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What is a transit guest?

What is Transit Passenger? Transit passengers transfer to places they want to go to. In aviation, transit passengers are defined as passengers who use other airports for less than 24 hours to get to their destination to complete their journey. Transit passengers are obliged to apply for a transit visa if necessary.



A transit guest is a traveler who is staying at a hotel for a very short duration, typically less than 24 hours, while waiting for a connecting flight, train, or bus. These guests are the primary clientele for "Transit Hotels," which are uniquely located inside the secure international terminals of major airports like Singapore Changi, Doha Hamad, or London Heathrow. Unlike standard hotel guests who book by the night, transit guests often book by the hour (e.g., in 4, 6, or 12-hour blocks) to catch a few hours of sleep and a shower during a long layover without having to clear customs or immigration. In 2026, "landside" airport hotels also cater to transit guests who have experienced flight cancellations or have early morning departures. These guests prioritize speed, proximity to the gate, and functional amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi and soundproofed rooms over luxury leisure facilities. For the hotel industry, transit guests represent a high-turnover demographic that allows for "double-dipping" on room inventory, as a single room might be used by two or three different transit guests within a single 24-hour calendar day.

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Do you go through immigration when transiting through the US? Everyone who arrives in the United States is processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, even if you are taking a connecting flight that is leaving the United States. You must have a visa or be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program to transit the USA .

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- Transfer: passengers arriving and departing on a different aircraft, or on the same aircraft bearing different. flight numbers. They are counted TWICE: upon arrival and departure. Direct Transit Passengers. Passengers who arrive at and depart from the airport on a flight bearing the same number.

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A direct flight is identified by a unique flight number. A transit flight, with a connection, has two distinct flight numbers. A flight that is not direct, or connecting flight, involves a change of aircraft.

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You'll need to pick-up your luggage, then check it in again for the next flight. Top Tip: A wait at the airport between two connecting flights is called a layover. For more travel advice, check out our guide to dealing with a short layover.

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