7 Useful Airport Hacks To Help You Travel Better
A lot of people who look for travel hacks for flying forget that it’s usually the time at the airport that is the most stressful. So, I’ve created these airport hacks to make your travels easier and less stressful. I hope these airport travel tips help you next time you’re at the airport.
7 Useful Airport Hacks To Help You Travel Better
1. Bring Your Own Water Bottle And Fill It Up After Security
Bottled water is expensive. Plus, a small bottle isn’t early enough to last for an entire flight. Staying hydrated is the best thing you can do to prevent jet lag. Bring a bottle and fill it up at the water fountain, or get a restaurant to fill it for you. You will save money and have more water to drink while in flight.
2. Use A Discount Park & Ride Site Rather Than Parking At The Airport
Parking at the airport is very expensive. There are many discount parking lots nearby airports that will shuttle you to the airport for a fraction of the cost. Also, don’t forget to take a picture of where you parked so you don’t forget when you return. If you will be traveling for a while, then use a service like Uber to take you to the airport, and avoid parking costs altogether.
3. Check In Online
You will save a lot of time by checking in for your flight online. Not only will you avoid long lines, you will also get a choice of a better seat on the airplane. SeatGuru is helpful in seeing where the best seats on the plane are.
4. Pick Lines Towards The Left
People are usually right-handed, so they tend to go towards the lines to the right. The ones to the left are usually shorter.
5. Sign Up For TSA Pre-Check Or Global Entry
This is how you speed through long lines at security and customs. With TSA Pre-Check, qualified flyers go through an expedited TSA security line, where they don’t have to remove their shoes, half their clothing, or take their laptops out. This is one of the most important airport hacks to follow, as going through security is one of the most painful parts of being at the airport.
Global Entry has a $100 fee that must be paid when you send in your application.
TSA PreCheck has a $85 fee that must be paid online.
6. Bring Your Own Snacks
The food at the airport is expensive and usually not that good. Bring your own snacks, save money, and eat healthier and better. I like to take beef jerky, granola bars, and nuts.
7. For Long Layovers, Use The Club Lounges
Yes, you have to pay, but the Club Lounges can make a long layover go by much faster. There’s usually beer, wine and snacks. The lounges have their own WiFi, and provide a peaceful spot for catching up on work or just relaxing before your flight. There are TV’s, and the cell phone reception in the lounges is also usually very good. Get out of the chaos of the airport, and let yourself be treated like royalty for a while. The atmosphere will do a lot to relax you and make your time at the airport much more enjoyable. If you decide not to use the club lounges, at least bring noise-cancelling headphones to block some of the noise of the airport.
What airport hacks make flying easier for you? Let me know in the comments below!
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All very useful tips! As a mom that travels with her kids, #6 is crucial. We have stopped many tantrums by having snacks instantly handy. Plus, we would go broke even before leaving for vacation if we purchased all the snacks my kids point out at the airport.
Awesome tips! I always bring my own empty water bottle. I hate having to pay airport prices for a bottle of water. I once paid $6 for a teeny bottle of water in a Costa Rican airport!
The water bottle thing it’s kind of hard to do in European airports, since there are not quite a lot of water sources (except bathrooms, and the water there is usually not potable). At least on the airports I’ve travel here in Europe.
And btw, where is the number 4 ? 🙂
Linda March recently posted…Stilettos
Linda, I’ve traveled all over Europe with an empty water bottle. Like I said in the article, I get restaurants to fill it for me. They don’t mind at all. Oh, and thanks for pointing out that I left out #4. Guess I should tell people how to sleep in the airport, lol!
I’ve only traveled in some European Airports like Luton, Dortmund, Bucharest, Budapest or Barcelona and in none of those places they’ve allowed me to get an empty water bottle. Weird, anyway.
And there it is, the number 4. I do agree with it…. since I’m left handed 😀
Linda March recently posted…How to Wear Flannel
Great tips! We always check in online if it’s possible, and love to use seatguru to choose where to sit. We do not bring snack though (maybe for the flight), but we kind of like to eat at an airport restaurant while waiting.
Monica @We Travel Together recently posted…How to Get Around in Bali
Great tips. Didn’t even think of the lines towards the left. I usually bring my own snacks and check in online. TSA Pre-check has been a life saver.
Joanna recently posted…Travel for Cheap! How to Get a Flight Deal
Great tips! I always bring an empty water bottle, as I cringe at the price. And, for long trips airport lounges usually end up costing less than the food and dirnks you’d buy.
One thing that saves me a LOT of time is downloading the airline’s app on my iPhone. My boarding pass is on there, and I get updates as to gate changes and delays almost as soon as they happen.
That’s a wonderful idea!
Thanks for sharing, those tips are really helpful and can make a flight less stressful 🙂
Bring a multi box (power strip), that way you can charge more than one thing at a time and if someone else is already using the outlet at an airport or cafe you can make use of it too. Hotels often have limited outlets.
If traveling overseas you only need one adaptor to make the multibox work.
That’s a great idea, Peter!
Great tips! All are very useful. This can make a flight less stressful. Thanks for sharing.
Hey, Really Worthy hacks,
Bring Your Own Water Bottle And Fill It Up After Security
Bring Your Own Snacks
I follow these two hacks from my first travel, It really save my lots money.
Thanks for sharing, Happy Travelling!
Neha Singh recently posted…7 Healthy Fasting Tips during Ramadan
We definitely do a number of the tips you’ve mentioned, particularly taking advantage of airport lounges on long layovers. Definitely worth the little extra for the comfort! Always carry a water bottle and healthy snacks as well.
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