5 Ways to Make Airport Layovers More Enjoyable

I try to keep the basics handled first. Phone charged, essentials downloaded, and nothing urgent hanging over my head. Once that's covered, I actually like long layovers. Airports are one of the few places where people from all over the world are briefly in the same space. Sometimes I read or work, but other times I strike up a conversation. A short chat with a stranger can make the time pass faster and remind you how diverse and connected people really are.

My main pastime is to simply find a quiet corner with power outlets, plug in and work. That makes time fly by. If I have extra time, I like exploring local shops and checking out special corners of airports. Last time I found an exceptionally interesting airport was in Doha, where they even have sort of an indoor botanical garden within the airport grounds!

I travel quite a lot, and with so many long routes, I’ve learned that having a few simple routines makes long layovers much easier. I usually start by walking the terminal to stretch my legs and reset after hours of sitting. Then I’ll find a quieter area to read, plan the next leg of my trip, or research the history and culture of where I’m headed. Good food and staying hydrated are non-negotiables for me, so I look for a sit-down option instead of rushing through fast food. Treating a layover as a pause rather than an interruption makes the time pass more enjoyably.

I like to use long layovers as a way to reset and rest. The United Club lounges usually provide comfy seating (provided they aren't full), yummy food and free wifi. I find a corner, through on my headphones and binge some reality TV. I also sometimes use this time to catch up on work without the pressure of being in the office.

I’m pretty cheap, so I try not to spend much money killing time in the airport. If the airport is close to the city and easy to navigate, my wife and I usually just leave and explore for a few hours. That always feels more worth it than sitting at the gate. We’ve done this in places like Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. I’d rather walk around, see something new, and grab food outside the airport than pay airport prices. It makes long layovers feel like a mini trip instead of wasted time.