Can you leave the airport during a 7-hour layover?

Is a 7 hour layover long enough to leave the airport?

Seven hours? Piece of cake! Leaving CDG? Absolutely. You could practically become a Parisian for that time. Forget your pre-flight anxieties. You'll be ordering croissants like a pro.

Things to Do with 7 Hours at CDG:

• Hit the Louvre. Okay, maybe not the Louvre, but a smaller museum? Totally doable. Time is a precious resource, you know.
• Eat a ridiculously fancy baguette. You are in Paris, for crying out loud. Indulge.
• Get lost. Then find your way back. Navigating the Parisian metro is an Olympic sport, right?
• See if you can find my lost sock. I left it somewhere around Gare du Nord. It's probably still there, amongst other forgotten things. If you see it, text me. I'm serious. My phone number is 555-SOCK.
• People-watch. Parisians are stylish. And judgemental. It's a thrilling combination. I once saw a dog wearing a beret.
• Buy something you absolutely don't need. Like a tiny Eiffel Tower made of cheese. Why not?

Toronto Layover?

Seven hours in Toronto? Dude, that's more time than I spend at my actual apartment. Get out of there. Explore. Grab some poutine. Don't miss the CN Tower. Unless you're scared of heights, of course.

General Advice:

• Factor in travel time to and from the airport. Getting lost is a possibility, or at least a fun adventure.
• Check your visa requirements. Trust me; immigration headaches are no joke. It's not something you'd want to be caught up in.
• Don't forget your passport. Seriously. I once knew a guy who forgot his passport at a bakery in Amsterdam. I'm still laughing about it.
• Enjoy! Seven hours is a lifetime in airport time! You could write a novel in that much time. Or at least, a really great tweet. I've lost my wallet somewhere. Can you please let me know if you find it? Thanks!

Should I leave the airport during a 7-hour layover?

Okay, so, seven hours... honestly, it depends.

I had this layover last July in Amsterdam, right? Schiphol. Ugh, I was flying back from visiting my auntie in Germany.

My layover was, like, noon to seven pm. I thought, "Heck yes, I'm leaving!" I mean, it's Amsterdam!

Left my bag at the airport storage (cost me around 10 euros I think...ouch!), jumped on a train. The train was pretty quick.

I remember thinking, "Wow this is actually happening!"

Headed straight for the canals. So beautiful!

It was warm, everyone was cycling. I grabbed some amazing fries with mayonnaise (yum!). Walked around, took pics, felt like I was in a movie.

The key is timing, though.

• Daytime rocks. Way more open!
• Night? Nah. Especially alone!

Seven hours seems like a lot, but factor in:

• Getting OUT of the airport (immigration lines?)
• Getting IN back for your connecting flight (security lines!)
• Travel time to/from the city.
• Potential delays. Omg.

So, do the math. If you're cutting it close, DON'T.

My Amsterdam trip was worth it, but I had PLENTY of time. Wouldn't risk missing my flight, no way. Unless...first class tickets! ????