Cheap flights are often cheap for a reason. If you’re really serious about pinching pennies, you can often find incredibly inexpensive flights from both short haul and long haul airlines – with a catch.
These flights often have overnight layovers, and depart at odd hours. That’s worth it for the price of a cheap flight, but if you’ve never had to spend a night in an airport, you may be a bit intimidated. Don’t worry. We’re here with some quick tips on how to survive your overnight layover!
Keep An Eye (Or A Body Part) On Your Stuff!
Theft is quite rare in airport terminals, but you’ll still want to be on your guard. You don’t want to get your stuff stolen during an overnight layover, especially because you’re likely only travelling with a personal item or carry-on to save money. Losing your luggage can be disastrous.
Never leave your things unattended. If you want to sleep (and you will want to sleep!) use your luggage as a pillow. Put your travel pillow on your backpack, and stick an arm around your carry-on – make sure you’re touching all of your luggage. This will make it much more difficult for anyone to grab your bag without you noticing.
Hungry? Eat Now – Don’t Wait
Most airports close almost all of their restaurants and stores late at night. If you’re a bit hungry and wait around until after midnight to get a snack or a meal, you may be out of luck.
You’re going to be hungry, so get a hot meal or a snack as soon as you get off your flight. Even if you have to wait a few hours before you’ve got an appetite, you’ll thank yourself for it later.
Make The Trek To The International Terminal
International terminals usually have more amenities than domestic terminals. If you have a long layover, it’s worth making the trip. There will be more stores and restaurants, and you may even find some lounges with cushy chairs, couches, and TVs. What better place is there to settle up for the night?
Bundle Up!
Most airport terminals get seriously cold at night. They’re enormous and often filled with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so if you try to find an out-of-the-way corner to sleep in, you may find yourself shivering, even during the late spring or early fall.
Because of this, you should have some easily-accessible layers in your luggage. A pair of comfy sweatpants that you can slip on over your jeans, for example, or an old hoodie that’s going to keep you nice and cozy.
In some cases, you can ask your airline’s desk attendant for a pillow or a blanket, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get them, so it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality.
Set An Alarm (And Leave A Note)
Chances are you won’t be sleeping too deeply in an airport terminal, so you should have no trouble waking up when the morning hustle & bustle begins. But you should still set an alarm on your phone.
And if you’re a particularly deep sleeper, consider writing a note like “Please wake me up at 7AM” and putting it in a visible place while you’re sleeping. You’d be surprised at how willing your fellow travellers are to help you out!
Follow These Tips – Enjoy Your Next Overnight Layover!
An overnight layover is never going to be a super fun experience. But with these tips, it will be easier to manage your next overnight layover. You’ll be warm, well-rested, and well-fed – and ready for the next leg of your journey!