Airports: Do They Count As States Visited?

Whether or not airports count as states visited is a highly subjective topic. Some people believe that stepping outside the airport and breathing the air is sufficient to count a state as visited, while others argue that simply passing through an airport does not constitute a visit. Many individuals have their own criteria for what counts as a visit to a state, ranging from taking a snapshot at the border to spending a certain amount of time in the state or connecting with locals. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to count an airport as a state visited is a personal choice, and individuals may define it in whatever way they prefer.

Does a layover count as a visit?

The question of whether a layover counts as a visit to a state or country is a subjective one, and opinions vary. Some people believe that a layover does not count as a visit unless they leave the airport, while others consider any time spent within the borders of a state or country as a visit, even if it is just at the airport.

Those who are trying to visit all 50 US states often have their own criteria for what counts as a visit. For example, members of the exclusive All Fifty Club, which recognises individuals who have been to every state, require individuals to step outside the airport and breathe the air; airport layovers do not count. Similarly, two men who made a bet to see who would be the first to set foot in all 50 states agreed that, to count as a visit, they had to spend at least one full hour in a state during the day, be outdoors for some of that time, set foot on the ground, and go beyond the state's border—with airport property not counting.

Some people have stricter criteria, such as requiring a 24-hour stay or an overnight visit to count a state or country as visited. Others have more relaxed criteria, such as requiring only a brief step outside the airport terminal. Some people draw a distinction between "been to" and "visited", considering a layover as having "been to" a place but not necessarily "visited" it.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to count a layover as a visit is a personal one and depends on an individual's definition of what constitutes a visit.

Do you need to leave the airport?

The question of whether or not an airport counts as a state or country visited is a subjective one, and there is no definitive answer. Some people believe that simply stepping foot in an airport is enough to count it as a visit, while others argue that you need to leave the airport and explore the surrounding area to truly count it as a place you have visited.

There are a few factors to consider when deciding if you need to leave the airport for it to count as a state visited:

• Time spent outside the airport: If you have a long layover and can explore the area outside the airport, it may feel more like a true visit. Some people set a minimum time requirement, such as spending at least one full hour outside during the day.
• Interaction with locals: For some people, visiting a state means interacting with locals and experiencing the local culture. This could include trying local food, speaking to locals, or participating in local activities.
• Leaving airport property: Some people specifically exclude airport property from their definition of a visit. This means that even if you step outside the airport, you haven't technically left airport property and therefore haven't visited the state.
• Clearing customs and immigration: If you have to go through customs and immigration at the airport, some people consider this as officially entering the state or country. However, others argue that you haven't truly visited a place until you've explored beyond the airport and experienced what it has to offer.
• Personal connection: Ultimately, the decision to count an airport as a state visited may come down to personal preference and how you define a "visit." If you feel a connection to the place, even if it's just the airport, you may choose to count it as a state visited.

Different people have different criteria for what counts as a visit to a state or country. Some people may have strict requirements, such as spending a certain number of days or doing specific activities, while others may be more flexible and count any time spent in the state, even if it's just a short layover at the airport.

Does it count if you've only seen the airport?

There are differing opinions on whether or not simply passing through an airport counts as having visited a state or country. Some people believe that you have to leave the airport and experience the local culture to truly say you have visited a place. This could include trying local food, interacting with locals, or seeing some of the local sights. Others believe that as long as you have physically been in the state or country, even if only in the airport, then it counts as having visited.

Some people draw a distinction between having "been" to a place and having "visited" it. For example, if you had a heart attack and died in an airport, your death certificate would list the country or state in which the airport is located as your place of death. Similarly, if you committed a crime while in an airport, you would be prosecuted by the authorities of the state or country in which the airport is located. Therefore, some people count passing through an airport as having “been” to a place, but not as having “visited” it.

Avid travellers who are attempting to visit every state in the US often have their own criteria for what counts as "visiting" a state. For example, members of the All Fifty Club, an organisation that recognises individuals who have been to all 50 US states, require that, to "visit" a state, a person has to step outside the airport and breathe the air; airport layovers do not count. Other self-imposed criteria include requiring a certain length of stay, such as one full hour during the day, or one day, or 24 hours, or even one month. Some people require that they have interacted with locals, while others are satisfied with simply snapping a photo at the border.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what their criteria are for counting a state or country as "visited".

Does it count if you've cleared immigration?

Clearing immigration is a crucial part of the travel experience, and it can be a time-consuming process, especially when many international flights arrive simultaneously. However, the definition of what constitutes a "visit" to a country or state remains subjective and open to interpretation. Here are some perspectives on whether clearing immigration counts as a visit:

The Technical Perspective

From a technical standpoint, clearing immigration means that an individual has officially entered a country, even if their stay is brief. This view holds that if someone dies or commits a crime during a layover, that location will be listed as their place of death or the jurisdiction for prosecution. Therefore, some people include transit lounges and layovers in their count of countries visited, considering it a "visit" from a logistical perspective.

The Experiential Perspective

Others argue that simply clearing immigration does not equate to truly "visiting" a place. This school of thought emphasizes the importance of experiencing a country's culture, food, history, and people. According to this perspective, briefly passing through an airport or even spending a short time in a hotel during a layover does not constitute a genuine visit. It is more about the quality of the experience and interactions with the local environment rather than merely checking a country off a list.

Personal Definitions

Ultimately, the definition of a "visit" is a personal choice. Some people have specific criteria, such as spending a certain amount of time, exploring beyond the airport, or having meaningful interactions with locals. For example, trying a local delicacy, exchanging money, using public transportation, or speaking the local language could all be indicators of a more immersive experience.

In conclusion, whether clearing immigration counts as a visit depends on one's perspective. While some consider it a technicality, others emphasize the experiential aspect of travel. The decision to count a layover or transit through an airport as a visit is an individual choice and may depend on factors such as the duration of the stay, the nature of activities, and personal connections made during the trip.

Does it count if you've been there for a long layover?

There are varying opinions on whether a long layover at an airport counts as a visit to a state or country. Some people believe that it does count, especially if you leave the airport and explore the local area. Others argue that it doesn't count as a visit unless you have spent a significant amount of time there, interacted with locals, or experienced the culture.

Some people have specific criteria for what counts as a visit. For example, one person said that they have to leave the airport and see at least one place of interest for it to count as a visit. Another person suggested that you have to be able to leave the airport and that having a coffee inside an airport waiting for a connection flight does not count as a visit. Similarly, another person said that unless your passport is stamped, you haven't visited the country.

On the other hand, some people believe that even a short layover counts as a visit, as technically you have been in that state or country, even if you haven't left the airport. One person suggested that if you died during a layover, that location would be listed as your place of death, so it counts as a visit. Another person said that they count a layover as a visit if they have cleared immigration, as this means you have officially entered the country.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what counts as a visit for them. As one person pointed out, the important thing about travelling is having exciting and diverse experiences, exploring different cultures, and meeting new people, rather than simply collecting countries or states like stamps in a passport.

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