How to spend time at the airport. Instructions: what to do (where to go, what to see) when transferring at Beijing airport. What are the mandatory procedures at the airport before departure?

Istanbul Ataturk Airport is the largest aviation hub. Turkish Airlines, which is based at this airport, offers flights around the world with a connection in Istanbul. How to pass the time between connections? What to do at Istanbul airport? Where is the smoking area at Ataturk Airport? Today we answer these questions.

Alexey Solomatin (blogger)

I fly through Istanbul very often, because... It’s quite convenient and inexpensive for me to get to Europe from Russian regions bypassing Moscow. For example, Turkish airlines operate flights from Ufa, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. It is from Kazan that I fly most often. Dockings can be very long. It’s good if the weather permits and you can go to the city, but what if it rains? What to do at Istanbul airport? How to spend time profitably and without unnecessary nerves? This is exactly what I will talk about today...

The main problem of the Istanbul airport, in my opinion, is the huge passenger flow and the disregardful attitude of the Turks towards passengers. There are absolutely no recreational areas in the building. Ataturk is a huge anthill in which everyone is in a hurry and rushing headlong. I always suffered and was terribly tired there, being there for several hours.
Three days ago, I completely accidentally came across a lounge where you can while away the time in relative comfort and, most importantly, there is wi-fi, you can have a snack and be in silence. Today I will tell you how to find it and what is there. In general, it’s a life hack.

There were 7 hours between my flights, the weather turned bad outside (which is not surprising for Istanbul) and I decided to stay at the airport.

1. The main reference point for finding this lounge is the Food Court in the clean area of ​​the airport. He's there alone. This is the place where all the restaurants and cafes are gathered. There is an escalator in the center of the food court, we go there:

2. We go up to the second floor, it will be on your left:

3. Called Millennium Lounge. To the right of the lounge there is an exit to the terrace. This is for those who smoke. By the way, this was the only place in the huge airport where you could smoke until recently. Recently they opened another terrace in the opposite wing of the airport:

An employee sits at the entrance. He needs to show your boarding pass and he will calculate how much you need to pay. In my case, for 7 hours I paid 35 euros. Expensive, you say... let's see what you get. Firstly, you will be given a username and password to access the fast wi-fi. Secondly, you will have access to a free buffet and a relaxation area. Well, thirdly, if you don’t have a computer with you, you can use one of the 5 desktop computers installed there.

4. At first glance, there is not much space either. Almost every table has sockets against the wall, but in my case they were occupied:

5. I’m showing you a secluded place especially for you. Where the guy behind the counter stands is the entrance to the lounge. On the right in the frame is a rack with desktop computers. Behind her are two chairs, with a table between them. There is a secret power outlet behind the chair marked with an arrow. No one sees it and everyone thinks that there is nothing there and that’s why no one sits there. Take this place, turn your chair towards the table and go about your business on the Internet, as I did:

6. What else will you get for your paid entry? Here is a buffet with tea, coffee, sandwiches, desserts and even hot soup:

7. Alcohol:

8. Snacks:

All this is included in the price of admission to the Millennium Lounge.

For the first time, I passed the time without being completely tired of this Istanbul bustle.
I hope my life hack will be useful and you will enjoy your time waiting for your flight.

That's all!

We wish you pleasant travels!

1. Where to buy air tickets? We recommend checking prices on aviasales.ru and momondo.ru. Where exactly to buy - decide for yourself, these are search engines and they will redirect you to direct purchase.
2. Where to live? It is better to book hotels, hostels or cabins on Booking.com. If you book using this link, after the trip, booking will return 900 rubles to your card. Another nice link from Airbnb.ru is a 1,500 ruble discount on your first booking. It is better to compare hotel prices on HotelsCombined.com.(RussianRoomGuru) This is one of the most advanced hotel search engines, which not only looks for the best option for you, but also makes it possible to compare prices in the largest hotel aggregators and direct booking systems.

