Airports and flying can be stressful, whether you’re an experienced traveler or a college student going home for the holidays. Airports are a mess of hurried people, timetables, overpriced sub-par food, and giant machines with the capability to whisk you from one destination to another. But, a bad airport experience can set the mood for the whole trip, so here are ten tips to make the hectic airport a little more manageable.
1. Get there three to four hours early
Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times, but it really is important. You may think it won’t take that long to get to your gate, but it can take hours, especially around the holidays. Do some research, and see when your airport’s prime times are. If you are flying during a busy hour, plan accordingly. It is always better to be early and sit at the airport for an extra hour then to miss your flight and have to get a new one. So, if you’re a procrastinator, make sure this is one thing you plan ahead.
2. Check In Online
I’m fairly certain all airlines have this option now. Skip the line, check in online, and print your boarding pass. Doing this will allow you to go straight to Bag Check, and not have to wait in the line to check in and print your boarding pass. Most people still don’t do this, so be prepared and decrease the number of lines you’ll have to stand in at the airport. If you really want that window seat, some airlines like Southwest give priority boarding to those who check in earlier.
3. Weigh Your Bags Before You Go
Nothing will annoy you or the people in line behind you more than if your bag is overweight and you have to go through your bag and take out shoes and sweatshirts. If your bag is overweight, more than likely they’ll make you go off to the side, rearrange your bag, and get in the back of the line to wait again. Buy a luggage scale for $6 and save yourself the hassle. However, if you do have to get back in line, it’s a good thing you got to the airport four hours early.
4. Pack Food
Everyone complains about the price of airport food, and airport restaurants are going to be busy. Save your money and time by bringing food with you. Unopened food and drinks go through security, as long as they are a certain size and in certain packaging. Check ahead, and throw some snacks in your carry on!
5. Download your favorite shows, movies, and books
Whether your flight is two hours or ten hours, you will get bored. But you can download shows and movies from Netflix and many other streaming platforms, on your mobile device and watch them offline. Or if you’re a reader, download some e-books! You can also bring books, but they tend to take up space. If your bags are packed to the brim, an e-book or magazine is the way to go.
6. Dress to go through security
I always wear my heaviest outfits on the plane to save weight in my bags and also because planes are cold. That being said, wear clothes you can easily remove. Any jackets or shoes you wear should easily slip on and off. They make you take off any jackets, belts, jewelry, and shoes to go through security. Dress to make sure you can do this easily and quickly to save yourself time and keep the line moving. You’ll be less flustered, and the people behind you will be grateful.
7. Keep any paperwork you will need easily accessible
Boarding Pass, ID, Passport, whatever it is, figure out ahead of time what you will need and keep it on you or in a place you can easily retrieve it. You don’t want to be at security or your gate digging around for your driver’s license. Keep them together with a paper clip or folder and in an easy to reach place.
8. Put Your Liquids in a Clear Bag
No, you won’t get away with it. Put them in clear bags ahead of time so decrease the chance that your carry on will get pulled to the side. Just in the case that it does, keep your liquids at the top. Look up the restrictions for security before hand and follow them. It’s just easier.
9. Use the bathroom at the terminal
I know this sounds like a weird one, but even if you don’t have to use the bathroom, go anyway. The last thing you want is to board the plane and have to pee. Once you board the plane, you won’t be able to go for at least a half an hour. Sometimes more depending on the conditions of the sky. Really, just go beforehand. Don’t sit there cross-legged for the first half hour-hour of your flight. There isn’t enough leg room for that.
10. Bring a charged portable charger
Not all planes have outlets. Assume the worst and bring a charged portable charger, in addition to fully charging all your devices before the flight. Make sure you also pack all the cords in your carry on, so you can charge your devices if need be. And just in case you do get lucky, pack a wall plug as well.
These are ten of my tips from my own travel experience that will hopefully make navigating the airport a bit more painless. Airports are hectic, but there are ways to make it easier. Be prepared, think ahead, and happy flying!
