Looking for the best travel tips for the airport to start traveling stress-free? You found the perfect post! Keep reading and discover my 13 airport hacks that will guide you through every step of the process.
Did you know that studies have shown that almost 50% of adults are looking for ways to cope with the stresses of air travel? Crazy, right?!
If you are among them, don’t worry. With these travel tips for the airport, you will learn how to breeze through every step of the process! Say goodbye to stressful travel days—soon you will be a pro when it comes to getting ready for flying!
After years of travel, I get it… The entire airport process can be intimidating, especially when you are new to it. But I’ve got you covered with my favorite 13 airport hacks! From pre-flight preparations and how to pack to navigating the airport, getting through security, in-flight essentials, and post-flight tips, we’re going to cover it all, right here!
This blog post highlights the best travel tips for going through the airport process stress-free!
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13 Amazing Travel Tips for the Airport That Will Make Your Journey Stress-Free!
Wondering how to make airport travel easier and stress-free?
Don’t worry—I’m going to share my very best airport travel tips, from pre-flight preparations to post-flight experiences. Nothing will be missed, so stay focused and keep reading!
These 13 airport hacks are going to change the way you travel forever. Say goodbye to stressful journeys!
PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATIONS
Getting ready for stress-free airport travel actually starts well before you arrive at the airport. As with everything in life, preparation is key to success—and to avoiding stress. Here are my best airport hacks and steps to follow for smooth pre-flight preparations!
Check Flight Status
If you’re wondering how to make airport travel easier, it all starts with pre-flight preparations… So check your flight status before your travel day, especially if you’re feeling stressed about the journey.
It’s simple: check your flight status on the airline’s website or directly from your phone. With most smartphones, you can send your flight number via text and see all the updates—such as delays, route changes, or aircraft changes—by just clicking on the text. How easy is that?!
Try this a few days or weeks before your travel day to avoid stress and keep an eye on your flight status. I promise, this is the first step to stress-free airport travel!
Check In Online
One of the most popular airport hacks—especially if you’re traveling with only a carry-on—is to check in online. You can usually do this a few hours to a day before your departure time.
By checking in online, you’ll avoid waiting in line at the airport to get your boarding pass, saving you a lot of time—especially on busy or international flights!
But how do you check in online, though? It’s really simple, just keep reading!
Most airlines will email you the day before your flight with a link to check in online. Just follow the instructions, and once you’ve completed the process, they’ll send your digital boarding pass right to your inbox.
You can either print it out if you’re worried about your phone running out of battery, or keep it on your phone. All you’ll need to do is scan the digital QR code to go through the gates.
As I said, there’s nothing easier than that!
Organize Travel Documents
Last but not least of these pre-flight airport travel tips: Organize your travel documents!
Keep your passport (or ID), boarding pass, and other essential documents in an easily accessible place. Whether you use a travel organizer, your wallet, or a special pouch, make sure they’re stored somewhere you can easily reach them.
This will not only relieve the stress of potentially losing them, but also save you time when security or airport employees ask for them. And if you’re traveling with family, keep everyone’s passports and documents in the same place!
Airport Hacks for Packing Smart!
The second step to enjoying stress-free airport travel is to pack smart. You probably already know that there are specific rules for packing when flying. Make sure to follow them, and you won’t have anything to stress about when checking in your luggage or going through security with your carry-on. Here they come!
Follow TSA Guidelines
When it comes to packing for stress-free airport travel, there are some guidelines to follow. If you follow them, you won’t have anything to worry about! The two most important are the ones about liquids and prohibited items. Let me sum them up for you.
If you are traveling with only a carry-on, there is a rule called the 3-1-1 liquid rule. Don’t worry, it is really easy!
- You can’t bring liquid containers larger than 100ml (3.4 ounces).
- All your containers must fit in one clear, quart-sized plastic bag.
- Each passenger is allowed one plastic bag only.
To ensure your containers are not larger than 100ml, buy travel-sized versions of your favorite products or purchase reusable travel containers.
There is also a list of prohibited items you cannot bring on a plane. If you are traveling with only a carry-on, make sure to check the list and pack only accepted items.
