It has happened to all of us. You have to fly from Point A to Point C and there is no way to do that without a lengthy layover at Point B. What are you going to do? Are you going to carry a few books and hope your iPod can pass the time or are you going to plan ahead and maximize your layover?

This is a lesson I learned the hard way. A few years ago, I was saddled with a seven-hour layover at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. I disembarked the plane, stopped at the first cafe I found and settled in with a good book. Four hours later, I decided to find my gate.

Make the most of your layover

As I walked through the terminal, I was amazed at the paradise I found. You mean there is a spa. A casino? A museum? Then the most disappointing sign of all that read, “Do you have at least five hours? We’ll take you into the city.” Since I had sat on my bum for over half of my layover, I did not have time to visit Amsterdam.

I could not shop in any of the glamorous stores or even see one Rembrandt painting. Lesson learned. Here are three ways you can avoid this mistake by scoping the airport, locating restaurants and attractions, and maximising your layover time before you even pack your bags.

Airport guides

Several websites offer a comprehensive list of major airports. World Airport Guide offers information on more than 250 airports on five continents and provides information such as driving directions, car park, and locations of information desks, luggage facilities, business centres, and hotels. While International Airport Guide lists details for smaller airports.

Airport websites

To help with layover planning, airports list activities and amenities on their websites. A quick search of the Charles de Gaulle Airport shows the location of arcades and children’s play areas, while the Prague Airport website tells visitors how to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the terminals. Print airport maps and make notes of where the most interesting attractions are located.

You do not want to waste any time getting to the good stuff.

Trusty search engines

If you still have not found enough interesting ways to pass your time, search online for “things to do at (insert airport name) airport” or try looking for “(name of airport) guides.” Many of these are written by people who have spent hours scouring the airports and offer fresh ideas you might not find on other websites.

So, the next time you are inconvenienced with a lengthy layover, invest a little time pre-flight and explore your options. In addition, do not be so sure your airport experience will not be positive. You just might get to start that holiday a little early.

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