Quite often when it comes to travelling, most people only really think of the destination and not of the airport. You will spend hours at airports, whether waiting for the first flight to take off, or having to stick around for a layover or delays. And too often being at the airport, depending on the situation, can be frustrating and exhausting, but this does not always have to be the case. I have a few tips to help make your experience at the airport enjoyable, rather than dreaded. So here are 11 genius airport hacks that will make your travels easier.
1. CHECK-IN EARLY.
Now I know this may sound like an easy tip, but I can assure you it’s helpful. Almost every airline lets you check in 24 hours before your flight, and you can also print your boarding pass. By doing this, you have the chance to skip long check-in queues, and if you don’t need to check in a bag, then you can head straight to security.
2. PACK IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND ITEMS IN ONE PLACE.
Again, this may be a simple thought, but if you pack all your essential documents and items that you need in one place, then you won’t have to rummage through your carry-on to get them. You should also make sure that they are easily accessible because you don’t want to have to unpack everything to get to the bottom of the bag.
3. BRING AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE AND SNACKS.
Although you cannot bring any drinks through security, you are allowed to carry through an empty bottle that can be filled up once you have made it past. Most airports often have water fountains or designated water bottle filling stations, this way you don’t have to waste any money on overpriced water in the airport shops.
Most airport snacks are known to be excessively overpriced, and airplane food appears to be sub-par. So make sure to pack plenty of snacks to keep you nourished, plus you won’t have to take out a mortgage to buy them. This is especially useful if you have specific dietary requirements or if you want to bring along healthier snacks that aren’t provided at the airport.
4. PACK YOUR LAPTOP OR IPAD IN AN EASY-TO-ACCESS PLACE.
Sometimes there can be delays with flights, or you might have a long layover, so you need to keep yourself entertained. And watching shows or videos on your mobile screen is a convenient way to do this, or if you’re going out for a business trip, you can spend this spare time catching up on work. When you go through security checks, you will still need to get electronics out of your pocket, so getting it somewhere that is easy to reach means there’s less difficulty.
5. WEAR OR PACK SOCKS.
Now, this may seem like a bit of a silly one, but this tip is useful for several reasons. Quite often when you go through security you are expected to take off your shoes, well if this happens, you don’t necessarily want to be standing barefoot on the dirty and cold floor, so having socks on will help to combat this. These come in very handy on your flight since they are known to get very cold.
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6. WEAR LAYERS.
Just like I mentioned above, flights can get pretty cold but so can airports. And the airport may get crazy warm depending on your destination, so if you’re dressed in layers, you’ll not only remain cool, but you can take off and add layers as required. Plus you can also use one of your layers as a pillow.
7. TAKE A PORTABLE CHARGER.
Portable chargers are an absolute life changer. I know that many airports have stations to charge your electronics, but this may not always be the case depending on where you are travelling. And if you have a portable charger, there’s no chance that any of your devices will not be charged.
8. PACK HAND SANITIZER.
Airports and airplanes tend to be germ-filled, and the last thing you want to do is pick up a virus before setting out on your travels. By packing a travel-sized hand sanitizer, you can sigh in relief as you know that you are keeping your hands perfectly clean.
9. MAKE YOUR LUGGAGE STAND OUT.
Most luggage tends to look the same, so when it comes to picking it up once you have arrived, it can get a bit difficult. So make sure that your luggage is unique and stands out. Add a sticker or a colourful tag to differentiate it from everyone else’s
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10. IS A DESIGNATED FLYING OUTFIT.
It is always good to choose an airplane outfit. It helps with organization, and you don’t have to stress trying to find something to wear on the day of your flight. Make sure that the outfit is comfortable since you will be spending a couple or even more hours travelling, depending on your destination. So make sure that it is easy to move in and isn’t too tight for the utmost comfort.
11. USE ZIP TIES.
A lot of travellers tend to like using padlocks to keep their luggage safe; however, if airport security decides that they want to check your bag, they will not hesitate to cut that lock apart. So if you want to save a bit of money by not having to replace your broken padlock, use zip ties as they are secure and can also be easily cut for security purposes.
