Travel: 6 Top Tips for Killing Time at an Airport

Waiting for a gate to open can be frustrating, as you will likely be eager to start your vacation. Unfortunately, a flight delay could also add to your annoyance, as you might need to spend many an hour at an airport until you are free to board.

Rather than anxiously twiddling your thumbs, which can make it feel as if time has ground to a halt, you should read these six top tips for killing time at an airport.

1. Enter an Airport Lounge

If your flight has been delayed or canceled, you always could enter an airport lounge to relax in comfort and style until the plane is ready. It will offer comfortable seating, a delicious food buffet, often a free Wi-Fi connection, newspapers and magazines, and a quieter backdrop. It can make the wait a little more bearable and could help you to de-stress your mind and body before you step onto a plane.

Be aware that some airports such as the Gambian airport has Airport Security Fee. Gambia Airport fees are 20 dollars, or equivalent in euros, sterling or local currency. This will be collected via marked kiosks in Banjul International Airport. Visa credit card is accepted. Children below 2 years of age and passengers in transit are exempt.

2. Grab Something to Eat

Let’s face it; in-flight meals aren’t particularly enjoyable. If you don’t want to eat the mushy food or are facing a long flight delay, use your time wisely to grab a bite to eat at an airport restaurant. Most modern airports will offer a varied food court that can feature high-end restaurants and fast food joints, so there is bound to be a dish to complement your taste and budget.

3. Complete Important Tasks

If you have many hours to spare, put this time to good use by completing various important tasks. For example, you could draft an important work email, send a birthday card to a loved one, or purchase this week’s lottery ticket at LottoGo. By using the time productively, you will feel as if the wait wasn’t a complete waste of your time and it can remove some of your worries during travel.

4. Plan Your Upcoming Trip

If you are traveling for leisure, it could be a perfect time to purchase various guidebooks for your chosen destination. It cannot only build up excitement for your vacation, but it could also help you to develop a brilliant itinerary to ensure you don’t waste one second in your chosen city, town, or resort.

5. Enjoy Some Relaxation

Many airports across the world understand that traveling can be a stressful experience, especially if you are forced to contend with a long delayed flight. It might, therefore, be beneficial to visit one of their onsite spas or massage centers, which could help you to relax, unwind and lower your stress levels.

6. Pick Up a Good Book

If you want to feel a million miles away from an overcrowded airport, immerse yourself in a good book. Allowing yourself to enter a fictional world could help the hours to pass you by quickly, so your gate will be open, and your flight will be ready before you know it. However, avoid getting too stuck into a novel to avoid missing your plane!