5 Things to Do Near the Airport if You Have More Than 5 Hours to Kill
So you're stuck. You've got a layover that’s just long enough to be annoying. Too short for a full-blown vacation day, but WAY too long to just sit at the gate staring at your phone. We’ve all been there. That dreaded 5+ hour layover can feel like a travel black hole. But here's the thing: it doesn’t have to be. Honestly, with a little planning, a long layover can be a pretty cool, unexpected mini-adventure.
Think of it as a free bonus stop on your trip. A chance to explore a new city, even if it's just for a few hours. I've had some of my most memorable travel moments during long layovers, from discovering a killer taco spot to just enjoying a few hours of peace and quiet in a real bed. It’s all about knowing your options & making the most of the time you have.
Before we dive in, a quick but important heads-up: always, ALWAYS keep an eye on the clock. Factor in travel time to & from the airport, plus the time it'll take to get back through security. A good rule of thumb is to be heading back to the airport at least 2-3 hours before your connecting flight. Okay, now for the fun stuff. Here are 5 things you can actually do to make the most of that long layover.
1. Get a Day-Use Hotel Room: Your Own Private Oasis
This is, without a doubt, my number one recommendation for a long layover. Especially if you're coming off a red-eye or heading into one. Think about it: a quiet room, a real bed for a nap, a hot shower, and maybe even a pool or a gym. It’s a total game-changer.
A lot of people don’t realize this, but many airport hotels offer “day-use” rates. You can book a room for a block of hours, usually somewhere between 9 am & 5 pm, for a fraction of the overnight price. It's the perfect way to recharge your batteries & escape the chaos of the terminal.
How to Find a Day-Use Hotel
You can often find day rates by calling hotels directly, but there are also some great websites & apps that make it super easy. HotelsByDay, DayBreakHotels, & even major hotel chains like Hilton & Hyatt are getting in on the day-use game. You can search for hotels near the airport you’re at & see what kind of deals they have. Some hotels even offer hourly rates, so you can tailor your stay to your exact layover schedule.
What You Get with a Day-Use Room
The best part is that you usually get access to all the hotel's amenities. We're talking:
- A comfortable bed for a much-needed nap.
- A private bathroom with a shower (a true luxury between flights!).
- Access to the hotel pool, fitness center, or spa.
- A quiet space to catch up on work or binge-watch your favorite show.
- Hotel restaurants & bars that are probably way better (and cheaper) than the airport food court.
Honestly, even just a few hours of peace & quiet can make a HUGE difference in how you feel when you board your next flight. No more showing up to your destination feeling like a total zombie.
2. Explore a Nearby Neighborhood or Attraction: Be a Tourist for a Few Hours
If you’ve got a real sense of adventure (and enough time), why not leave the airport bubble altogether & get a taste of the local culture? It’s a great way to turn your layover into a mini-trip. Just be sure to do a little research beforehand to make sure you have a solid plan.
First Things First: Luggage
Before you can go exploring, you need to figure out what to do with your bags. You do NOT want to be dragging your carry-on through the streets of a new city. Luckily, you have options.
Many airports have on-site luggage storage facilities, especially international terminals. If not, there are a bunch of third-party services like Bounce, Stasher, & LuggageHero that partner with local businesses (think hotels, cafes, & shops) to store your bags for a few hours. It’s super convenient & usually pretty affordable.
Of course, if you’re meeting up with a friend who lives in the area & has a car, you can just toss your bags in their trunk. And if they're struggling to find a spot to pick you up at the notoriously crowded airport, you can always point them towards Prked. It's a pretty cool service that lets people rent out their private driveways for parking. Your friend could find a convenient & affordable spot just a few minutes from the airport, making your meetup a whole lot less stressful.
Finding Your Mini-Adventure
So, what can you actually do? It totally depends on the airport, but you’d be surprised at what’s just a short ride away.
- Near LAX: You’re just a short Uber or Lyft ride from the beach! Head to Manhattan Beach to walk the pier & watch the surfers, or check out the cool shops & canals in Venice Beach. If you're an aviation geek, the Flight Path Museum & Learning Center is right next to the airport. And for a classic California experience, you can’t beat grabbing a burger at the iconic In-N-Out that’s famously located right by the runway.
- Near ATL: The ATL Airport District has some surprisingly cool stuff. You can check out the Delta Flight Museum or the Porsche Experience Center. And if you have a bit more time, the Georgia Aquarium & the World of Coca-Cola are just a MARTA train ride away in downtown Atlanta.
- Near JFK: A long layover at JFK is the perfect excuse to get a taste of the Big Apple. You can hop on the AirTrain & subway to get to Manhattan & see Times Square, Central Park, or even a world-class museum like the Met.
