How will you pass time during your airport layover?  You wanted a nonstop flight and now you’re stuck with nothing to do at the airport. Don’t be intimidated by a layover. Use it to your advantage. Let me show you how.

Eat at a restaurant

Eating is one of the most obvious ways to pass time during your airport layover. Airport restaurants are a great opportunity to taste local foods in a new place. This is especially true if your layover is too short for you to leave the airport.

Find out which restaurants are located in your airport terminal. Most airports have directories on their website to tell you where all the restaurants are located.

You may not find the most authentic food. However, you may find popular chain restaurants. These will still give you a chance to eat like locals.

A good way find restaurant recommendations is to ask people who live there. Social media is a great way to do this.

Visit an airport lounge

If you want access to a whole buffet of food, visit an airport lounge. Some credit cards offer access to airport lounges. You can also purchase an airport lounge pass for daily access.

There will be plenty of space to relax comfortably. And many times, you’ll have the option to take a shower and sleep in a private room. This is so important when you’ve been flying for many hours.

Duty-Free shopping

Airports are a great place to find duty/tax free items that cost less than where you live. This is your way to purchase items in the location without stepping outside the airport.

Popular items include liquor, perfumes and jewelry. Do your research to see what stores are in the airport ahead of time.

Explore art exhibitions & cultural activities

Many airports have cultural immersion programs. Create crafts and learn local history. The Incheon airport in South Korea has these types of programs. Learn about a country, without even stepping foot outside the airport.

Many airports showcase local artwork. The international airport in Atlanta, USA has a whole art exhibit featuring art made by indigenous people.

The Delta Air Museum is also located at the airport in Atlanta. A museum is such an unexpected way to pass time during your airport layover. Check out my Delta Air Museum post for more details.

Take an airport-sponsored tour

Airport-sponsored tours are a great way to pass time during your airport layover. These are perfect for very long layovers. If your layover is too short, you will not qualify for the tour.

I took this type of tour in Taipei, Taiwan. It was an extra country to check off my list. And I didn’t even need to pay for a hotel. This has to be my absolute favorite way for you to pass time during your airport layover. Check out my Taipei, Taiwan blog post for more details.

Which of these tips will you be using the next time you have an airport layover?