Airports are usually places we’re eager to pass through quickly, but some have amenities that make spending a few extra hours in the terminal surprisingly enjoyable. From airport libraries and therapy animals to swimming pools, gardens, live music, and even yoga rooms, these unexpected airport perks will have you booking an extra-long layover for your next getaway.

Free Libraries

Two to three hours at the airport can feel like a long time, especially once you’ve exhausted your coffee, restaurant, and duty-free options. Luckily, some airports have free books to help pass the time. Tallinn Airport, the largest airport in Estonia, has the Rahva Raamat Library, a free bookshelf where travelers can choose a book to read while waiting for their flight. They can also take one along on their trip and return it another time. There’s no checkout desk or complicated system, as the library operates entirely on trust, similar to the Little Free Libraries you’ll find in many cities.

Helsinki Airport in Finland, meanwhile, has a free Book Swap, where passengers can pick up a book or leave one behind for another traveler. And at Cape Town International Airport in South Africa, travelers can swap books at the “Flybrary.”

Therapy Animals

For many people, nothing makes a stressful travel day more manageable than a cute, fuzzy animal wandering up to say “hello.” At Istanbul Airport, friendly therapy dogs roam the international terminal during peak hours, offering a little extra comfort to travelers. Similarly, Calgary International Airport partners with a local nonprofit to bring therapy cats and dogs into the airport, while the K9 Crew at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport makes its way through the terminals during peak hours, giving passengers a welcome distraction before their flights.

Then, there’s Portland International Airport, where you might find yourself greeted by an alpaca or llama instead. PDX’s animal-assisted therapy program started with dogs and expanded to include therapy llamas and alpacas in 2023. 

Swimming Pools

If you have a long layover at Singapore Changi Airport, waiting for your flight is much more exciting than just sitting at the gate. Among its many amenities, the airport has a rooftop pool where you can take a dip while watching planes come and go. Entrance is 25 Singaporean dollars (around $20 USD) and includes access to the shower facilities, towels, and a poolside bar.

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, also has an indoor swimming pool at the Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre, located within the airport’s Oryx Airport Hotel. Accessible to all passengers passing through Doha’s airport, the facility is a great place to spend a few hours between flights, with the 82-foot pool, hydrotherapy tub, gym, spa treatments, squash court, and even a golf simulator. Day passes are $55 USD.

Lush Gardens 

Some airports have a few plants scattered around the terminal. Singapore Changi Airport has turned the idea of gardens and green spaces into an art form. At Changi, greenery is everywhere, from the Enchanted Garden, filled with orchids and sculptural art, to the Butterfly Garden — the first of its kind in any airport, with 1,000 different species of butterflies. There’s also the spectacular Jewel, an attached shopping complex where travelers can wander through an indoor rainforest and see the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, towering at 130 feet. It’s the kind of place where you may actually forget you’re in an airport.

Live Music

Live music is a natural fit for a city known for its music scene. At Nashville International Airport, performances take place on terminal stages and at airport bars. The stages host a regular rotation of local singers and acoustic acts, while bars like Ole Red Nashville Airport and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge feature live music throughout the day and well into the evening. 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport also features live music from local musicians, while London’s Heathrow Airport hosts live performances from local artists in the summer. So, the next time your flight is delayed, you might get lucky and catch a live show. 

Yoga & Wellness Spaces

Need to stretch your legs after sitting on a plane for eight hours? Some airports have created dedicated spaces where passengers can do just that. San Francisco International Airport has free yoga rooms in multiple terminals, giving travelers a quiet place to stretch, meditate, or simply take a break from the airport crowds. Singapore Changi Airport also offers free guided Flow Yoga sessions every Friday at ST3PS in Terminal 3, while Chicago’s O’Hare Airport has a dedicated yoga room with mats and space for both yoga and meditation.