does it depend for you on whether or not you have already been to the city/have plans to?

Can't wait to hear about them!

suze

I've never had a layover long enough to leave the airport. I solved the problem by booking flights closer together!

thursdaysd

The only time I've left an airport was in Singapore - they lay on free tours if you have a long enough stop-over. You say five hours not counting lines - how long in total? I didn't find Warsaw that interesting, but you could always find a cafe in town, I guess.

Hannah_reads_for_fun

I got a really cheap flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, stopping in Warsaw. On the way there, the plane lands at 2 PM and departs at 11 PM, so I decided that there's no way I'm staying in the airport the whole time, especially since it seems like Warsaw's only about $1 and 35-45 minutes away. The way back there are only four hours between landing and departure, so I'll just curl up with a book.

When I was wondering how everyone manages their layovers,
it never even occurred to me that y'all might just avoid them!

Anyone else?

suze

Hannah~~ As you will see, not very many people read this "Travel Tips" branch here on Fodor's. Very few actually. Yours is a good question, for more replies you can repost it on the Europe branch, or even in the Lounge.
best, Suze

Hannah_reads_for_fun

Yeah, I wasn't sure which forum to post it in.
It fit in so many.....

I'll try the Europe one, I guess, and see; I'm really curious as to the answer.

Thanks!

suze

I think your instincts were correct. In theory this is exactly the kind of topic that would make for a great discussion in a general 'tips' forum... unfortunately (for whatever reason) hardly anyone reaads or posts here. This forums been renamed several times and has just never caught on.

Hannah_reads_for_fun

I wonder why that is.... When I first joined the site, I came here nearly immediately, and it remains among my favorites to browse through, mostly since I haven't got much traveling planned, and don't know when I'll have the time and funds to make it to Europe for real...