Layover in Atlantic City (ACY): What to Do, See & Eat

Visa & Documentation: Check Transit Option Time Cost Taxi 20-30 minutes $40-60 Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) 20-30 minutes $25-45 Rental Car 20-30 minutes $30-60/day

For the most current transit information, visit the Atlantic City International Airport website.

What to Do During Your ACY Layover

Short Layover (2-4 Hours)

With limited time, stay near the airport or focus on quick activities:

• Relax at the airport: ACY has basic dining and retail options. Download offline entertainment before landing to pass the time comfortably.
• Quick boardwalk walk: If you have 3+ hours, take a rideshare to the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk for a 30-minute stroll and photo opportunity.
• Grab a meal: Airport food is 2-3x more expensive than city restaurants. If staying at the airport, use the food court rather than sit-down options.

Medium Layover (4-6 Hours)

You have enough time to explore the city center:

• Atlantic City Boardwalk: The iconic 4-mile wooden boardwalk features ocean views, shops, and restaurants. It’s the heart of Atlantic City’s entertainment scene.
• Casino exploration: Major casinos like Borgata, Ocean Casino Resort, and Tropicana offer gaming, dining, and entertainment. No purchase necessary to walk through and enjoy the atmosphere.
• Beach time: Walk down to the sandy beaches for a quick dip or relaxation (seasonal).
• Dining: Eat in the city, not the airport. The boardwalk and downtown have restaurants at reasonable prices compared to airport food courts.

Long Layover (6+ Hours)

With significant time, you can experience Atlantic City more fully:

• Full boardwalk experience: Spend 2-3 hours walking the entire boardwalk, visiting shops, arcades, and attractions.
• Casino gaming & dining: Enjoy table games, slot machines, and upscale restaurants in major casino resorts.
• Absecon Lighthouse: Visit this historic 1857 lighthouse for panoramic views of the Atlantic City skyline and ocean.
• Shopping: The Pier Shops at Caesars and other boardwalk retailers offer clothing, souvenirs, and gifts.
• Rest & refresh: Consider booking a hotel room by the hour or use luggage storage services like Bounce or Stasher (typically $5-10/bag/day) to explore hands-free.

Quick Layover Tips

• Use luggage storage: Services like Bounce and Stasher partner with local businesses near the airport for affordable luggage storage – much cheaper than airport lockers.
• Download offline maps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me offline before landing. Airport WiFi can be unreliable.
• Stay hydrated: Bring an empty water bottle to fill after security. Staying hydrated helps manage jet lag.
• Share your location: If exploring solo, share your location with a trusted contact for safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave ACY airport during a layover?

Yes, you can leave ACY airport during a layover. However, plan carefully: For international connections, aim for at least 6+ hours total layover time. For domestic connections, 3-4 hours is sufficient.

What is there to do at ACY during a layover?

Atlantic City offers the famous Boardwalk, casinos, beaches, shopping, and dining. Short layovers can enjoy airport amenities or a quick boardwalk walk. Longer layovers (6+ hours) can explore casinos, visit the Absecon Lighthouse, enjoy beach time, and dine at city restaurants. The boardwalk is the main attraction and is walkable from downtown.

How long of a layover do I need at ACY?

For domestic connections: 2-3 hours minimum. For international connections: 3-4 hours minimum. To actually leave the airport and explore: aim for 4+ hours for a quick visit, or 6+ hours to experience Atlantic City’s main attractions like the Boardwalk and casinos.

Are there lounges at ACY?

Lounge availability at ACY varies by airline and membership status. Check with your airline for lounge access. Alternatively, purchase a one-time day pass from your airline (typically $39-59) or consider Priority Pass membership, which gives access to 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide. Some premium credit cards include Priority Pass membership for free.

Travel Tips by Traveler Type

Family Travel

• Pack a ‘layover bag’ inside your carry-on with snacks, entertainment, change of clothes, and basic toiletries for easy access.
• Most major airports have baby care rooms with changing tables, bottle warmers, and nursing areas – ask at the information desk.
• Bring an empty water bottle to fill after security to keep kids hydrated and help manage jet lag.
• Use Bounce or Stasher for luggage storage ($5-10/bag/day) instead of expensive airport lockers.

Solo Travel

• Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before landing – essential for navigating without data.
• Use a Wise or Revolut card for the best exchange rates – zero markup in most countries.
• Share your location with a trusted contact when exploring Atlantic City solo.

Group Travel

• Designate a ‘group leader’ before the layover to manage timing, headcount, and communication.
• Use WhatsApp or a group chat for real-time coordination – share departure gate and boarding time as a pinned message.
• Use Splitwise to automatically calculate who owes what for shared transport, food, and activities.
• Book luggage storage together for multi-bag discounts.

Ready to Make the Most of Your Layover?

Use the Yopki layover calculator to determine exactly how much time you have to explore Atlantic City and get personalized recommendations for your layover length.