We’ve all been there – stuck at the airport with hours to kill before takeoff.
Whether your flight is delayed or you’re just an early bird who likes to beat traffic, airport waiting time doesn’t have to be a test of patience.
With the right approach, those “dead hours” can become surprisingly productive, relaxing, or even enjoyable!
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80+ Things to Do at The Airport While You Wait
From entertainment options and productivity hacks to relaxation techniques, here’s your guide of what to do at the airport.
1. Entertainment Activities
- Read books, e-books, or free magazines available at the airport
- Watch movies, shows or YouTube videos (downloaded or streaming services)
- Watch a documentary, especially one about your destination
- Watch news on TV screens in the terminal
- Listen to podcasts or audiobooks (educational or entertainment)
- Play brain games and puzzles (crosswords, sudoku, memory games)
- Play mobile games or try out new games you’ve downloaded
- Play travel games with companions (card games, “I Spy”, or travel trivia)
- Browse social media
- Watch planes take off and land from observation decks
- Explore art galleries, museums, or art installations in the terminal
- Take pictures or time-lapse videos of planes and airport activities
- Work on hobby projects (knitting, drawing)
- Doodle or do some coloring in a travel coloring book
- People-watch (respectfully)
2. Productivity Activities
- Catch up on emails or work tasks
- Clean up and organize your emails in your inbox
- Plan your trip activities (create itineraries, sight-seeing lists, use travel apps)
- Research your destination (culture, local customs, tips)
- Plan your next trip
- Plan your next weekend day trip or staycation
- Update your bucket list
- Create a wish list of what you’d do if you won a million dollars
- Organize, edit, and back up photos from your trip or previous travels
- Organize your music library and download playlists for offline listening
- Clean up your phone by deleting unused apps
- Write in a journal, compose a poem, or try creative writing
- Start a blog or write an article for platforms like Medium
- Learn a few phrases in the language of your destination
- Learn about your family roots/genealogy by researching online
- Make appointments you’ve been putting off
- Create a to-do list for home improvements
3. Food & Refreshments
- Try local restaurants or sample specialties in the terminal
- Splurge on a nice meal at a higher-end airport restaurant
- Have a coffee and people-watch
- Eat snacks you packed for the journey
- Buy local food to take on the plane with you
- Eat a proper meal if you don’t plan to eat airplane food
4. Relaxation
- Take a nap in designated sleeping areas
- Book an onsite airport hotel room or sleep capsule if your flight is delayed
- Listen to a new music album
- Visit the airport chapel for quiet reflection
- Get spa treatments (massage, aromatherapy) at airport wellness centers
- Take a shower at airport facilities (available in some international terminals)
- Have a blow-out at the airport hair salon
- Take advantage of airport lounges (even if you’re not a member, some offer day passes)
- Take advantage of amenities like massage chairs
5. Exploration Activities
- Browse retail and duty-free shops for deals and bargains
- Shop for unique souvenirs or memorable tourist items
- Look for unusual tourist memorabilia
- Try beauty products, hand creams, and perfumes at cosmetics counters
- Spot planes and learn about different aircraft
- Join airport tours if available (some airports offer behind-the-scenes tours)
- Create a photo challenge for yourself (like taking photos of colorful luggage)
- Take photos inside the airport to share with friends or social media
- Find out if your airport has special amenities or attractions (like Singapore’s butterfly garden)
6. Social Activities
- Strike up a conversation with fellow travelers
- Meet people from different cultures and practice language skills
- Connect with friends and family through calls, video chats, or text messages
- Share updates about your journey on social media
- Have a social media cleanup (unfriend/unfollow accounts you no longer engage with)
7. Health & Wellness Activities
- Do stretches and exercises to prepare for your flight
- Explore the entire airport on foot (for exercise and to discover attractions)
- Exercise at airport fitness facilities (some airports have gyms)
- Use the swimming pool facilities available at some airports
8. Practical Activities
- Organize your travel documents and itinerary
- Clean out your wallet of old receipts and unnecessary items
- Purchase any missing chargers or electronics you need
- Spend remaining foreign currency before leaving a country
Making the Most of Your Airport Time
Airport waiting doesn’t have to be wasted time! With this comprehensive list of activities, you can transform those pre-flight hours into enjoyable experiences.
Remember, your journey begins the moment you step into the terminal, not just when your plane takes off.
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