Stuck on a layover at the San Diego International Airport (SAN) in southern California? Located roughly three miles from downtown San Diego, the city is an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers.  If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your North Carolina layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck inside the San Diego airport during your layover, you can take advantage of the passenger services available including a variety of restaurants and eateries, and local and national brand shops – a directory of the shops and restaurants can be found here. In addition, new dining and shopping options will be available at the airport at the end of 2012. The airport also hosts rotating art exhibits, and free Tarmac Tours of the airport and airfield (sign up for a tour online).

There are a number of lounges available at the San Diego International Airport including the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 2 inside security (800.237.7971), the Delta Crown Room in Terminal 2 between gates 37 and 38 (800.221.1212), the United Red Carpet Room in Terminal 1, Mezzanine Level (619.231.5692), and the Neil Ash USO Center on the ground level of Terminal 1.

For great parking deals at SAN, CLICK HERE!

If you have time to leave the San Diego airport during your layover, there are a number of transportation options including car rental and taxis. There are a few public transportation options including Amtrak and Coaster, Metro Bus, and Trolley service.

If you have an overnight layover in San Diego and are looking for a place to spend the night, click here for a comprehensive list of nearby hotels at varying price points.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In San Diego:

Gaslamp Quarter

This 16 block historic district of San Diego has something for everyone.  With a ton of shops and restaurants, historic sites, clubs and bars, this area is a great place to stop off in between flights!

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is much more than your average zoo. With the bus trips, Safari Park, rare animal breeding centers, and impressive exhibits, it is a zoo experience unlike any other.

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a taste of California beaches at its best. Here you can take a dip, watch the surfers, stroll along the beach, grab a coffee, roller skate, or just catch some rays.

Cabrillo Tide Pools

This beachside mile long hike offers a chance to take a look in a series of tidepools and see some fun marine life including sea anemones, crabs, and tons more.

For tons more ideas of things to do during your San Diego layover, click here!

Stuck on a layover at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CTU)? As the main hub for US Airways, Charlotte is a popular layover destination. The airport is located roughly ten miles from downtown Charlotte, which makes the city a great destination for those on a long layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport, you can find a number of services to keep you occupied on your layover wait. There are a number of shops and restaurants that you can find listed by each concourse here. There is also an Information Counter and Visitor Center, Banking and ATM’s in the main terminal, business services and conference facilities are available (call 704-359-4013 for more info), Internet service is available through data ports located throughout the airport, Interfaith 24-hour place of worship, and a Post Office in Concourse D.

For the full Layover Guide to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, CLICK HERE!

If you’re looking for a hotel to rest and unwind before your next flight, there’s the Doubletree Hotel Charlotte Airport and the Holiday Inn Charlotte Airport nearby. For more hotel options near the airport, click here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport to see some sites, you can catch a taxi outside of Baggage Claim. On average, the cost for a taxi ride to the city center is $25.00 plus $1 gas surcharge. For more information on the Charlotte Airport’s taxi prices, click here. In addition, you can find contact information for a number of limousines, shuttle services, and contract vans here and car rental services here.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Charlotte Layover:

Charlotte Tours
If you have a limited amount of time to explore the city, a tour may be the best way to go to see a number of sights. There’s a number to choose from including Charlotte’s Longest Running Daily City Tour, Guided Historic Walking Tours of Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Trolley Tour and Charlotte Segway and Bike Tours.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens/
If you’re looking to stretch your legs in a beautiful locale, the UNC Botanical Gardens may be just the spot. The gardens include a greenhouse complex, a 3-acre Susie Hardwood Garden and a 7-acre Van Landingham Glen – each offering a variety of different plants.

Discovery Place
A great place to take children, the Discovery Place in Charlotte has it all – IMAX Dome Theater, hands-on science museum, Discovery Place Kids (opening Fall 2010) and the Charlotte Nature Museum.

Carolina Raptor Center
This non-profit organization helps rescue a variety of birds and raptors, with over 100 residing permanently at the center. To meet the creatures at the Raptor Center, click here and to read up on the various weekly programs offered, click here.

