The airport can sometimes feel like the Twilight Zone, especially when you arrive in the middle of the night when you are in bed or doing a transfer and have a long layover period to fill up.
Staying entertained while at the airport can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially if what you usually do doesn’t pass enough time. That being said, having a long list of things to do while at a place like an airport can be helpful.
Here are some helpful tips to stay entertained while at the airport.
Do a bit of reading.
Many people go to reading a book to pass the time when vacationing or traveling. If you enjoy reading, it’s worth purchasing a book at the airport so that you have a book that you have picked specifically for this trip.
You might not have the endurance to read multiple chapters at the airport, but just a bit of light reading can often pass the time.
The Kindle or your phone can also be an excellent way to read if you’re not a fan of carrying around physical hard copies. With a Kindle specifically, you’ve got access to multiple books, and often, a long charge is available for when you’ve got some hours to kill.
Play some games online.
When you’re looking to keep those twiddling thumbs occupied, a good way of willing the hours away is by playing games online. There’s nothing more fun than challenging yourself to a bit of spider solitaire or building your imaginary city through simulation games.
The benefit of living in this generation is that technology has become so advanced that you can get any game online and through your phone or tablet. You don’t need a desktop or a games console to enjoy online gaming. You're good to go as long as you have a mobile and an internet connection.
Online games can be a great way to keep boredom at bay while waiting for a flight to depart or patiently waiting for your gate to be announced.
Watch a movie.
When you’ve got a long layover time, a good way of passing the time is to watch a movie. Thankfully, you’ve got a lot of streaming platforms to choose from in order to find what you’ll enjoy.
One suggestion when it comes to picking a movie, though, is not to opt for any end-of-the-world ones, as they’re likely to make you feel a little anxious about stepping onto a plane.
You’ll often find that once you’ve sat through one movie, you’re much closer to getting on the plane. Watching a movie or going on a marathon can often make the layovers much quicker.
Indulge in some trashy magazines.
Trashy magazines are always a great way to pass the time, especially when you’re reading them page by page.
Whether it’s learning about the latest gossip about Hollywood celebrities or you’re indulging in the real stories of the average person that seem too wild to believe, these are the types of magazines that can quickly help you bust the boredom that’s typically felt when you’re at the airport waiting for a flight.
Buying these magazines from your local corner shop or supermarket rather than at an airport would be best. While there is often a good selection at the airport, you won’t get the full range of trashy type magazines that will keep you entertained for hours on end.
Listen to a podcast.
For those who don’t enjoy watching or reading, there’s always listening to try out while at the airport. Podcasts have grown in popularity over the years, which is something to jump on board with if you’re more prone to listening to music than watching a video.
A podcast is a great way to learn about something new or to be entertained while waiting for your flight. Whether it’s an absolute crime documentary or listening to two people chat about the mundane activities of life, there’s something to appeal to pretty much anyone nowadays.
Go for a long walk.
While exercise isn’t something you’d typically associate with the airport, walking around an airport’s definitely a lot to gain. Many airports are relatively large; some often take a long time to walk from the main lobby to the gate you’re flying from.
That said, you might want to consider going for a long walk around the airport to get some exercise and waste some time.
While it might not last the few hours you have waiting during a layover, it can take some time out of your airport stay. Plus, you get the opportunity to explore different airport surroundings.
Some airports might be dull, whereas others might have many shops and places to explore between the gates.
Grab a coffee and people-watch.
Sometimes, a great way to spend time in an airport is to simply people-watch. Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and watch the world go by. You can enjoy your time a lot by watching the commuters around you walk by.
It’s a beautiful way to relax and take the world for what it is. If you’re a big fan of people watching - in a non-creepy way - then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy doing it in an airport. You won’t be short of people to watch!
The next time you’re in an airport, make sure to use this list as inspiration to find something that you’ll enjoy, hopefully making time go a little faster while in an airport. Hopefully, you’ll find yourself on the next flight soon enough with these boredom busters.
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