How to kill time at airports
Seeing the world should be on everyone’s bucket list, but the flip-side is agonisingly long flights and stopovers. So plan ahead
Flying thousands of miles isn’t the most enjoyable of experiences, and there are often long waits between connecting flights. The combination of excitement, nervousness, and tiredness can be quite overwhelming for some, so it is imperative that you keep busy and have different options for killing time. Here’s how to entertain yourself during those long waits after security, and during tiring stopovers.
Read about your destination
For expert advice, Lonely Planet is still essential reading material. Before visiting a country, looking at the Lonely Planet guide is a good place to start. It will give you some guidance about where to go and what to see, as well as some insight into the culture and language. You also need to know how to get hold of the best travel equipment, which is often listed in these books.
Check online reviews
With the cost of everything on the rise, it’s important not to waste time and money when you reach your destination. So spend some time on most airports’ free WiFi checking-out things to do, places to go, and restaurants to try in your destination. The internet has a wealth of options to help tourists now as well, with sites like TripAdvisor offering reviews of restaurants and hotels which have been written by other travellers. It’s handy for planning your days out and evenings out, with specific search boxes dedicated to activities, landmarks and night-time entertainment.
Play casino games online
On the plane, the in-flight entertainment can be a godsend, with multiple films and TV shows usually on offer. You could also indulge in some offline gaming and eBooks. Being in limbo during the lengthy airport stopovers can often be the hardest part. Luckily, the internet has taken the edge off this aspect of travelling. Most airports now have free Wi-Fi, and you can log on with your mobile device and start playing your favourite games. Online slots are one option, as there are many different games to choose from, often incorporating interesting themes and even based on popular film franchises. Slots are easy to learn and can be played in short bursts so you can quickly stop once you’re called to the gate. With titles like Immortal Romance, Gladiator, and The Dark Knight, there’s something for everyone. For people who like to kill time by playing a variety of games, there’s Platinum Play, an eCOGRA approved casino that’s available to play on all platforms 24/7. Along with all the most popular slots, players can enjoy casino classics like roulette and blackjack.
Watch movies & TV
Of course, there are also numerous addictive apps that can be used to pass the time as well, with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Video now so, so popular because you can download entire movies and seasons to your phone. However, if you can find WiFi in the airport, YouTube is yours for the taking. Just don’t forget to bring a charged-up portable battery to avoid a dead phone, as well as a USB cable and plug just in case you’re sat near an A/C outlet.
Book accommodation & activities
If you’re yet to finalise the itinerary for your trip, comparison sites such as Trivago and Kayak are handy for finding hotels and flights. Though it’s tempting to lament the old days when you could just turn-up and find a hotel that day, that’s becoming less and less possible. Besides, who wants to worry about all that when you’re on a well-earned break away from the stresses of modern life?
While the sense of going out into the unknown may be a thing of days gone by for travellers, many would agree that the modern era has brought about a means of going from place to place with little stress. The internet has made killing time and planning ahead so much simpler, and it means that tourists can really maximise their time away.