Airport Layover advice

[madelise]

I have an upcoming trip that will include a 1 hour layover in Philadelphia going, and a 1 hour 45 min layover in NorCarolina coming back. Is that enough time to "explore" or "do something"? I am dyinggggg to try an authentic Philly Cheesesteak.. Do you think we'd have enough time to scramble out, haul a taxi and scramble back? This is my first time flying anywhere that's longer distance..

 

[princesss]

Short answer? No. 1 hour is barely enough time to get from gate to gate and maybe stop in the bathroom. 2 hours isn't even really enough time (and if you're flying through Charlotte, there is nothing close enough to the airport that you could grab and go back even if lines through security were really short). Sorry.

 

[sonnyjane]

Short answer? No.

Ditto.

Remember they start boarding your flight 30 minutes prior, so when they say you have an hour layover, by the time you de-plane, get to your next gate, maybe use the bathroom, then start to board your next flight, you really have like 10 or 15 minutes! Same thing with Charlotte. By the time you factored in all those things, you'd maybe have an hour tops, which is not long enough to go anywhere and still be back with enough time to go through security and get back to your proper gate. Maybe if I had a 4 hour plus layover, I'd consider leaving the airport for somewhere close, but no way I would do it with the length you're dealing with.

 

[Pandora II]

I'd be quite worried having only an hour layover that I wouldn't make the next flight let alone trying to do anything at the airport.

I would only consider leaving the airport if I had 4-5 hours or so.

 

[Loves Vintage]

I agree that you have no time to leave the airport, and because I was curious whether I'd be able to find a Philly Cheesesteak at the airport on-line, here's your best bet: http://www.philamarketplace.com/take_out. Timing will still be tight!

 

[princesss]

I'd be quite worried having only an hour layover that I wouldn't make the next flight let alone trying to do anything at the airport.

I would only consider leaving the airport if I had 4-5 hours or so.

Yeah, I have an hour layover on my flight to the UK next month and while normally I would just run gate-to-gate, I have a bum knee right now so I'm plotting how to make them drive me in those little carts. Luckily with the way airlines pad their flight times, you usually get about 15 more minutes than you see on your itenerary.

 

[madelise]

thanks, ya'll. we have to go through security and whatnot AGAIN, even if we don't leave? or is it only if we leave and come back? Is there such thing as getting Philly cheesesteaks delivered to our terminal?

Lovesvintage-- thank you! i wonder if that's considered 'authentic', since it's airport food...


*sigh. guess i'll have to get up on the idea of a layover being a good thing.. at least i'd get to stretch for an hour?

 

[sonnyjane]

thanks, ya'll. we have to go through security and whatnot AGAIN, even if we don't leave? or is it only if we leave and come back?

You only have to go through security again if you leave the terminal.

 

[Loves Vintage]

thanks, ya'll. we have to go through security and whatnot AGAIN, even if we don't leave? or is it only if we leave and come back? Is there such thing as getting Philly cheesesteaks delivered to our terminal?

Lovesvintage-- thank you! i wonder if that's considered 'authentic', since it's airport food...

*sigh. guess i'll have to get up on the idea of a layover being a good thing.. at least i'd get to stretch for an hour?

Hee-hee, probably not, but it's all I've got! Where are you headed anyway? Vacation?

 

[Octavia]

PHL is about 15-20 minutes from Center City by car, longer by public transit. There is no way whatsoever you'd be able to get to one of the authentic cheesesteak places, get your food, eat it, and be back in time to make your flight. Three hours would probably be the bare minimum, IMO. You'll just have to go back and spend more time there someday!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

No! I never book less than an hour after missing too many connections. I recently had an 1.5 and STILL missed the connection! Stay in the terminal!

 

[Lotus99]

thanks, ya'll. we have to go through security and whatnot AGAIN, even if we don't leave? or is it only if we leave and come back? Is there such thing as getting Philly cheesesteaks delivered to our terminal?

