Here are 33 tips to help improve your experience at the airport along with a few general tips to make your travels easier.
People love to travel but I don’t know anyone that enjoys being at the airport. From the crowds, the TSA and the stress of making your fight it can be a horrible experience.
I have learned a few lessons while traveling, some the hard way. Over the years I have picked up a few pointers. If you have some others please leave them in the comments.
- If you park your car at the airport, take a photo of the parking lot location. It will be a lot easier to find your car after returning from a trip.
- If you don’t ask you will never know. Who doesn’t like a flight upgrade? There are times when you can get upgraded if it is a special occasion. Things such as your birthday, traveling to a special event such as family reunion or wedding, having an anniversary or honeymoon. Here is the thing, don’t broadcast it for everyone to hear. Just mention it to the ticketing agent and politely ask if you might be able to get an upgrade. If you are decently dressed and traveling alone your chances are better and the worst that can happen is they say no. It also helps if you are a member of their frequent flier club.
- Check in online. There are a few advantages to checking in online for your flight. First, if you didn’t select a seat when you booked the flight, you can do so when checking in. Most airlines have a checked bag drop off point at curbside for people who have checked in online. You can print your boarding pass or save it to your smartphone. All you have to do then is head to the security check lines.
- Realize that 80% of baggage is black so put some kind of identification on it. A ribbon or something so you can easily identify it among the hundreds when you land.
- If you want to cut down waiting time getting your bags when you land mark your check in baggage with the FRAGILE sticker. These are usually loaded onto the plane last and removed from the plane earliest.
- DO NOT put anything expensive in your checked bags. Locks do not stop anyone from getting into your bag if it has a zipper. They are easily popped open using an ink pen. Use checked bags for clothes and toiletries. Everything else, electronics, cameras, laptops, money, etc, take in your carry on or don’t take it at all.
- Remove your old luggage tags and stickers. You don’t want your bag rerouted someplace just because of an old baggage sticker.
- Use a name tag that is easily identifiable. It will help in locating your luggage. Better yet get a tag with a microchip. It will tell you where your bag is anywhere in the world.
- Use your phone and take photos of baggage claim tags and paper boarding passes just in case you lose them.
- Don’t pack anything you will need in your checked bags. All medicines should be in your carry on as well as a change of clothes.
- Look into shipping your bags. With the airlines charging for luggage these days it is easy to get hit with excess baggage fees or you might buy a ton of souvenirs and when it comes time to go home they don’t fit in the bag or they are really heavy. It is not always cheaper so you have to compare. Skyscanner has a great baggage chart.
- It is a good idea to take photos of your passport and any other important documents along with keeping a copy somewhere safe. You might lose them or worse get them stolen.
- I know you want to snap a selfie and post to social media but don’t publicize the bar code on your boarding pass. The bar code has a lot of your personal info and there are tools available for thieves to steal your data.
- Use plastic zip bags and take extra. Zip pouches are great for storing electronic items, toiletries and things you don’t want leaking, spilling or getting damp.
- Bring a pen, keep it on you. I know simple, but if you have ever traveled to a different country you know you will have to fill out immigration and declaration forms . They hand out forms on the flight and almost everyone is asking the flight attendants for a pen or rummaging around in the carry on for one.
- Know before hand what you can and cannot carry on a plane. Just refer to the TSA guidelines. Most countries adhere to similar guidelines although some countries have items you are not allowed to bring into the country. It is best to check before you leave.
- Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer and wet wipes. You don’t have to be a germaphobe not to want sticky dirty surfaces. In an airport, pretty much everything you touch has been handled by hundreds if not thousands of people before you.
- Bring a portable power bank for recharging your smartphone and tablet. Instead of plugging in your phone, recharge your power bank and use it on the plane to recharge your phone.
- If traveling internationally carry a small portable power adapter.
- Adhere to the TSA 3-1-1 rule. You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item, in 1 bag, 1 person.
- Remember the zip lock bags? Put any medication in a small bag so the don’t open while traveling, also take off all jewelry, metal objects, coins and loose items and place in a plastic bag, put it in your carry on before getting in the TSA line.
- Have nothing on you before getting into the security screening line except your passport/id and boarding pass. Everything else, belts, coats etc. should be in your carry on bags or ready to place into a bin. Laptops, cameras, smartphones should be readily accessible to put into a bin.