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What to do at the airport before departure: restaurants, shops and recreation areas.

When traveling by plane, we often think of airports as simple train stations. We get upset, knowing that there is a multi-hour transfer ahead, and frantically figure out what to do with ourselves in the waiting room. However, there are airports in the world that are so interesting that they may well become another point on your tourist program. At small airports, you can always find something to do that will help you pass the time while waiting for your flight with benefit and pleasure. So, let's figure out what to do at the airport.

First of all, it’s worth saying that it’s always better to arrive at the airport in advance. Check-in for a flight usually begins 2 hours before departure for domestic flights and 2.5-3 hours for international flights. Even if you've checked in online, you're still required to go through customs and passport control, and queues are impossible to predict. Therefore, it is always better to spend extra time at the airport than

What to do at the airport? The most famous entertainment at the airport among travelers is, of course, Duty Free - duty-free shops. Goods in such stores are not subject to any types of taxes, which means they will always be lower in price. It is worth noting that you can only find such stores in international terminals, that is, if you are flying abroad. Most of the assortment of these stores is alcoholic drinks, cosmetics and perfumes, sweets from famous manufacturers, and souvenirs. In addition, you can find clothes from famous brands or jewelry here. In duty-free you can also find exclusive goods that are not presented in regular stores within the country. So sometimes it’s worth taking a closer look.

The next item on the airport entertainment program could be food. The airport dining experience can be unexpectedly enjoyable. Dinning in a good restaurant here will most likely cost more than even in the center of a European capital. However, real gourmets probably know that in some airports you can find restaurants run by even Michelin-starred chefs: London Heathrow or Malaga airports , and Geneva among them.

It happens that the time between connecting flights is quite long. In such cases, you may have several options. The first is to go on a sightseeing tour of the city. For example, Singapore and Istanbul airports offer free excursions for transit passengers who have 4-4.5 hours to spare. The second option is to sit in airline lounges or business lounges. The main difference between lounges and regular waiting rooms is the level of comfort: soft chairs and sofas, food and drinks, showers and spa treatments, entertainment for children and adults. The list of amenities, of course, varies from airport to airport, but any lounge will provide you with a comfortable stay.

Sometimes the question “What to do at the airport?” doesn't even arise. For example, if you find yourself at Singapore Changi Airport, all questions will disappear by themselves. It has everything you could want: a swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness club, playgrounds and arts and crafts rooms, a cinema, gardens, art installations and much more. The wishes of any person are taken into account here, and spending a couple of extra hours here is a real pleasure. Another famous airport is in Dubai. Since this city is often a transit point for travel from Europe to Asia, very comfortable conditions have been created there for a long stay at the airport: a huge number of famous cafes and restaurants, lounge areas, entertainment venues and the largest duty-free in the world await you.

The airport can be extremely interesting, but don't forget that you are waiting to board a plane. Try to periodically check your flight information: departure time and gate. Some airports have multiple terminals and it may take you a long time to get to the gate. For example, the terminals of Dubai and Frankfurt airports are quite far from each other, and special trains run between them. Similarly, Barcelona Airport's domestic and international terminals are connected by bus service.

We hope that the question of what to do at the airport will no longer be painful for you, and the time before boarding the plane will pass pleasantly. We wish you unforgettable travels!

To prevent this from happening, and to make your stay at the airport logical and structured, we have prepared answers to the main questions that arise before boarding a plane.

How long before departure should you arrive at the airport?

It is worth arriving at the airport with plenty of time, since the queue can be huge, and then you may be late for check-in. The generally accepted norm is to arrive one and a half to two hours before departure on domestic flights, and two to three hours before international flights.

1.5 - 2 hours for domestic flights
2 - 3 hours for international flights

It is also worth considering that at airports, as on the roads, there are “rush hours”. These include Friday and Sunday evenings, as well as Monday mornings. If the flight falls during this time, it is better to have half an hour in reserve.

