How to Survive Airport stopovers

Stopovers don not have to be tedious there are ways to make them bearable, even enjoyable. Trying to fill in time in airports is right up there as one of the worst parts of traveling: every hour seems like two when you are sitting out a long stopover.

Travelers with several hours to kill are often tempted to go sightseeing. While this can work in a city such as Hong Kong, which has a fast train from the airport, it can be fraught with danger in cities with traffic problems.

We usually recommend that you do not leave the airport unless you have at least five hours between flights and even then, it pays to check on transport options.

If you are stuck at an airport for an extended period, do not torture yourself by staring out the window or pacing around a departure lounge, airport facilities are improving all the time.

Find a Lounge
Do not assume lounges are only for first and business class travelers.

Some airports now have pay-to-enter lounges, giving economy class passengers access to a range of facilities for a one off fee. For example, Plaza Premium Lounge operates at several major airports,
including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong, and offers facilities including showers, snack bars, hot and cold drinks, Internet access and magazines and newspapers, for about $25 for a five hour stay.

Ask staff from the airline or airport information counter if there is a lounge you can access.

Freshen Up 
Even if you cannot get access to a lounge, you can often find a shower in an airport.

Some airports have free showers (no towels or soap provided,) while others have serviced shower facilities where you can get basic amenities for a small fee.

It is amazing how differently you feel about the world after a shower and sometimes it can be a long time until the next one.

Go the Chop
Have one less thing to fit in when you get home by having a haircut at the airport.
Many airports now have hairdressers tucked in amongst their retail shops or lounges and they can usually fit you in quickly.

It might be a good idea to make sure there are shower facilities in the airport, to save you itching and scratching all the way through your next flight.

Go surfing
Internet access is now available at most airports, although you sometimes have to hunt around to find it.

Lounges provide free access, but there are often also computer terminals in the main part of the airport, offering either free or pay as you go Internet.

Send emails to your family and friends, research your holiday destination, look up transport options for when you arrive or learn a few words of the local language where you are going.

Stopovers don not have to be tedious there are ways to make them bearable, even enjoyable.

Trying to fill in time in airports is right up there as one of the worst parts of travelling: every hour seems like two when you are sitting out a long stopover.

Travelers with several hours to kill are often tempted to go sightseeing. While this can work in a city such as Hong Kong, which has a fast train from the airport, it can be fraught with danger in cities with traffic problems.

We usually recommend that you do not leave the airport unless you have at least five hours between flights and even then, it pays to check on transport options.

If you are stuck at an airport for an extended period, do not torture yourself by staring out the window or pacing around a departure lounge, airport facilities are improving all the time.

Find a Lounge

Do not assume lounges are only for first and business class travelers.

Some airports now have pay-to-enter lounges, giving economy class passengers access to a range of facilities for a one off fee. For example, Plaza Premium Lounge operates at several major airports,
including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong, and offers facilities including showers, snack bars, hot and cold drinks, internet access and magazines and newspapers, for about $25 for a five hour stay.

Ask staff from the airline or airport information counter if there is a lounge you can access.
Freshen Up

Even if you cannot get access to a lounge, you can often find a shower in an airport.

Some airports have free showers (no towels or soap provided,) while others have serviced shower facilities where you can get basic amenities for a small fee.

It is amazing how differently you feel about the world after a shower and sometimes it can be a long time until the next one.
Go the Chop

Have one less thing to fit in when you get home by having a haircut at the airport.
Many airports now have hairdressers tucked in amongst their retail shops or lounges and they can usually fit you in quickly.

It might be a good idea to make sure there are shower facilities in the airport, to save you itching and scratching all the way through your next flight.
Go surfing

Internet access is now available at most airports, although you sometimes have to hunt around to find it.

Lounges provide free access, but there are often also computer terminals in the main part of the airport, offering either free or pay as you go internet.

Send emails to your family and friends, research your holiday destination, look up transport options for when you arrive or learn a few words of the local language where you are going.

Exercise
If you have already spent many hours squashed into an airline seat and have another long flight ahead of you, it is a good idea to spend some of your transit time getting some exercise.
Walking is the most obvious option and there are always plenty of kilometres to cover in airports, get a luggage trolley if your carryon baggage is heavy.

Another option is to look for a gym, sometimes available in pay to enter lounges, or day use of a swimming pool.

At Singapore's Changi Airport, one of the best airports in which to be killing time, you can use the pool of the Ambassador Transit Hotel for about $10. The fee includes a towel, shower facilities and a cold drink.

Be Pampered
From basic massages to indulgent spa treatments, you can now find pampering at most airports.

Many airlines have their own facilities, such as Thai Airway's new spa for first and business class travelers at Bangkok's Suvarnabbumi Airport, although there are often other options, either in the airport terminal or at airport hotels.

The Regal Airport Hotel at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport has more than 40 different types of massage, along with a range of other spa treatments.

At Singapore's Changi Airport, try the Rainforest Lounge, where the prices for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures are very reasonable.

Spend Wisely
Shopping is the most obvious way to kill time in an airport but I'm not a fan of shopping for the sake of shopping you tend to go home with a bag stuffed with things you don't really need.

Do some more productive shopping by thinking ahead to any upcoming birthdays or events and seeing if you can find suitable gifts.

