The Best Ways to Kill Time at the Airport

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Have you ever arrived at the airport the recommended two hours before your flight, only to breeze through security and be left sitting around in an empty terminal? We’ve all been there, and while the alternative stress of rushing to catch a flight is not preferable, it can be a drag to kick off a much-awaited vacation with… more waiting. If you have hours to spare before boarding, keep yourself occupied with these tricks to kill time at the airport. 

Watch a Movie

There’s no better excuse to catch up on your shows and movies than a lengthy layover. Find a spot in the terminal to settle in with some shows, movies, podcasts, or audiobooks to pass the time. Bring a portable power bank to keep your device charged in case you don’t have access to an outlet, and make sure to download any episodes you want to watch offline on the plane. Airports like Hong Kong International, Incheon Airport in Seoul, Portland International, and other hubs worldwide even offer movie theaters showing new releases and local projects for passengers to pass the time. 

Read a Book

If you’d rather avoid screens, use the wait to tackle your to-read list. You can take your chances with a paperback from the terminal kiosk, but bringing a book from home or downloading a few titles onto your e-reader will make sure you have something that will keep you engaged. Some airports, like Schiphol in Amsterdam or Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, even offer free book swap libraries where you can exchange your read for another. Other airports, like Fort Lauderdale, partner with city libraries to give passengers special access to their digital collections. 

Get in Some Exercise

Did you know that extended sitting on long-haul flights can reduce circulation in your legs? Not to mention the muscle cramps you’ll surely feel when unfolding yourself from the cramped airline seats upon arrival. Get ahead of the curve with some preemptive exercise at the airport. Some airports offer fitness amenities, like the Vancouver Airport‘s health club and pool or the Chicago O’Hare yoga room. Even without a gym, you can fit in some cardio by taking a turn around the terminals or doing some modified weightless movements in a quiet space to prepare your muscles for departure (just make sure to move around every hour or so during the flight as well!). 

Explore the Airport

Some airports are destinations unto themselves. Changi Airport in Singapore is known for its impressive design and architecture, with a movie theater and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Some airports, like SeaTac in Washington or Schiphol in Amsterdam, offer botanical gardens and parks. Before checking in, look into what your airport provides and see what’s near your terminal. 

Relax in the Lounge

This one requires some prior planning, but lounges are no longer exclusively the domain of platinum-level frequent fliers. Some credit cards offer airport lounge access, like certain cards from Capital One and Chase Sapphire. Otherwise, an annual Priority Pass membership will get you free or discounted access to hundreds of airport lounges around the world. The time won’t pass faster, but it will certainly pass more comfortably. 

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Take a City Tour

If you have an extra long connection or overnight stay, you can skip some of the airport wait time altogether. Some airports, like the Changi Airport in Singapore, offer guided city tours to travelers with lengthy layovers. Travelers can leave their bags at an airport-provided luggage locker, available at many international airports, or with a private luggage storage service. Iceland Air even encourages travelers to extend their layover with their stopover program, which offers fliers better rates if they choose to stay and explore Rekyavik between the legs of their flight. Remember that any activity that requires leaving the airport may require you to pass through security again when returning. 

Grab Some Food

Whether first class or economy, airline food is not anyone’s first choice when mealtime rolls around. Minimize your need for in-flight fare by filling up at the airport before boarding. Grab a proper meal at a restaurant and stock up on in-flight snacks and beverages at the terminal kiosks. Make sure to avoid foods that cause bloating or will make you particularly uncomfortable during the flight. 

Walk Your Pet

When traveling with pets, the airport is your last chance to let them stretch their legs before boarding. While most airports won’t allow you to walk your pets freely, US airports that service more than 10,000 annual passengers must have a pet relief area in each terminal (international regulations vary). Use this time to take your pets to the bathroom and administer any vet-approved prescriptions before flying. While most pet areas have places for dogs to relieve themselves, cat owners will want to travel with a disposable litter box. Pet Friendly Travel has a handy search feature to help you find the pet relief areas in your airport. 

Plan Your Itinerary

As anticlimactic as an airport terminal can be, it’s the gateway to the trip you’ve been eagerly awaiting. Use these last spare hours to iron out last-minute trip details. Fill in the gaps in your itinerary, bookmark restaurant reviews, clear out storage space in your camera roll to prepare for the influx of selfies, and remember—your wait is almost over! 

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