When you’re on a business trip, you might be used to optimizing your time to make it as efficient and productive as possible, which can make things frustrating when they come to a grinding halt because you have to spend 8, 10, 12 hours or more waiting for a connecting flight. Long layovers can feel even more draining than the travel itself, but if you don’t want to simply waste that time waiting for your flight, here are a few ways ot get through it with your sanity intact.
Bring Your Work With You
In the age of remote working, a long layover can actually become a surprisingly productive time for you. You’re already likely to have your laptop or tablet on you during your business trip, so now can be the time to find a decent workplace, such as an airport lounge, cafe, or quiet sitting area, so that you can connect to the Wi-Fi and get some work done. However, if you’re using any public or semi-public networks (meaning networks that are private but give out their password freely), you should make sure that you never work without a VPN. This helps you protect the data you send and receive so that you’re not subject to man-in-the-middle attacks. If you want to work on important documents, then consider downloading them so that they’re available to work on if you lose internet access, as well.
Consider A Day Hotel
If your layover is going to stretch more than just a few hours, then you might want to look for day hotels around the airport. This way, you can enjoy the comfort, privacy, and productivity of your own space rather than having to spend the entire time hanging around in the terminal. Many hotels offer lower daytime rates specifically for travelers in your position, allowing you to check in for a few hours without having to pay for an overnight stay. This gives you access to a quiet room, reliable Wi-Fi, and often a desk where you can work uninterrupted. You can also shower, relax, and reset before your next flight, which can be much needed for those long, international flights.
Store Your Luggage And Explore
If you’re in a city that has easy transport links to the airport and you have plenty of time, so you don’t have to worry about missing your connection, then why not get out and take the time to explore? Many airports and their connected train stations can give you access to secure bag storage. For a small fee, you can leave the bags behind and explore freely without having to drag them everywhere with you. Not every layover is going to be in a major city, but most of the time, there’s at least enough to keep you busy until you have to start heading back for your flight, so you’re not stuck, bored, and waiting.
Stay Nourished And Hydrated
Just because you’re not moving anywhere doesn’t mean that you don’t need your energy. Quick snacks and cups of coffee are common fuel for airport stays, but the longer you’re there, the greater your need for real nutrition and hydration. Drink water regularly, especially if you’ve just finished a flight where cabin air can leave you dehydrated. Choose balanced meals when possible, even if you have to head out to pick up ready-made meals from a supermarket or make a stop at a restaurant. Keeping yourself fed and hydrated is especially important if you want your layover to be productive for your work.
Don’t Forget Your Portable Chargers
Most airports do have some access to wall power outlets that you can make use of, but don’t be surprised that you might have to fight over them, or find them all in use by the time that you arrive. Given that your digital devices might feel more like essential tools to get through your layover, whether you’re catching up on work or just entertaining yourself, you should make sure that you bring a portable charger or power bank. Have it fully charged before you leave for the airport, so you can make sure that your phone, tablet, or laptop stays powered throughout the journey. This is even more crucial if you’re relying on digital boarding passes or navigation apps to get through your journey.
Take Advantage Of Early Check-In
When your time is starting to run out, you should consider checking in early and locating your departure gate in advance. A lot of people find the check-in process to be stressful, especially in busy airports where there might be an element of unpredictability. You don’t wnat to end up having to rush through crowds during the final boarding call, so once you arrive, find your gate number, check boarding times, and check it routinmely for any schedule updates. That way, you can enjoy relaxing, exploring, or working without worrying about missing your flight. If you plan to leave the terminal or explore nearby areas during a long layover, set reminders to return early. Avoiding last-minute queues and confusion keeps your trip running smoothly.
Optimize Your Workflow
Even if you get all of your most important work done (or as done as it can be with the tools at your disposal), you might be able to take a little extra time to optimize your workflow for your next workday, too. Aside from responding to any pending emails and cleaning up your inbox, you can review your schedule, confirm any meetings, and plot out points you might want to bring up with colleagues or clients. That way, you can make sure that you’re ready and able to get back into your usual workflow when you get back to your office or team. Even thirty minutes of concentrated work can clear small tasks that would otherwise pile up.
Modern technology makes it a lot easier to survive long layovers, but if you have enough time, don’t hesitate to take some time to explore the place you’ve stopped at, especially if it’s a major city with easy transport links.
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