Anyone that travels frequently is sure to have experienced an uncomfortably long layover at some point. While we’d naturally rather avoid them, sometimes they are inevitable. So, if this seems to be the case no matter how hard you’ve tried to find a better time for your next flight, here are some survival tips for dealing with the long wait.
Not looking familiar?
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*Investigate the facility. Although airport dining generally means making the best of the horrible and expensive options, there are some noteworthy restaurants that are improving the fare at various spots around the globe. Unfortunately, these establishments are still few and far between but they are nonetheless good way to pass the time if you can find them. Some airports even have small art museums that are worth investigating or tiny spas that can help you unwind, despite being stuck at Concourse B for hours on end. If all else fails, you can always peruse the goods at the duty-free shops while you wait.
*Take the time to refresh yourself. If you aren’t a member of any airline rewards clubs and you don’t want to pay $50 or more to use one of the airline lounges, you can still take the time between flights to wash your face and hands in a nearby bathroom. It might also be a good idea to change into something fresh from your carry-on, particularly new socks if the pair you’ve had on for the past ten hours has begun to smell like feet. Of course, prepackaged wipes are also great way for people stay clean on long flights.
Don’t let this be your kids.
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*Bring enough supplies to keep everyone entertained. Adults can usually survive a long layover if they have a couple of books or a computer with access to free Wi-Fi. By comparison, little kids might need crayons, coloring books, snacks, two changes of clothes, a handful of toys and an i-pad to get through the same amount of time. Just be sure there is enough on hand to keep everyone harmlessly occupied. After all, you don’t want to miss your flight because the TSA took offense when your bored teenager decided to sneak around humming the theme song from Mission Impossible just to see what would happen.
*See if your friends can join you. Social media and various apps make it easy to connect with people that you know even when you’re otherwise trapped. For instance, your distant cousin or best friend from college might live in the town you’re currently stuck in and wouldn’t mind dropping by the airport to say hello. Perhaps if you ask nicely, they might even come to your rescue with decent food or a cup of coffee. Who knows? You could even find one of your friends stuck in the exact same airport!
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*Just relax. No matter what religion you do or do not practice, the airport chapel is always a good place to go during long layovers if the ambient noise levels start to get on your nerves. Chapels are usually excellent spots to work on your computer or read a book. Of course, some folks are nonetheless capable of taking naps in the terminals but your own ability to do so might vary, particularly if you’re a light sleeper or the only person available to keep an eye on your belongings. However, some airports have small, rentable sleeping pods that make a safer alternative to napping in the open in such cases.
*Visit the nearby town. This is generally only a feasible option in places where travelers are faced with exceptionally long layovers and there are frequent train connections from the city in question to the airport itself. If this happens to be the case, you’ll probably want to put your bags into the luggage storage at the airport so you don’t have to lug them around. You’ll also need to stick to attractions that are fairly close to the airport. After all, you wouldn’t want to risk being stuck on a bus in rush hour and risk missing your flight out, would you? No matter how charming a town might be, paying for a new plane ticket at the last minute is one sure way to set back any future vacation plans you might have had.
Doesn’t this look better than the tarmac?
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Happy Travels!
Sources: Skyscanner; Travel Channel; Grrrl Traveler; Backpackology