Be Entertained 
If you have not already watched enough movies on the plane, you might be able to catch a flick in the airport.

Changi Airport has two free movie theatres, while many airports show popular television shows or documentaries on large screens. It also has several Xbox game stations. Yes Changi is the champion again.

Sleep
If you can't sleep on planes, catch some z's in an airport hotel or "napping lounge".

Many airport hotels offer really good value, such as the new Novotel at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport which has been offering day use from just $81.

Some airports, including Narita in Japan also offer napping suites, where you can stretch out for a few hours for a small fee.

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There is a time of your life! 10 Things older travelers might consider before venturing overseas.

The first is to admit that they are aging and may not be as young as when, where and admit that they have more of a backpack, digs rough and poor diet. Why not consider group travel?

Operators Tours range from the ultra-swish Captain's Choice with ways more like Insight and groups as a boutique travel Indochina.

For some destinations, organized tours are the only practical way to go. Others may be ground gained, but for what?

Consider a long stay at the beginning or end of your trip, the operators tend to organize it, often at attractive prices.


Should sea or river cruise. It is not the ultimate concern, since uncompressed form to avoid major physical problems or organization.

If you are a little shy and moody, choose a ship with an outdoor dining so you can socialize as much or as little as you like. smaller ships are roomy, bigger ships provide lots of Hideyo holes.

Look closely at the river cruise. Where the boats are smaller, but on land tours are less hassle. Again, consider extended stays before or after your cruise.

Do not turn your nose up with the idea of ​​traveling by bus or train. Clothes, as Insight put a lot of work to do something more than sightseeing bus tours to Gen-Xers and geriatrics.

Examine routes. If you can do better, go for it: if not, allow tourism companies to do the legwork.

Train travel works well if you do your homework. Buy Eurall or Amtrak passes in advance. In the United States should also consider the additional cost of sleepers.

Consider staying in villas or apartments rather than hotels. Few hotels in Europe and the U.S. equal to the value / comfort standards of a reasonable Australian motel. Although less match the pats of Asia.

Join the advantages of your own kitchen, a laundry and access to space to avoid a domestic dispute, and are very attractive.

Houses are expensive upfront, but some friends or join a family group, and can run very economically, as well as fun. Rent a car in Britain, are considered in Europe, but do not even think about it in Asia. Renting a car is cheaper when done from Australia, but small problems, rip-offs and piracy are inevitable small print. It is worth to independence, however.

In Britain, I prefer bars back a little more efficient B & B. They are: they are usually in the city: you can usually have a feed, you can always grab a drink, and you do not have to put up with women pretending they are doing you a favor.

Rough for a week and then treat yourself to a couple of nights in something above the market and about a laundry. Break your journey. No matter what the airlines put spin on it, the flight to Europe takes toll.

There are hotels in value more overflow ports: Bangkok, Jula Lumpur, Hong Kong,
Blossums cherry in Japan
Singapore, Dubai, Abu Bhaba. Most have quick access to downtown.
Blossums cherry in Japan

If you can manage it, book your luggage straight and take a change of beating to continue. You can always grab a disposable razor or go unshaven. Who cares?

Returning from a European winter, considered a thaw outside Asia. Be sure to airlines, operators or agents, hotel deals and travel. Throw out the baggage she has had since his honeymoon. Telescoping handles and wheels in good working order will make life much easier. Avoid switches back, you can not move without bending.

Four wheels are better than two when it comes to t lifts and confined spaces.

No matter what our love for each package, other separately. Invest in some travel packs to keep things tidy. Plan light pack light and pack even lighter.

If you worry about wrinkles remember you will never see these people again.

8 Dream about the first class, but seriously consider the classification for the class. Not cheap, but it is true, for example, Thailand or Malaysia, which at times is achievable. Some airlines are offering deals to upgrade to more than 55 years is.

Investigate travel off season, as the fares are cheaper there.

It has all year to plan your trip, and will pay (or at least begin to tuck away money for more details).

If you can harness and hotels with rates, prepaid credit cards, clean, can be fooled into thinking it's not really a big extravaganza.

Take your plastic, and save a few dollars in their average for emergencies.

Do not rush. If you are not retired yet, accumulate some savings and some leave. The cost of fares will be great to get the most out of each target, while you're down.

Consider trimming our goals, having at least a week to enjoy each destination.

You can get an apartment (or a better deal for a longer stay), there is less and less travel and decompression can see the city, country or people much better.

More importantly, Relax! Bad things happen abroad: bad things also happen at home. Most people you meet are friendly and honest, especially if you stay away from bad places.

Foreign food is exciting and not fear. If you do not like, do not eat, but at least try.

Hygiene standards vary, so use a brain. Some of the safest food comes frenetic Asian cuisines: dodgiest some from places where flash is all cooked out of sight.

The only place I've ever had food poisoning was a clean sheet in Switzerland. The most nauseating experience was at a five star hotel where I caught the maid sweeping the coffee cups with the bathmat used.

Be wary of tourist traps but if this is the place where tourists (especially children) are eating is just a bet the food is good, cheap and safe.


Le Bon Swizterland
Some of the most popular destinations for older travelers are Switzerland and Japan, and Spain is becoming very popular too.

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