The only layovers I've ever had were during my flights to and from my trip to Africa. The first layover was relatively short but on my way back, I had a 7. Hour. Wait. During this time, I almost went crazy. Between being emotionally upset that the trip was over, having no money left to spend in duty free and being extremely tired but unable to sleep on the ever so "comfy" airport loungers, I was not a happy camper during my layover. The fact that I fell asleep for only 5 minutes and in that 5 minutes I ended up moaning and talking in my sleep so loudly that I woke myself up to passers by staring me out of it didn't help. But if I had known of some/all of these ways to entertain myself, I may not have been such a sulky mess when I eventually boarded the plane.
1. Sleep
You've been awake for ages and even though you've been on a flight sitting down, dozing in and out, you're still wrecked. If you can't sleep on a plane because you need to be lying down flat to do so or have the kind of luck that always ends up with you sitting in front of a child that kicks the back chairs for a living or beside the only screaming child on the flight, you should sleep your layover away. There's usually a bunch of gates that are quiet. Go to one of these and have a kip or stretch out on an airport lounger somewhere if you can find one. Some airports have hotels you can check into either for a few hours. You can relax/shower/sleep there in style either!
2. Leave the airport!
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| This was me in Dubai... |
1. Sleep
You've been awake for ages and even though you've been on a flight sitting down, dozing in and out, you're still wrecked. If you can't sleep on a plane because you need to be lying down flat to do so or have the kind of luck that always ends up with you sitting in front of a child that kicks the back chairs for a living or beside the only screaming child on the flight, you should sleep your layover away. There's usually a bunch of gates that are quiet. Go to one of these and have a kip or stretch out on an airport lounger somewhere if you can find one. Some airports have hotels you can check into either for a few hours. You can relax/shower/sleep there in style either!
2. Leave the airport!
If you have hours to kill you might as well leave the airport and do a little exploring. Keep in mind, some countries you'll nee a visa to leave so you won't be able to do that everywhere. Also make sure you make it back in time to go through security again before your flight! If you have luggage you don't want to drag around with you and if there are no left luggage services at the airport, find a local internet café or hostel. They usually have left luggage services for a low cost.
3. Introduce Yourself
Whether you're at a bar, restaurant, in a shop or waiting to board your flight, you'll be surrounded by people and fellow travelers. Start some small talk, introduce yourself and let the stories flow. As well as marveling at some adventures they've been on and things they've seen, you can ask for tips on future travels, get some inspiration and even give some advice yourself! You never know, you could end up with a travel buddy, a best friend for life or the love of your life! Or they could be a total creep or not understand a word you say. You won't know until you try though!
4. People Watch
Watching people as they go about their business is a lot more entertaining than it sounds. Just watching people as they go by and observing their characters or imagining their story is quite fun. Making up a live commentary is also good fun especially if you're with someone. Just make sure they're out of earshot, you don't want anyone getting upset or feeling like they're being stalked.
5. Read
Need I explain? Pick up a good book or magazine or take out your e-reader!
6. Write
If you're documenting your journey there's no better time to catch up on the adventures you've yet to write up on because you were too busy kayaking off waterfalls, vegging out on new foods or getting drunk with the locals. Find somewhere comfy to sit and get documenting. You never know, your journal/blog could end up being as significant as Christopher Columbus'.
7. Exercise that Brain
Nothing beats a good crossword or Sudoku puzzle. You can get them in most newsagent shops in the airport and it's a good change from watching 8 hours of The Gilmore Girls on the plane. And if you're in anyway competitive like me, you'll spend nearly hours trying to beat your own best score on Solitaire and not notice the time go by.
8. Draw
This can go with 'people watching'. Doodle sketches of the people around you or your surroundings to pass the time. They can be good or funny reminders to come across later. (If you take photos of the people around you, you will probably look very strange and creepy. Drawing is a much safer option and hones your artistic skills!)
