How to Get the Most Out of a Long Layover

You may have forgotten about the mind-numbing monotony of a lengthy stopover in all the enthusiasm of planning your sunny getaway. Unfortunately, spending a long time at the international airport is a real possibility if you go for inexpensive airline tickets. Here’s a rundown of activities to amuse you in airport purgatory between vacation and return.

Relax and get some rest.

Taking a break to rest and refuel your body is a no-brainer decision. Even if airports aren’t the most inviting places for a night of sleep, it’s possible to pull it off with a travel comforter and pillow. However, if you’re a solitary traveler, you must keep your belongings secure and get some sleep during the lengthy stopover.

Play a game.

Get some of your favorite games to carry along before you depart. Nowadays, you can get just about every board game you want in a smaller version, from Scrabble® to the digital Among Us on your phone. Try out some new mobile games by downloading ones from the web, or get a portable gaming system like a Nintendo Switch or a PSP if you like video games.

Research your destination.

You might learn more about your final destination if you have time to kill during your stopover. Verify your dinner reservations, research exciting day trips, and read up on travel advice from experts online. A fresh look could reveal surprising new insights even if you believe you’ve exhausted your research. 

Take a brief tour of the airport.

If you have a lengthy layover (more than just a few hours; anything less is too big of a time risk), going outside the terminal may be worth it. You can check out what you can find if you’re feeling adventurous. You can check out another destination briefly on your same trip! Remember that you’ll need to go through screening again on your way back and include that time in your schedule.

Meet new people

If you’re a storyteller and love to travel, you’ll find a lot of kindred spirits at the airport. So start a chat with the stranger sitting close to you at the airport bar or the security checkpoint. If you like to chat, there’s so much to learn about at the airport. The airport is great for learning about new destinations and getting new ideas for your current trip!

Have some work done

These days, many individuals may do their duties from remote locations. Can we count you among them? Take advantage of your stopover to finish everything that has been piling up. Consider activating your out-of-office notification before you board the plane so that you may relax and enjoy your vacation without any interruptions.

Exercise

Certain airports provide on-site gyms and even yoga studios. Consider a yoga practice if you won’t be near one, or pack some resistance training and other lightweight workout equipment in the carry-on for discreet strength training. You’ll be able to pass the time, exercise to prepare for the next trip, and lose extra calories before your holiday without feeling guilty.

Read or write

Who says you must wait until you get there to start your trip journal? Instead, you could make better use of the additional time by reading more books and magazines or writing more posts. These are things that, in our hectic contemporary lives, we tend to put off in front of much more high-tech forms of pleasure. Still, when you start going again, you’ll realize how rewarding they can be.

James Danielson

Founder of Tooth Treks, James has been living abroad on and off for almost a decade.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *