Traveling Smart: 16 Ideas to Keep You Entertained During the Airport Layover

Are you feeling bored and restless during your airport layover? Don't worry, we've got you covered with plenty of ideas to keep you entertained and take advantage of your time. As a traveler, waiting at the airport can be a tedious and sometimes stressful experience. However, with the right preparation, it can also be an opportunity to relax, catch up on work, or even explore the airport. Check out this list of 16 practical tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your waiting time at the airport, whether it's a short layover or a lengthy delay.

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Let's check out this list of 16 things to do while waiting at the airport

1. Plan your upcoming trip: Take advantage of your spare time to plan your daily itinerary. Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, having a clear idea of your activities and excursions can make your trip more enjoyable.

2. Read a book: Bring a good book with you to the airport to pass the time. Choose book categories that might be a good fit for passing the time at the airport, such as short stories, fiction, and self-help books. You can also download e-books to your phone or tablet.

3. Organize your phone gallery: We often don't find time to clean our phones, so it can be a great way to pass the time at the airport. You can group similar apps together and delete any apps you no longer use. You can also go through your photo gallery and delete any duplicate or unnecessary photos. This can free up space on your phone and make it easier to find the photos you actually want. Create albums in your photo gallery to organize your photos by event and make it easier to find specific photos later on.

4. Watch a movie or TV show: Bring your laptop or tablet and catch up on your favorite shows or watch a movie. Before you leave home, download the movies or TV shows you want to watch. This way, you won't have to rely on airport Wi-Fi, which can be slow and unreliable. Make sure to bring headphones or earbuds.

5. Shopping: Although shopping at the airport can be costly, there are usually a plethora of stores to peruse. Even if you're just window shopping and choose not to purchase anything, it can be a perfect way to spend your time. If you have some funds to spare, consider buying a present for someone you plan on visiting during your trip. Alternatively, if you're heading back home, you can purchase a gift for a loved one.

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6. Reply to email: Waiting at the airport can be an ideal opportunity to catch up on emails and stay on top of your inbox. If you have a lot of emails to go through, start by prioritizing them based on their importance and urgency. This way, you can focus on the most critical emails first and tackle the rest later.

7. Study: Bring your study materials and get some work done. Look for a quiet corner or a less crowded area in the airport where you can focus and avoid distractions. Some airports even have designated study areas or business lounges where you can work.

8. Relax in a lounge: If you travel frequently, it might be beneficial to consider enrolling in an airline's reward program that grants you access to their lounge at the airport. You can unwind in cozy seating, enjoy delicious food, and overlook any flight delays you may have encountered.

9. Write a diary: Maintaining a travel journal or expressing your experiences through a blog or your diary is an excellent approach to preserving memories. Someday, when you glance back at your notes, you'll be transported back to that precise moment in time. All of the tension, anticipation, and excitement will come flooding back.

10. Play games: Carry a deck of cards as there are a few games that you can play solo or download games onto your phone or tablet to enjoy during your airport wait time.

11. Listen to music: Listening to your favorite playlist can be a great way to unwind and spend some quality alone time at the airport. Be ready in advance by downloading various playlists on your smartphone or subscribing to a music streaming service like Spotify. Sing along to your beloved tunes (preferably in a low voice) and enjoy your waiting time.

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12. Get to know new people: One option to make the most of your time at the airport is to strike up a conversation with other travelers. You might find that you have something in common with someone or learn something new from them. However, it's important to be respectful of people's privacy and personal space and to keep safety in mind when interacting with strangers.

13. Eat: Usually, airport meals aren’t that worth, but filling up at the food court is still a great way to fill the time and, actually, the belly gap.

14. Take a nap: Waiting at the airport can be tiring and exhausting, especially if you've been traveling for a long time. If you're feeling tired or jet-lagged, taking a nap can help you feel refreshed and energized for the rest of your trip. Many airports have designated rest areas or quiet zones where you can take a nap without being disturbed. Just be sure to set an alarm so you don't miss your flight.

15. Stay in touch with a loved one: calling a loved one and informing them about your adventures is a great way to share your experience, and it's also a great way to stay safe so that someone at home will always know and be aware of your plans.

16. Take a walk: Airports are usually very big, with multiple terminals, shops, and areas to explore. If you have some extra time, consider taking a stroll to discover things. You may come across something unexpected, and at the same time, you can reach your daily 10,000 steps.