With the last month of summer upon us, some people are starting to scramble to book their airline flights. Some people are wanting to take that last minute summer vacation or some people from out of state are starting to book a flight to return to school, work or family. When traveling, one might encounter the chance of a layover at another city when there are no direct flights that are available. Layovers can be a pain since it would take a lot longer to reach your destination but are typically cheaper than direct flights. Depending on how long your layover is, one might find themselves being uncomfortable or feeling jet lagged with all the airline miles that are traveled.
Fortunately, I have put together 5 tips on how to survive layovers and excessive airline travel.
1. Plan before you book.
The first step to approaching a layover is planning your time well ahead. When booking a flight take into consideration how long the layover will be and where the destination is. You may not like spending 8 hours in the 100+ degree temperatures of Phoenix International Airport or in the cold temperatures of Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Simply taking the time to calculate the layover time between flights can definitely save you a lot of stress.
2. Bring something to entertain yourself with.
Bringing a book, phone or portable gaming electronics can make time pass by a lot quicker. I typically pack 1-2 books, my phone, and my Nintendo DS to play with, in case I get bored. Just remember to bring some chargers or a portable charging pack in case your battery runs low.
3. Try to find a place to sleep.
When you are crossing over multiple time zones, you will feel very jet lagged. Try to get as much sleep as you can. Sleeping in terminals is much better sleeping in coach where the chairs do not fully extend back. Make sure you find yourself comfortable on a row of seats. Also feel free to check out this website that tells you where to go to find a place to sleep at an airport.
4. Don't be afraid to spend some money.
I would recommend bringing $40 worth of cash to eat at the food cafeteria or cafes that are in the airport. It's good to keep your stomach full since airline food is terrible. Also, if you need to get work done. Feel free to spend some money on wifi since it is a sad fact that most airports now charge rates for wifi use.
5. Try to get as much walking as you can manage.
The reason I say this is because walking returns blood flow to the regions of the body that were cramped from such a tight space in the airplane. Exercise also helps fight jet lag as well. Take some time to walk from gate to gate or to explore fancy gift shops.
Be sure to follow up with these tips to help you get through your layover. Just remember to have fun and get some rest wherever you may land. Happy flying!
