A six to twelve hour layover sits in an awkward middle: too long to sit comfortably at a gate, too short to feel like a real stopover, and long enough to ruin the next day if you spend it badly. With a little planning, though, it becomes the most restful part of the trip: a shower, a proper meal, a nap, and arrival feeling human instead of exhausted. The difference is almost entirely preparation, because airports reward passengers who know their options before they land.

This guide covers the decisions to make before you fly and the tactics that work once you are on the ground.