Things To Do At The Airport To Keep You Entertained
Welcome to the airport, where if you stress about your flight, and don’t appreciate your surroundings, time stands still and boredom thrives! If you find yourself in this magical land of delayed flights and overpriced snacks, fear not for we have compiled a list of activities and things to do at the airport. Makeing your wait fly by faster than that toddler running towards the baggage carousel.
From spotting planes to riding a slide, this article will give you ideas on what you can get up to. And guide you through the hidden gems that some airports around the world offer. So buckle up (or unbuckle if you’re already seated) for an adventure, and find fun things to do in an airport!
1. Fill Your Belly With The Airports Local Cuisine
You’re at the airport because you’re traveling, and when you travel, trying the local grub is something you do. So why not do this at the airports as well? Doesn’t matter if it’s your local airport before you leave, or where you may have a connecting flight, or even where you’ve just had your vacation. It’s a chance to try something different, or something that you don’t often have, even at the airport in your home region. This goes for the drink as well, whether that be a beer, wine, or coconut juice. It’s another way to appreciate the travel experience.
Food snobs will knock this, but don’t write fast food off as a local option. Even big chains have regional varieties. One of my favorite McDonald’s meals which is not available at home, is the McArabia, which I’ll grab if going through a Middle Eastern airport.
2. Plane Spotting At The Airport Terminal
Second on this list of fun things to do at an airport, is plane spotting. Now plane spotting isn’t just for aviation enthusiasts, it’s another tool to ease your boredom waiting for the flight to depart. Even if your only knowledge of planes is that there are big ones and little ones.
The airport is the airplane’s home, so you’re in the right place, but being in the departure terminal can give you a front row seat to see the action on the runway and apron. Look on the airport map to see which area is closest to the action. It might be a gate area or restaurant. But some airports have dedicated viewing areas, which have great views of the runway.
You can check out the different airlines and their livery, what county the airline is from, and the different models of aircraft. If you’re not sure, check the flight information screen. That will tell where the plane is and what airline it belongs to. A free app called Flight Radar 24 is a brilliant way to give you info on the aircraft model. It shows you where the plane is on the map, so you can even tell what plane is coming in to land on the runway. Also very handy to see where your plane is during a delay Put your flight number in and it will show you where in the world it is, so at least you might get to see it is on its way to you.
3. Look For Free Stuff In Duty Free
Want to see if you can grab any free things in an airport, then try scouting the duty free area. Depending on the size and scale of the airport, there could be free samples and testers being handed out. Often the beauty section may have testers for creams and lotions. A promotion could have free mini samples of toothpaste or shampoo. I have seen chocolates and even vapes being given out.
Although there’s no guarantee of the above items being found for free, the fragrance section is nearly always a good bet. They are there available to spray, so after that 4 hour trip to the airport, get yourself smelling good again with the most expensive fragrance you can find, for free.
4. Wiki The Airport
If you’re an airport geek, historian or have an appreciation for large engineering projects, this one is for you. Even if not, add it to your list of things to do in an airport, and you might learn something new.
Simply look up the airport on Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia. It will tell you all about the airport when it was built, its capacity, future projects, and more.
I looked up a small airport I was at in Borneo while I had a long wait. It turned out the airport had a lot of history involving the Second World War, hard to imagine that compared to the peaceful, laid back place it was now. So give it a try and learn more about where you are, It might surprise you.
5. Interesting Things To do In Airports Around The World
A lot of the major airports now are not just transport hubs but can be destinations in themselves. Offering an array of amenities and activities. Even the locals head to some of these for their own leisure, as some facilities are open on the public side of the airport. So here is a taste of what’s on offer around the world.
Ride A 12m Tall Slide At Singapore Changi Airport.
Not just for kids, adults can relive their childhood going down what’s officially called The slide @ T3. Located in the public area of Terminal 3 at Singapore Changi airport. It isn’t only the world’s tallest slide in an airport, but also the tallest slide in Singapore, standing in at 4 stories high.
If you’re only in the transit area and don’t have enough time to get out to the public area, don’t worry! Singapore Changi has loads to offer all over, including a butterfly garden in the transit area of T3.
See a Lamp Bear At Doha Hamad International Airport
What is a lamp bear? Is it the offspring of a lady lamp and a man bear? But however it was conceived, it is a spectacular sight. Standing at 23 feet (7 meters) and weighing in at 20 tons, it can be found in the central shopping area in the departure hall. So if you are there, make sure to go and see it, it’s worth it.
However that’s not all you can see at Doha Hamad International Airport, there’s much more, including a tropical garden.
Visit A Museum At Istanbul Airport
We travel to places to embrace the history and culture, and many of us will visit the museums. So why not visit one at the airport?
The Istanbul Airport Museum offers a taste of Turkish history, with hundreds of artifacts borrowed from other museums around the country. All are kept in their 1000 sqm exhibition area. Located in the main departure area of the airport.
Drink Beer From Munich Airport’s Own Brewery
Yes, that’s right, Munich Airport has and brews its own beer. Served at the Airbraeu restaurant and adjoining beer garden, they make 3 different beers right at the airport. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Bavarian culture, which as well as the beer, also serves traditional food and features live Bavarian bands.
Brewery tours are also available, but booking is required.
Located in the public area between the two terminals.
Get Your Steps In At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
Atlanta airport is a huge one, and from the domestic terminal to the international is about 2 miles/3.2 km. So if you have a long wait at this airport, then it’s a prime opportunity to smash past your daily steps target.
Once past security, you’re free to wander between the 2 terminals and the many concourses in between. To get from each concourse is a series of underground passenger tunnels, enabling you to walk the entire length of the departures area. They are equipped with moving walkways so you can cheat a bit if you want.
What makes this an interesting thing to do at the airport is what’s on offer in the underground walkways. Not the often bland sterile environment, or advertisements with massive eyelashes winking at you. There’s a theme to each walkway, from art, history, and exhibitions, to a digital jungle.
And don’t worry if you have tired yourself out, and need to quickly get back to the other side for your flight. There is an automated people mover called the plane train, running parallel to the walkways.
Hopefully, you will find something on the list that will inspire you to hold back the airport boredom. Realiseing that airports are not just places to pass the time before boarding a flight. They offer a plethora of activities and amenities that can make your travel experience more enjoyable and memorable. So next time you find yourself with some extra time to spare before take off, don’t hesitate to explore all the exciting things that airports have to offer.
Jim Francis is the creator of Get Ready Travelers. Having traveled regularly for many years, Jim says that going to the airport and flying on a plane, is still among the top highlights of travel for him.