A layover is not a stopover. A transit visa exists even when you never leave the airport. And the cheapest self-transfer ticket can cost you the whole trip if you miss the second flight. The things no one explains before you board.
A layover is not a stopover. A transit visa exists even when you never leave the airport. And the cheapest self-transfer ticket can cost you the whole trip if you miss the second flight. The things no one explains before you board.
A **layover** is the short stop between two flights on the same trip (usually under 24 hours). A **stopover** is a long, planned stop (24 hours or more), sometimes offered free by the airline as a route perk.
The **MCT (Minimum Connection Time)** is the minimum legal interval each airport sets for changing flights. It ranges from 45 minutes to more than 3 hours depending on the airport, the terminal, and whether the connection is domestic, international, or mixed.
On a single ticket issued by the same airline or alliance, **your bag travels through to the final destination** and you don't collect it at the connection — except in specific re-check cases (entering the U.S., first entry into Europe on some routes).
**Self-transfer** (separate tickets stitched together by sites like Kiwi) is cheaper, but the risk is yours: if the first flight is delayed and you miss the second, **the airline has no obligation to rebook or refund**. You re-buy out of pocket.
Several countries require a **transit visa** even if you never leave the international zone of the airport. The United States, Canada, and China are the most common traps for the unprepared traveler.
A layover is not a stopover. A transit visa exists even when you never leave the airport. And the cheapest self-transfer ticket can cost you the whole trip if you miss the second flight. The things no one explains before you board.