Pack Efficiently
One of the best airport travel tips I can give you for a stress-free journey is to pack efficiently! But how can this make your travel day easier? Well, just think about it… If you know you’re going to need certain items during your journey, don’t pack them in your checked bag—as you won’t have access to it during your flight—or at the bottom of your carry-on.
All items you might need—jumper, phone charger, medication, snacks, headphones, computer, toothbrush, your kids’ books, etc.—should always be on the top of your carry-on so you can easily reach them when needed. Not only will it be easier to get to them, but imagine how stressful it would be to empty your luggage in the middle of the airport because you’re looking for something.
As I said before, organization is everything!
Weigh Your Bags
It might seem highly logical to most of you, but it might not be for people who are not used to flying and traveling…
Always weigh your bag before leaving for the airport! Weight limits can vary depending on the airline and the option you selected when you bought your ticket, but it is usually around 23kg for checked bags and 10kg for carry-ons.
If you’re not sure, check your plane ticket in your inbox! The weight limit of your luggage is usually indicated there. Better safe than sorry… The cost of an overweight bag at the airport is insane! Not only will you stress about it if you’re unsure, but you’ll also be upset having to pay extra just before embarking on your flight!
To weigh your luggage, you have two options:
- Buy a luggage scale—it costs less than $10 on Amazon.
- Weigh yourself on your normal scale, then weigh yourself again while holding your luggage. The difference between the two results is the weight of your luggage. Easy!
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How to efficiently Navigate the Airport?
Now it’s time to head to the airport… That’s when the stress usually starts to kick in! But if you follow my airport travel tips, you’ll have nothing to worry about, I promise. Just keep reading—these airport hacks will make everything easier for you.
Arrive Early
One of the best airport travel tips I can give you if you tend to stress when it comes to traveling and flying is to get there early—but not too early, or you will just get bored.
In general, I recommend getting there 2 hours before your flight. If you are flying internationally, have to go through immigration, and check in your luggage, you should get there 3 hours before so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Getting there too early doesn’t make sense as the desk for checking in your luggage will not be open yet.
Once you go through security, if you still have a lot of time ahead of you, just take a look at the duty-free section. Most airports have a huge section, and it should be enough to keep you busy until you can board your plane.
Know the Layout
If the idea of not knowing the airport you are traveling from or to makes you worried, there is a really simple thing to do: just check the airport map beforehand. Familiarize yourself with the place and take the stress away.
Look at where the entrance is, the desks to check in your luggage, the security gate, the bathrooms, etc. I truly believe that airports are among the best-indicated places you can be, but if you are worried, just check it out beforehand.
Once again, being prepared and organized is key to success, whether you are traveling or in general in life.
Airport Hacks for a Stress-Free Security Experience
Going through security is your final step before boarding your plane… You’re almost there, and look how easy it can be when you follow a step-by-step process. To ensure a smooth experience at security, I’ve got a few more airport travel tips for you. Here they are—so take notes!
GET READY for Security
For some reason, going through security can be stressful for a lot of us. But don’t worry—with these airport travel hacks on how to get ready for security, you are going to have the smoothest experience when going through the gates.
- Wear easy shoes to take off – Whether you wear flip-flops or slip-on shoes, the quicker you can take them off and put them back on, the better.
- Avoid wearing a ton of metal jewelry – You will have to take it all off to go through security, so keep in mind that less is more.
- Get your electronic devices ready – You will also have to take out your computer, phone, tablet, etc. So pack them separately and in an easy-to-access place.
- Put your liquids on the top of your luggage and in a transparent plastic bag – As with your electronic devices, you will have to take them out of your luggage, so just be ready for that!
- Keep ID and boarding pass handy – The security agents will ask you for your boarding pass and ID before going through the gates, so keep them handy to avoid stressing out when you have to find them!
TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE AIRPORT: YOUR IN-FLIGHT ESSENTIALS
Now that you’re comfortably seated and hopefully less stressed, there are still a few things you can do to make your flight more enjoyable. I’ve written a full article on this topic, but I’ll quickly summarize it here for you!
