Airports, Airlines, Aviation

Long layover? Top 5 airports revealed


A few weeks ago, we started a list of the top 10 best airports for a long layover. We counted down from #10. To remind you, there were:

  • #10 Vancouver (YVR)
  • #9 Hong Kong (HKG)
  • #8 Dubai (DXB)
  • #7 Munich (MUC)
  • #6 San Francisco (SFO)

Which brings us to today’s blog, starting with Schiphol, as number five on the list of best airports for a long layover.

#5 best airport for a long layover – Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport comes in at our mid-way best long layover airport selected, with plenty to see and do when transiting the land of pancakes and tulips. Not only that, but it’s one of the oldest airports operating out of the same location (over 100 years). If you are a history buff, you’ll enjoy the smaller version of the national Rijksmuseum  at the airport where you can get your fill of Dutch culture. Moreover, Schiphol has the first-ever airport library, for book nerds like me. If that’s not enough, you can enjoy the free airport-wide Wi-Fi, luxuriate in one of the numerous airport spas, or partake in the oxygen bar to seek clarity of mind and body. And, oh yeah, there’s also a 5-star Hilton Hotel that just opened!

Schiphol Airport library - for a relaxing long layover airport visit
Schiphol Airport library – for a relaxing long layover airport visit
#4 best airport for a long layover – Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)

A lot has been happening with DFW lately – from the website makeover to the beacon-enabled near-field communications trial in partnership with American Airlines, to the first-ever iWatch airport app, Dallas Fort Worth does technology right.

iWatch app at DFW - great for the long layover
iWatch app at DFW – great for the long layover

Not only that, but DFW has shown a commitment to the passenger experience by offering a variety of services that help make a long layover less bad, and I daresay, even better. Some of these services include free Wi-Fi, free charging stations (USB enabled) at every airport terminal, pet relief areas and a pet hotel, and ample premium lounges, making this a great airport for both the leisure and the business traveler. Also, if you’re looking for a mall-like atmosphere, DFW is the airport for you. We love Terminal D and the multi-story concepts with shops on the bottom and restaurants on the top. If you love pizza and wine, check out Pizza Vino at D18, which combines two already great things into something even better (menu here). Honestly, the shopping does leave a little to be desired, but the hi-tech offerings and dining more than make up for it. Check out DFW soon on the tripchi airport app.

#3 best airport for a long layover – London Heathrow (LHR)

swipe-and-win_300x205London Heathrow has got loyalty down (we even wrote about in a previous blog). Whether you’re in the mood for chic shopping, dining for foodies (like the Gordon Ramsay Plane Food restaurant), and even a hotel – the newly updated Terminal 5 has got you covered. One of the newest loyalty offerings is a personal shopping service – for those of us short on time and long on money. You can make an appointment here in case you some time to kill on your long airport layover at LHR. While still somewhat circuitous and hard to navigate, LHR still offers an amazing selection of shopping and dining, and a world class loyalty program that keeps you coming back for more. That why it’s our #3 best long layover airport.

#2 best airport for a long layover – Tokyo Hanedo (TOK)
Tokyo Haneda Airport - Marketplace - care of RGB256
Tokyo Haneda Airport – Marketplace – care of RGB256

If you’ve never been to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, then you’re in for a real treat. The science geek in you will love the Starry Cafe planetarium, where you can gaze at thousands of stars in a semi-romantic setting. Your inner foodie will be in culinary bliss with the traditional and avant-garde assortment of Japanese cuisine, including sushi, ramen noodles, kushiage, tonkatsu, and sukiyaki in the Edo Marketplace (pictured above).

#1 best airport for a long layover – Changi (SIN)
Changi Airport - the best long layer airport in the world
Changi Airport – the best long layer airport in the world

It’s no surprise that Changi comes in at our #1 best long layover airport. From the water slide, to the arcade games, to the swimming pool (and on the roof, at that!), to the yoga/wellness area, to multiple gardens to enjoy – it’s almost like being in a walled city that happens to have runways and planes and gates. Be sure to check out more on Seth’s blog, where he explains all the ins and outs of a Changi Airport layover.


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