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Travel isn’t always about fun and excitement. A lot of the time, travel includes sitting in an airport as you wait for your delayed flight. Or it could be standing in a hotel lobby until your room is ready. It can be pretty frustrating when you’re not going anywhere. This is especially true when you should be on the way to your destination already. These moments when you’re stuck in limbo are often incredibly boring, and they feel like a waste of time too. But if you use them in the right way, you can get more from them and even learn to appreciate them. Next time you’re in travel limbo, try one of these tricks to make them more useful.
Take the Chance to Rest and Refuel
No one wants to be delayed in their journey. You can choose to see it as a blessing rather than a burden. Having a few extra hours on your hands could give you the perfect opportunity to get some rest or maybe find somewhere to eat and drink. If you just want to relax, all you need is somewhere to sit down or maybe a corner where you can shut your eyes for a bit. You could take the chance to have a meal or snack, a few coffees, or maybe something a little stronger.
If you know you’re going to be delayed overnight, you might also want to consider a hotel room. While it might be an extra expense, it can be worth it if you want to get some real sleep. You might also be entitled to compensation. Your airline might arrange a hotel for you if you won’t be able to get on a flight until the morning.
Catch Up on Reading
If you like reading, an unexpected delay or a period of downtime could be the perfect time to sit down with a book, newspaper, or lengthy online article. Planning ahead so you have something to read in the event of a delay is smart. But don’t worry if you don’t have anything. You can usually buy a book or something else to read. Airports often have various stores with books available.
Some airports even have options such as libraries (e.g. Little Free Libraries) or programs encouraging travelers to download free ebooks. You could also seek out a library if you’re in a more central location, rather than at an airport. And, of course, if you have an internet connection, you can browse or download something so you have plenty of reading material.
Tease Your Brain
Sometimes when you’re waiting around for something to happen, it’s like you can feel your brain atrophying. Nothing is really keeping it stimulated, and you’re so bored you could just fall asleep. Rather than let your brain turn to mush, think about using some brain teasers to keep it online. Games and puzzles are great for this, and it’s easy to either buy them or find online options to play. You could spend some time completing a crossword or try some sudoku puzzles. Take a look at some online quizzes, or get yourself a book of trivia.
Challenging yourself to one of these activities can keep your mind sharp and maybe even teach you some new skills. Some of them are quick and simple, while others might take you a bit longer to work out.
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Check If You Get Compensation
A delay in your journey could mean that you’re entitled to some kind of compensation from the airline or other travel company. If you’re waiting around, it could be a good time to check what you’re entitled to. In fact, there might be something you can claim right now, whether it’s a night in a hotel or some food vouchers. You might start by asking the representative of the company (whether airline or other). Of course, other people are likely to be asking too, so you might have to wait your turn.
It’s also a good idea to do a little research and find out more about your rights. What does consumer law say about any compensation you might be entitled to? How can you claim back some money? Sometimes compensation is automatic, but you also often have to fill in a form or contact the responsible body to make a claim.
If you have travel insurance, you might be able to make a claim with your provider too. Check your policy to see what it covers and whether it includes delays in your journey. It’s always smart to have insurance, both to protect your journey and to help out if you have expenses such as medical bills or lost luggage.
Reroute Your Journey
You don’t always have to wait around when your journey is delayed. It might be possible to reconsider and find a different way to get there. This might mean simply taking a slightly different route, but it could also be smart to look at alternative modes of transport. If you can’t get a flight, is it possible to take a train or bus, or maybe hire a car? There are often alternatives that will allow you to get to your destination, even if it will be a bit later than intended.
Taking a different route might work too. If you can’t go directly from A to B, you might be able to get to your destination via a third location. Maybe you need to go around a particular obstruction, or find a new route because your first choice isn’t currently running.
It might cost more to do this, but it could also be worth it if you’d prefer not to sit around waiting. You could save time in the end, and it might even prevent your travels from coming to an end. Check if you’re entitled to compensation to help you cover the costs incurred.
Catch Up with Friends and Family
When you have a bit of time on your hands, it could be the chance to catch up with friends and family. Remembering to keep in touch with everyone can be tough when you’re traveling, but a bit of downtime can be used to check in on everyone and update them on what’s happening with you. Take the time to send an email, post a social media update, make a phone call, or message someone.
You might also need to tell someone where you are and what’s happening, especially if there’s anyone waiting for you at your destination. Make sure to update any important parties to let them know you’re safe and that there’s been a change in your plans.
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Be Prepared for Delays
Delays are always easier to handle if you’ve thought about the possibility of them in advance. It might be too late for your current travels, but you can always prepare for next time. Packing a few handy items or having a checklist of things to do can help you manage the delay. You might make sure you have things like a sleep mask or a travel pillow, so you can put your head down and have a nap. A hand-held fan can help you stay cool if you’re in a hot location.
Another way to be prepared is to join a frequent-flier program or find out if any products or services you use (e.g. your credit card) provide perks such as access to airport lounges. This will mean you have a comfortable place to wait without having to pay a huge cost for a one-off pass. These lounges often provide free food and drink. They have quiet places where you can sit and relax until it’s time to go.
Freshen Up
When you’re waiting around for something to happen, whether it’s for a flight, checking into a hotel, or anything else, it could be a good opportunity to freshen up. When you’ve been traveling for a while, you can start to feel the effects of not having showered and spending time rushing around. Taking some time to get clean will help you feel fresher and lift your mood.
In some places, you might be able to grab a shower. Airports and other transport hubs often have showers available, so you can clean up properly. You could also look for something like a gym or spa. There you might be able to shower with a day pass. But if you can’t shower, there are other ways to freshen up while you wait for the next stage in your travels.
It’s handy to have some wet wipes with you, or perhaps a cloth and some soap. If you have separate carry-on luggage for flying, putting your toothbrush and a travel-sized toothpaste in it will allow you to clean your teeth when you have time. Deodorant or antiperspirant is useful too. Keep your hair neat with a hairbrush or comb, and consider some dry shampoo (check airline regulations, and consider a non-aerosol option).
Being stuck in a travel limbo isn’t fun, but you can make the most of the time you have. Find things to do and turn the situation positive.
