Stuck at the airport with time to kill? Here are 25+ ways to spend those hours before your flight. From free options to productive ideas, plus how to actually accumulate rewards while you wait. Part of our guide on making money while waiting.
There's a special kind of boredom that only airports can produce. You've cleared security, found your gate, and now you're staring at a departure board that won't change for another three hours. Sound familiar?
Most people default to scrolling social media until their eyes glaze over. But airports actually offer more options than you'd think. Some are free, some cost money, and some can actually reward you because your attention has real value.
This guide covers everything from quick time-killers to genuinely productive ways to spend your pre-flight hours. Pick what works for your situation and budget.
Turn Airport Time Into Real Rewards
Instead of killing time, earn rewards while you wait. VISU lets you scan QR codes at airport partner locations and build rewards during your trip.
Free Ways to Kill Time
You don't need to spend money to make airport time bearable. These options cost nothing and work at any airport.
Walk the Terminal
Seriously. Get up and walk. Most people sit for their entire wait and then complain about feeling stiff on the plane. Large airports like ATL, DFW, and ORD are basically indoor hiking trails. You can easily log 2-3 miles just exploring different terminals.
Walking also helps you discover food options, find quieter seating areas, and counteract the effects of sitting on your previous flight. Plus, apps that pay you to walk can turn those steps into actual rewards.
People Watch
Airports are some of the best places in the world for people watching. Business travelers rushing to connections. Families wrangling kids. Couples heading to honeymoons. Solo backpackers starting adventures. It's free entertainment if you pay attention.
Find a seat near a busy intersection of walkways and just observe. You'll see more interesting human behavior in 30 minutes than most TV shows deliver in a season.
Plane Spot
Find a window seat near your gate and watch the aircraft operations. Takeoffs, landings, ground crews, baggage handling. If you're even slightly interested in aviation, this never gets old. Some airports even have dedicated observation decks.
Read Something
Remember books? Airport time is perfect for catching up on reading. Download ebooks before you leave home, bring a physical book, or grab a magazine from a newsstand. Reading passes time faster than scrolling and you actually remember what you consumed.
Listen to Podcasts or Music
Download episodes before you get to the airport. True crime, comedy, business, history. Whatever you're into. Good noise-canceling headphones make this even better by blocking out terminal announcements and screaming children.
Catch Up on Messages
Use the free wifi to respond to emails, texts, and messages you've been putting off. Airport time is great for this because you have a built-in excuse to end conversations. "Gotta go, they're boarding."
Stretch and Exercise
Many airports now have yoga rooms or quiet areas where you can stretch. Even without dedicated spaces, you can do basic stretches near your gate. Your body will thank you on the flight. Some airports like Chicago O'Hare have actual yoga rooms in Terminal 3.
Paid Options Worth Considering
Sometimes spending a little money makes a big difference in comfort. These options aren't free but can be worth it for longer waits.
Airport Lounges
Day passes typically cost $30 to $60 and include food, drinks, wifi, comfortable seating, and sometimes showers. If you're waiting more than 3 hours, lounges often pay for themselves in free food and drinks alone.
Many credit cards offer free lounge access through Priority Pass, Amex Centurion, or airline-specific programs. Check what you already have before paying out of pocket.
Spa and Massage
XpresSpa and Be Relax operate in many airports. A 20-30 minute massage costs $40-80 but can completely reset your travel mood. Some lounges include spa services in their day passes.
Sit-Down Restaurant
Skip the grab-and-go spots and find an actual restaurant with table service. Yes, it costs more than fast food. But a real meal with a drink takes an hour easily and feels more like a break than a transaction.
Day Room or Sleep Pod
For really long waits, some airports offer sleep pods or day rooms. Minute Suites operates in several US airports. Prices run $40-50 per hour but you get a private space with a bed. Worth it if you need actual rest.
Duty-Free Shopping
Browse duty-free stores without feeling rushed. Prices aren't always better than regular retail, but the selection of alcohol, cosmetics, and luxury goods can be interesting. Just don't buy things you don't need because you're bored.
Productive Ways to Spend Airport Time
If you want to feel like you accomplished something, try these.
Get Work Done
Find a quiet spot with outlets and wifi. Many airports have business centers or dedicated work areas. Two hours of focused work at the airport can be more productive than a whole day in a distracting office.
Plan Your Trip
If you're traveling somewhere new, use airport time to research. Restaurants, attractions, logistics. Arriving with a plan makes everything better. Download offline maps while you have wifi.
Organize Your Digital Life
Clean out your email inbox. Delete old photos from your camera roll. Organize files on your laptop. Update apps. These boring tasks are perfect for airport time because you have nothing better to do anyway.
Learn Something
Language learning apps like Duolingo work great in airports. Online courses, tutorial videos, audiobooks. Use the time to improve a skill instead of just passing time.
Write or Journal
Airports put you in a reflective mood. Write about your trip, journal your thoughts, draft that email you've been avoiding. The change of environment can spark creativity.
How to Actually Accumulate Rewards at the Airport
Here's what most "things to do at airports" articles won't tell you. You can build your reward balance during your time there.
While everyone else is spending money on overpriced snacks, you can be accumulating rewards. Several apps now reward users for activities that work perfectly in airport environments.
