Even the most seasoned travelers approach airports with a mix of dread and resigned efficiency. We’ve learned to endure TSA lines, overpriced coffee, and gate changes like weary gladiators.
But, what if the airport didn’t have to be the soul-sucking part of your journey? What if it could actually be… enjoyable?
We’ve given this some thought and jotted down ten fresh and unexpected ways to make the airport a part of the adventure, instead of the purgatory between home and your next great adventure. Let’s go!
Turn Your Airport Time Into a Personal Retreat
Airports are one of the few places you’re completely off the hook: no house chores, no back-to-back Zoom meetings, no pressure to be productive (unless you choose to be). So, try to flip your mindset: treat your airport time like a mini wellness retreat.
Pack a thin, soft blanket, some noise-canceling headphones, and that book you’ve been meaning to read for six months. Find a quiet corner or unused gate area, set up camp, and revel in the bliss of some guilt-free downtime. Give yourself permission to disconnect and just “be.”
Create a Layover Ritual That You Look Forward To
Instead of seeing layovers as annoying gaps, reframe them as opportunities to indulge in a small, enjoyable ritual. Maybe it’s treating yourself to a glass of wine and people-watching, or sampling one new local snack at every airport you pass through.
Whatever your thing is, make it consistent – your little airport tradition. Over time, it’ll become a surprisingly comforting part of your travel routine, something to anticipate rather than dread. Bonus points if it involves a luxury you don’t usually allow yourself at home.
Master the Art of the Secret Terminal Lounge
No, not the Centurion Lounge (though those are nice, too). We’re talking about quiet, tucked-away gates at the far ends of terminals – places with minimal foot traffic, comfy seats, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Use tools like LoungeBuddy or GateGuru – not just to find lounges, but to scout out the terminal’s geography. You might discover a sun-drenched corner with massage chairs and charging ports all to yourself. It’s the airport equivalent of finding an empty beach.
Pre-Order Your Food Like a Local Insider
More and more airports now let you pre-order food via their apps or third-party services. But, most people still stand in long lines or panic-pick from heat-lamped mystery meals. You don’t have to.
Place your order ahead of time and schedule it to be ready just as you get through security. It’s a power move that saves time and ensures you actually get something you want to eat, not just what was left at Gate C23. Also, many of the sit-down restaurants do takeout, too. All you have to do is ask.
Make a Custom Ground Time Playlist
Create a travel playlist specifically for the airport – one that isn’t meant for takeoff or exploring, but for easing into travel mode. Think ambient, low-stakes beats or nostalgic tunes that spark good memories.
The goal isn’t necessarily entertainment; it’s atmosphere. This playlist can become your airport soundtrack and, over time, it’ll cue your brain to switch into a relaxed, exploratory mode as soon as you pop in your earbuds. It’s like scent memory, but for your ears.
Use Your Airport Time to Reset Your Phone (and Brain)
Instead of scrolling Instagram for the hundredth time or replying to work emails (don’t do it), use your airport time to clean up your digital life. Delete screenshots you no longer need, offload old travel photos to the cloud, organize your home screen, or unsubscribe from junk mail.
It’s oddly satisfying and helps you start your trip with a cleaner mental slate. Plus, it’s one of the rare to-do list items you can fully accomplish from an airport chair without Wi-Fi.
Pack a Soft Start Travel Bag
We all know about the in-flight essentials kit, but consider packing a smaller bag just for airport use – things that help you transition smoothly from your everyday life into travel mode.
Think a face mist, herbal throat drops, a pack of almonds, gum you actually like, maybe a tiny art journal or Sudoku book. This isn’t about productivity. It’s about creating a calming buffer between the chaos of security lines and the crush of boarding announcements.
Explore the Terminal Like a Tiny Museum
Airports can be cultural time capsules. Next time, look at the architecture, the art installations, and even the local stores to see what they’re selling these days. There’s often surprisingly thoughtful design and regional flavor baked into the terminals themselves.
Many airports now have public art, rotating exhibits, or even tiny libraries or yoga rooms. Take a few minutes to wander like a tourist. Chances are, you’ll notice something delightful that thousands of other travelers missed in their mad dash to Starbucks.
Here are 10 of the best airports to have a layover. You’ll see they’re filled with wonderful cultural activities to help you bide your time.
Make Friends With the Airport Staff
A little friendliness goes a long way in airports. Gate agents, bartenders, coffee shop baristas, and TSA staff deal with stressed-out people all day. If you’re one of the few who treats them like human beings, you’ll be amazed by what doors can open.
Chatting casually (when they’re not slammed) can get you insider tips about empty gates, faster lines, or even unexpected perks. Even if nothing comes of it, it makes the entire airport experience feel more human and less transactional.
Lean Into the Liminal Space
Airports seem to exist entirely in the in-between. You’re not quite here, and not quite there. Rather than fight that odd in-betweenness, lean into it.
Again, this is a great time to daydream, journal, plan your trip in a fun way (like sketching out what kind of traveler you want to be on this adventure), or just stare into space.
It’s okay not to be “on” yet. Use this time to shed the everyday you, and start becoming the travel version. That’s its own kind of magic, if you think about it.
Let the Journey Begin
Airports don’t have to be the most painful part of your journey. With a little intention and creativity, they can become a weirdly wonderful part of the experience. And who knows? You might even start looking forward to them.
This is what we’re here for! To not only help you dream big and get to your next destination, but also enjoy it along the way.
Come on over and browse through our library of travel tips. We’ll help you pack light, meet some new people, and enjoy the ride. The next time we see you at the airport, we’ll raise a mocha to you!