Overnight layovers are an unglamorous reality when you travel the world. Sometimes we book them intentionally to save money on a long journey, but–a lot of the time–there is simply too much that is out of our control. Flights can be delayed or cancelled and two-hour layovers can turn into ten-hour ones.
Don’t worry, these unexpected layovers don’t have to ruin your trip. These are our favorite ways to make the most out of a long night at the airport.
Sleep For The Time Zone Of Your Destination
Plan your long layover around your destination’s time zone and your body will thank you later. By eating and sleeping according to the time in your final destination, you’ll be able to adjust to the time zone a bit more easily. Depending on the time change, this might mean finding somewhere comfy to lay down or acquiring a cup of coffee.
There’s no exact science to this. Just do your best to relax and structure your layover around where you’re going.
Book a Priority Lounge
A good night’s rest goes a long way if you are at the beginning of your trip or have a busy day planned after you land. Lounges offer comfortable seating areas, charging ports, and other airport treats, and most provide visitors with absolutely essential complimentary drinks including coffee and cocktails. Depending on the airport, some may even have showers or massage chairs.
Business lounges often come with a hefty price tag, but you can save by purchasing a Priority Pass. These passes grant you access to over 1,700 lounges in airports around the world, and–if you buy a bundle–they save frequent travelers money and time with complimentary food and drinks.
Take Lots of Walks
If you’re stuck in an overnight layover, odds are that you have spent quite a few hours on planes. Be sure to move your body with some long walks around the airport. After sitting for a long period of time, walks improve blood circulation, alleviate muscle stiffness, and reduce swelling in your legs.
Many of the large international airport hubs have plenty of weird features to explore. Whether it is the world’s tallest slide in an airport or the fabulous deals of duty-free shopping areas, different airports may have more to explore than you initially realized.
Pack Snacks
While this is true for any travel day, snacks are especially essential for layovers of all lengths. Every travel mishap feels insurmountable when your tummy is rumbling or you are feeling hangry. A few protein bars or trail mix packs go a long way when you are dealing with a stressful situation, and no one wants to pay airport prices for a simple hummus to-go snack. This is especially essential if you or someone you are traveling with has a dietary restriction.
Also, be sure to drink lots of water. Most people don’t realize how dehydrated they get from long flights, but it is often the reason why we can feel so exhausted, crampy, or ill after a long travel day.
Go Through Your Nighttime Routine
It’s easy to lose track of your routine when flying around or switching time zones, but you’ll always feel better after brushing your teeth, washing your face, or doing whatever it is that makes you feel like you. If you have time to kill, it might be nice to actually floss for once.
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