What Should You Do During a Layover?
You've finally landed; now, you have one short stop before you reach your destination. What should you do now? Sure, it's easy to disembark from the plane, find your next gate, then sit there until it's time for boarding. But if you've just come off a long-haul flight, that's probably not the best choice for your body. Want to make the most of your trip, including the places you land in between? Make sure not to make these mistakes during your layover, and to take up some smarter habits instead.
1. Don’t Leave the Airport Without Calculating the Time
Connecting through a city you’ve always wanted to see? We get it—it might be tempting to leave the airport so you can explore. But before you up and go, remember that airport security and boarding times (not to mention traffic in general) can eat up far more time than you expect. Unless your layover is long enough to allow a comfortable buffer, it's probably best to sit still.
2. Don’t Ignore Your Boarding Time
You might be focused on your departure time, but that's not the number you should be worried about. After all, boarding usually begins much earlier, and you definitely don't want to miss it! Always treat the boarding time as the real deadline.
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3. Don’t Fall Asleep Without a Backup Alarm
Why not take a nap during a long layover? Well, as good an idea as it might seem, sleeping without setting multiple alarms can be risky; you don't want to miss important announcements! If you don't have a travel buddy, make sure to use your phone or smartwatch as backup so you don’t wake up after your plane has already boarded.
4. Don’t Wander Too Far from Your Gate
Airports are often pretty big, and some terminals require long, maze-like walks or extra security checks to get to the gate. If your layover is tight, don't wander too far off! It’s better to locate your gate first, then decide whether you have time to explore.
5. Don’t Assume Your Gate Won’t Change
Gate changes happen often, and they can happen with little notice. You've probably arrived at your gate, only to realize there was no one else waiting. Always check the flight information screens or airline app so you don't miss an update!
6. Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol
After a particularly long flight, you might want to unwind with a drink or two. And while that's usually not a problem, too much alcohol can make travel more stressful and uncomfortable. Some airlines may even deny boarding to passengers who appear intoxicated, so it’s worth being careful.
7. Don’t Spend All Your Money
Expensive as they are, airport shops can be surprisingly tempting, especially when you have time to browse and want to pick up souvenirs or other nifty knick-knacks you can't get elsewhere. If you keep adding items to your basket, though, you can quickly eat into your travel budget or use up more luggage space than you expected!
8. Don’t Spend All Your Time Sitting
Okay, we did say it's better to sit still than move around, but don't take that too literally. While you should stay close to your gate, you probably don't want to stay seated until your next flight—those long stretches of sitting can leave you stiff and uncomfortable. So go explore! Even a short walk can help your body feel less cramped.
9. Don’t Exchange Currency Just Yet
We know, we know: those airport currency exchange counters look convenient, especially when you have time to kill, but that convenience often comes with a price. Literally. Before exchanging cash during a layover, take a moment to check whether the rates could be better elsewhere.
10. Don’t Eat Something Risky Right Before Boarding
It's not just the shops—even airport food can be tempting, despite being notoriously expensive! But pay extra attention to what you order; you don't want to eat anything questionable right before your flight. As much as you want to try something new, you're better off sticking with foods you know sit well with you.
Now that you know what you shouldn't do during a layover, let's jump into how you can use the short break to make the rest of your trip more memorable and far less stressful.
1. Confirm Your Next Gate as Soon as You Land
Before you think about or do anything else, check where your next flight is leaving from. If you're confused, gate agents or other workers can usually direct you where to go. Once you know where you need to be, then you can decide how to spend the rest of your layover.
2. Make a Bathroom Trip
No one likes airplane toilets, so make sure to do your business at an actual full-sized bathroom before boarding your next flight. That way, the next leg of your journey might not be as cramped and miserable.
3. Walk Around the Terminal
As we mentioned, it's probably not the best idea to sit through your entire layover. Use the time to stretch your legs and go for a quick walk! Trust us—you'll feel far less stiff and uncomfortable once you board your next flight. Plus, if it's your first time at this airport, why not use the extra time to go explore?
4. Juice Up Your Devices
As soon as you have a chance, juice up your devices. Outlets can fill up quickly, and waiting until your battery is nearly empty might cause complications once you finally land at your destination. Charging early also gives you more flexibility if your flight changes or you need entertainment for the next leg.
5. Check Whether You Need to Recheck Your Bag
This might sound odd, but baggage rules can vary depending on your airline. If you don't double-check with an attendant, your checked bags might not arrive at the same destination as you! Always confirm ahead of time, especially at unfamiliar airports.
6. Eat Something Balanced and Familiar
We said this already, but it's worth repeating: do yourself a favor and choose a snack that will help you feel energized. Not only should you look for familiar foods, though—you should also pick one that has a reasonable mix of protein, carbohydrates, and hydration. You’ll feel better than relying on limited in-flight snacks!
7. Freshen Up Before Your Next Flight
Beyond making a bathroom trip, take a few minutes to freshen up. Have a toothbrush with you? Go brush your teeth and wash your face! Heck, you can even change your outfit or apply extra deodorant. To make this more convenient, keep a small essentials pouch in your carry-on so you don’t have to dig through your whole bag.
8. Review Your Travel Documents
You should also use your layover to make sure you have everything you need once you land at your destination. You've got extra time, so make good use of it! Organizing documents before you need them will also reduce stress when you’re sluggish and weaving through crowded arrival areas.
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9. Download Entertainment or Travel Information
Airport Wi-Fi can be useful, so take advantage of it. If you know you'll need entertainment, download movies, music, games, or anything else before boarding. You can also use the time to look up how to get to your accommodation once you land at your final stop.
10. Purchase a Travel SIM
Don't have a SIM yet for your destination? Well, use your layover to get it all set up. You should also consider activating it ahead of time, so you're all ready to go once you land. That way, you won't need to stress about it once you're there.
