So you have a layover. You know there is plenty to do inside the airport. You just landed in your favorite city and your favorite store is just a cab ride away. Do you dare leave and enjoy it or do you sit around the airport wishing you had gone? Before you ever leave home, get everything you need just in case you decide to venture out into the city away from the airport. There are many cities close to shopping and fine dining. Make sure you have at least a 3 -4 hour window before leaving the airport.

Come prepared. Map quest where you want to go. Call the store to make sure they will be open when you are in the area. Wear comfortable shoes, the trek back to the gate may get a little tight. Remember, anything you get while out shopping, you will have to carry on the plane unless you have it shipped home. If you are going to a mall that you are unfamiliar with, get a copy of the floor plan before leaving home. You don’t want to waste valuable time playing online games getting dropped off at the opposite side of the mall.

Plan your get away strategically. Maybe the city is one you have never experienced before. You don’t want to say you have visited the city and never left the airport. You may consider renting a car with a driver for a couple of hours and do some sightseeing while in the city. What a great way to see the sites. Research before you leave home. Know what you want to see and the vicinity it is in before you leave the airport. Let your driver know you need to be back at a specific time. He will know the traffic and what time you need to be headed back.