It depends on the airport. In some airports, you can't stay on the "checked" side of security. I had this problem a few months ago at an airport and got stuck in a huge security line. I almost missed my flight.

 

[Octavia]

thanks, ya'll. we have to go through security and whatnot AGAIN, even if we don't leave? or is it only if we leave and come back? Is there such thing as getting Philly cheesesteaks delivered to our terminal?

It depends on the airport. In some airports, you can't stay on the "checked" side of security. I had this problem a few months ago at an airport and got stuck in a huge security line. I almost missed my flight.

It should be fine in Philly -- you don't have to cross the security barriers to get between any of the terminals/gates. You arrive through the same doors you board through at the gates. I really don't like airports where you exit into a nonsecure area and have to go through the screening again, though this seems to happen mostly with international flights...but it has happened at a couple airports when I've been on domestic flights, too.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

If you are flying through Charlotte you will not have to leave the secure area even if you have to change terminals. I feel like everything takes longer than expected when flying. There are so many delays, plus it takes 10-20 minutes to de-board or wait for gate checked items. Then another 10-20 minutes to walk to your new gate.

 

[allycat0303]

The last time I had a 1.5 hour layover in Los Angeles, they were calling our names overhead because we weren't on the plane!! We were trying to clear customs after changing terminals. That being said, I was once on layover in Philly and had a Philly Cheese steak sandwich in the airport. Its been over a year, and my husband says it's the best sandwich he ever had. So I don't think you will have to go far to find this delicious treat.

 

[Deia]

No way. One hour connectioni is enough time for you to make it from one gate to the other. And that's if your first flight isn't delayed!

 

[justginger]

I think that's a resounding no. It made me giggle though - I don't even BOOK trips that have less than 2 hour layovers (internationally anyway). I'm done with RUNNING through airports, trying to get from the domestic terminal to international or vice versa. I like a good comfy 4 hour layover - enough time to get where I need to be, people watch for a bit, maybe go to the toilet, read a few chapters. I wouldn't consider leaving the airport on less than 5 hours layover. Except in Singapore, Changi has an excellent city tour that departs and arrives directly to the airport, and is run by airport staff.

The good news is that you can often get fairly authentic local dishes at airport restaurants - lots of people want to try local cuisine without running the risk of missing their next flight.

 

[madelise]

sincerely, thank you for your advice. haha i guess it sounds silly now that you've all described what happens in airports.. in my non experienced mind, it sounded like a good idea. i'd rather not be late! and now i'm worried about making it in time to the next gate!

do you know if i have to pick up my checked luggage from 1 flight, and move it over to the next flight myself? or do the airports automatically do that for me? i called into the airline, and was put on hold for half an hour, and i forgot to ask them this question


lovesvintage - my SO is treating me to a trip to an adults only resort in Jamaica it's my spring break off at school, and my birthday's just a few days later. I'm so excited! I've never used my passport before!

 

[justginger]

They will check your luggage through to your final destination, unless your layover is in a foreign country. In that case you will have to clear customs at the point of entry, collecting your luggage in the process. I assume this is not the case here though, as you've clearly stated you have US layovers. In that case the nice person who checks you in at your departure airport will ticket your bags to your final destination...so you just have to worry about getting yourself from point A to B.

Enjoy your first trip overseas. But be careful, traveling is addictive!

 

[madelise]

Thank you!! Haha, uh oh, my wallet doesn't need a new addiction!

 

[madelise]

Just wanted to update that I came back from my trip last week, and was actually able to get my cheesesteak within the state of PA! So I'm able to cross that off my bucket list even though it wasn't the best tasting cheesesteak available!

I asked the flight attendant for a recommendation, and if it was feasible in the allotted time between landing and my next flight.. The place is called Eat at Joe's. The attendant thought that it would be impossible to run to the restaurant, wait for the food, then run to my next flight.. but alas! We landed at the gate right in front of Joe's!