- If you travel more than once or twice a year consider investing in the TSA precheck program, you get to use the expedited pre check line and don’t need to remove your shoes, belt or light outerwear. You also don’t need to remove laptops, tablets or quart-sized plastic bags.
- If traveling internationally consider enrolling in the Global Entry Program. Once enrolled you can access the expedited customs lines. You access a kiosk, scan your passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit. You also get expedited entry into some countries.
- Download your airlines app. It is easy to check gate changes, delays or cancellations. It also usually has your boarding pass on it.
- Bring snacks. Instead of paying $3 for a candy bar or granola bar at the airport shop, pack a couple in your carry on bag. Any kind of snack is good as long as it isn’t a liquid or semi liquid. No pudding cups, jello etc. Security will trash it.
- Bring ear plugs. They are a savior when that kid starts to cry or you just want to block out the noise and relax.
- Buy a water bottle and bring it empty through the security line. Once past the line you can fill it up at the water fountain Remember those $5 bottles of water?
- Drink plenty of fluids and not just the alcoholic type. I am talking water and juice. In fact you should limit the amount of alcohol since they have a greater effect in the air and many a passenger has been denied boarding by ticket agents because they smell of alcohol.
- Bring something to do offline. You may have delays so bring a book or something to do.
- Check out the airport lounge. If you are traveling first or business class you will probably get access to the airline lounge. What about the rest of us peasants? Many airports have a lounge where you can by a day pass. Usually in the range of around $60. If you are going to be there for awhile it can be your best bet. Most offer food, drinks, computer rooms, family rooms and some have shower facilities.
- Check out the airline staff canteen. I don’t know of any in the US but some airports like Changi Airport, Singapore and Dresden Germany airport are just a couple. The food is usually a lot better and much cheaper. Just ask someone if there is a staff canteen or café and if it is open to the public.
- Once you arrive at your destination get to the baggage arrival as quickly as possible and stand near where the baggage is coming out. Although rare, you don’t want someone grabbing your bag by mistake and walking off with it.
Even if you use just a few of the tips it might make your journey through the bowels of hell known as the airport just a little bit better.
What are you tips for improving your experience at the airport?
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Good tips BB. I don’t mind spending time at airports, but it depends on whom I’m flying with really.
Regarding doing online check-in, the majority of airlines these days – especially budget airlines – will tell you to do this. Some airlines will even charge you extra (extortionate amounts) for checking in at the airport. Which is ridiculous.
Great tips, I especially love the first one – never would have have thought of that, in big airports it can be quite daunting trying to remember where you parked your car especially when you’re jetlagged. Really informative piece.
Thanks
This tips are very good! I’ve been traveling extensively for over 7 years and I’ve learned some of these things the hard way. But I’m also a strange person, I love the airport!
Great tips here. Funnily enough, I put all my electronics in my carry on anyway. However, that’s mainly because of the batteries. Over a certain size they MUST go in the cabin now to reduce fire risk. So my little drone, batteries and gimbals all travel in the cabin, although I still don’t trust people with the way they ram their cases in there these days.
All fantastic tips probably hard-earned by making all the mistakes, I know that’s how I learn all my tips! This is a great resource!
Thanks
These are some great tips! We were actually upgraded to the lounge for free after we asked! I love the tip about marking your bag as fragile too, I wonder how long until the airlines start charging extra for that?
Sometimes just asking works wonders.
These are awesome tips and we do many of them regularly. We haven’t tried the FRAGILE trick yet. That sounds like a great idea. Bringing a pen does sound silly but it is super helpful for the exact reason you mentioned. It has helped us many times. We frequent all of the Priority Pass Lounges as well.
These are some really useful tips for travelling at the airport. I have a black suitacase (!) but now have a bright red tag so that I can spot it. I never put anything valuable in my check in case; I carry everything even if it means my bag is so heavy!
Gret tips here. I still miss the days of easy traveling and the joy of going at the airport. Ziplock bags are essential when traveling. They come in so handy! I have a credit card that gets me into the airport lounge for cheap, which makes the airport a much better experience.
Gotta love those airport lounges.
Great tips and I have traveled a lot. The only thing I’d do differently is to reduce my plastics use of Ziplock baggies. I have a set of cheap zippered bags in different sizes. Yes they’re clear plastic but they’ve lasted for years! Like your idea of taking a picture of your luggage tag too.
good idea.