Carolinas Aviation Museum
If you don’t have enough time to make to Charlotte, you can find the Carolinas Aviation Museum only a 5 minute taxi ride from the airport’s main terminal. The museum has an extensive collection of planes and a great observation deck.

None of these interest you? Try the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Carowinds amusement park, or the Old Mecklenburg Brewery.

Have a suggestion or advice for Charlotte layovers? Leave a comment below!

If you’re stuck on a layover at the Copenhagen Airport, CPN, (Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup), there’s plenty to do to keep you busy, inside and outside the airport. The airport is a hub for Scandinavian Airlines. Located just five miles south of Copenhagen city center, it is a great place to get out of the airport during long layovers (preferably over 5 hours for International flights, but always plan with extra time for immigration, customs, and security.)

If you’re stuck in the airport during your Copenhagen Layover, looking to pass some time, you can learn about wireless access to get online at the airport, here. To find airport more information and location on the airport hotel, lounges, banks, children locations, travel agencies and ticket offices, click here.

If you are looking to drop off luggage, and explore the city, there are lockers for a maximum of 72 hours in car park 4 and a place called Left Luggage (in the Arcade between Terminals 2 and 3) that you can leave your luggage for up to four weeks. Click here for Left Luggage information.

For transportation, you can pick up a taxi outside the arrival areas at Terminal 1 and 3. Another great option is the Metro, which is located at the end of Terminal 3. The travel time from Nørreport Station in central Copenhagen to the airport is 15 minutes. For a map of the metro and more information on traveling from the airport, click here.

Things To Do During A Copenhagen Layover:

DFDS Canal Tours
With guides who speak English, Danish and German, you can hop on a canal tour. Most tours are two hours, and it takes you through the new and old Copenhagen. It’s a great way to get to see the city by sea. You can also rent your own boat for events, or do a tour with music – jazz, blues, rag, and stomp.

Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is an impressive historic building, and also a museum that contains some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, including the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia. If you’re interested in the history of the Danish kings over 300 years, from Frederik II in the late 16th century to Frederik VII in the 19th century, this can’t be missed. Check here for times and dates that the museum is open.

Tivoli Gardens
Not only an impressive garden, the Tivoli Gardens is the world’s oldest amusement park. Best known for its wooden rollercoaster, it also has band performing, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and rides including a merry-go-round. On select evenings, fireworks are set off over Tivoli’s lake.

The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue)
A well known landmark in Copenhagen, The Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor in Churchill Park. It’s worth taking a look at, as well as a photo. The Little Mermaid statue is in honor of the fairy tale by Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen, that was based on the Disney movie.

Shopping in Norrebro
A couple hundred years ago it used to be farmlands but now Norrebro is a today it is a popular are for shopping in the trendy stores with up and coming designers. There are many cafes, restaurants and it’s a great place for people watching. There are also many flea markets during the warmer months. You can check out the different flea markets here.

You can find a good city map of Copenhagen here.

Click here to find a late deal to a destination where the sun shines on a sandy beach. Life is too short to spend every holiday at the same place.

Stuck on a Hong Kong layover? The Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located roughly 25 miles from downtown Hong Kong which makes the city accessible only for those on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Hong Kong layover, click here for useful tips.

If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport during your Hong Kong layover, fortunately you are in the airport that was currently ranked #1 in the world’s top airports. In the Hong Kong airport, in addition to many choices of restaurants and shops, you can get a foot reflexology massage, see the 4D Extreme Screen in Terminal 2 with the largest 4D screen in Asia, and visit the Aviation Discovery Centre in Terminal 2 which includes a Cockpit Simulator, a full-motion plane-cabin ride simulator and much more.

For Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hong Kong Picks, Click Here!

In addition, you can check out Asia Hollywood in Terminal 2, Level 6 where you can experience this interactive themed entertainment centre that educates about the local film industry. You can also play I-Sports in Terminal 2, Level 6 where you’ll find sports simulators such as soccer, basketball, golf, boxing, skiing, car racing, and shooting.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, The Regal Airport Hotel is connected to Terminal 1. There are also a number of hotels in the area for varying price points. For a comprehensive list of Hong Kong hotels, click here.

