If you check in too early or find yourself kicking your heels while waiting for a transfer, do not despair. There is an alternative to wandering aimlessly round the duty-free. From saunas to go-karting, many of the busiest airports are offering entertainment to make waiting a pleasure.

Singapore

Changi airport is regularly voted number one in the world for convenience and facilities by both business and leisure travellers, and it's easy to see why. Even during the evening rush hour, it exudes an air of calm.

For those who've just made the 12-hour journey from the UK, but still have another eight to go before they reach Australia, showers are available for S$5.15 (£2) and saunas for S$10-30 (£4). In Terminal One, there's an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar (S$10.30, £4) which is open from 7am to 11pm every day. Short-stay hotels are located within both terminals, (single room, S$56.65, £22), but for the more energetic with over five hours between flights, there's a free city bus tour which operates every hour between 10am and 7pm, and takes 90 minutes.

• Singapore Tourist Board in London: 020-7437 0033, www.changi.airport.com.sg

Reykjavik

Some of the cheapest flights to the US are with Iceland Air, passing through their home base of Keflavik. Although the airport prides itself on speedy connections, (planes arrive overnight from New York around 6.20am, with departures onwards to London at 7.45am and Glasgow at 7.55am), there are benefits for those willing to linger.

A second flight to London leaves late afternoon, allowing a full day to explore the naturally-heated Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, located in the middle of a lava field, 15 minutes' drive away. A taxi there costs approximately £15. Entry for three hours is 800 Icelandic Krona (£5.60), each additional hour is 100 Krona (70p) and swimming costumes and towels can be hired. Entry times differ throughout the year, but until the end of August it's open from 9am to 10pm daily. The natural minerals should soothe you after a long flight.

• Iceland Air: 020-7874 1000, www.bluelagoon.is

Hawaii

If ever you find yourself at Honolulu airport on a Wednesday or Friday at midday, there are grass-skirted hula dancers on the main terminal stage. There are also stands where kupunas (local elders) make Hawaiian crafts for sale (Wednesdays only). Or you could wander outside to the Hawaiian Garden, which has lagoons filled with fish, next to hala and kakui trees, monsteras and local ferns such as lawai. Back inside the main terminal is the Airspace Museum, open daily 9am-6pm (admission: donation only). You can kill time before your flight with interactive exhibits such as a chance to experience a pilot's view of a landing, design your own plane on computer, and try out a space-shuttle flight deck. Unfortunately, it is due to close for good this October.

• Tourist information on the island of Oahu: 020-8941 4009, www.honoluluairport.com

Munich

There are two schools of thought when it comes to flying and drinking. Conventional wisdom has it that over-indulgence could be a contributory factor to DVT, and will get you arrested when you try to open the door at 30,000ft. If, however, you weigh up the arguments before going ahead and want to order 15 pints and a whisky chaser, Munich could be the airport for you. It has its very own brew pub churning out nearly 53,000 gallons a year of Bavarian party juice. Open daily from 10am to 1am, it has local bands on Thursdays.

• German Tourist Board: 09001 600100 (calls cost 60p per minute) www.germany-tourism.de

Amsterdam

Schiphol is a favourite with some Brits who'd rather use this as a hub than London. Although it promotes itself heavily as a shoppers' heaven, there are ways of whiling away a couple of hours that don't involve a credit card.

Passengers can make their way round 40 pieces of modern art on display at various points around the airport. In the arrival hall, a giant pair of clogs ("klompen" in Dutch - sounds much better) sits atop a 20ft pedestal. Even the sliding exit doors after Customs have been given a makeover by artist Stansilaw Lewkowicz. For Dfl7.5 (£2) you can make sense of it all with the booklet Art at Schiphol.

• Netherlands Tourist Board: 0906 871 7777, www.holland.com/uk

Dubai

Although an increasing number of people are choosing to visit Dubai (great beaches, cheap shopping), its airport is still mostly a transfer post for thousands of bleary-eyed travellers en route between Europe, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East. At the G-Force health club, passengers can use the swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym on an hourly basis, with fees ranging between 15 and 30 UAE Dirhams (£3 to £6). A massage service is also available.

For the more executive minded, the Marhaba Lounge at gate 25 has a business centre and food court. Open 24 hours, entry costs 60 Dirhams (£12). For those who just want to chill out, there are two quiet rooms, located by gates 9 and 223, which have reclining chairs with foot rests.

• Dubai Tourist Information: 020-7839 0580, www.dubaitourism.co.ae

Kuala Lumpur

Nipping into the Malaysian capital on a short layover isn't really an option, as downtown is 72km from the glitzy new international airport. However, next door is the Sepang Formula One circuit, home to the Malaysian Grand Prix. For 35 Malaysian Ringgit (£7), you can spend 10 minutes driving round in a locally-built Proton. Hardly Schumacher material, but there's also a go-kart track where you can reach a top speed of 80mph, with planes taking off 100m away. Back in the terminal, the Plaza Premium Lounge and Business Centre, on the mezzanine floor, are available to all passengers for 60 Ringgit (£11) Facilities include internet access, showers and a golf putting range. Secretarial support is also provided.

A four-minute walk away over a connecting bridge, the five-star Pan Pacific hotel will allow transfer passengers to use its outdoor pool and health club complex, including Jacuzzi and sauna, for 30 ringgit (£5.50).

• Malaysian Tourist Board: 020-7930 7932, www.tourism.gov.my

Gatwick

If you arrive early enough, you can get pampered at the Clarins studio in the South Terminal, offering 17 different treatments with the needs of air travellers in mind. For £17.65, a bronzing session will give you a head start in the tan stakes; a full leg and bikini wax costs £26; and eyebrow shaping £9. Open 5am-11pm (01293 507249).

If you need a second opinion on your holiday outfits, you can phone ahead for a personal shopper to guide you round the airport stores. For the ultimate in laziness, they'll even pick out the goods for you, while you have a pre-flight shandy, or entertain the kids (0800 844844, www.baa.com).

Crashing the lounge worldwide

Club-class passengers around the world access lovely secluded lounges with big sofas, newspapers and nibbles. Here are four ways to escape the crowds without buying a club-class ticket.

• Fly Buzz. For an extra £10 on your fare, you can gain entry to the klmUK Executive Lounge at Stansted. At Berlin, you can use the Hugo Junkers Lounge for DM37 (£11.80), and in Milan L36,500 (£9.85) will get you into the hallowed environs of the Club SEA Sala Leonardo (www.buzzaway.com).

• Buy a Priority Pass (020-8680 1338) for £70, valid for more than 300 airport lounges worldwide, although there is a £17 charge each time you visit one (www.prioritypass.com).

• Get the right credit card. Diners Club members can use airport lounges all over the world either free or for a small charge depending on location. More details from Citibank branches or www.dinersclub.com

• Points make prizes. Often, you can gain access to a lounge if you are a member of an airline's frequent-flyer scheme. As a British Airways Silver Card member, you can get into more than 180 BA lounges. And as long as you hold the right bits of plastic, shopping at Sainsbury's, hiring cars from Avis and spending with Amex can add to your BA points (0845 7722277, www.britishairways.com).