Traveling Through Airports With Confidence: Your Ultimate Survival Guide

Some love airports and others hate them, but whether we like them or not, we all have to go through them if we want to travel. It's completely natural to feel that sense of dread creeping in the night before a flight. Combine that with an early morning wake-up and a restless night’s sleep, and you've got the perfect recipe for a stressful travel day. Fortunately, a visit to the airport doesn’t have to be overwhelming. First, you need to believe this, and the only way to do so is by traveling through them with confidence. You might be wondering, "How on earth can I do that?" Well, we’re here to share some incredible tips in this airport survival guide to make sure your next trip goes as smoothly as possible without any anxiety.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

It might sound simple, but having extra time on your hands when you're in an airport can eliminate a lot of stress, as you're not racing between terminals trying to find your gate.

As a general guideline, it's advisable to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one. To ease any hassle at the check-in counter, consider adding an extra hour to each of these recommendations. It’s always better to have a little extra time than to feel rushed. Sure, an early morning flight might cut into your sleep, but you can always catch up on rest while you’re in the air.

Get Your Downloads Finished Early

Netflix, YouTube Premium, or Spotify, what's your favorite platform? It doesn't matter as long as you get the downloads finished early, so you're not under pressure to do it while in the airport. Nowadays, all the major streaming services let you download your preferred shows, movies, and music to watch or listen to them offline without an internet connection. However, if you're preparing for a long flight, getting these downloads done can take up quite a chunk of your time. That’s why it’s best to finish this the night before rather than wait until the last minute. This way, you can cross one more task off your list that you won't have to worry about at the airport.

Check-in Online if You’re Given the Option

Most airlines offer online check-in services for passengers to take full advantage of, but often, people skip it as they think it's easier to do in the airport. That said, this is just adding to the list of jobs you'll have to do, so why not get it out of the way so you can relax? While it depends on the airline you're flying with, some will give passengers an online check-in option, but if they don't avail of it, they'll be charged to check in when they arrive at the airport. Not only will it make things less hectic on the day of your departure, but it will also benefit your wallet.

Arrive to the Security Line Prepared

Tackling the security line might just be the most stressful part of the airport experience. But you can alleviate much of the worry by getting yourself prepared before you get there.

Knowing the requirements is a good place to start. Understanding how much liquid you’re allowed to carry and ensuring that all of your electronics are removed from your bag will keep you one step ahead of the game. Remember to dispose of your plastic water bottles, and if you have a reusable one, either drink it up or pour it out before you get to security.

Another important tip is to keep your power bank in your hand luggage. If it goes through in your checked bag, security will call you back to remove it, cutting your free time at the airport.

Dress Yourself in Clothes That Are Easily Removable

When you get to security, you know you’re going to be asked to remove some pieces of clothing before you go through the scanners, so it's best to wear items that are easy to take off. Think about the jackets, hoodies, and belts you own that you know will be simple to slip off if requested. That way, you won’t get flustered, and you won’t hold up the entire line.

Book Yourself Into an Airport Lounge

You might be shocked to hear that booking into a lounge can save you a lot of money, especially if you'll be in the airport for longer than a few hours. Anyone who purchases a ticket for an airport lounge gets complimentary access to a private area with unlimited food and drinks, plush seating, free Wi-Fi, and lots of other nice perks, depending on the operator. If you were to pay for all of these amenities individually, it would add up more than if you were to pay for a lounge, so it's a no-brainer. However, be mindful that a lot of travelers have caught onto this trick, and lounges are becoming more popular, so we advise you to book early to secure your space.

Board Your Flight at the End

There’s no need to be a sheep and follow everyone else when your flight is boarding. You’ll only end up standing in a queue for ages when you could be sitting down and relaxing patiently until things die down. As long as you have a clear view of the boarding gate, you can stay calm and get up when the moment is right. Another great benefit of boarding last is that when you get onto the plane and spot a seat you’d like, you can easily slip into it, as there’s a slim chance anyone will be sitting there. Of course, if you prefer the seat you've paid for or been given, this doesn't matter.

Up Your Airport Game With This Survival Guide

Set yourself up for a hassle-free flight the next time you hit the airport with our ultimate survival guide. Following these tips will help you make sure your next airport visit is smooth sailing from start to finish.