What to do on long airport layovers?

[Benni]

What do ya'll do during long layovers? Most of mine will be around 2 hours but I have one that is overnight for 12 hours! I'll have a book and a puzzle book -- no smartphone to play on -- any good ideas?

[lissla]

Books are always the best to pass time, but I like to look around the shops at airports, kills a good hour, and if you bring a laptop you can watch DVD's/ play games. Also portable DVD players are nice if you don't have a laptop, and they are alot lighter too! I sometimes bring a rubix cube with me to pass time, a notebook to write things/ draw.... thats all I can really think of right now.. maybe some cards to play solitaire

[Sora1101]

My layovers usually last about 2 hours so I just read a ton or play my gameboy color. Music is also a good way to pass the time, I find that it helps time go faster. If you don't feel like sitting, I mean long flights plus layovers just to sit on another plane can get tiring so try walking around all the little shops and explore the airport, sometimes you can find some really neat things.

[Benni]

Thanks to both of you! I didn't think about cards for Solitaire -- great idea! I don't have anything to listen to music with but walking around will be one thing I will do on and off so I don't get tired from sitting so much.

[Moon]

Your two hour layovers will go by quickly, don't worry about them. Depending on what city your long layover is in, I'd definitely recommend having a little adventure for yourself. First, see if there are viable public transportation options, or if a taxi would work, the do two things, if you can; 1. research what attractions the city has nearby and is known for and pick one to go to. 2. Find out what special foods the city is known for and go eat some For example, if you were laying over in Philly, I'd tell you to go get a cheese steak or a hoagie. 12 hours is too long to shop at airport stores, take advantage of the time and see something you never intended otherwise, and have some fun.

[Benni]

First, see if there are viable public transportation options, or if a taxi would work, the do two things, if you can; 1. research what attractions the city has nearby and is known for and pick one to go to. 2. Find out what special foods the city is known for and go eat some

It's 12 hours in Toronto CA but it is 7pm - 7am next morning. I dallied with the idea of getting a motel room but not sure about that. Besides, wouldn't I have to go through security all over again to go back into the airport?

[MadMolly]

Usually on a layover you leave the secure area anyway and have to go back through security to get on your next plane. As far as I know that is.

[Moon]

It's 12 hours in Toronto CA but it is 7pm - 7am next morning. I dallied with the idea of getting a motel room but not sure about that. Besides, wouldn't I have to go through security all over again to go back into the airport?

Sure, but security really isn't a big deal, you just need to leave enough time in case the lines are long, which they likely wouldn't be then. I've never flown into Canada, but you'd probably have to go through customs and border control too, before you'd be able to leave the airport. I've heard that Toronto is an amazing city though, it could be worth the hassle. There are some airports that have companies who'll do quick layover tours if the city is popular enough, and Toronto is a pretty popular place, that might be worth checking into, too.

[lucybelle]

I agree go out and see the city! 7-7 is perfect to go have dinner and see some sights . I had a 6 hour layover in Miami and went and had dinner with a friend.

[MattDavies86]

Oh I hate layovers, I always make sure I get a direct flight no matter what lol, but anytime I'm waiting at an airport, I always have my Nintendo DS for music / games, always end up buying a magazine or book from the airport store too lol, or make a phonecall to someone , or take the opportunity to have a good meal!

[kacie]

take a blanket and pillow, and find somewhere to take a nap! I'm sure you wont be the only one sleeping there

[Benni]

Usually on a layover you leave the secure area anyway and have to go back through security to get on your next plane.

What? I thought when you stayed in the gate area (going from one gate to the next) that you were in the secured part and didn't go through TSA check again -- ???

take a blanket and pillow, and find somewhere to take a nap! I'm sure you wont be the only one sleeping there

Nice idea but I'm not hauling a blanket and pillow all around the place.

Thank you Moon, lucybelle, and MattDavies86 -- good info!

[Verojoon]

It's 12 hours in Toronto CA but it is 7pm - 7am next morning. I dallied with the idea of getting a motel room but not sure about that. Besides, wouldn't I have to go through security all over again to go back into the airport?

I just spent from midnight to 7am in Toronto (this morning) and all I can say is that it wasn't a very comfortable place to sleep...

If you stay on the pre-security side, there are a few benches people used for sleeping... they were all taken by the time I went around looking for somewhere to sleep... On the gate side, they have a few lounge chairs with cubes you can use to rest your feet... it was semi-comfortable...

Here is a picture from around 2am this morning (only pic I took in Toronto)


I wandered out of the security gates... it took me literally 5 minutes to pass through security again at 4:30am when I decided to wander back in...

[Verojoon]

Nice idea but I'm not hauling a blanket and pillow all around the place.

I picked up this tiny little travel kit that had an inflatable neck pillow and a blanket at the dollar store. It took next to no room at all in my carry-on.

[Benni]

Thanks so much Verojoon! I checked around and found that I could get a motel room nearby, fairly inexpensive, and they had free shuttle to and from the airport. So, that's one idea. I'll check into a travel pillow -- probably just use my coat for a blanket.