View Full Version : Long stopover - leaving airport
Riccal
29th Feb 2012, 09:15
Hi All
Tried to find out the answer to this but getting mixed responses. Does anybody know definitively? I am travelling to Natal, Brazil via Lisbon with a 5 hour stop in Lisbon. TAP both legs and luggage checked through.
Will I be able to leave the airport and go into the city or will I have to remain airside as luggage checked through?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Espada III
29th Feb 2012, 11:17
No reason why you cannot leave the airport. Just exit through passport control and go the city.
On returning to the airport, go straight through to security (on the assumption that you already have your boarding pass) and go to the gate.
Riccal
29th Feb 2012, 15:51
Thanks Espada - I must admit that is what I thought but a few people have said I cant leave the airport whilst my luggage is still there which as it is in the system sounded a bit odd to me.
Cheers
Riccal
PAXboy
29th Feb 2012, 16:55
To my mind, the only reason not to leave the airport is not getting back. It's a short time you have and a traffic jam, or broken train, would complicate your journey. If worst came to worst, the carrier and your travel insurance provider would ask why you left te airport, thus causing you to miss the connection.
Of course, there is a very high likelihood that all will run smoothly. For myself? I'd chill out by booking into a paid-for lounge.
L'aviateur
29th Feb 2012, 17:19
No problems at all with the technical aspects. Although I've not done this at Lisbon, I've done it at many other airports including Heathrow, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Seoul on 6-12 hour stops.
Hartington
29th Feb 2012, 19:16
Make sure you have any entry documents (e.g. visa, ticket) that may be required.
Riccal
1st Mar 2012, 11:50
Hi All
Thanks for the responses - sorry wasnt logged on earlier but first opportunity.
Given that its a relatively short stop in all fairness I think I may just chill in the airport.
I suppose you have to factor an hour each way getting to and fro and then reworking through security. Prob not worth it for 5 hours between flights.
Cheers
Riccal
I've actually done this on a single flight.
Travelling on Delta Los Angeles-Atlanta-Boston, on a through flight. We could stay on board at Atlanta if desired, but schedule stop time about 70 minutes. I had never seen the Marta rapid transit system, which goes to the airport, so bounded out at ATL, took the transit to the main terminal, into the rapid transit train, rode one station, transferred and rode back, took some photos, back through security and down to the gate.