A long layover for me is a bonus, and I look forward to making the most of the time.

If you are a frequent flyer, then you have inevitably had the experience of a long layover. Many travelers view this as a total drag, a necessary annoyance of travel day. Admittedly I am one of them. However, a change of plan and a shift in mindset has me heading in a much healthier direction.

If you find yourself with a long layover, whether it is scheduled that way because of the timing of your connection, or you get stuck due to weather conditions, there are many healthy ways to pass the time.

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Long Layover

Two Quick Tips Before You Embark on this Long Layover.

  • Before you begin the fun, find your departure gate and make yourself familiar with its location.
  • If you are one who gets side-tracked, set the alarm on your smartwatch for when you need to head back to your gate.

Here’s a comprehensive list of things to do if you are in for a long layover, plus what to pack in your carry-on to make the best of your bonus time.

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

Learn something new.  

If you are traveling somewhere, and the language is different than yours, use your bonus time to learn a few essential phrases. With Rosetta Stone, you can learn over twenty different languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and German. The locals will be so proud of you if you try to speak their language; all you need to do is try.

Take a walk.  

Stretch your legs and get in your steps for the day (my goal is 10,000 steps). Download an audiobook or podcast, tuck in your AirPods, and go for a walk.

Window shop.  

Although not all airports have worthy shopping, many are full of fun shops with unique gifts and touristy treasures like coffee mugs, magnets, and shot glasses.  

Read a book.  

Stuck in an airport, the perfect excuse to curl up with a good novel. Here are a few of the latest fiction books that I loved. Or some good ole fashioned motivation talk. If you forgot a book, most airports have the latest top ten on their bookshelves to purchase, and guess what? You have plenty of time to kill.

Research your destination.  

Learn about the unique culture, the food, the weather, the language, quintessential activities, and experiences.

Get a massage.  

Indulge in a little bit of self-care with a quick massage while waiting in the terminal. Relieve tension and from travel day, relax, and energize.

Check out Be Relax, with more than 52 spa locations in airports worldwide providing massage, manicures, pedicures, steam rooms, and showers. Some even offer facials, waxing, and they will style your hair. Maybe that’s over the top…maybe not.

Long Layover. Rest and Relax signage.

Make dinner reservations.  

Of course, you are already fully prepared with dinner reservations once you arrive, or are you? Use this bonus time to research restaurants close to where you are staying and make a well-informed decision for dinner. When you have a good plan in place, then time is not wasted, and hanger frustrations are limited. 

Review your itinerary.  

There is still time to book an experience or adventure. Review your travel guides and read your favorite travel blogs. Often purchasing a tour before you arrive is cheaper, plus you have a plan in place.

Make a TikTok with your teens.  

Yes, I went there. Teens love TikTok, why not join the fun?

Play UNO.

Everyone knows how to play UNO. And you may even make some new friends.

Long Layover. Play Uno.

Yoga.  

With the rise in the popularity of yoga, many airports have created a dedicated peaceful space to practice yoga, stretch, or meditate. Research your airport to know ahead of time if there is a yoga room and where, bring a fold-up yoga mat, and find a place to destress. Here are a few popular airports for you to review.  

Indulge in Champagne, but don’t overindulge. 

Long Layover. Glass of Champagne

Go shopping.  

Many airports pride themselves in the shopping experience. Know before you go by researching where you will be spending your bonus layover time. Whether you want to purchase a designer bag or a simple city mug as a souvenir, these airports are the top.  

  • London Heathrow (LHR)~ The best airport for shopping, according to Skytrax World Airport Awards.   
  • John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in New York City ~ Brooks Brother, Cartier, Coach, Juicy Couture, and Ferragamo.
  • Paris’ Charles de Gaulle (CDG) ~ Burberry, Hermes, Gucci, and Rolex. Not the prettiest airport, but fabulous boutiques for shopping (well, maybe just window shopping).

 Eat a tasty and healthy meal.  

Another idea many airports have picked up on is providing travelers a place to sit down and eat a healthy meal, a smart alternative to waiting for that airplane meal.

Chat with your family.  

Enjoy quality family time; this is what it’s all about.

Long Layover. Spend time with your family.

Journal your experience.  

Travel journaling starts way before you arrive at your destination. And here are a few pre-arrival journal prompts to get you started.

  • Set your daily physical and mental health goals and write them down. For example: Get up early, eat a healthy breakfast, and take a walk.  
  • Write down three ways you plan on stepping out of your comfort zone during your vacation.
  • What are your expectations of the destination when you arrive?
  • Create a playlist for your long walks in the mornings, either podcasts or music.
  • If you haven’t already done this, create your daily flexible itinerary and write it in your travel journal.

Grab a cuppa tea or coffee, and people watch.

Airports are a people-watching mecca. You will see all kinds of happy travelers.

Check out the airport lounge.

Many lounges allow you to purchase a one day pass. Enjoy complimentary snacks and faster wifi to pass an hour or two. 

Get your workout on.

Here are a few airports that have gyms for you to get a quick workout in while you wait. Pack a change of clothes and some toiletries to freshen up after.

  • Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)  Roam Fitness is paving the way to fill airports with state of the art gyms for a quick workout, shower, and freshen up during your layover. The first of this venture is at BWI between Concourses D and E, with many more to come in the future, including Atlanta, Denver, Miami, and San Francisco.
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) Terminal1 is where you will find GoodLife Fitness, a 10,000 square foot facility providing cardio, free weights, and express workouts. A day pass is $17.
Long Layover. Get your workout in.

Explore a new city.

If your layover is more than 4-5 hours, consider leaving the airport and exploring the city; this will require a bit of pre-planning. Here are a few things to consider doing after escaping the airport. 

  • Book a guided city tour.
  • Reserve a reservation at a popular restaurant and taste the local cuisine.
  • Decide on an attraction, figure out the best way to get there (Uber or Taxi), and go for it.
  • Make sure to be back 2 hours before your next flight. You will have to go through security again.

Get a room.

And if you have an overnight layover and the funds to do it, get a room and sleep it off, shower, and freshen up for your upcoming adventure.

Be prepared for your layover by packing everything you need in your carry-on bag. Here is a printable carry-on checklist, so you don’t forget a thing.  

Long Layover

See what I mean? A long layover is a bonus, treat it as such.  

Relax, indulge in some essential self-care, learn something new, hang out with your family, read a book, write in your journal, or escape for a day of exploring a new city.  

I don’t know about you, but I am more excited than ever to step into an airport. I will never take the bonus time of a long layover for granted again.

What are your favorite things to do to pass the time during a long layover?

Stay healthy.  

Have fun. 

And send me pictures.