The transfer of my dreams: 7 of the world's most interesting airports

A long layover is one of the main enemies of travelers. You have to spend hours sitting in uncomfortable chairs, wandering through identical shops, and waiting for your flight. But there are airports where you definitely won’t be bored — on the contrary, you’ll wish your connection were longer.

These days, free Wi-Fi no longer surprises anyone, so some airports have taken radical measures — turning their waiting areas into real entertainment parks, from beer pubs to classical music concerts. The main thing is not to miss your flight.

So, shall we plan our next trip through these airports?

1. Singapore Changi International Airport

For several years now, the most reputable rankings have named this airport the best in the world! Here, literally everything is “the very best.” If you’re lucky enough to find yourself there, your time will simply fly by.

Singapore airport connects passengers to more than 200 destinations worldwide, handling 5,000 flights from 80 international airlines every week.

Changi is home to the world's largest kinetic art installation — falling aluminum drops. Equally mesmerizing is the botanical garden, sunflower garden, cactus garden, and even orchid garden, as well as a pond with exotic fish and a room with rare species of butterflies.

There is a swimming pool and jacuzzi on the roof of the airport with an excellent view. And there are free movie theaters in both terminals.

By the way, if you do want to spend the night at Changi, this is where you will find the best airport hotel in the world — Crowne Plaza Changi Airport!

2. Incheon International Airport, Seoul

Changi Airport's eternal rival for the title of best airport in the world, including in terms of the number of attractions per square meter!

Why go to the cinema for the premiere of a new blockbuster when you can do it at Incheon Airport? That's why you can easily spend at least two or three hours here during a layover.

In addition, Incheon will surprise you with its golf course and seven gardens with trees and various plants. There is also the Korean Culture Museum, where you can learn more about South Korea if you haven't had a chance to visit Seoul.

A real surprise for passengers will be the ice rink, where you can skate with the whole family.

And how about the opportunity to attend a realclassical music concert completely free of charge! Musicians play pieces ranging from Korean national music to world-famous hits 4-5 times a day.

3. Kloten International Airport, Zurich

This airport is ideal for passengers who enjoy an active lifestyle and don't want to get bored in the terminal while waiting for their next flight.

The airport offers several exciting tours lasting 1.5-2 hours. First, this sightseeing bus tour of the airport grounds offers a close-up view of all the airport's operations. Second, there is a 2-hour walking tour of all the "secret" areas of Kloten, where experienced guides will tell you and show you how the meticulous Swiss organize the work of such a large mechanism as this airport. In addition, there is an excellent observation deck where you can watch the planes take off.

For wealthy passengers, there is entertainment such as a helicopter or small plane flight around the airport and the city.

Children are not forgotten here either: if it is your child's birthday, they will organize a real party with fun games and a cake with candles.

But the main attraction of Kloten is the opportunity to rent roller skates, bicycles, or telescopic poles to explore the area around the airport if your layover allows you to spend a few hours skating or walking around the neighborhood.

4. Curaçao International Airport, Willemstad

Many may find it strange why this airport (or rather its location) is attractive for a layover, but it is definitely the best option if you are flying from Europe to Central/South America and vice versa. The thing is, the airport is located on the outskirts of Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, and is just a stone's throw from the city center and the famous Caribbean beaches!

Therefore, if you have a layover of 3 hours or more, you can safely take a taxi/bus and have time to swim in the Caribbean Sea or see "Little Holland" and enjoy the typical Amsterdam houses with a Latin American flavor. Why not choose this alternative to waiting for hours in the airport building?

5. Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, Munich

Many people have probably heard that this huge airport is famous for its brewery, where you can taste real German fresh beer. Indeed, why not drink a few mugs of this drink and snack on Munich sausages?

But this airport also offers a "healthy" alternative for passing the time during a long layover—an exciting tour of the airport grounds. The 12-kilometer route includes visits to airport terminals, hangars, runways, fuel depots, and many areas that are usually marked "Staff Only." In addition, you cansee the largest aircraft in the world — the Airbus A380. The tour usually lasts 1-1.5 hours (from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and runs all year round.

Even more impressive is the opportunity to surf at Munich Airport! Yes, you can learn the finer points of surfing on artificial waves with experienced instructors completely free of charge.

6. Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Schiphol can be called the most "educated" airport. It is ideal for anyone who wants to read a book or listen to music during a layover but has left their favorite book or music player at home.

There is a real library here with lots of books and films, a fireplace, and blankets. The library has books in more than 30 languages, so every passenger will find something to their liking.

To further enrich yourself culturally during a long layover, you can visit the museum, which displays exhibits from the famous Rjexmuseum, the main museum of the Netherlands.

You can also win — or lose — a few hundred euros at the casino located on the airport premises.

Don’t forget about the excellent children’s play area, where kids will have plenty to keep them entertained while parents can relax.

7. Dubai International Airport

The world’s third-busiest airport by passenger traffic is also an exciting place for a layover, where you certainly won’t be bored.

It is in Dubai that the largest mall in the world is located, which is probably why the authorities of the UAE decided to turn even the airport into a gigantic shopping mall! The number of shops and products is simply astonishing. The total area of duty-free stores covers 15,000 square meters. For shopaholics, this is a true paradise where you can easily spend several hours and make the most of a long layover.

In addition, unusual lotteries are occasionally held at Dubai Airport: Finest Surprise Luxury Car & Bike and Millennium Millionaire. In the first case, passengers have a unique opportunity to win a luxury car or motorcycle. The second lottery gives you the chance to win one million dollars!

You can grab a bite at one of the airport’s 25 restaurants offering a wide variety of world cuisines.