The thought of intentionally booking flights with stopovers (essentially flights with overnight layovers) when traveling overseas with kids might elicit some weird looks. Why would any family in their right minds want to add more time getting to their destination?
Depending on which direction of the world you’re heading, there might not be any direct flights available, which means you’ll need to stop at least once anyway. But instead of choosing a flight with say a five-hour connection just to get there faster, I’m suggesting you book one that includes a longer, overnight layover.
Minimize stress and save money by booking flights with stopovers overnight.
When you book a flight with a stopover overnight, your kids can benefit from more rest, you mitigate jetlag as you ease into the time changes, and everyone gets to experience a new city.
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Plus, flights with stopovers are generally cheaper than nonstops. This can apply whether you find one that already includes an overnight layover, or you savvily build your own itinerary with a long stop by booking separate flights.
The best U.S. cities for stopovers
Some of the U.S.’s most connected airports make for perfect opportunities to break up long journeys. Your chances of finding flights with stopovers here are also higher, as these airports offer multitudes of links to international destinations.
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Here’s my rundown of the best stopover cities in the U.S. that make it easy for families to pause, rest and recharge before they continue their adventures abroad. Each includes my top hotel pick, as well as ideas for nearby activities to make the most of your pre-vacation vacation.
1. Atlanta: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
During an overnight layover in Atlanta, a quick and cost-effective way of getting from the airport to downtown is via the Marta train. At just $2.50 for a one-way ticket, it can whisk families to various locations throughout the city center in roughly 15 minutes. Boarding is right next to baggage claim, and trains depart frequently.
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Easy Atlanta Family Activities
Downtown Atlanta is home to myriad attractions that families on a time crunch can experience, without feeling rushed. Among them are the Georgia Aquarium, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, World of Coca Cola Museum and the Apex Museum. Centennial Olympic Park also puts on free, daily showings of The Fountain of Rings, its famous “dancing” water display.
Best Atlanta Hotel for Families
My pick for the best Atlanta hotel for families goes to the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. A short walking distance from the aforementioned Atlanta family activities, as well as from Marta’s GWCC/CNN Center Station, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more convenient stepping stone to explore downtown in one day.
The kid-friendly hotel’s Omni Junior Chef’s program is the cherry on top. Upon checking in, kids receive a tote bag with organic snacks and juice (an easy way to satiate little appetites on late arrivals), an activity book with crayons, and more.
2. Chicago: O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Downtown Chicago is about a 45-minute ride from the airport, by way of the city’s Blue Line “L” train. Tickets are only $5, and the train takes families directly to “The Loop” (the heart of downtown) for a fraction of what it would cost by rideshare, taxi or shuttle service.
Easy Chicago Activities for Families
The Loop is where you’ll find some of the city’s most sought-after landmarks, including Millennium Park, home of the Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”); The Chicago Riverwalk; Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings; and Maggie Daley Park, where family-friendly, recreational activities abound year-round.
Best Family Hotel in Chicago
With a layover in Chicago, what to do with the family in a short amount of time is an easy answer at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel. The property is nestled right in The Loop, a stone’s throw from the city’s must-see attractions. It’s also a swift walk to Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum and the American Girl Place store—all of which can make for quick yet fulfilling visits.
What also makes the Fairmont one of the best Chicago family hotels, however, are the perks inside. Kids under 5 eat free, while 6- to 11-year-olds get to chow down for half price at the on-site restaurant, Columbus Tap. Rooms offer generous square footage, and most of them have bathtubs (ideal for those with littles).
3. Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
For families arriving at SeaTac airport for an overnight layover, Seattle offers a handful of options to get downtown. The cheapest ways are via the Link light rail and ST Express buses. One-way adult fares range from $2.25 to $3.50 for the train and cost $3.25 for the bus. All kids 18 and under ride for free. It takes less than 40 minutes to get from the airport to downtown.
Easy Seattle Family Activities
When staying downtown with family, Seattle activities extend far beyond the globally acclaimed Space Needle—and many are within short walking distance. Other can’t-miss attractions that don’t require a ton of effort include the “Artists at Play” Playground, Seattle Children’s Museum, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market.
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Best Hotel in Seattle for Families
Maximizing your time is key, when it comes to making the most of any stopover, which is why I’d choose the Hyatt at Olive 8 for my short, overnight stay. Its location on the northern end of downtown (within the business district) puts you several minutes closer to the Seattle family activities mentioned above.
