airport in transit

If you've ever been stuck in transit, you'll know that your ipod or your book becomes your best friend.  Killing time at the airport is terrible, but sometimes, it cannot be avoided.  Here are some things to do whilst waiting in transit.

Find free internet

If you can find free internet, that will go a long way to help you keep occupied whilst waiting for your next flight (hopefully it is a cheap international flight).  Unfortunately free internet is hard to find as coin operated internet computers are another way for airports to make that extra bit of money.

Airline lounges

Sometimes, whilst at the airport in transit, travellers can pay to go into various airline lounges that are associated with particular airlines - usually the host country's airline.  These exist at most of the larger airports where you pay a flat fee and can use their facilities.  It may include unlimited food, drink and internet - of course this depends on how much you're paying to go in.

Budget travellers and backpackers will need to weigh up whether it is worth the expense given that they will only be there a short amount of time.  I'd say it is worth it if you have a substantial amount of time to kill (ie 4+ hours).  This way you can freshen up, take a shower and maybe even find a bed to have a nap.

Sleep

If you are really bored at the airport in transit, then it won't be difficult to fall asleep! Just make sure you find a quiet and comfortable spot - if that exists in an airport. 

You'll also have to make sure your belongings aren't taken whilst you are sleeping.  This is quite easy to manage simply by putting a strap of your bag around your arm for example.  But in reality, I think that the airport would have one of the lowest robbery rates in the world.  Everyone is scared about terrorism, drugs and being in possession of illegal goods to want to steal your bag.  And it is a lot of effort to go through buying a ticket and going through immigration to steal someone's belongings. 

Eat or drink

You need to buy food and eat sometime so you might as well look around for a nice restaurant with a comfortable seat where you can sit and eat/drink whilst at the airport in transit. You'll easily be able to get up, leave your belongings and go to the toilet without worrying about your stuff being taken - otherwise the restaurant staff will have something to answer for! It may hurt the hip pocket a little bit but you'll have somewhere pleasant to spend the next few hours.

Shopping

There's always duty free shopping to keep you occupied.  You don't need to spend anything and can browse as long as you feel like.

Read about:

• departing the airport
• arriving at airports
• airport security

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