6 exciting things to do during your airport layover

Everyone dreads a long layover at an airport, but a few airports around the world have given travellers another reason to stay a while. From festive markets to hot spring facilities, these airports have transformed themselves into places to get a quick hit of their home city’s culture. Others, boasting rooftop pools and luxe spas, keep the holiday excitement going as you while away the hours.

Discover some of the best things to do on an airport layover and where to find them below.

A beer garden session

Location: Munich Airport, Munich

If you don’t have time to visit a proper German beer hall on your layover in Munich, the good news is there’s one at the airport. Head over to Airbräu , the world’s first airport brewery, where you’ll be able to sit with a frosty pint of radler in the beer garden or cosy up in its restaurant to demolish a plate of weisswurst: a Bavarian specialty. Tours are also available at the onsite brewery. 

Flying during the festive season? If you have a stopover in Munich, it’ll be impossible not to get into the spirit as the airport also hosts a German Christmas market – filled with glühwein, sausages, live music and stalls to pick up some souvenirs for those at home. Those layover hours will slip right by, much like a few of the unfortunate travellers on the market’s gigantic ice rink.

A rooftop swim

Location: Changi Airport, Singapore

Whether you’re keen to get a last-minute workout in or you want to kickstart your holiday in style, head to Changi Airport early to bask in its rooftop pool . While it’s technically part of Aerotel Singapore Hotel in Terminal One, the pool and its poolside bar (stacked with snacks and cocktails) are open to airport passengers for a small price – you’ll be able to float along as planes zoom overhead before boarding your own. Still have time left over? Head to the airport’s famed indoor waterfall and wander through its sprawling gardens.

A gaming session

Location: Incheon International Airport, Seoul

Love League of Legends? Riot Games, the developer behind the smash hit game, has opened a dedicated arcade where you can play League of Legends, Valorant and participate in other fun exclusive gaming experiences. You’ll find this scarlet-hued hub near Gate 30 in Terminal 1. All the games are free to play – plus, you’ll be able to win free goodies if you fill out a score card – styled after a boarding pass, of course. Open from 11am to 8pm, it’s the perfect way to pass the time and maybe help you fall in love with a new game. 

A hot spring soak

Location: Haneda Airport, Tokyo

Rest your weary bones in Haneda Airport’s natural hot springs, boasting views over the city, soaring airplanes, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day. Izumi Tenku no Yu , located within the Villa Fontaine Grand Hotel, features several indoor and outdoor baths for men or women which you can escape to between flights. The fun doesn’t stop with just their baths, as they've also gone to town with the number of sauna options available: rock salt, wet, dry, lava stone and more.

A good book

Location: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Amsterdam

Follow the bright colours to Schiphol’s Airport Library , a vibrant space ideal for curling up with a good book. Open at all hours of the day (and night), Dutch culture is on show here with free-to-rent books by local writers in 40 different languages alongside musical corners to listen to the country’s most exciting artists. Located in the aptly named Holland Boulevard, the library also features locally made souvenirs, snacks and even an outpost of the Rijksmuseum’s boutique nearby.

A spot of pampering

Location: Sydney International Airport, Sydney

La Prairie, the luxe Swiss skincare brand, has opened up a spa in an airport far, far away from its roots: Sydney International Airport . With treatments specifically designed to leave you glowing before your flight, the spa provides four key facials targeting everything from skin hydration to firming. Facials with decadent names like Caviar Indulgence and Platinum Haute-Rejuvenation run for 45 minutes and, best of all, you can book your treatment in advance.

Looking for more things to do on your airport layover? Learn about our Cathay Pacific lounges around the world.