### Discover the Convenience of Transit Hotels During Long Layovers
**Travel** | **Jamie Davis Smith** | **August 7, 2024**
If you have a long layover, consider staying at a transit hotel. They’re my low-cost secret to making travel more enjoyable.
*Staying in a transit hotel made my long layover way easier to navigate and embrace.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
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As a frequent traveler, I sometimes take flights with long layovers. They can be miserable, but they can also be a great deal. Recently, I took my kids on a flight with a 32-hour layover in Istanbul. This gave us a full day in the city but also meant arriving close to midnight and leaving early in the morning.
I needed a convenient place to stay during our two-night stopover that was close to the airport and provided easy access to the city. My search led me to a fantastic concept: transit hotels.
#### What Are Transit Hotels?
Transit hotels are not the same as airport hotels. While airport hotels are close to or connected to airports, transit hotels are inside airports, often in the transit area where duty-free shops are located. They are usually beyond airport security and immigration, saving travelers time. These hotels are often limited to international passengers with a boarding pass for an onward flight within a few hours to a couple of days. Rooms can be booked for several hours or overnight.
*Transit hotels are not the same as airport hotels.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
#### My First Transit Hotel Experience
My family stayed at a Yotelair transit hotel in Istanbul Airport for about $236 per night. Before checking in, we had to scan our boarding passes and go through an additional level of airport security, which was quick. We were in our room within 40 minutes of landing.
*It took me 40 minutes to get to the Yotelair check-in desk from my airport gate.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
The hotel was more than basic and much nicer than a sleeping pod. Our modern room had great amenities, including outlets for American plugs, toiletries, a towel warmer, cozy slippers, and a free toothbrush. There was enough space for all three of us to sleep comfortably, and the shower was spacious.
*Our Yotelair room felt spacious and modern.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
The next morning, we went through immigration quickly and explored Istanbul. Returning to the hotel, we went through immigration and security again, allowing us to sleep in before our early flight.
*Our Yotelair room had plenty of storage for luggage and clothing.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
#### The Benefits of Transit Hotels
Staying at a transit hotel allowed us to maximize our short time in Istanbul while getting plenty of rest. It was the most relaxing and stress-free travel day I’ve ever had. Although I could’ve found a cheaper hotel in the city, paying a little more for the convenience was well worth it.
*I had a great experience in my transit hotel, from the small details like cozy slippers to the overall convenience.*
*Jamie Davis Smith*
Unfortunately, transit hotels aren’t as widespread as they should be. Yotelair has airside transit hotels in Paris, Singapore, and Amsterdam. Airports in Oman and Malaysia also have transit hotels under other brands. In the US, the closest thing to transit hotels are usually sleeping pods or short-term suites in major airports.
Now that I know how fantastic transit hotels are, I’ll actively look for them whenever I have a long layover. I hope to see them in every airport one day.
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Source: businessinsider.com