Whether you booked a flight with significantly cheaper fares, you’re stopping halfway to meet family and friends, got booted off your flight last minute, your flight got delayed or perhaps you just want a break between two long flights because you’re traveling international- odds are you will one day find yourself wondering around an airport waiting to board your connecting flight.
For most travelers, a layover feels like a painfully long boring delay due to the long wait. It doesn’t have to be, though, and you don’t have to let those hours of travel purgatory go to waste.
Follow these tips below on how you can survive a long layover without becoming restless and before you know it, it’ll be boarding time.
Enjoy the airport lounge
Most airlines at major airports all over the world have lounges that can make a long layover a lot more comfortable. First class and Business class passengers will have access to the dedicated lounges. If you’re flying Economy, though, you can buy a one- time pass that grants you access for 3hours or so. Although the price of a lounge pass might sound high at first, it’s absolutely worth every shilling. In addition to guaranteed comfortable seats, wifi and charging spots, you get free complimentary food and usually free wine and beer. Some lounges even have beds, as well as showers for a quick clean up and spa services that make your layover even more enjoyable.
Catch up on sleep
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you can take a nap to reboot yourself and it’s a great option for passing time quickly. Find a quiet spot or a set of seats with no arm rest and stretch out. Sure, airports benches aren’t the most comfortable nap settings and finding a free one especially at busy airports can be tricky, but you can make it happen. If you plan to sleep always make sure to keep your bags safe and close by- keep a hand or foot on your bags (or use one as a pillow) or use a carabiner clip to secure your luggage to a fixed object to avoid a travel nightmare. Don’t forget to set an alarm on your phone or find a kind-looking stranger on your flight to wake you up if you miss the boarding call.
Call a Loved One
Use the time to make some phone calls/video calls to your family back home and it’s also a great way to stay safe, so that someone is always aware of your plans. Some people are so busy with life or have been travelling for a while (probably guilty of the traveler faux pas) that they find it difficult to make out time to talk to friends. Having some time to kill at the airport is therefore a great time to catch up with that friend you were always meaning to call back.
Explore the City
If your layover is considerably long, say eight hours or so, and you can enter that country with no visas issues plus you’re feeling brave- why not explore the city. If you have less than 2 hours till your next flight, stay at the airport.
Just make sure you research beforehand how to get from the airport to the city and back and keep in mind that you’ll have to pass through security again when you return, so make sure to leave plenty of time for that. Whether it’s heading into a café to grab a croissant and a cup of coffee or night of partying, layovers are fun ways to check out the new locale even if the location is far from the top of your bucket list of destinations. You may be surprised to discover a city you’d return to in future. If you’re wondering what to do with your hand luggage, most airports have luggage storage facilities.
The next time you have a long layover and you’re looking for things to do, these 4 tips are a great place to start. With a bit of pre-planning and creativity, you can turn that dead time into some fun.