The World’s Tallest Hotel Opens In Hong Kong

If you have a long layover in Hong Kong and plan on leaving the airport, in addition to taxis, the easiest and more affordable way to get from the airport into town is to take the Airport Express. The trains are on time, clean and efficient. The Airport Express links HKIA directly to Hong Kong’s central business district and from there, buses connect the airport with most of the city. Trains depart at 12-minute intervals. For schedule of the Airport Express, please click here.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Hong Kong Layover:

Victoria’s Peak
Take the Airport Express to HK station and take the mini bus (from the bus terminus below IFC/HK station), and then take the Peak Tram to The Peak. This high point gives you a great lookout onto Hong Kong and the harbor. It’s the perfect place to snap some great shots and get a good look at the city.

Star Ferry
From Central, take the ferry to TST, Kowloon and check out another great view of Hong Kong. You can walk along Nathan Road for shopping and food.

Business District and Mid-Levels Escalator
To central business district of Hong Kong has the fancy buildings and shopping malls, and gives you a feeling for the city. Take the Hong Kong stop of the Airport Express. You’ll be at a large mall and office building, called ‘IFC’. You can take the ‘Mid-Levels Escalator’ which is the longest covered outdoor escalator in the world. It starts from the western end of IFC and it is an outdoor escalator that will take you through the middle of the city, restaurant/bar area and then up towards the more residential areas.

Tian Tan – The Big Buddha
Although on the same island as the airport, unless you take a taxi which can be pricey, you need to take public transportation there, which can take some time and is only recommended for those on very long layovers. You can reach the Buddha by traveling to Tung Chung station via the MTR. You can find an MTR map here. Visitors can then take the following bus routes: Mui Wo to Ngong Ping (NLB No. 2) and Tung Chung to Ngong Ping (NLB No. 23)

Have a suggestion for a Hong Kong layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover at Vienna International Airport (VIE) in Austria? You’ll find that there’s plenty to do to keep you busy, both inside and outside the airport. The airport is located 12 kms from downtown Vienna which makes the city an accessible destination for those on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover in Vienna, click here for useful tips.

The Vienna airport offers a number of services that will help bide the layover wait. You can find an interactive airport map here (Macromedia Flash required) to help you get situated. There are more than 70 shops, as well as a number of restaurants and cafés. On Level 1, there’s a supermarket. In addition, you can find two post offices, 10 lounges, and you can also take advantage of the VIP and Business Services. Wireless Internet access is available for free in the lounges and within certain ranges.

If you’re looking to ditch your bags, the airport offers luggage storage at the Baggage Claim in the Arrivals Hall.  Luggage storage at the Vienna Airport is open from 5:30am to 11:20pm, as well as safe deposit boxes for smaller items.

For overnight layovers, the NH Vienna Airport Hotel is located close to the terminals. For a full list of Vienna hotels of varying price ranges, click here.

For those looking to leave the airport during your Vienna layover, there are a few different options for transportation into Vienna. You can take the city airport train which leaves every half hour and takes 16 minutes from the airport to the city. Bus services through Vienna Airport Lines take roughly 20 minutes and there are also bus routes available to nearby countries including Slovakia and Hungary.  In addition, car rentals, taxi and limousine services are also available at the airport.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Vienna Layover

Sightseeing tours
From free walking tours to city segway tours, there’s tons of options depending on your interests and time limitations. Click here for a good list of the various tours you can take.

Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schonbrunn)
The Schonbrunn Palace is one of Vienna’s main attractions and a royal residence in the city. The palace, surrounded by expansive gardens with sculptures, also contains the Tiergarten Schonbrunn zoo which is considered the world’s oldest zoo.

Naschmarkt
The Nanschmarkt is a huge outdoor market which sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to seafood. On Saturdays, you can find antiques and other goodies. The market dates back to the 16th century and is a great place to people watch and get a sense of the city, as well as a bite for lunch.

