Layovers can be a pain and no one wants to waste time when they’re headed for a vacation or to see friends or family. Instead of sulking during your stay in the airport, next time you travel try one of these tips. The time will move faster and you can even have a mini-vacation on the way to your vacation.
Have you ever looked at your travel itinerary and been dismayed to find you will have a long layover? While airlines have non-stop flights to and from major destinations, often to find the best deal or to get somewhere a little obscure, you’ll have to change planes. This may mean spending anywhere from 1 to 9 hours stranded in an unfamiliar airport.
Instead of buying out the newsstand, here are ten ways to make the most of your time between flights.
Get to Know the Airport
Large and midsize airports pack all sorts of things into a sprawling space. While your terminal may only have day-old hot dogs and bags of stale chips, a short walk can lead you into the land of sit-down restaurants and gourmet coffees. Ask at the information desk if they have any suggestions for enjoying your time in the airport.
You may be surprised to discover that most airports have hospital as well as wedding and chapel facilities. Don’t be afraid to explore different areas and engage in the free services.
Invest in something Decent to Eat
If all your body has for energy is a couple of Mars bars and a can of Pringles, you’re bound to be sluggish and irritated as you wait for your next flight. Long stretches of sitting punctuated by trips to the junk food emporium will not only add pounds, but will make the time seem to move like a snail. Find a restaurant where you order from a menu and have a server that doesn’t also sell newspapers. By engaging in an experience where you’re accustomed to waiting for your food, you’ll not only carry on better nutritious habits, but you won’t realize you just burned an hour of your layover time.
Stow your Luggage
Traveling light? Stick a couple of coins into a locker and you can make sure your backpack won’t knock the souvenir shot glasses off the shelf behind you. If you have more significant amounts of luggage, there are often services where, for several dollars, your bags will be kept in a secure location until you come back to collect them. This is probably one of those services you will have to ask about, but there is amazing freedom in knowing your luggage is safe and you don’t have to keep an eye on it.
Even if you won’t be leaving the airport, stowing your luggage is especially important if you are traveling alone. Think about trying to fit two weeks worth bags into a tiny bathroom stall. It may cost a few extra bucks, but you’ll appreciate every second.