3 Essential Tips for Surviving Long Layovers

If you have a lot of time between two flights on the way to your destination, you want to be sure you maintain good health and a good mind as you wait to board your next flight. 

Whether you have 2 hours or 12 hours of free time, it's important to make the most of your layover rather than waiting in a chair or on a bench with your smartphone.

There are many things to do and places to go while in the middle of a long layover, so here are three ways you can survive your next long layover at the airport.

1. Pack For The Long Wait

It's always important to prepare for a long wait ahead of you so you can have a set of belongings on hand while your luggage is in transit. Along with a passport and possibly a visa, here are other items you should consider taking with you in a separate carry-on bag:

• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Phone charger or an external phone battery
• Vital medicine and medical devices
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Extra clothes
• A small amount of money

Airports will also have convenience stores for travelers who need some of these items and more. If you have a headache, there's a chance you can also purchase ibuprofen and other goods here. But if you don't want to have to buy it at the airport, be sure to stock up now so it's on hand for free.

Some areas of the airport should also have private and public showers in case you need to freshen up, and you should be free to use your toiletries and supplies on hand.
 

2. Get Proper Rest
 

There should be multiple places you can rest at the airport, though these places can vary depending on the privacy as well as how much comfort where you can provide rest for your body. Here are sleeping areas you can consider:

• Lounges: Lounges are areas secluded from the airport's main lobbies that feature sofas, lounge chairs, and other furniture suitable for recharging. Depending on the airport you're staying at, you might come across a free lounge, a paid lounge, or both.
• Sleeping pods/cabins: Sleeping cabins allow travelers to get a restful nap in a small bed shielded from the atmosphere surrounding them. These cabins involve hourly fees and often include a USB-C port for charging a smart device as you rest.
• Airport hotels: Airports can also have attached or in-hotels where you have a cozy room all to yourself where you can sleep on a real bed and enjoy total privacy. This is often the most expensive way to rest, and airports can charge you every four, six, or eight hours to stay.

With a lounge, cabin, or hotel, you can rejuvenate while you're still inside the airport waiting for your flight. Of course, it's important to research the airport you are staying at to learn in advance all the options available to you and how to reserve accommodations ahead of time.

3. Explore The City (If You Have The Time And Credentials)

Sometimes, it's not always a good idea to stay inside the airport. If you have four or more hours to catch your flight, you should consider getting fresh air and exercise while seeing the sights of a wondrous city that you might not get the chance to see again for a while. In most cases, you might also need a travel visa for you to leave international airports.

If your layover is at Munich Airport in Germany for instance, you may have time to explore Oberschleissheim park, shop in Freising, or ride in the Flystation wind tunnel. You might also consider enjoying authentic cuisine if you're hungry and you don't expect to eat on your next plane. 

Set a reminder on your phone for when to head back to the airport and get there fast with a bus or train. But as always, be sure to schedule your layover accordingly so you can get to your plane on time.

Waiting at the airport for the next flight isn't always fun, so it's important to find out where you can go and what you can do so you can maintain good health and spirits. Be sure to research your stopover airport and city so that your time waiting is never boring or uneventful.