Have you ever spent hours at the airport waiting for your flight? Every person has at least once experienced the boredom of waiting for a delayed flight. If you are not one of them the chances are pretty high that it will happen to you as well. Beyond occasional delays or cancellations for travelers that are traveling internationally a long airport stopover is usually unavoidable. So whatever the reasons for your waiting at the airport are we are going to suggest some things you can do for spending that time while being stuck in one place.
Do the research about the airport
Airports are not just duty-free shops and boarding gates, depending on the city and the size of the terminals some airport have lounges where you can find a place to chill and have that time to learn something about the culture of a place you are visiting or just get a drink. Some of the airports have one more cool thing you can try which is to „hire a bed“. More and more airports are making sleeping zones and bringing modern sleeping pods that you can use for free. You would be surprised what can be found only if you look for it, so why not giving it a shot.
Walk around
As we have mentioned in the introduction, an airport is a place with duty-free shops. Why not get full advantage of it. You can find nice things to buy, save some money and spend a lot of time you would waste on just sitting and waiting. You can buy a gift for a person you are visiting or if you are heading home to someone that is waiting for you. Besides luxury brands that are showing at any corner, there are also shops with the things that are specific for a place you are taking a flight from. So why not buying a cool souvenir and ask staff about some traditions locals have, they are always happy to share a secret or two.
Find a connection
Nowadays free WiFI can be found anywhere and airports are no exceptions. Surfing the net can be a great distraction in a place where it feels like the clock has frozen. Even though social media is usually wasting our time on this occasion it is actually helping us not to go insane looking at the same spot for hours. Don’t feel guilty and use all the social platforms you have an account on and help yourself to escape the reality of waiting.
Reply to all your emails
You have that long email that you just can’t find the time to read or there is this one thing you forgot to tell your boss? Use this time to get things done. Not only will you spend some waiting time but you will actually do something productive and important. Make sure you get all the things done and replied before boarding to the long waited airplane and you will get to your destination without a single worry.
Look for food!
One of the best things you can do while waiting is to find that delicious treat that will make you forget about the time. Airports are packed with stores that provide all kinds of cuisines. If you are adventurous traveler you can try some of the local stuff and get to know about their culture, but if you are just casual and easy going person there is always one fast food restaurant that has your name all over it. Not only will you avoid hunger but as we all know food gives us satisfaction and it can even make those long hours of waiting seem not that bad after all.
Extra tip:If your flight has got delayed ask for a food coupon. Airline companies if it is their mistake will provide for you a free meal at the restaurants that are inside the terminal so don’t waste an opportunity of free food if you can get it.
Listen to music
What a better way to escape reality. Some studies have shown that listening to music during long rides seem to make the time fly faster and that can be interpreted for waiting as well. You can put your favorite artist and pretend that you are in the front row at his concert or explore different styles of music. Remember nobody will judge you because not only that people can’t hear what you are listening to but they also don’t know you. Don’t even feel bad if your „quite“ singing is a bit too loud, it can make someone laugh and it will for sure make you feel even better.
Read a book or magazine
Sometimes it is hard to find time in an already full day to immerse yourself into that novel you were wanting to read for a long time, now is the time to do so. You can start your journey while still waiting for departure. The wonderful world of books can make wonders and time will not just run out, you will even need more of it. For those that have forgotten their books at home or are just not fans of reading, you can always find some interesting magazines at the airport that will help you spend those couple of hours.
Make friends
Ask yourself; Is there a place I can make more international friendships than here? Whatever the answer is, go for it. What bad can it come from getting one more friend. Those strangers that are waiting can become important to your life if you give them a chance. What is most important, they are waiting as well so why not waiting together and sharing those previous travel stories. Maybe you will end up planning your next trip with a person that is sitting right next to you, as we all know life is unpredictable. Don’t be shy, go and meet new people, you never know what new can be learned.
Call your loved ones
Make the important people in your life a priority and share your adventures with them. Not only will they appreciate it but you will feel happier by keeping them close to you even when you are far away. Your parents, relatives or friends would be more than happy to share what you are going throw and the other things you already had experienced. Tell them about the time you were eating that amazing dish or a place where you had your first climbing lesson. Nothing bad can come from it so don’t hesitate and make that phone call to spend some of your time on the people that matter.
Waiting for hours for a flight can be frustrating and boring but if you are willing to try a new thing or just explore around you can make the most of that time. Whatever the situation is always looking for positivity and never lose the joy of traveling. After all, you are going to a place you want to see and a flight is the last thing you will have to take.
There is a saying that a journey is more important than the destination and you never know what new you can learn or experience on your journey, starting from the time you were waiting at the airport.