State Oprah House (Staatsoper)
The State Oprah House is the main theater in Vienna and considered one of the top eight opera houses in the world. You can take a tour of the Opera House, or can purchase a ticket and attend a show. This blog gives a detailed description on how to order tickets. vienna-tips.blogspot.com

Donauturm
If you’re looking for a good view of the city, and to grab a bite, check out the Donauturm Observation Tower and Restaurant. The express elevator takes you up to the 150m above the ground where you can get a panoramic view of Vienna.

For some more ideas of things to do in Vienna during your layover, click here. Have any suggestions for a Vienna layover? Leave a comment below!

If you’re stuck on a Shanghai layover at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, you can find plenty to do to bide your time. Shanghai is China’s largest city, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your Shanghai layover, there are dozens of restaurants and plenty of shopping including duty free shops between gates 15 and 20 for international travelers. There are also medical clinics, banks, and airline lounges throughout the airport.

For those on an overnight Shanghai layover, or looking to rest between flights, there is a three-star hourly hotel on the transfer level of the main terminal. You can reserve a room in advance by calling 021-68346480 (domestically) and 021-68346490 (Internationally). For a list of Shanghai hotels at varying price points, click here.

Stuck on a layover at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina? As a hub for American Eagle, the airport serves North Carolina’s triangle region and is located in roughly 14 miles from downtown Raleigh, 14 miles from Durham and 18 miles from Chapel Hill, which makes these destinations accessible for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your North Carolina layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the Raleigh airport during your North Carolina layover, there’s plenty to do. The airport offer shopping and restaurants, and a number of services including wireless internet, XpresSpa, money exchange and ATMs, shoe shining, an interfaith chapel, a florist, and more.

For the full Layover Guide to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, CLICK HERE!

There are a few Airline clubs and lounges in the airport as well, including the American Airlines Admirals Club on the second floor of Terminal 2, the U.S. Airways club in Terminal 1 across from Gate A22, and the Delta Airlines Sky Club which is planning on opening December 2010 in Terminal 2.

The airport also offers the following art exhibits to enjoy at the airport in between flights, and the RDU Observation Park where passengers can watch planes land and take off from the airport’s longest runway. A playground and picnic tables are nearby.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are many hotel options available near the airport. For a list of hotels near the airport in Morrisville, click here.  You can also find hotels in Raleigh here, Durham here, and Chapel Hill here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport during your North Carolina layover, taxis are available outside the airport – click here for more information and rates. In addition there are shuttle and limo services, rental cars, as well as bus and rail.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Raleigh, North Carolina:

Raleigh Museums

If you want to stroll around and see some exhibits during your layover, there’s a lot of museums in Raleigh to choose from including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural Sciences, Artspace, and the Marbles Kids Museum.

Raleigh Parks

Get outdoors and enjoy your time at one of Raleigh’s parks including Mordecai Historical Park, Frankie’s Fun Park, Pullen Park, and Historic Oak View County Park.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Durham, North Carolina:

Duke University

Stroll around the campus of Duke University and check out the libraries, arts, and events.

Durham Museums

Durham has a lot of museums to choose from depending on your interests including the Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Life & Science, Nasher Museum of Art, and the Insectarium.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Chapel Hill, North Carolina:

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and offers a lot including an arboretum, trails, gardens and more.

Morehead Planetarium

The Morehead Planetarium is a great place to take the kids on a North Carolina layover, and here you can find planetarium shows, exhibitions, events and activities.

Have a suggestion for a North Carolina layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a Dubai layover in the United Arab Emirates? Dubai is the fastest-growing transit hub in the world, and has one of the nicest airports. The Dubai International Airport is located roughly 3 miles outside Dubai, which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover in Dubai, click here for useful tips.

The Dubai airport is lined with palm trees and offers upscale shopping and restaurants. For the tired traveler, inside the hotel is the five-star, Dubai International Airport Hotel. You can pay by the hour (starting at $40) or the entire night (from $200) and offers a health club, business center, 24 hour laundry and room service. For additional Dubai hotels of varying price points, click here.

