How to Kill Time at Portland International Airport

Portland International Airport, in Oregon, serves more than 13 million passengers annually, and it continues to grow. New construction is causing detours in some of the concourses, but travelers can relax in the terminal's Oregon Market, a group of new specialty shops and restaurants.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Clocks
• Comfortable Shoes
• Travel Clothes
• Travel Kits
• Travel Pillows
• Paperback Books
• Travel Magazines
• E-mail Accounts
• Travel Services
• Athletic Gear
• Travel Games
• Telephone Calling Cards

1. Figure out how much free time you'll actually have. Check to see if your flight is late and whether it will arrive in or depart from concourse A, B, C, D or E.

2. Browse through unique specialty shops that carry gifts made in Oregon, gifts with animal themes, Northwest arts and crafts, apparel and accessories, and a variety of floral gifts. Be aware that you may have to check in larger purchases or have them shipped (see Warnings, below).

3. Relax in sit-down restaurants, snack shops or fast-food spots.

4. Consider renting a DVD player and movie at InMotion Pictures (503-281-2760) in the Oregon Market. You can relax in the terminal during flight delays with your own private screening of a favorite film. If your destination airport also has an InMotion Pictures store, you can even take the player and movie on the plane and return them after you land.

5. Periodically check the arrival or departure monitors located throughout the airport for any changes pertaining to your flight.

Tips & Warnings

• Use information booths for help regarding your trip or terminal information. They are located in the ticket lobby and in baggage claim.
• Look for information kiosks in the terminal for airport information in Chinese, English, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
• Always have a good paperback in your carry-on bag to help keep time moving during unavoidable delays in terminals and aboard airplanes.
• If you are departing on a flight, you must check in at your gate at least one hour before the flight, longer on international flights. Check with your airline.
• Keep in mind that many airlines have new carry-on restrictions and that you may have to check in larger purchases or have them shipped.