Airports are the gateway to great adventures in faraway lands, but they are also the place where one can lose their sanity while paying $10 for a bottle of water. Long security lines. Flight delays and cancellations. Broken escalators and trams. Overcrowded gates. Expensive eateries. People yelling at gate agents. Lost luggage. The things we put up with for our love of travel! 🧳✈️
Airports I have visited on my trips: blue markers for past trips, green markers for future trips.
Airport Travel Tips: How to Survive Long Layovers and Stressful Terminals
In 2024, I spent nearly 35 hours in airports, and so far this year (2025), I’ve spent about 20 hours. Through my travels, I have found ways to make the time spent in airports more manageable, comfortable, and enjoyable. The following are a few of my best travel practices for airports. ✈️
🧳Keep airports in mind when picking flights with connections ~ The larger, international airports will have more eateries, activities, and services, along with a hotel or “suites by the minute” where you can rest a bit. This will help pass the time and make the hours spent at the airport more bearable. Some regional airports are great but have minimal dining options and little to do except plane spotting!
Note that if you have a long connection, some international airports organize free or low-cost city tours or can assist you in reserving one with a local tour company. Visit the airport’s information desk for more information.
🧳Review terminal maps ~ Most airport websites or apps provide terminal maps that offer travelers key information such as approximate distance between the security checkpoint and flight gate, types of restaurants and stores in the concourse, available services (e.g., currency exchange, phone charging stations, etc.), and the locations of shuttles and trams.
🧳Do not rely on airport apps ~ While some airport apps are great, others are riddled with issues and may not provide up-to-date information on gate changes or departure times. Additionally, do not rely on the distances provided by those apps. I once had an airport app tell me the distance to my gate was 0.2 miles when it was actually almost a mile!
🧳Read the airport’s press releases ~ Yes, this may sound crazy, but those press releases sometimes provide critical information! They inform travelers of upcoming construction projects that may affect parking, check-in locations, whether trams and shuttles will be out of service, and if portions of a terminal will be closed for maintenance, among other relevant details. Press releases also share information on upcoming art exhibits or events happening at the airport that can make your visit more interesting and enjoyable!
Press releases can help travelers determine if upcoming construction or closures will impact accessibility. This proactive approach enables travelers to contact the airport in advance to request any necessary accommodations.
🧳Watch YouTube videos ~ YouTube is a great, free resource to help you plan how to navigate an airport you are new to. Many of the videos feature walkthroughs of terminal layouts and provide guidance on navigating efficiently from one point to another within an airport.
I found these videos to be helpful as I planned my first trip to Europe, given that I had a connection at Heathrow Airport, which involved traveling from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3. The video provided a detailed walkthrough, showing me where to catch the tram, followed by the shuttle bus. It also made me realize that a 2-hour connection may not be enough!
🧳Do not limit yourself to airside eateries ~ If you have a long connection, look into grabbing a bite to eat at one of the landside eateries, which are generally not as crowded as those airside. Some airport hotels, located landside, have restaurants that are open to the general public, and these tend to offer nicer dining options.
If you choose this option, remember that you will need to pass through the security checkpoint to return to your gate.
🧳Finding quiet space ~ One wonderful oasis of peace and quiet in an airport is the Chapel/Prayer Room. Most airports have such a space and are open to the general public regardless of faith. These rooms offer a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Some rooms have prayer books and religious items (e.g., prayer shawls, prayer rugs, etc.), while others hold weekly services.
🧳Take advantage of airport lounge day passes ~ If you have a long connection, check out the lounges associated with your airline and travel credit card to see if they have day passes available. Passes range in price from as low as $40 to upwards of $100. Most lounges offer the basics such as meals and beverages, comfortable chairs, and a business center, while others also provide showers and sleeping facilities.
My Favorite Airports
The following are my favorite airports from trips I have taken since 2010. What I love about these airports is that they are easy to navigate, have efficient check-in and security processes, offer clean and well-lit common areas and restrooms, provide comfortable gate seating, feature excellent lounges, and offer delicious eateries.
My two least favorite airports at the moment are JFK International Airport and Heathrow Airport.
✈️ Denver International Airport
✈️ Charleston International Airport
✈️ Frankfurt Airport
✈️ Václav Havel Airport Prague
✈️ Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
✈️ Cairo International Airport
✈️ Luxor International Airport
✈️ Vienna International Airport
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