The Dubai International Airport also has many services including a Women’s Lounge & Children’s Play Area located between gates 12 and 14, internet kiosks near Gate 9 and Gate 23, a medical center on the ground level of the Concourse, post office near Gate 18 (open 24 hours), four prayer rooms in Arrivals and the main Concourse, and banking and currency exchange located near Gates 8, 18 and 22.

There are also many lounges to keep you occupied during your Dubai layover. There’s an International First Class Lounge between Gates 114 and 112, a Business Class Lounge beside Gate 108, and lounges for the following airlines: Air France, Gulf Air, Emirates, British Airways, KLM and Star Alliance between Gates 21 and 26. In addition there are two Quiet Lounges in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal near Gates 9 and 23 free of charge.

If you’re planning on seeing some sights during your Dubai layover, keep in mind that Dubai has some strict laws. The slightest amount of any illegal substance can land you in jail for many years, even life. In addition, don’t walk in front of somebody when they are praying, don’t drink alcohol in the street or in any public place (alcohol is only allowed in hotels or private clubs), avoid passionate displays of affection in public, and women should not dress suggestively to avoid any hassle.

Also, immigration can be long, as well as taxi lines. Give yourself plenty of time for delays. Depending on what city you’re coming from, you may also need to get a visa, and pay permissions to enter the country. (You can check out Visa Requirements in the widget on the right hand column of this page.)

Tickets for Big Bus Tours are valid for 24 hours and you can hop on and off whenever you’d like. One ticket covers both routes, which includes the Red Route (Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Fort & Dubai Museum, the Souks (bazaars) and a few shopping malls) and The Blue Route (5-star hotels & the fanciest shopping malls.) Both tours offer live commentary or a choice of eight digitally recorded languages. See website for more info.

Old Souqs
Although many people head straight to the modern mall, check out the Old Souqs along the creek in the older part of town that is what made Dubai the trading capital it is. On the Deira side of the Creek, don’t miss the Gold Souq which has over 300 outlets including all the gold jewelry you can imagine seeing as well as drain covers with diamonds on them. Also on this side is the Spice Souq which has spices from all over the Middle East. On the other side, check out the Bur Dubai Souq with textile and souvenir shops.

Shopping & Skiing
The Mall of the Emirates is a shoppers’ paradise, and for those who prefer to hit the slopes, the mall features the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. For $40 per person you can get a lift ticket good for 2 hours, ski rentals, ski pants and jackets and even socks (gloves and hats are not provided). You can ski, snowboard and toboggan here, down the over 1300 foot slope. The mall is open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm.

Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab looks like a giant sail and claims to be “The Best Hotel in the World” with a rating of 7 stars. It is the world’s tallest dedicated hotel, with all the rooms hosting incredible views. The inside of the hotel has a dancing fountain, two massive fish-tank walls, and a soaring atrium. To visit the Burj Al Arab, you need to be staying there, or have advance reservations to eat at one of the restaurants or to have a drink at one of the bars (tip – the most budget friendly option is to book afternoon tea). Photos are only allowed in the lobby area.

Desert Safari & Camel Racing
If you have a very lengthy layover in Dubai, you might want to check out the camel racing and desert safaris offered outside Abu Dhabi city. Camel races are usually held early on Fridays or on national holidays. Safaris are half a day, and offer overnight options to stay in a Bedouin tent. Wadi-Driving explores the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow from the Hajar mountains. Dune driving allows you to try your hand at sand driving, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided, and an expert guide. Or, try Sand-Skiing down the dunes of the Dubai desert. You can also sign on for a Desert Feasts which follow the safari with evening with an Arab barbecue under the stars.

Have a suggestion for a Dubai Layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a London layover at Heathrow International airport? London’s Heathrow airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and is located roughly 15 miles from London’s city center, making it an accessible destination for those who are stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to decide whether you can leave the airport on your Heathrow layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck inside the airport during your London layover, Heathrow provides a number of services and activities that can help your layover become a short vacation in itself. Here are some of the various shops and facilities available to keep you busy during your wait. To aid with shopping, passengers can hire Personal Shopping Consultants, who can be distinguished by their green uniforms (to book a shopping consultant, call 0870 850 2825 (UK) or +44 (0)121 410 5105). In addition to duty free and regular shopping, there are also many restaurants ranging from fine dining to quick snacks to choose from during your Heathrow layover. Click here to explore the various bars and restaurants options at the airport.