What are the mandatory procedures at the airport before departure?

There are three main stages that any tourist must go through before departure. This includes customs control, check-in and baggage drop-off, and then passport control.

Three main stages

1. Customs control (if you need to declare something)
2. Check-in and baggage drop-off
3. Passport control

During customs control, it is necessary to declare such things as weapons, drugs, large sums of money (each state independently determines the amount), antiques, etc., add them to the customs declaration and go to the “red corridor”. For those who have nothing to declare, and these are the majority, there is a “green corridor”. True, even there, customs officers can selectively check luggage.

Check-in for flights and baggage drop-off are carried out in certain sectors, the numbers of which can be found on numerous electronic displays. At check-in, the online reservation is exchanged for a boarding pass, which serves as a pass to board the plane. Those flying with family or friends should present all their passports at once for check-in - then the seats in the cabin will be nearby. At the beginning of check-in, which begins two hours before departure, passengers can still ask for the most favorable seat, but latecomers will have to take what is left.

The last stage is passing through passport control, after which the border guard will put a stamp in the passport stating that the tourist has left his homeland. After this, you can go shopping if you have time, and if you don’t have enough time, go to the gate indicated on your boarding pass and wait for boarding.

How long does it take to go to duty free?

After going through all the required procedures, the tourist finds himself in the long-awaited duty-free - duty-free zone. As a rule, perfumes, alcohol and cigarettes are bought here.

While walking around the shops and enjoying the difference in prices, it is worth remembering that you can spend no more than half an hour here, and only if you were at the very beginning of the queue at registration. The fact is that boarding the plane begins 40-60 minutes before departure and you can miss your flight.

Travelers who are delayed for a flight are usually called by voice announcement; in this case, they should run to the flight immediately.

In addition, when buying alcohol, you should take into account the legal regulations for the import of strong drinks that exist in the country to which the plane is traveling. Most often they are very strict and are limited to one or two liters of strong drinks (stronger than 12 degrees) per person.

How to optimize your carry-on luggage

Sharp objects, such as manicure kits, are not allowed in hand luggage, and all liquids, sprays and creams must be in bottles no larger than 100 milliliters and in clear, sealable bags. The same rule applies to perfumes and alcohol from duty free.

You can take with you in your hand luggage all the documents, gadgets that you are taking with you, medicines that may be required during the flight, food (including baby purees in glass jars). In addition, there is always the possibility of lost luggage, so to protect yourself, you should take in your hand luggage things that will be difficult to do without on the spot, such as phone chargers.

For carry-on luggage, it is most convenient to use a special reinforced bag, preferably on wheels, which will not wrinkle in the luggage compartment and will be convenient to carry with you.

Features of connecting flights

If the flight is not direct, but with a transfer, it is worth remembering a few basic rules.

Firstly, when departing from the first airport, you can take a boarding pass to your final destination so as not to waste time during transfers.

Secondly, being late for a flight due to the fault of the airline imposes a number of obligations on it. The passenger must be provided with a free hotel, hot meals and a flight change. In the event of a delay or cancellation of a connecting flight, the passenger has the right to luggage storage, meals every 6 hours during the day and 8 at night, a hotel if the delay is more than 8 hours, mother and child room services and much more. If you have any problems on a transfer flight, you need to contact the staff at the counter marked “Transit / Transfer desk”.

If the ticket with a transfer was purchased independently, the airline is not responsible for the delay, so it is better to choose flights with a difference of 3-4 hours.

So, if you properly prepare for your stay at the airport, select films and literature that will help pass the time at the airport, you can reduce the number of unpleasant and boring moments to a minimum.

There are unsuccessful connections when there is no point in going to the city, but you want to sleep. The flight may be delayed or cancelled. Plus, if you travel regularly, staying overnight at the airport can save you hundreds of dollars.

Can you sleep at all airports?

To be honest, you can’t sleep in any. But some airports are lenient with sleepers, while others close at night. It is better to clarify the operating hours of the airport where you may have to spend the night.

