In partnership with
Transit Airports (where you have to change flights)
It is that window where you are:
Not in your home country (I am not discussing domestic transits here)
Not yet in your destination
And completely at the mercy of screens, gates, and announcements
If handled badly, transit can ruin your entire trip before it even begins.
Here are the biggest transit mistakes I’ve seen (and sometimes made 👀).
1️⃣ Booking a Layover That’s “Technically Enough”
Picture by Me (Mumbai International Airport)
Just because a website says 1 hour 20 minutes is sufficient, doesn’t mean it is.
Things that can go wrong:
Your first flight lands late
Your gate is in another terminal
You need to clear security again
You need to take a train inside the airport (looking at you, big European hubs 👀)
My rule:
International to international: minimum 2.5–3 hours
International to domestic: even more buffer (you sometimes need to change the airport)
Peace of mind is worth more than a slightly cheaper fare.
2️⃣ Not Checking If You Need a Transit Visa
Picture taken by Me. Tokyo Narita Airport
This one hurts people badly. Most of the times, the airlines will not let you board the plane at your first departure point itself. But sometimes, even they might miss it and you would be stranded at the transit airport.
Some countries (for example, USA) require a transit visa even if:
You don’t leave the airport
Your layover is short
You’re just changing terminals
Always check:
Is it same terminal?
Is baggage checked through? (if your transit is through the USA, it is not usually checked through. You need to collect it and do the entire process of checking it in again, including security check).
Will you pass immigration?
Never assume. Policies change.
When you book your connecting flights, the airlines/ booking portals always have a warning that says ‘please check transit requirements’. Many times, we miss this notice.
Do check out my Sponsor ⬇
Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: How This App Can Help
For many with ADHD, a simple "no" can feel like a world-ending nightmare. This is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and it makes navigating daily life painfully hard.
Developed by clinical psychologists, Inflow helps you understand and navigate RSD triggers using science-backed strategies.
In just 5 minutes a day, you can learn to prevent unhelpful thoughts and build deep emotional resilience. Stop spiraling and start reframing your thinking with a custom learning plan designed for your brain.
3️⃣ Assuming Your Bags Will Automatically Transfer
Picture by Me
Not all tickets are created equal.
If:
You booked two separate tickets
Airlines are not partner airlines
Or you booked a super-cheap combo
You may need to:
Collect baggage
Clear immigration
Re-check luggage
Which means your “2-hour layover” suddenly becomes impossible.
Always confirm at the first check-in counter:
“Is my baggage checked through to final destination?”
Do check out my sponsor ⬇
4️⃣ Sleeping Too Deeply
Picture by Me
We romanticise airport naps.
But:
Gates change
Boarding times change
Announcements aren’t always clear
Some airports are ‘silent airports’ which means there are no announcements. You need to keep checking the screen
Screens update quietly
If you must sleep:
Set multiple alarms
Sit near your gate. Usually the flight number is written at the departure gate an hour or more before boarding. If there is no flight number written, check the screen to see if there is a gate change
Don’t wear noise-cancelling headphones fully on
Airports are not your bedroom.
I once missed my flight to Zurich. No, I was not sleeping, I was sitting at the departure gate in Dubai. But they announced gate change and I missed hearing it. By the time I realised, it was too late and I had to pay extra to get into the next available flight. The mistake I made? I did not realise that there was no flight name on the gate. Also, the area was almost empty. This never happens, the place starts filling up with people who are on the same flight almost an hour before the flight.
5️⃣ Not Checking the Next Gate Immediately
Many travellers relax after landing.
Big mistake.
As soon as you land:
Check the screen
Confirm gate number
Confirm terminal
Confirm boarding time
Gates change more often than we think.
6️⃣ Not Carrying Essentials in Cabin Bag
Transit delays happen.
Always carry:
Medicines
Chargers
Important documents
Snacks
If your next flight gets delayed, you’ll survive comfortably.
7️⃣ Forgetting Currency or Payment Options
Picture by Me
Some airports:
Don’t accept certain cards
Charge high forex fees
Have expensive food
Carry:
A small international card
A backup card
Some emergency US dollars or Euros
Transit hunger is real.
8️⃣ Ignoring Your Body
Especially important for long-haul travellers.
Transit is the perfect time to:
Walk
Stretch
Hydrate
Reset circulation
I never sit for 5–6 hours straight. Transit is my movement break.
Your body will thank you at arrival.
9️⃣ Getting Distracted by Duty Free
Picture by Me. Heathrow London, Terminal 5
Yes, it’s tempting.
But don’t:
Shop before confirming gate distance
Wander too far
Stand in long billing queues close to boarding time
Shop after you’re sure.
10️⃣ Not Preparing for Unexpected Delays
Flights get delayed.
Weather happens.
Crew timings shift.
Ask yourself:
Do I have lounge access?
Do I have travel insurance?
Do I know airline desk locations?
Preparation removes panic.
I was once on transit at JFK Intl Airport, New York, and the flight to Buffalo got cancelled due to bad weather. I did not have lounge access or credit cards and the airlines did not provide any relief (food packets or accommodation). Food was expensive, so I had one slice of pizza and I slept the whole night in a corner near the departure gate. Yes, on the floor, with my handbag as a pillow.
Final Thought
Transit isn’t “dead time.”
It’s part of the journey.
Handled well, it’s smooth and calm.
Handled poorly, it can create stress that stays with you for days.
The most confident travellers aren’t lucky.
They’re prepared.
If you’ve ever had a transit nightmare, reply and tell me.
I promise you’re not alone 😅
Happy travels!
-Yogi
PS: All the experiences I share in my newsletter are true (that I have experiences) and not imaginary or AI generated ☺️
Follow me on X
Follow me on Medium