9. Entertain
Have you seen the video of the guy that started a singsong in an airport after a flight was delayed? Well you should! Here it is;
If you play an instrument and have it with you, just take it out and start jamming. Even if you sing, just sing a song and there's bound to be people that will join in with you. Heck, leave a hat out and you might make a few bob! You can't embarrass yourself, you'll probably never see the people around you again. Just give it a go. [Do be mindful if there's loads of sleeping people around you though, don't be a d**khead!]
10. Be Inventive
Like these 4 chaps who decided to be creative during their boredom, you can do the same, it just takes a little imagination. Create something, video it, and you could have a viral hit on your hands!
3. Introduce Yourself
Whether you're at a bar, restaurant, in a shop or waiting to board your flight, you'll be surrounded by people and fellow travelers. Start some small talk, introduce yourself and let the stories flow. As well as marveling at some adventures they've been on and things they've seen, you can ask for tips on future travels, get some inspiration and even give some advice yourself! You never know, you could end up with a travel buddy, a best friend for life or the love of your life! Or they could be a total creep or not understand a word you say. You won't know until you try though!
4. People Watch
Watching people as they go about their business is a lot more entertaining than it sounds. Just watching people as they go by and observing their characters or imagining their story is quite fun. Making up a live commentary is also good fun especially if you're with someone. Just make sure they're out of earshot, you don't want anyone getting upset or feeling like they're being stalked.
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| Isn't this just the WORST. THING. EVER? |
5. Read
Need I explain? Pick up a good book or magazine or take out your e-reader!
6. Write
If you're documenting your journey there's no better time to catch up on the adventures you've yet to write up on because you were too busy kayaking off waterfalls, vegging out on new foods or getting drunk with the locals. Find somewhere comfy to sit and get documenting. You never know, your journal/blog could end up being as significant as Christopher Columbus'.
7. Exercise that Brain
Nothing beats a good crossword or Sudoku puzzle. You can get them in most newsagent shops in the airport and it's a good change from watching 8 hours of The Gilmore Girls on the plane. And if you're in anyway competitive like me, you'll spend nearly hours trying to beat your own best score on Solitaire and not notice the time go by.
8. Draw
This can go with 'people watching'. Doodle sketches of the people around you or your surroundings to pass the time. They can be good or funny reminders to come across later. (If you take photos of the people around you, you will probably look very strange and creepy. Drawing is a much safer option and hones your artistic skills!)
9. Entertain
Have you seen the video of the guy that started a singsong in an airport after a flight was delayed? Well you should! Here it is;
If you play an instrument and have it with you, just take it out and start jamming. Even if you sing, just sing a song and there's bound to be people that will join in with you. Heck, leave a hat out and you might make a few bob! You can't embarrass yourself, you'll probably never see the people around you again. Just give it a go. [Do be mindful if there's loads of sleeping people around you though, don't be a d**khead!]
10. Be Inventive
Like these 4 chaps who decided to be creative during their boredom, you can do the same, it just takes a little imagination. Create something, video it, and you could have a viral hit on your hands!
11. Roleplay
Having studied acting, I often find it fun to walk around pretending to be different characters. This might not be everyone's cup of tea but even if I just order food in a different accent, I get this amused giddy feeling if people fall for it. Walk into the most expensive duty free shop there and ask to try things or see things that you can't afford but give off the impression that you can. It sounds silly, but can be really funny if you're with somebody.
12. Explore
You might as well explore every corridor of the airport while you're there. You never know what you might find! There could be hilarious statues, an amazing arcade or somewhere selling giant Toblerones for close to nothing. You won't know until you go wandering! Walking around is also a good way to get the blood flowing properly in your legs again as sitting down for hours on a flight is never good.
It was actually quite hard to think of things to do during a layover so if you think I missed anything, let me know! This list must be expanded to stop us going crazy. Long layovers mixed with jet lag, exhaustion, hunger and feeling emotional from the journey can be a one way ticket to crazyland!
In the meantime, I wish you long trips, short layovers and happy travels! And that your flight may have the luck of this meme;
I now leave you with a collection of videos of people being just as bored in the airport as you are. You are not alone. Really, the amount of these videos is actually crazy. Pretty much like the people in them!
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