The 5 Best Airports to Get Stuck in Around the World
Photo by: Rob Annis
Three different languages announce a flight delay and there are suddenly eighteen hours to kill in the crossroads between life and death, also known as an international airport terminal. While we already gave you ways to entertain yourself at the airport, here are a few airports that are so entertaining on their own, you’ll wish your layover was longer.
Changi International Airport, Singapore
Photo By: "Life in AsiaNZ"
This airport is so clean, even chewing gum is outlawed. If dealing with the smoggy heat of Singapore by heading on a day tour isn’t on your agenda, Changi has activities for everyone. Outdoor gardens, a huge food court, showers, a gym, a full spa and sleeping quarters are only the beginning. Changi also has a movie screening room, MTV listening stations and recording booths. Treat yourself to a massage and shower, or head downstairs to Harry’s bar/lounge, with live music and huge TV screens showing sports from all over the world. There are chairs for curling up and getting shut-eye on nearly every floor, in every corner.
Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Photo By: Tom Podolec
The only place in the world where you can literally get married while in transit, Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport also sells psychedelic chocolate. A popular spot for connections to all over Europe, the wedding chapel isn’t the only reason Schiphol is a great place to fly through (if you do end up marrying a recycling bin while on shrooms, we’d love to see pictures). Get cultured and visit the layover library, housing books in over 29 languages and iPads full of Dutch multimedia, giving you a chance to see a little more culture than the smoky dens you’ve been frequenting during your visit to Amsterdam.
Incheon Airport, Seoul, S. Korea
Photo By: G. Arango
Incheon Airport came second to Changi in Singapore on the Skytrax Passenger Choice Awards 2010, and rightly so. The Spa on Air offers soaking tubs, private sleeping rooms and Thai massage (how do you say happy ending in Korean?) The Hub Lounge has a hefty entrance fee, but once you’re in, there’s free Internet, food and even liquor. Be a good backpacker and get your money’s worth by stuffing your pockets with granola bars or forage in the lounges for some sleeping space. If you can pull off the traveling businessman look (crumpled shirt and jeans work), check out the nearby Casino and Business Center’s Golf Course.
Zurich, Switzerland
Photo By: Muriel
Zurich offers a variety of choices for wasting transit time appropriately. For those with a lengthy layover, Zurich gives helicopter tours of the city directly from the airport, or allows you to explore the airport’s bowels with a guided tour accessing the runways and hangars. To find some free fun, check out Observation Deck E, where the runway views are so close you’ll flinch with every take off. The airport’s huge duty free section is full of Swiss chocolate, with every type of Swiss-mountain-wrapped sensual delight on the shelves for your greedy consumption. With a mass of terminals connected by Airtrain, spend some time riding the Swiss train system and marvel at the mountains in the background. There’s your Swiss experience, all in one short stopover.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Photo By: Trey Ratcliff "Stuck in Customs"
The reflexology clinic in the satellite building is only the beginning of what’s available to you during a Kuala Lumpur layover. You can indulge in gluttonous escapism in the business lounge, partaking in “free-flowing beer”, or keep it budget-conscious by watching the spectacular viewing-gallery at the end of the main terminal building. These epic windows give you a panoramic view of the airport’s surroundings and make you forget (albeit, momentarily) that you’re trapped in Malaysia. For more free fun, go crash the children’s play area , which is conveniently unsupervised (because monkey bars shouldn’t just be for 5 year-olds).
A delayed flight never translates to stuck. Sometimes an extended layover is just your ticket to an extra day of exploring and adventure. Check the line situation with security and plan your time wisely if you intend to leave to the surrounding city. If there’s no time, hey, you’ve got an airport to explore!
Unbridled reality, bitches!
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I AM ENJOYING YOUR EVERY DAY ARTICLES.
Swimming at Changi highly recommended in the middle of a Sydney/London flight if you’ve got the time!
I’ve been to three of the five and have to agree. Great post!
My parents have been to Singapore’s airport and said you don’t feel you are actually in an airport. Very nice pictures!
I love a good airport – great list!
Changi is No 1 for me. Regular stopover on my UK/OZ travels.
I don’t know about Amsterdam???? It seamed like i taxied longer than the flight to Paris.
I like the KL international,Auckland international and Dubai international airports, as well.
The last time i was at Schiphol I watched a nice sunrise and I actually extended my layover so that i could take a 2+ hour tour of Amsterdam that’s organized by the airport. I’ve been transiting through there since childhood so i somewhat know my way around. With all the travelers coming through, they need to add restaurants/food counters- there’s barely any food there! :/ but it’s a nice airport. However, i hate KLM.
I’ve only passed through Zurich airport twice and i remember finding it boring without much. That was years ago though. I’m assuming they’ve since made major adjustments.
Kuala Lumpur airport looks INSANE!!!
Wooohooo kuala lumpur is awesome
KLs the shit!!!
It is good to know where to get stuck but obviously we do not pick up the airport
The best airport can become a real burden and may not help much when you don’t know how long you’ll be stranded.
In these cases, having a free/cost effective hot spot to find some solutions (like sostravelers.com), the cleanest shower and sleeping room may turn the most boring airport into the best airport…
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