What can you do with all this free time?
How to optimize your time at the airport? Everyone knows the golden rule to respect. It is necessary to arrive 3 hours before departure for an international flight and 1h30 before for a local or national flight. This will give you time to drop off your luggage and pass all the security checks. Sometimes, all this time is needed before we actually get to the plane, but for the most, we always have time to kill.Shopping, trying perfumes and eating an overpriced sandwich are not the best choices. Read, play cards, surf the Internet, classics that do not get lost, but full of other possibilities are available to you.
So, what’s the best way to optimize your time at the airport?
10 alternatives that are out of the ordinary:
1- Enjoy the VIP zones. I’m lucky to have a credit card that allows me to access this privileged area of my departure airport and it’s awesome. No need to eat before leaving home, I can relax in a good chair while eating and sipping a good cappuccino or a drink. Non-members can access it for a fee between 30$ to 50$ depending on the area and country. If you have more than 3-4 hours to kill, it may be worth it. Some sections give you access to showers and beds.
2- Shop while pretending to be someone else. You’ve always wanted to be an artist or an astronaut, but you do not possess the skills? This is your chance. Interact with sellers like your “alter ego” would do. Most people will believe you because you have no reason to lie about this. Fun is guaranteed.
3- In the same way, make yourself feel like a rich person and try jewelry and/or luxury watches.
4- Pay attention to the conversations from other passengers and at some point, begin interacting with them. Who knows, a new friendship could follow.
5- If you are lucky enough to be in a big airport, there is a great chance that there is a shuttle, a train or a bus that allows you to move around it. At Miami airport, you can see the city and the sunset is amazing.
6- Participate in a treasure hunt with your fellow travelers. Create a list before leaving home, have your phone or camera with you and see which of you managed to find all the items the fastest. You can even have multiple lists and difficulty level. No need to be hard, it can be a simple object like a red sweater, an orange lipstick, popcorn, a tourist book of a particular country, the possibilities are endless.
7- Have fun with the treadmills, create choreographies by taking unusual poses without blocking the way of other passengers. If you are with a group, you can even film yourself and put your creations on YouTube. Who knows, your video may become viral.
8- Sometimes the airport has great free exposition, so make sure you do not miss them. In Mexico airport, there were 2 great exhibitions during my visit.
9- If you are like me and unable to sleep on a plane, why not take advantage of your spare time to sleep a little? Pay attention to your belongings. A little trick, I use my backpack as a pillow or as a footrest, like that, less risk of losing it.
10- Send your postcards. There is always a post office at the airport so why not take advantage of it? Instead of losing precious time writing your cards during your trip, you can send them before leaving. That way, it’s more likely that your friends will receive them before you return.
And you, how do you spend your time at the airport?
