We can all agree that entering a airport is, in itself, a kind of mystical experience. It's as if you've been teleported to another dimension and suddenly step foot into a new world made of unique characters (some of them, no doubt, very strange), a multitude of different scenarios, and fascinating situations that make you feel like a video game character.
Specifically, that last point can get quite intriguing, as some airports are seemingly full of hidden gems that travelers sometimes discover. You may be wondering what the hidden gems are Or-Don't worry, Reddit supports you.
In a recent post on the r/Travel subreddit – one of our favorites, of course – a user asked this very question, which received so many interesting responses. “What hidden gem did you discover in an airport?” they asked. Then they continued: “Fellow Travelers, as the title suggests. What hidden gems have you discovered in an airport? (It could be hidden perks or a great location in the airport to get some shut-eye. Literally anything that made you think. “Well, that's awesome. It would be cool to share with d “other travelers so we can all experience it too.”
The first comment, which received over 1,000 upvotes (or likes, in Reddit terms), is about some interesting technology. “Last year, I had a layover at Seoul airport and was too exhausted to find food, so I sat on a random bench to collect my thoughts,” it reads . “After a few minutes, a little robot came up to me and offered (in eight different languages) to bring me a snack.”
According to the editor, Seoul Airport is equipped with numbered seating areas. When the robot approaches you, you enter your bench number, choose from any restaurant or cafe in the terminal, and watch your personal robot butler walk away while he fetches your order. And they're fast too. “It took maybe 10 minutes for the robot to come back with my food,” the user noted.
The thread's editors also particularly liked a hidden gem based in Japan. As one user pointed out, Narita Airport has a cool program where local volunteers take travelers with long layovers to explore some cool places around Narita. Basically, instead of being bored at the airport, you can walk around with your free local guide. “I had the opportunity to see the Goma fire ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, which was amazing!” said the editor. “You can also participate in tea ceremonies, or take mini tours further afield from Narita. Usually the tours only last three hours, so it's a great opportunity to get out of the airport (and) to Stretch your legs!”
However, you don't need to travel halfway around the world to discover cool airport gems. Denver Airport, for example, is a real treasure if you love pets. “The Denver airport has comfort dogs (and apparently a cat) that come to the gates to let people pet them,” one user shared in the comment. And guess the name? The service is called CATS, which stands for Canine Airport Therapy Squad. According to their website, the team has more than 80 dogs representing more than 40 breeds, and you can check them all out. here for the next time you pass through Denver.
Speaking of hidden gems of America's airports, Austin has apparently gone all out with some quirky and magical stuff. As one editor points out, the Texas airport has an “Interimaginary Departures” gate, where travelers can print a boarding pass to some of the most iconic fictional destinations, including Narnia and Emerald City. To find the door, which is said to be a permanent installation by Brooklyn-based artist Janet Zweig, simply find the door marked with an infinity symbol between doors 12 and 14.
If you want to know more about the airport's hidden gems, including the Paris Charles De Gaulle gaming stations, you can browse the Reddit thread. here.