- Near ORD: Chicago's "L" train can get you from O'Hare to the city in about 45 minutes. You could see the famous "Bean" sculpture in Millennium Park, walk along the river, or grab a slice of deep-dish pizza.
The key is to pick one or two things that are relatively close to the airport & easy to get to. Don't try to cram too much in, or you'll just end up stressed out. And always, always overestimate how long it will take to get back to the airport.
3. Indulge in a Spa Treatment or Workout: Your Body Will Thank You
Let’s be real: flying is rough on the body. You’re cramped in a tiny seat, the air is dry, & you’re probably sleep-deprived. A long layover is the perfect opportunity to give your body a little TLC.
Airport Spas are a Thing, & They're Awesome
You might be surprised to learn that many airports have their own spas. Chains like XpresSpa & Be Relax are in airports all over the world, offering everything from a quick 15-minute chair massage to a full-on facial or pedicure. It’s the perfect way to de-stress & feel a little more human before your next flight.
Some airports even have more luxurious spa options. At some, you can find things like hydrotherapy tubs, aromatherapy, & even cryotherapy. And if you booked that day-use hotel room we talked about, there’s a good chance it has its own spa that you can take advantage of.
Get Your Blood Flowing
If you’re feeling restless from sitting on a plane for hours, a workout can be a great way to burn off some energy. Many airport hotels have gyms that you can access with a day pass. And some airports are even adding their own fitness facilities. At some airports, you can even rent workout clothes and shoes, so you don’t have to worry about packing your gym gear.
Some airports are also adding yoga rooms or quiet spaces for stretching & meditation. It’s a great way to find a little bit of zen amidst the chaos of the airport.
4. Go on a Food Tour: A Taste of the City
Airport food has gotten a lot better over the years, but it’s still, well, airport food. If you’re a foodie, a long layover is the perfect excuse to get out & explore the local culinary scene.
How to Find the Good Stuff
Your best bet is to do a little research on your phone while you’re waiting to deplane. A quick search for "best restaurants near [airport code]" or "what to eat in [city name]" will give you a ton of ideas. You can also check out food blogs or a city's tourism website for recommendations.
Some Ideas to Get You Started
- Embrace the local specialty: Every city has its thing. In Chicago, it’s deep-dish pizza. In New Orleans, it’s po’boys & beignets. In Austin, it’s all about the barbecue. Find out what the local delicacy is & go find the best version of it you can.
- Explore a food hall or market: Many cities have amazing food halls where you can sample a bunch of different things all in one place. Krog Street Market in Atlanta & Ponce City Market, also in Atlanta, are great examples.
- Go for a classic: Sometimes, you just want something familiar & delicious. That In-N-Out near LAX is a great example of this. It’s a classic California experience that’s just a stone's throw from the airport.
Again, just be mindful of your time. Pick a spot that’s not too far from the airport & make sure you have a plan for getting there & back.
5. Get a Head Start on Your Next Adventure (or De-Clutter Your Life)
Okay, so maybe you're not in the mood for a big adventure. Maybe you're on a business trip & need to be productive, or maybe you're just feeling a little overwhelmed & want to get organized. A long layover can be the perfect time to get your life in order.
The Power of the Airport Lounge
If you have access to an airport lounge (either through your airline status, a credit card, or by purchasing a day pass), it can be a lifesaver. Lounges offer a quiet, comfortable space to work, with free Wi-Fi, snacks, & drinks. It’s the perfect place to catch up on emails, finish a presentation, or plan out your itinerary for your final destination.
Get Your Life Organized
A long layover can also be a great time to tackle some of those life-admin tasks you've been putting off. Here are a few ideas:
- Plan your next trip: Use the airport Wi-Fi to research your next vacation.
- Organize your photos: Finally go through all those photos on your phone & create albums.
- Declutter your digital life: Unsubscribe from junk emails, organize your computer files, or clean up your social media feeds.
- Think about your space at home: If you're feeling inspired to get organized, you could even use this time to plan a little home decluttering project. And if you realize you're going to need some extra storage space for all the stuff you want to get rid of, you could check out a service like Prked. They connect people who need storage with homeowners who have extra space in their garages, attics, or basements. It's a pretty smart way to find affordable, convenient storage right in your own neighborhood. You could even use Prked to earn some extra cash by renting out your own unused space – a pretty great side hustle to fund your next trip!
So there you have it. Five ways to make the most of a long layover. It doesn’t have to be a boring, soul-crushing experience. With a little bit of planning, you can turn that extra time into a fun, productive, or relaxing part of your journey.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any other layover survival tips. Happy travels
