Flights with layovers are great! They’re usually cheaper than flying direct and it gives you a chance to get off the plane and really stretch your legs. While they have their benefits, they also have some pitfalls like your luggage getting misplaced and the stopovers being up to 24 hours and longer! If you’d like to keep your sanity during these long waits, here are 4 things to do during a layover and they won’t break the bank either!
1. Go sightseeing
This seems like the most obvious activity to do – but there are a few things you need to consider before you decide to leave the airport. Check the visa requirements before you enter the country you’re laying over at, use Google maps to see the distance into the city from the airport and work out if you’ll have enough time to leave and return. If you’re laying over for more than 5 hours, then this might be a good option. Otherwise, play it safe, you wouldn’t want to miss your flight because you took a 1 hour drive around town.
2. Pay for that lounge access
Can’t leave the airport? This is your next best option! An airport lounge is the perfect place to escape the mayhem of the airport, the noise, the crying babies and just get away. Not all lounges are members-only, so you can pay a once-off fee that will give you access to comfortable seats, wifi, drinks, snacks, newspaper, magazines and sometimes even a shower! Hello self-care!
3. Visit the spa
Before you hop on your first flight, check to see if the airport you’re heading to has a spa and check out the prices. Ask about any perks or advance booking discounts so you know what you’ll spend. You just got off a 9 hour flight, there was a crying baby behind you and you just couldn’t get comfortable. Now it’s time to treat yourself! If you didn’t feel like treating yourself before you arrived, maybe you’ll change your mind now that you’ve arrived.
4. Move around or find the gym
After sitting for hours on the plane, the last thing anyone wants to do,is sit some more! Take a brisk walk around the airport to stretch your legs and get the circulation going. It’s also a great way to burn some extra calories too. Before your flight, check if your layover airport has a gym. Have some fitness gear in your carry on so you can get in a workout once you land. You’d be surprised to know that a lot of major layover airports have them! You get to pass an hour or two, plus get in a workout. If they have a shower that’s a bonus because you can take a relaxing one and freshen up.
Other things to do:
Try the local food
Window shop
Sort out any issues you didn’t get to before you boarded your first flight: confirming hotels, credit card, transferring money and setting an out of office auto response