CLICK HERE for London Layover Tours (straight from the airport)!

A number of executive lounges are available at the Heathrow airport (at Terminal 1,3,4,5). The lounges offer a range of beers, complimentary Wi-Fi and other standard facilities. You can book these lounges from here. The price starts from £17.95. In case you need special care assistance, contact +44 (0)844 335 1801 for general advice and information.

The Molton Brown Travel Spa is located in British Airways Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 Departures Lounges at Heathrow Airport. The spa offers a variety of services including massages, hydrotherapy showers, circulation and reflex therapies, and is an ideal way to relax during your Heathrow layover. Click here for more information.

If you are looking to exchange the currency, Foreign Exchanges and ATMs are available at all the terminals (click here for their locations). In addition, the airport has many prayer rooms available including Catholic, Free Church, Anglican, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh chaplains. They can all be contacted through the airport information desks within the terminals and for more information, click here.

For passengers who arrive at night or are looking to relax, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport hotel is located across the covered walkway linked to Terminal Four, and the Sofitel London Heathrow is also connected via a covered walkway to Terminal Five. In addition there are many hotels near the Heathrow airport. Click here for London hotels at varying price points.

CLICK HERE for London’s Best Restaurants!

A number of companies offer Layover Tours that can pick you up directly from the airport, hassle free, take you where you’re interested in visiting and return you to the airport in time to catch your connecting flight. To find out more information on these London Layover Tours, click here.

If you’re looking to ditch your luggage during your Heathrow layover, Left Luggage facilities are available at all the terminals. The Left Luggage service charges £4 per item for 24 hours. For their hours of operation and location, click here.

Taxis are available outside the airport for quick transport, and there are also car rental companies onsite. For direct booking, click here. Heathrow airport is also well connected with public transportation. While taking the London Underground is the cheapest way to get into London, it can take up to an hour each way. If you’re strapped for time, the London Heathrow Express train can get you into London for as little as 15 minutes. Click here to figure out the best way to travel into the city during your London layover.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Heathrow Layover:

Sightseeing Bus
The hop-on, hop-off bus gives a commentary of the sights as you pass them. Tickets can be purchased right on the bus or online. You can “hop on” at Paddington station, and “hop off” wherever you choose. It swings back around to Paddington, if that’s all the time you have, to get back to the airport.

Tower of London
At The Tower of London, you’ll find torture exhibits as well as the famous Crown Jewels which including 530 carat Star at the Jewel House. Beefeaters, who are the walking tour guides, lead the hour-long tours every hour until 3:30p.m.

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, home to the British monarch, is another favorite sightseeing spot for those with only a short time in London. Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner are the closest Tube stations. Also, you can catch the changing of the guard, but should check ahead for the schedule as it does not happen every day.

Westminster Abbey and Big Ben
Exit the tube at the Westminster stop. You will first see Big Ben and further down the street Westminster Abbey, where Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Tennyson, Browning, and Dickens are all buried here.

Cabinet War Rooms
Close to the Abby, you can see the actual underground bunker Winston Churchill used during World War II. Everything there from the wall maps, to Churchill’s cot are authentic.

Windsor Castle

Take a taxi or bus 77 from Heathrow to Windsor Castle in about 40 minutes. The 900-year-old castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world.

Thorpe Palace
Thorpe Park is London’s most popular attractions and theme parks. It opened as a water park in 1970 however more thrill rides were added later. The park is around 5.1 miles from the airport and thus, close for a quick trip during a London layover.

None of these activities interest you? Here’s a list of more suggestions of places you can visit during London layover at the Heathrow airport.

Have a suggestion for a London Heathrow layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover at Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG)? The airport is the hub of Air France and France’s main airport, located roughly 15 miles from Paris’ city center which makes the city an accessible destination for on a long layover. If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your layover, there’s plenty of shops and services to help you bide your time. There’s a number of bars and restaurants (listed here by terminal) as well as lots of duty free and regular shopping. A shopping guide can be found here.

