Tag - what to do in the airport

How To Survive An Airport Layover

No one is ever too thrilled to sit around in an airport all day on the way from Point A to Point B, but sometimes an airport layover is unavoidable. Whether yours is a couple hours or even longer though, it doesn’t need to feel interminable—you just need to come up with a plan for what you’ll do while you wait for your connection. Here are some tips:

 Bring snacks

How to Survive an airport layover

 

 

 

 

Buying food at the airport can get expensive, so if you know you have a layover, you may want to think ahead and bring some snacks with you. There are some TSA restrictions as to what food you can carry through security with you, but there are plenty of things you can bring. Nothing makes a layover (or a flight) drag like being hungry the whole time, so make sure you’ve got something to munch on!

 Bring a drink

You can’t bring large liquids through security with you, but there’s nothing stopping you from bringing an empty water bottle through with you and refilling it at either the drinking fountains or (depending on the airport) the water refill stations set up specifically for that purpose. Remember that you can also bring small bottles of alcohol through security as long as they’re less than 3.4oz in size and fit into a quart-sized Ziplock. Again, things at the airport tend to be expensive, so rather than shell out the big bucks to keep hydrated, bring your own beverages.

 Figure out where things are

Looking for restaurants, play zones, restroom locations, airline lounges or something else? You can use the GateGuru app to find everything you need, or see if you can spot an airport map. If you’re really turned about, remember that you can also ask security guards or gate agents and they can usually point you in the right direction.

 Go shopping

How to Survive an airport layover

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not really a big shopper, but usually when I have a really long airport layover, I take a little time to browse through the duty-free shops. Many airports offer a broad range of shops where you can buy everything from souvenirs to electronics to books and more. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it can be fun to do a little window-shopping—plus, you’ll be able to stretch your legs a little before you get on your next flight!

 Think about getting out into the city

How to Survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

 

If you have one of those long layovers (5+ hours), you might be able to head out of the airport and explore the city. You should look into visa requirements if you’re traveling internationally, and you’ll need to make sure you leave yourself enough time to get into the city, back out to the airport and through security. But there’s no reason you can’t turn your long layover into a fun part of your trip. Some airports even offer free packaged tours, so you don’t have to figure out the logistics on your own.

 Stream a movie

How to Survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re all used to streaming movies on flights, but if you can find WiFi in the terminal (it’s becoming increasingly more common these days), you can stream Netflix. Of course, if you’re traveling abroad, you may be faced with an error message since Netflix restricts its services by country because of contractual agreements with the owners of the movies’ rights. But you can install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your smartphone, tablet or laptop and use that to hide your real location. It’ll send Netflix a fake IP address, making it appear as though you were back in your home country.

Brush up on your language skills

How to survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re traveling abroad and want to learn the local language prior to your arrival, the airport can be a great place to cram in some last-minute language lessons. There are a lot of language-learning apps that can help you out, but my personal favorite is Duolingo, which incorporates reading, speaking, listening and writing activities into one app. You can use it to learn a bunch of different languages, from Spanish to Ukrainian—and best of all, it’s totally free!

Play airport bingo

How to Survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

 

There are some things that you only see in an airport. If you’re traveling with friends or family, turn your layover into a friendly competition by printing off some airport bingo sheets ahead of time. You can find plenty of free sheets online, or create your own. Next thing you know, it’ll be time to board.

Get comfortable

How to Survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

Airports aren’t known for having the most comfortable seating in the world. Depending on how long your layover is, it might be worth springing for that airport lounge or a dayroom at the airport hotel. Or just check out Sleeping in Airports to see if there are any quiet, comfortable areas in your airport where you can relax for a bit.

Take a nap

How to survive an Airport Layover

 

 

 

 

You want to enjoy yourself when you arrive at your final destination, don’t you? Traveling can really wear you out, especially if you’re dealing with late-night flights or changing time zones. You’d be surprised at how fast the time can pass when you’re snoozing away your layover—and no, you won’t look homeless if you camp out in the airport for a few hours; we’ve all been there.

Do you have any other tricks to make a layover pass a little faster? Share your tips in the comments!

How to board a plane

How to board a plane

Airports can have a stressful enviroment sometimes, some make it difficult for travelers to find a specific point. But if you come prepared you will have no complications and delays. So here I wrote this information you should know to board a plane:

1. Print your ticket and check your luggage

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There are some airlines that let you print your ticket online, but you can do it by person at the airport. Find your airline at the airport and wait for your turn to check in. When you approach to the front desk, give your full name and ID or passport, they will give you your printed ticket and ask you for your luggage.

  • If you are flying with multiple connections, you should ask the attendant to print multiple tickets for each connection.
  • You checked luggage should usually weight less than 50 lbs. so you dont have to pay overweight.
  • You are allowed to carry two bags with you, try to bring the right size for each one.

2. Go to Security Check Point

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Have your ticket in hand, ID or passport and luggage ready. This is where your bags pass through the security check and will be revised with the computer xray.
The electronic devices must be in a separate container and your bags in another one. Liquids ans gels have to be under 100 ml, otherwise you will not be able to take them with you.

3. Find your terminal/gate

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Take your bads and find your terminal or gate, you can find it in your ticket. The airport will guide you with its signs to your gate. If you can’t find any sign ask the security guide and he will help you.
If your ticket doesnt show a terminal, look for the flight screens, there you’ll find everything.

4. Wait for your plane

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It is always good to arrive earlier at your gate so you have time to board your plane. You can take a walk at the shops there, connect to the internet or eat something while you wait for your departure.

5. Time to board

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Normally you board 20 min before the plane leaves, so wait for the flight attendant call. Boarding is done in sections/groups, find your group number in your boarding pass.

6. Ready to fly

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Now is the time for your departure, place your bags under the front passenger seat, your seatbelt on and turn off your cellphone until the pilot indicates to turn it on at sky (literally). Have a great trip!
Hope this article is helpful for you! Share it to help other travelers on their way 🙂