Transit Tips: Airports you’ll want to spend time in

Day spas, showers, free food, comfy chairs, fine dining, free internet – all facilities you’d expect to find at the airport if you’re flying at the point end of the plane. These days the perks are not just for first and business class passengers. Airports have a lot more to offer than Duty Free shops and VIP Club lounges.

If you’re flying into Thailand, Koh Samui’s quaint Samui Airport sets the scene for a fly and flop holiday. Open air, thatched roof bures stand in for gates and the terminal is open-air, with sprawling manicured lawns and carved wood chairs. It’s more fun on the way out – deck chairs and snacks at the departure gate are free for everyone.

At Incheon International Airport in Seoul, the Airstar Terrace bar looking out over the runways is a popular spot to spend some time before boarding. There’s the Cultural Museum of Korea if you ran out of find out about the history of the country, watch Korean movies in space age pods in the Advanced Technology area or head to the International Business Area for a game of golf, yes golf.

Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam is another hub known for looking after its guests in transit. The 24-hr library sees more than 300,000 visitors a year. The tomes are focused on Dutch art and culture but there’s also a book swap section where you’ll see plenty of Dan Brown novels. There’s also a piano next door so you can tinkle the ivories for a while. Take the kids to the Kids Forest playground, hang out on the comfy couches in the Living Room and squeeze in a quick foot massage. A small version of the Rijksmuseum is just a taster if you missed out on the amazing State Museum in Amsterdam. Don’t forget to stop by the giant tea cups café.