Is it safe?

Not really. An airport is not a train station, but there are also plenty of thieves, scammers and people with unclean intentions. It is best to sleep where surveillance cameras are installed, or contact airport security, they will tell you a safe place.

And I'm worried about my luggage. How to protect it?

Hide small items, money and documents under clothes. handcuff to an arm or leg. We're serious. Toy ones will do.

What will be useful if I decide to spend the night at the airport?

• Air mattress or mattress, headrest. Airport seats are not designed for sleeping; you will most likely feel uncomfortable lying on them. Please note that in many airports, employees are especially unfriendly towards sleeping on the floor; resort to this method in the most extreme cases.
• Sweater (or blanket), wear a T-shirt under it. It is difficult to predict what temperature will be inside the airport where you will spend the whole night. Prepare for heat and cold.
• Earplugs or headphones. There is no need for boarding announcements and conversations from neighbors in the waiting room to disturb your sleep.
• Water and cookies. At night, most shops and cafes close. The remaining coffee shops can charge such a price that an overnight stay in a hotel with dinner included will be cheaper.
• Book. You may find it difficult to fall asleep in a new and not very peaceful environment. The book will help pass the time.
• Tee. There are few chargers at airports, and there may not be enough for everyone. In order not to wait for a colleague at an overnight stay to charge all his equipment, invite him to charge together using a tee.
• Wet wipes. There is a lot at the airport. And dragging with all your luggage to the washstand before dinner is not entirely convenient.
• Cash and credit card. You need to anticipate situations in which an airport employee will demand a bribe to go to the toilet or you will have to pay for Wi-Fi.

How to behave?

The rules are simple. Do not disturb others, do not make noise, do not attract unnecessary attention to yourself and try to behave as appropriately as possible. Having allowed you to spend the night at the airport, its employees have already met you halfway. Respect their kindness. If the airport workers are not very enthusiastic about your idea of ​​spending the night in the terminal, try to placate them - it works.

Will I sleep through the plane?

Quite possible. Write on a piece of paper a request to wake you up before departure, indicating the time (preferably in English). Typically, airport visitors are willing to wake up travelers. But it’s better to additionally insure yourself with an alarm clock.

What to do if you can’t spend the night at the airport?

If sleeping at the airport is not possible, here are the simplest options: rent a hotel room or a place in a hostel near the airport. In some countries, it is cheaper to rent a car for a day and sleep in the parking lot. Some airports offer sleeping boxes right in the terminals. Always have a backup plan. Spending the night at the airport is far from a 100% reliable undertaking.

The question of what to do at the airport worries everyone: - flying passengers, greeting and seeing off passengers. We bring to your attention the most creative ideas and tips on how not to die of boredom at the airport, because for a real tourist there is always nothing good everywhere.

We remind you that time spent can be paid or free. And so, you can choose one or arrange a mix of any of the proposed options:
- If the connection is more than 3 hours, go to some nice place.
- Work on a laptop.
- Arrange a photo session at the airport and come up with a caption for each photo.

Come up with a new nickename.
- Choose a word that can answer any question.
- Learn to write a beautiful hieroglyph for calmness.
- Write a page in your diary on the topic: “The most pleasant events of the last month.”
- Have a blast on social networks – there’s enough time for everyone.

Come up with a letter that can be sent in a bottle on a long voyage.
- Send SMS to your loved ones, tell them how deeply and tenderly you love them.

Chat with pleasant fellow travelers and strike up friendships.

Come up with the maximum number of options on how to say no to a person and not offend him.
- Arrange a tour and shopping in a boutique.

Visiting all the exhibitions and tastings, drinking vodka, and walking around the airport is an ideal option before your flight. Remember that after testing or visiting a restaurant, the main thing is not to oversleep your flight.