For kids, there are Gulli play areas with games and a TV area (click here for locations), Playstation areas, coin-operated arcade games including pinball, pool, foosball and more, located in terminal 3 in the Schengen boarding lounge and in the international lounge. There are also additional play areas where kids can climb, slide and burn off energy before the flight in the boarding lounges of terminals 2C, 2D and 2E (in the boarding lounge in the remote area).

CLICK HERE for the Layover Guide to Paris’ Orly Airport

For adults looks to relax, the Charles De Gaulle airport hosts the Be Relax spa in Terminal 2E near desk E69 and in kiosks throughout Terminal 2. Here you can get a number of services including massages, acupressure, reflexology, manicures and pedicures, and facials. Click here for pricing. Appointments are not necessary, customers will be attended to based on arrival time. For more information call +33 144 13 76 94 or email info@berelax.xom. In addition to the spa, there is also a Men’s lounge salon in Paris-Charles de Gaulle terminal 2D.

There is also Internet access available in the airport. There is the Atlanteam Cyber Café with four locations in the airport (click here for more info) as well as Multimedia Terminals that allow a number of various operations including downloading music, web phone, web cam, digital photo printing and more. Click here for pricing and locations. There is also WiFi hotspots in all the terminals, and business workstations.

CLICK HERE for the ten best restaurants in Paris!

The airport also has a number of additional services including a post office, multi-faith prayer area, banks, and pharmacies.

If you’re looking to store your bags while you explore, Charles De Gaulle offers baggage storage. Bagages du Monde will ship, store (short term or long term) or wrap your luggage. Click here for pricing, location and more information.

If you’re layover is at night or you’re looking to get some rest, there are many hotels of varying price points located near the airport. Directly inside the airport you can find the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel & Conference Center located in Terminal 2. Here’s an additional list of hotels near the airport.

If you’re leaving the airport, there’s a number of transportation options. Taxis are located outside the arrivals terminal and a general fare to the Paris center costs €50 (click here for fare rates and taxi contact information). If you choose to travel by rail, the Paris-Charles de Gaulle SNCF station is located between terminals 2C-2D and 2E-2F. Click here for additional information on rail and bus travel in Paris.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Paris Layover:

Sightseeing

Eiffel Tower

Transfer at St. Michel to the yellow RER line, and go to the Eiffel Tower at Champ Des Mars stop. Take trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. On a clear day, there’s no other view that compares. Check the site for hours of operation and rates.

Notre Dame

Take the train to St. Michel and visit Notre Dame and tour the cathedral. If you get hungry, there are great Parisian cafes and restaurants nearby, along the Seine, or in St. Germain des Pres area.

Seine River Cruise

Also a great way to see the city quickly is to take a Bateaux-Mouches Cruise, and take a leisurely trip down the Seine for an hour. (They also offer sunset cruises, if the timing works for your layover.) You’ll get a wonderful view of the city and Notre Dame.

Museums

Orsay Museum

Transfer at St. Michel to the yellow RER line, and go to the Orsay Museum at the Musee d’Orsay stop. It exhibits French art from 1848 to 1915 and is best known for its Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

Louvre

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a visit to the famed Louvre, but skip the lines and order tickets by phone in advance (08-92-68-46-94), pick them up at any FNAC store and enter via the Passage Richelieu, 93 rue de Rivoli.

Restaurants

Hotel Plaza Athenee
Well known as a top breakfast hotspot “power breakfast” spot, the Hotel Plaza Athenee‘s pastry chef, Christophe Michalak, won the 2005 World Pastry Cup.

La Coupole
Join the ranks of Salvador Dali, Josephine Baker, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway and have lunch at La Coupole, a classic bistro, on the left bank of the Seine.

Shopping

Galeries Lafayette & Printemps

If you visit one of les grands magasins, Paris’ huge department stores, you will not leave empty handed. The massive stores of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, along the Boulevard Haussmann in the 9ème arrondissement, have virtually everything you can imagine, and more.

Have a suggestion or advice for Charles Du Gaulle layovers in Paris? Leave a comment below!