If you’ve ever been stuck between flights for hours on end, you know that layovers can feel like time lost in limbo. Boredom might set camp. However, they don’t have to be. Whether you’re grounded in small airport in Nyköping all night or navigating the long corridors of Vienna Airport, a long layover is a chance, to shift gears. Just make sure to save some energy for the rest of your trip. Here’s how to turn that in-between time into something entertaining or relaxing.
If You Can Leave the Airport
5+ Hours: Get a Taste of the City
When you have five or more hours, and the airport is close to the city, don’t hesitate. Store your luggage (many airports offer lockers or left-luggage services), clear passport control, and go.
- Pick One Attraction: Don’t try to do everything.
- Choose one thing: a walk beneath the Portici di Bologna, a breezy bike ride through Amsterdam’s canals, or a visit to one of Gaudí’s whimsical houses in Barcelona. Make it meaningful, not rushed.
- Walk Like a Local: Often the best thing you can do in a short window is to just wander. Find a café. Watch the rhythm of daily life.
*Tip: Research transit times before leaving the airport. Some cities have express trains.
12+ Hours: Take a Proper Tour
Now we’re talking. With twelve hours or more, it’s worth booking a short city tour. Many operators offer airport pick-up and drop-off. You’ll be surprised how much ground you can cover with a local guide.
If You Can’t Leave the Airport
Sometimes, you’re stuck with no visa, odd hours, or tight security rules. All good. There’s still plenty you can do to reclaim the time.
5+ Hours: Stay Busy, Stay Sane
- Phone a Friend: You’ve got time. Call your grandma, check in with a friend, or have that catch-up you’ve been postponing.
- Organize Your Photos: Sort, delete, favorite. Create albums for your trip or finally back up your cloud.
- Set Goals for the Trip: Whether it’s “eat local every day” or “run in a certain path”, take a few minutes to jot down what you’d love to get out of this journey.
- Journal Your Experience: Reflect on your journey so far. Even the frustrations make good stories later.
- Read or Watch Something Good: Queue up that long-form article, dive into reading, or treat yourself to a movie you’ve been meaning to see.
- Window Shopping & Music: Many major airports are mini malls. Grab headphones, hit play, and browse at your own pace.
*Tip: Curate a “layover playlist” ambient, uplifting, or whatever matches your travel mood.
12+ Hours: Prioritize Rest
If you’re stuck overnight or into the double-digit hours, the biggest gift to yourself is comfort.
- Book a Transfer Hotel or Sleep Pod: Many international airports have affordable transit hotels or private nap spaces.
- Sleep: Let your body reset. Even a solid 4-hour nap can change your mood and energy.
- Stretch: Walk around. Do a bit of yoga. Move your body to stay alert and beat jet lag.
A long layover is rarely convenient, but it’s often a pause we didn’t know we needed. Instead of seeing it as downtime, treat it as borrowed time. Take a breath. Look around. You’re still on the move.