Buy yourself something that is not available in your hometown. A souvenir - if you are flying out, a large item - if you are flying home.
-Train the power of thought and try to move the ATM in the waiting room with one glance.
- To make fun of the person on the networks who exposed his mobile phone number. Surely, he is waiting for messages from strangers, he needs to please the one who is waiting.
- Talk to your right leg if you want to sit in splendid isolation.

Waiting for arrivals or your own departure is an integral part of flying.

If the connection is planned in advance, it is best to book a hotel and have a good time.
- Take a shower or have a Thai massage.
- On a Vertu smartphone with a titanium case and glass headphones, watch a couple of episodes of “Game of Thrones.”

Headphones are tourists' best friends because they relieve boredom

Engage in self-improvement, for example, learn a tongue twister to develop diction like - eyjafjallajokull eyjafjallajokullali, you need to re-examine.
- Look at the others.

- Engage in self-improvement, for example, learn a tongue twister to develop diction like - eyjafjallajokudl eyjafjallayokudlali you need to re-examine.
- Look at the others.
- Come up with 101 ways where you can use your air ticket after the flight.

What to do at Beijing Airport? If the gap between flights is large enough, you can go out into the city yourself, or hire a guide, or you can just take a walk inside. The Chinese have a love of gigantism. Beijing airport is a stunning structure of 3 terminals, the distances are enormous, moving inside the terminal is by electric car, and between terminals by shuttle.

For example, it takes at least half an hour to stomp your feet from the passport control gate to the check-in counter. In the waiting room there is an hourly capsule-type hotel, many shops, cafes of any level, and a relaxation area with TV.

The Internet is freely available only to owners of a Chinese number! For others who want to gain access to the Internet, there are machines that give you a receipt with a login and password in exchange for a scan of an international passport or Chinese ID. In the old terminal, shops, cafes and even duty-free shops are closed from 23 to 8 am. You need to stock up on drinking water for the night in advance. It's a pity that the wedding palace is missing.

What can you do at Munich Airport during a long layover?
- Get out to the city if the gap time is more than 4 hours, because the airport is located 36 km from Munich. You can get there by taxi, bus, train. When traveling with a group, it is beneficial to buy a group ticket from a special machine.

Munich at night does not offer a vibrant nightlife - almost everything is closed after 24, except for night bars and gay clubs. There are very few passers-by and bright lighting. The Germans are economical people. Closed day at museums is Monday or Tuesday. But the rest of the time you will be delighted with what you see. In the city there are cafes and restaurants - separately for men with alcohol, billiards and separately for women, separately where they cook only chicken or seafood. As a farewell after your walk, you can leave the love lock on the bridge and throw the keys into the waters of the Isar River.

Standard package for all airports - shopping in Armani, Mulberry, Lufthansa Wordshop stores; visiting a restaurant; cafe; purchasing products from the Edeka grocery store or gift vouchers in designer packaging (purchases made can be stored in the store’s storage room for free until return). Tasting all kinds of beer brewed right at the airport in the Airbraeu restaurant, not forgetting the dark beer Hacker-Pschor.

Photo session on the observation decks of the airport.
- Bus tour of the airport with a guide.

Visit the airport museum, gym, swimming pool, sauna, spa center or pump up your muscles in the gym.

Play volleyball outdoors or go skating on an outdoor skating rink in winter
- Get a lot of pleasure from your favorite child’s stay at the Kinderland play center with a cinema, attractions and celebrate his birthday in a special room.
- On Saturdays, take part in various seminars, watch performances of puppets or circus artists.
- Visit the “Airportclinic M” medical center with all specialists, including a plastic surgeon.
- Take a break from the suitcase mood at the five-star Hotel Airport.
- Enjoy your stay in one of the four VIP lounge suites, decorated in the style of the famous Bavarian castles Neuschwanstein, Schleisheim, Linderhof and Neuschwanstein.

Drink coffee with cream, hot chocolate, tea with lemon for free inside the Schengen gates if you fly with Lufthansa.