Overnight layover

[hoover]

DH and I are going to Mexico for the first time next month, and we will have an overnight layover in San Francisco on the flight home (10pm - 8 am). We figured that we would probably need an hour to clear customs and get our bags and we would have to be back two hours before the scheduled departure in the morning, so we really only have 7 hours to check-in, get food, sleep, then get up and go back to the airport. I think we should book a hotel room and DH thinks we can stay at the airport.

I was thinking of booking the Aloft or Westin since it's only a 12 minute walk to the In N Out according to google maps.

What do you guys think? Hotel or no hotel? Are you even allowed to stay overnight in the airport?

Thanks!

 

[justginger]

I can attest that you definitely CAN stay overnight in an airport, and have myself quite a few times in airports around the world (the woes of buying bargain bin airfare!). Depending on the airport, you'll be varying degrees of a) bored, b) irritable, c) uncomfortable, d) hungry, and e) sleep deprived. Oh, and don't forget f) stinky, and g) hot/cold depending on what their climate control is set at.

Don't do it. For that long for a layover, and during the evening hours, a hotel is always worthwhile. Only sleep in an airport if you are literally counting your pennies (which I have done in the past, so no judgement here!).

Daytime layovers are different. When I fly to the States via NZ, I get to enjoy a very jet-lagged 13 hour layover each time. Check into a hotel at that time to sleep, and you'll be wide awake for your whole 14 hour night flight to LAX. So you gotta just stay up.

 

[hippi_pixi]

even if it just a few hours of sleep i think you'll appreciate a nap in a comfortable bed after being awake for hours in that airplane seat. otherwise I'd be taking a pillow and something cushiony and trying to have a good sleep in the terminal.

 

[JewelFreak]

A shower. You'll be craving one & miserable when you get home if you don't get a hotel room. SFO isn't a comfy place to sleep -- no airport is unless you can go to a premier lounge with beds & shower. Most of the concessions close in the middle of the night too.

I traveled internationally all the time in my job & got stuck overnight at airports several times due to weather or strikes. Ick. You get on your flight smelly, feeling grubby, eyes bloodshot & dry, and exhausted. It's worth the bucks to sleep in a clean bed & take a shower! If you don't, you'll wish you had.

--- Laurie

 

[Enerchi]

A shower. You'll be craving one & miserable when you get home if you don't get a hotel room. SFO isn't a comfy place to sleep -- no airport is unless you can go to a premier lounge with beds & shower. Most of the concessions close in the middle of the night too.

I traveled internationally all the time in my job & got stuck overnight at airports several times due to weather or strikes. Ick. You get on your flight smelly, feeling grubby, eyes bloodshot & dry, and exhausted. It's worth the bucks to sleep in a clean bed & take a shower! If you don't, you'll wish you had.

--- Laurie

+1 to this plan. I have not had such a long lay over but even a few hours of a proper sleep would be worth it, if you are still travelling across the continent for a long flight home. I'm not good with remembering things but aren't you also in Ontario? It should be about a 5 hour flight back, if that is the case, + the 2 hour pre flight in the airport + the fiddling when you arrive at your city's airport + the travel back to your own home. For me, I'd want the shower and hotel rest.

I voted YES but not because of the "don't be cheap" but because of the personal comfort being worth it to me!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Hotel all the way Hoover! You don't wanna be stuck at a airport trying to be comfy and then be stuck in a small airplane trying to be comfy! Get your beauty rest, shower and then go catch your plane! You'll be glad you did!

 

[Circe]

In some airports, you can buy access to the fancy travelers lounge. It might cost more than the cheap hotel, but either way, I feel like you'll be a lot happier with a shower and a soft place to lay your head than you would be bunching up your bag for a pillow and trying to ignore the seat divider poking you in the back as you try to scrunch your body up onto a bench ....

 

[nkarma]

Agree with everyone else about hotel. Book one that has an airport shuttle. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near SFO once and it was great.

And dammit now I want IN n Out! Luckily there is one a few blocks away!

 

[hoover]

Thanks for the replies ladies!

DH's thing against the hotel is if the flight into San Francisco will be late, then it's really not worth it to stay there. I remember flying United before, and they are frequently late... I'm in Alberta, so the flight home from sfo will only be about 3-4 hours, so it's not bad.
BUT, I'm holding firm on the hotel - I told DH that it would be worth it to pay for the hotel and not have to be around me when I'm hungry, tired and cranky

 

[hoover]

PS Nkarma - I'm actually looking forward to having a burger at In n Out too! Can't get that inside the airport.

 

[JulieN]

This is what I say to my BF in this kind of situation: no hotel = no sex.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Oh my goodness, you know, the only time I was ever in the Bay Area before moving out here was an overnight layover in SFO years ago (over a decade ago) with my family. All I remember was that it was FREEZING and we were so cold and my dad bought my mom and I overpriced sweatshirts from one of the shops.

This was a long time ago and a very anecdotal experience, but honestly, staying overnight in an airport (or more than a couple hours in one IMO) is just not fun. Besides, think of it this way (and pitch to your husband this way): will spending the extra bucks be worth it if it helps avoid traveling the REST of the way cranky?

 

[amc80]

Get a hotel. And don't walk to In N Out, get a cab. The airport isn't in the nicest area, especially at night.

 

[mayerling]

This is what I say to my BF in this kind of situation: no hotel = no sex.