Layovers.

Stopovers.

I dread them all.

Patience is not my forte; once I’ve picked a destination, all I want to do is get there, with no stops or waiting in-between.

Unfortunately, nonstop flights aren’t always an option, especially if you’re traveling to emerging destinations or flying from a smaller airport. Layovers, however, don’t have to suck, even if you hate them like I do. Read on for some layover survival tips, written for layover haters, by a layover hater.

1. Prepare before your Flight

Preparing for your layover starts before you board the plane, by ensuring that your mind and body are tip top. Nourish yourself with nutrient rich whole foods, plenty of water, and enough sleep (at least 8 hours per night). 48 hours before your flight, abstain from caffeine, recreational drugs, and alcohol.

Mentally prepare by researching your temporary airport home. Some questions to consider are:

Are you eligible to use an airline lounge?
Does your airport have museums or art exhibits?
Do you have enough time to leave the airport?
If you have enough time to leave the airport, do you need a visa to enter your host country?
If you need a visa, do you need to obtain it from an embassy/consulate before you travel or can you obtain it online?

2. Assemble a Layover Kit

The last thing you want to do during your layover is rummage through your carry-on bag for your toothbrush, which is where a layover kit comes in. As you pack your carry-on bag at home, set aside a few personal items like a set of fresh clothes and toiletries. These items will serve as your layover kit – let your layover kit be the last item you pack, so that it will be easy to access when you unzip your luggage.

Your layover kit can include:

Fresh clothing
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash
Skincare and makeup
Travel blanket and travel pillow
Eye mask
Noise-reducing headphones
Entertainment (book, travel journal, downloaded movies, etc.)

3. Create a Layover Self-Care Routine

Transit disrupts your body’s natural rhythms and your personal routines, which is why layovers are so uncomfortable. As someone with sensory processing sensitivities, layovers are disorienting. They turn me into an emotionally dysregulated mess, so I’ve learned to accommodate my sensitivities by creating a self-care routine for transit.

A layover self-care routine will help refresh you, ground you, and boost your morale. Immediately after landing, take some time to take care of your physical needs and check in with your emotional wellbeing. Your routine can be as quick and simple or slow and indulgent as you like.

My layover self-care routine looks like this:

Perform skincare, dental care, and a duck bath in an airport bathroom
Change into fresh clothes
Stretch and perform deep breathing/ grounding exercises by a window
Eat a balanced meal and top-up on water
Review maps if planning to leave the airport

4. Stay Busy

Layovers feel like they go on and on and on, especially if you’re excited about your final destination. Make the hours fly by (puns are always intended on Moon Emissary) by keeping your mind and body occupied. Some ideas for staying busy include:

Binge-watching your favorite show
Reading an engrossing novel
Visiting an in-airport museum or art exhibit
Writing in a travel journal or drawing in a sketchbook
Touring your host transit city (if there’s time)

Want to head out?

If your layover is 6 hours of longer and your transit country has a lenient visa policy (some countries require you to obtain a visa from an embassy/consulate prior to travel, even if you’re only visiting for a day), consider leaving the airport. Treat yourself to some light sightseeing, shopping, or some fresh air in a park (weather permitting). Just make sure you make it back to the airport in time for your connecting flight!

5. Sleep it Off

Jetlag is a fickle mistress; sometimes you arrive ready to fill your layover with activities, but your body just isn’t here for it.

Always listen to your body – if you feel exhausted, unwell, or overwhelmed, it’s 100% okay to check out until it’s time to board your next flight. Find a secluded spot, set an alarm, pop some noise reducing headphones in, and curl up for a long nap.

Can’t get into an airline lounge? Don’t Worry!

Select airports have sleep pods, small, enclosed capsules for private rest and relaxation (they look like something out of The Fifth Element). Fees vary by how many hours you wish to use them, and are a convenient, budget-friendly alternative to hotels or rough sleeping on chairs. Just be sure to book your pod ahead of time, as space is limited and it fills up fast.

European Airports with Sleep Pods

What’s the longest layover you’ve ever experienced? How did you survive it? Let me know down below!

The Layover Hater’s Guide to Surviving Layovers