Kid-friendly amenities provided by the Hyatt at Olive 8 include spacious and eco-friendly rooms with techy features like free Google Chromecast and Bluetooth speakers, bathtubs in many of the categories, and cribs readily available; an indoor pool with a hot tub; and a dedicated children’s menu at its Tidal restaurant.
4. Denver: Denver International Airport (DEN)
With Denver having some of the priciest rideshare and public transportation rates in the U.S., families can save the most money by taking the 37-minute, “A” Line ride from the airport to downtown. Fares are still on the high end compared to the average, at $10.50 for a one-way ticket, but kids 6 to 19 receive a special youth discount of 70 percent off, while youngsters 5 and under ride for free.
Easy Denver Family Attractions
Downtown Denver comprises a collection of kid-friendly attractions, such as the Meow Wolf interactive art experience, Children’s Museum of Denver and Downtown Aquarium. Less than a 15-minute drive away, you’ll find more Denver family fun in City Park, home to the Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and various playgrounds and nature trails.
Best Denver Family Hotel
Choosing the best Denver family hotel for your overnight layover requires a bit of strategizing. Attractions are more spread out than in other cities, necessitating more walking, so it’s important to find a property that offers options to both explore by foot and take a short drive if desired. Behold: The Crawford Hotel.
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If your plan is to take the “A” Line to downtown, you’re already saving time; the hotel is actually located above Union Station, so all you have to do is head upstairs to check in and immediately immerse yourselves in the building’s storied past (there are even pullman-style rooms designed to make you feel like you’re on a vintage train). Standout perks include complimentary Tesla rides within a two-mile radius and yummy freebies from the station’s local food vendors—free ice cream, anyone?
5. New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
An overnight layover at JFK is an opportunity no family should miss—one that, with patience and thoughtful planning, can turn a flight connection into the experience of a lifetime. The two cheapest ways to get from the airport to Manhattan are via the subway and the Long Island Railroad commuter train.
For either option, you’ll take the AirTrain ($8) from the airport to Jamaica Station. This is where you can choose between taking the subway “E” Line ($2.75 for a one-way ticket) or the commuter train ($7.75 to $10.75 for a one-way ticket, depending on the time of year you travel). The following youth discounts are available: A maximum of three kids less than 44 inches tall ride for free on the subway; on the commuter train, youngsters under 5 ride free, while 5- to 11-year-olds pay only $1.
Easy Things to Do with Family in New York City
In a city the size of New York, your first step will be to narrow down which borough and neighborhood you’ll want to spend your little getaway. My focus in this article will remain on Manhattan—and more specifically, Times Square—as it’s at the top of most families’ wish lists.
Consider kicking off your visit with a hop on-hop off bus tour. I know, it’s so touristy it’s almost painful, but it is a fun way to get a lay of the land. Then, work in whatever you can from the following: a Broadway performance (or The Museum of Broadway if you can’t swing a show); the Empire State Building, Disney Store, Madame Tussauds New York wax museum, Bryant Park, and Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery for a deli sandwich and slice of authentic New York cheesecake. Central Park is also a mere 25-minute walk from the heart of Times Square.
Best Family Hotel in New York City’s Manhattan Borough
It’s possible to stay in the center of it all and still catch z’s in the “city that never sleeps,” at the Moxy NYC Times Square hotel. Family-friendly room layouts with unique features like twin loft beds and bunk beds make the most of square footage that’s slightly on the smaller side, while giving kids their own personal space.
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Other special treats include an ice cream vending machine, a pop-up pastry bar and retro-style game room. For parents who can briefly sneak away at night, the Magic Hour rooftop lounge is touted as the city’s largest, all-season, indoor-outdoor hotel rooftop venue — and affords an epic Manhattan hotel view to boot. The property is conveniently nestled only a couple blocks from Penn Station.
Stopover FAQ
Stopovers do require a bit of logistical wrangling. Here’s what you need to know before booking a U.S. stopover as the first stop on your international vacation.
Do overnight layovers include hotel stays?
Unlike some international carriers that provide hotel stays gratis for layovers longer than six to eight hours, U.S.-based airlines don’t cover accommodations for passengers with scheduled layovers. But since connecting flights tend to cost less than nonstop directs, you could potentially just think of that overnight hotel stay as a way of reallocating vacation funds.
What happens to checked baggage on connecting flights with long layovers?
Every airline has its own protocol when it comes to how long they’ll hold checked baggage on connecting flights. Typically, you’ll need to claim and re-check your bags during overnight and long layovers, commonly defined as more than 12 hours.