Location-Based Rewards
Apps like VISU let you accumulate rewards for verified visits to partner locations. Many airports have QR codes at shops, restaurants, and service areas. Each scan takes 1-2 minutes and adds to your balance. You're walking around anyway. Might as well build your rewards.
You can also accumulate with apps that pay for store visits at airport retail locations. Every verified check-in counts toward your balance.
Walking Rewards
Big airports mean lots of walking. Apps that track your steps can turn terminal exploration into rewards. You're going to walk to your gate, the bathroom, and food anyway. Get credit for it.
Survey Apps
Platforms like Prolific and Swagbucks work on airport wifi. Complete surveys while waiting and earn $4-15 per survey. Check our complete guide to money-making apps for the legitimate options.
Cashback on Purchases
If you're buying food or products anyway, use cashback apps to get money back. Even airport prices hurt less with 2-5% back.
Passive Income Stacking
The smartest travelers combine multiple reward streams. Use passive income apps alongside location-based rewards to maximize your airport earnings without extra effort.
Users who create their VISU account before traveling start building their balance from the first airport. The sooner you start, the more you'll have accumulated when withdrawals become available.
Build Rewards While Others Kill Time
VISU rewards verified activity at real locations. Scan QR codes at airport partner spots and earn rewards while other travelers scroll. No purchases required.
Entertainment Options
Sometimes you just want to be entertained. No productivity, no reward accumulation. Just pass the time pleasantly.
Stream Shows or Movies
Download Netflix, HBO, Disney+ content before you leave home. Airport wifi is usually too slow for streaming, but downloaded content works perfectly. Binge that series you've been meaning to watch.
Play Games
Mobile games, portable gaming devices, even card games if you're traveling with someone. Gaming passes time faster than almost anything else.
Watch Airport TV
Most gate areas have CNN or news channels playing. Not exciting, but it's something. Some airports have better programming in lounge areas.
Find Live Music or Art
Some airports have live music programs, art installations, or cultural exhibits. Austin, Nashville, and New Orleans airports are known for live music. Check what your airport offers.
Self-Care at the Airport
Travel is hard on your body. Use airport time to take care of yourself.
Stay Hydrated
Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it at a fountain. Dehydration makes flights worse. Drink water instead of buying expensive airport coffee.
Eat Real Food
Don't just grab chips because they're convenient. Find something with actual nutrition. Your body will perform better on the flight if you feed it properly.
Use the Bathroom Properly
Airport bathrooms are almost always better than airplane bathrooms. Take your time. Freshen up. You'll feel better.
Stretch Before You Board
You're about to sit in a cramped seat for hours. Stretch now. Your back, neck, and legs will thank you mid-flight.
Things to Avoid
Some common airport time-killers aren't worth it.
Mindless scrolling. Three hours of Instagram will leave you feeling worse than when you started. If you're going to use your phone, do something intentional.
Excessive drinking. Airport bars are tempting but alcohol plus altitude plus dehydration is a bad combination. One drink is fine. Three is asking for a rough flight.
Impulse shopping. Boredom leads to bad purchases. Don't buy things just because you have time to browse.
Staying glued to your gate. You don't need to sit at your gate for three hours. Explore. Move. Just set an alarm so you don't miss boarding.
Stressing about the wait. Reframe your thinking. Airport time is free time. Use it instead of resenting it.
Quick Guide by Time Available
30 minutes or less: Stay near your gate. Use the bathroom. Charge your phone. Maybe grab a snack. Don't wander.
1-2 hours: Walk around a bit. Get food. Catch up on messages. Do some light reading or podcast listening. Keep one eye on the departure board.
2-4 hours: Explore the terminal. Consider a lounge if you have access. Get real work done. Build your reward balance with VISU scans. This is the sweet spot for productivity.
4+ hours: Do everything above plus consider a spa treatment, extended lounge time, or even a short nap in a sleep pod. For really long waits, see our complete layover guide.
FAQ: Killing Time at the Airport
What's the best free way to kill time at an airport?
Walking the terminal is the best free option. You get exercise, discover food and shopping options, find quieter areas, and can use walking apps to accumulate rewards. People watching and plane spotting are also free and surprisingly entertaining.
Are airport lounges worth it for short waits?
For waits under 2 hours, probably not unless you have free access through a credit card. For 3+ hours, lounges often pay for themselves in free food and drinks. Day passes cost $30-60 at most airports.
Can I actually accumulate rewards at the airport?
Yes. Apps like VISU let you accumulate rewards for verified visits to partner locations in airports. Walking apps reward your terminal exploration. Survey apps work on airport wifi. It's a productive way to use your wait time.
How early should I get to the airport?
For domestic flights, 90 minutes to 2 hours is standard. For international, 2-3 hours. If you're checking bags or flying during peak times, add more buffer. Better to have time to kill than to miss your flight.
What should I set up before going to the airport?
Download entertainment like Netflix shows, podcasts, and ebooks. Create your account on reward apps like VISU. Download offline maps for your destination. Airport wifi is often too slow for streaming, so having content ready offline makes a big difference.
How do I find quiet areas in busy airports?
Walk away from the main terminal areas toward gates at the end of concourses. Look for gates without active flights. Some airports have designated quiet zones, meditation rooms, or yoga spaces. Airport lounges are also quieter than the main terminal.
Ready to Make Airport Time Productive?
Create your VISU account and start accumulating rewards at your next airport wait. Works at terminals worldwide.