Stopovers are a fact of life. At some point, you will find yourself in limbo for a few hours. Sometimes a few hours can stretch into an entire day. The good news is that often stopovers are in major cities – London, Paris, Chicago, Toronto, Dubai. The not-so-good news is that you probably have 24 hours or less to experience an overwhelmingly large city. What to do? Make the most of your stopover. It’s easier than you think. Here are 6 tips to get you started.

1. Relax. Traveling can be tough. Time changes, airport fast food, long stretches on a plane. Be kind to your weary self. Whether you book yourself a deluxe massage or just get a quickie polish change, take a moment to breathe. Even if you can’t leave the airport you may be surprised by the services you will find. Find out whether there is a spa at the airport, like the one at Heathrow in London. The Chicago O’Hare airport is so big that there is actually a hotel in the center of it. At the O’Hare Hilton, explore the salon or the sauna at the gym.

2. Have a special meal. If you only have time for one experience in a foreign city, don’t you want it to involve food? In Singapore, get a cab to Clarke Quay by the river and linger outside with a bowl of soup or noodles. The strip is lit up with restaurants and outdoor patios all night long. Or, in Barcelona, grab the Aerobus from Barcelona International Airport. It runs at least every 15 minutes. You’re that much closer to tapas and seafood by the beach!

3. Visit a site outside of the city. You’ve been to Paris – but have you seen Monet’s gardens at Giverny? Skip the grand ville altogether and do a day trip instead. At Giverny, rent a bike and explore the town after roaming Monet’s incredible gardens. In Japan, why not stay in the environs of the airport in Narita to explore a quieter pace of life? Visit the Narita-san Shingon Buddhist temple and garden for some time to reflect.

4. Drink and dance. You’ve been sitting quietly on a plane for far too long. Toss on a decent outfit and get out tonight. In New York, $15 or less gets you an express bus ride from the airport to Manhattan. In London, amazingly, it takes only 15 minutes for the Heathrow Express to get you straight to Paddington tube station. There, you’ll be surrounded by pubs and it’s only a few tube stops from the bustling Soho neighbourhood. Remember to pack a great outfit in your carry on! 

5. Wander. Life is busy and there isn’t always time to to enjoy the aimless wander. A stopover is the perfect time to just browse shops without an agenda. The best place to do this is Dubai, a city full of malls. They are so devoted to shopping here that there is even an annual shopping festival. In some cities, you won’t even need to leave the airport. At Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, often voted best airport in the world, there’s great shopping both inside and outside of security. There’s also a small art gallery and as of 2006, you can even get married at the airport. Bet you didn’t think you could do that on a stopover.

6. Don’t try to cram it all in. You don’t have to rush around visiting tourist attractions. Live like a local, instead. Enjoy public transit by riding a double-decker in London, and not the touristy kind – you can find your way around, don’t worry! In L.A., hit the beach – you’re only 3 miles away. Manhattan Beach is close enough to LAX that you can roll off the plane and onto the sand. Take in some sun, beach volleyball or try to spot stars before the paparazzi do. 

Long-haul flights and stopovers don’t have to be so tough. Instead of avoiding them, make yours a smart stopover and you’ll be glad to have had the experience.