Carry-On Must-Haves
When it comes to packing your carry-on, there are a few things that you should add to ensure you make your flight as enjoyable as possible.
For instance, if it is a long flight, you might want to have a toothbrush and something to clean your face during the flight. If you get cold easily, a sweater will be more than necessary.
To make your life easier, I’ll give you a comprehensive list in the next section! So keep reading and take notes!
Entertainment and Comfort
Here are my airport travel tips for packing your carry-on, staying comfortable, and entertaining yourself during your flight.
- Essential hygiene products – Toothbrush, face cleaning product, hydrating cream, etc. Pack the most important hygiene items that you know will make you feel better during your flight.
- Dress adequately – Wear clothes that you know are comfortable for sitting in for hours. For instance, skinny jeans or a short skirt might not be the best outfit for flying. If you get cold easily, pack a jumper as it tends to get cold on planes. Similarly, if you are wearing sandals or flip-flops, you might want to pack a pair of socks to keep your feet warm. Everything is in the details when it comes to flying comfortably.
- Snacks and water – If you are on a long flight, the staff will provide food, but you might want to pack extra snacks and water to make your journey more enjoyable. We all get bored on the plane, and having a few snacks can really make a difference.
- Entertainment – Whether you like to read, write, draw, listen to music, etc., just pack a few items that will keep you entertained during your flight. Nothing too big, or it will be a bother for you and the people sitting next to you!
- Sleeping items – This is especially important if you are flying overnight. Bring a neck pillow so you don’t get sore, an eye mask if lights bother you while sleeping, and some earplugs if you are sensitive to noise. Believe me, you will be more than happy to be able to sleep comfortably during your flight!
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POST-FLIGHT TIPS
You’re almost there! Your plane has landed, you’re about to disembark, and you’re ready to discover your new travel destination. But there are still a few steps to go through. Don’t worry—thanks to my final airport travel tips, this part will be just as easy as the rest of the process! Ready?
Baggage Claim Strategies
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do when it comes to claiming your baggage. Just get off the plane and follow the signs to the baggage claim area. Then wait for your belongings to arrive and pick them up.
On the other hand, if your luggage doesn’t show up, here is what you should do—but first of all, you need to stay calm. Stressing out or getting angry won’t resolve the problem.
- Stay in the baggage claim area for a while in case your luggage is just delayed and not lost.
- Check other carousels in case your luggage has been misplaced.
- Visit the airline’s baggage service office – it should be close to the baggage claim area.
- File a report – the agent at the baggage service office will provide you with all the information related to your case.
- Give accurate contact information.
- Ask about compensation – Most airlines will provide you with compensation for any essential items that are in your lost luggage. Just ask about the conditions as they might change depending on the airline.
- Get tracking information – Most airlines provide you with an online tracking code.
- Follow up – Don’t just let things go; keep following up until your luggage shows up. It usually does, so don’t lose faith!
- Check with your travel insurance – If you have subscribed to travel insurance, check their policies for compensation. It varies depending on the company, so check directly with them.
Luckily, it has never happened to me—and I cross my fingers that it won’t—but I know loads of people to whom it has happened. The secret is to stay calm, follow the process, and in 100% of the cases I know about, their luggage showed up.
Navigating the Arrival Airport
Last but not least of these airport travel hacks: How to get ready to navigate your arrival airport?
Nothing is easier, don’t worry. First of all, airports are really easy to navigate. So even if the airport you are arriving at is one you’ve never been to before, there is very little chance that you’ll get lost. If you are still stressing about it, there is a solution. Find the map of the airport and check it out before getting there. You will feel reassured, and it will take off some pressure.
I highly suggest that you also get to know the ground transportation available to get to the city. Most airports are located outside the city center, but they often offer transportation to the main city, whether there are buses, trains, or metros.
If you want to make things even easier, arrange with your hotel for a pick-up from the airport. They will pick you up and drop you off right at the entrance of your hotel. It doesn’t get any easier than that. But remember that it will probably be much more expensive than getting there by your own means.
It is up to you and depends on your budget!