How to pass time in the airport

Traveling is an exciting time but being stuck in the airport can be draining, especially if you’re waiting for a long time. Whether you’ve got a long layover, your flight has been delayed or you’re simply one of those people who likes to turn up at their departure gate several hours early, you’ll need to find some way to keep yourself occupied.

Waiting for your flight doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of ways you can stay entertained in modern airports, thanks to a range of amenities, shops, and the wonders of the internet. Here are some of the most popular ways to pass the time when you’re next at the airport.

Playing games or betting on sports on your mobile
These days, most airports have free Wi-Fi which you can connect to provided you have a flight to catch. Even if free services aren’t provided, you should be able to connect to data or pay a small fee for access to a stable Wi-Fi connection. This means you’ll have access to all your favorite online games, apps, and services, including sports betting.

If you’re a big sports fan, it’s easy to stay up to date with all the latest scores and results, even when at the airport. Thanks to mobile betting, you never have to miss out on betting on your favorite sports either. You can sign up to a Virginia sports betting app and place bets on sports, provided you’re within a state that offers legal sports betting.

If there are no major sports on or you’re not much of a sports fan, it’s a good time to check out online games. There are loads of exciting games to play online, and most can be played for free. Whether you want to play for real money or not is up to you, but it’s a great way to pass the time at the airport either way.

Go shopping
Major airports now feature a huge range of shops you can check out while you wait. Just like shopping malls, everything is available in one place, and there are plenty of different things you can look at. Whether it’s clothing, gifts, luggage, specialty foods, or anything else, you’ll find it at the airport.

Just because you’re shopping, it doesn’t mean you have to buy anything, of course. It’s fine to just browse, and it’s a fun way to pass the time even if you’re not particularly in need of anything. If you do buy anything, remember that you’ll have to carry it around with you, so make sure you don’t get too carried away.

Try the airport longue
If you’re going to be sitting around for some time and you have the money for it, it’s definitely worth spending time in the airport longue instead of the main area. Here, you’ll get comfier seats, more space to relax, and more amenities for you to enjoy. The price is not too steep in most places, and some credit cards or airlines will include it as a loyalty perk.

If you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time at the airport, it’s a no-brainer to try out the longue. It’s much comfier and the perfect place to chill and relax for a few hours before catching your flight. Better yet, there’s always food and drink available, and most even offer showers for you to freshen up.

Read books or listen to a new podcast
If you have a busy life, there’s a good chance you rarely find the time to sit down and enjoy a good book anymore or start a new podcast. Even if you have a regular commute, it’s hard to truly concentrate on these things when you’re traveling to and from work. The airport is a great place to relax and get stuck into something new, and most airports feature bookshops too.

The article How to pass time in the airport first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.