Love all of the advice in this post! I didn’t know that you could get denied boarding if you smell of alcohol!
Definitely been known to happen. The airline check in staff have a lot of leeway.
I have one more! Take a screenshot of your electronic boarding pass. If you can’t get a signal, the photo works just as well.
good tip
Those are some amazing tips. In fact I always take a picture of the parking place even if I am going to a movie hall. Makes it very easy to locate it. Off late, I have also contemplated adding some identification to my baggage. I am always confused at the conveyor belt haha. I have been doing a mistake though. I do not lock my check in bag. High time I started doing that.
A good colorful ID tag that stands out is always helpful in finding your bag. I think the lock on the baggage only prevents lazy thieves since you can pretty easily open any bag with a zipper.
We hesitated on whether to get the Global Entry – and it turns out to be the best investment we ever made! Not only do we get pre-check for US flights, but we love how quickly and easily we come back in from international locations. We have gotten quite spoiled with these two programs!
After a long flight it is nice to breeze through isn’t it?
These are some really sound and practical tips. Airport hassles are always the bane of travellers and it is good to ensure we take steps wherever possible to smoothen the process of transiting through airports. Taking a picture of your parked car makes a lot of sense not only for airports but also at many other crowded parking lots and saves a lot of time looking around for your vehicle.
Thank you for these helpful and very practical tips. I appreciate the reminder since I tend to overlook something and forget about it. Totally agree with everything especially with number 3,5 and 14.
These are great tips for anyone who needs to go to an airport. It’s always a great idea to double check things and plan ahead when it comes to airport travel. I never consider there would be an airport canteen for staff available for the public. I worked at an airport for years and we just had to eat the Sbarro’s like everyone else lol
There are not too many but a few airports have them.
Some pretty cool tips I say. Especially about not putting anything expensive in the checked-in bags because sometimes locks do get broken and things can go missing. Also, keeping a picture or a scanned copy of your most important documents. I always make sure to check in online, as long as possible. Will keep in mind about requesting an upgrade the next time I fly, I am usually too shy to ask! And yeah, I’ve found a creative solution to ‘most bags are black’ problem – I buy the most uncommon colours! Florescent green or orange are usually rare to find, making it easy for me to identify mine from FAR away lol.
So you’re the one with the florescent bag.
That’s a lot of tips! I find that coming prepared is key. Neck pillow, sleep mask, chapstick, buying water bottles before getting on plane etc. http://www.svadore.com
You have listed all valuable tips to get a better experience at the airport. Locating luggage on the conveyor belt is the most difficult task and I too put something on them and also take out old stickers or airline tags to avoid confusion. To check out Upgrade our flight on special occasions like birthday or some festival is a good idea. Sometimes when flight is not full, we can avail this beautiful opportunity. Thanks! for figuring this out.
I did not know that tip about marking things FRAGILE! Gonna remember that one!
I never tried asking for a free upgradation – sounds like a great idea. I always check in through web to avoid long queues. Great ideas and tips that will help every flyer.
I once went with my frequent flier friend and all he did was just ask and we both were upgraded to first class! So yeah, just asking is all that’s needed.
And when my mom travelled, I did ask her to whatsapp me the pics of luggage tags and boarding passes. It helps!
Great tips indeed. Gonna try the rest as well.
I’ll definitely make use of these tips. In spite of my love for traveling I always find the airports very stressful and sometimes even feel like canceling a trip.
I agree it can be a pain.
I always forget that what might be basic common travel sense may not occur to people who don’t travel often. This is a great list for all of us to be reminded of when we travel. I didn’t know about lounge day passes for us “peasants”! That might be worth a splurge on long hauls!
On a long layover a day pass to a lounge can be a welcome relief.
#2 is my favorite. It hasn’t happened often, but when it does, it’s the best (especially when it’s an International flight)!
You bet. Its’s great to relax on those long haul flights.
Cool and exhaustive tips list, Bob, as usual! Definitely brought some ideas…
Thanks
Great tips, I never thought about taking pictures of my luggage tags and boarding passes.
Thanks, glad you found it useful
I love these tips, so useful! I have to say I actually love the airport, but not the security and the hassle part. I love just getting through easily and then hanging out, I don’t like to make it any harder than it has to be. I’m going to implement some of these on my next trip!