6 ways to kill time at an airport when you have a long stopover

Is there anything worse than an extended stay in an airport, when you’re itching to get to your destination? Here are some tips to help you make the most of a long stopovers and ensure you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed…

1. Leave the airport

Okay, so it might seem odd that our first suggestion for how to spend time in an airport is to, well, leave it, but hear us out! Some airports offer fast and affordable transportation to a nearby city (think Amsterdam, Chicago, Singapore etc), so if you’ve got a really long stopover it’s an ideal time to pop out and see a bit more of the world!

If there’s a quick organised tour you can take, all the better. Otherwise, to make sure you’ll have enough time during your layover, research what kind of transport is on offer to and from the airport, and the location of any attractions you want to visit (you may want to focus on a single attraction to save travel time). Be sure to allow plenty of wiggle room for traffic, long airport security lines and other things that could go awry.

Generally your luggage will be checked to your final destination even on lengthy layovers of up to 24 hours. If you need to pick up or hold onto your luggage during your layover, you can always leave it in the airport at a locker or Left Luggage facility.

One last thing: make sure you check ahead of time whether or not you’ll need a visa to enter the country that you’re arriving at.

Read more: 8 ways to get through an airport quickly

2. Work out

With so much time at your disposal, why not put it to good use and do a bit of exercise? Pack a yoga mat and find a quiet space to do some stretching. It can help to get your blood flowing and circulation pumping. Some airports even have places specifically for travellers to exercise, or meditation centres. Failing that, you can always do some brisk laps around the duty-free shops!

3. Sleep

Many airports have designated sleeping sections or special sleep chairs that can help you feel less awkward about taking forty winks in public. Airports including Hong Kong International, South Korea’s Incheon International and Vancouver International offer comfy lounge chairs and padded benches. If you want total privacy, consider paying for a hotel room in the airport – even if it’s your stopover’s only a half-day or so, you may find it’s really worth the cost.

4. Research your airport

If you know you’re going to be spending ages in a particular airport, find out what it has to offer. Just about every airport has restaurants and shops, but depending on the size (large airports in major cities are your best bet), you could even have a theatre, museum or gym to enjoy. Check out the airport website for information about any special facilities – and if there’s a service that will allow you to deposit any baggage, so you can really relax and enjoy the offerings.

5. Freshen up

Most airports have showers and a place where you can freshen up. This is especially useful if you’re on a long-haul flight to Europe, when you might feel a bit stale from sitting in a plane for 14+ hours. The rejuvenative powers of a hot shower are amazing.

6. Try to get in a lounge

Most airlines have VIP clubs at major airports where you can enjoy food and drink. If you’re a frequent flyer member, inquire about getting a day pass – it could be worth it if you have a long wait.

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