For most people, the airport is not a fun place to be. It’s full of people waiting around (sometimes longer than they expected) until they eventually get the call to head to their gate and finally start their holiday.
Usually, aside from sitting down for something to eat or relaxing in the airport lounge (if you’ve splashed out for these privileges) there isn’t much to do whilst waiting for your flight. But, as you’ll see in our list, this isn’t always the case.
Here are some mind-blowing things to see and do that you can find in airports around the world.
Changi Airport is widely recognised as one of the best in the world, with a whole plethora of things for tourists to get up to before they jump on their flight. As well as multiple playgrounds for children, a cinema and a comprehensive wellness area, this is the home of the world’s first butterfly garden inside an airport.
There are around 1,000 different butterflies inside from 40 different species and visitors can see the beautiful moment when one of these colourful creatures emerges from its chrysalis. There’s also a six-metre tall waterfall as part of the habitat.
If you find yourself with a long layover at Incheon International, why not use the time to brush up on your golf game. OK, so the golf course is not strictly inside the airport, but it is only just outside the perimeter fence and efficient transport makes it easy to get to.
This isn’t just any golf course either – it is the largest one in North-East Asia. There is a 54-hole course with fantastic views out over the ocean and an 18-hole course that makes excellent use of the natural rocks and cliff faces to create a beautiful environment.
If the golf doesn’t relax you enough, you can be safe in the knowledge that Incheon International claims to only mishandle one in every million bags.
What better way to spend your spare time at the airport than indulging in some culture? In 2002, the Rijksmuseum became the first museum in the world to open a branch at an airport and Schiphol has been offering a little taster of the Dutch Masters ever since. There are 10 paintings on display and they are available to see around the clock without paying a penny.
Recently, a mini version of the NEMO Science Museum has also been installed. Nine different interactive exhibitions will educate you on anything from sound waves to optical illusions. Both museums can be found on Holland Boulevard, an interesting area on the first floor of the terminal.
Switzerland is one of the best destinations in the world to explore nature and the people at Zurich Airport want you to be able to do this even if your time there is limited. There are walking and cycle routes located around the perimeter fences and bikes, Nordic walking sticks and roller skates are available to hire for a small fee.
There are even BBQ points around these tracks so that you can enjoy a picnic with the family before heading back to catch your flights. Beats being cooped up in the terminal.
Most of the things on our list provide something for you to do whilst waiting for your flight, but the Vancouver Airport aquarium is something worth making the effort to see even if you are flying into the airport.
There are two different tanks, one of which is dedicated to jellyfish, and they act as an offshoot of the nearby Vancouver Aquarium. The main tank holds 114,000 litres of water along with wolf eels, starfish, rock fish and anemones.
If you only thing you want to do whilst you wait for your flight is catch up on some sleep then Dubai Airport is one of the best places to be. As well as Scandinavian-inspired Sleep ‘n Fly pods, there are SnoozeCubes available if you need a power nap or somewhere to spend the night.
There’s room for a bed, TV with movies and music, Wi-Fi and space to store your luggage. After initial success, the plan is to place pods like these in airports all over the world. They’re sure to make that frustrating delay or cancellation slightly less infuriating.
If you would like the chance to see or do any of these for yourself, we can help you plan your trip. From cruises to epic land adventures, we have a wide range of holidays available to suit you. Call us on 0800 021 3237 or submit your enquiry online here.
If you would like to make, or have any questions regarding a booking, please contact us on:
© Fred. Olsen Travel
Registered in England and Wales No. 02287241. Olympus House, 2 Olympus Close, Ipswich, IP1 5LN