The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips: Traveling can be stressful, but with the right tips and hacks, you can make your journey much smoother and more enjoyable. Based on over 13 years of travel experience, here are 100 travel hacks to enhance your next flight experience.
Booking Your Flight | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Check-In Online
Always check in online to choose your seat in advance, skip the check-in line at the airport, and head straight to bag drop.
Seat Selection
- Front Seats: Ideal for tight connections or if you’re on an overbooked flight.
- Back Seats: Best for flights with limited overhead space or if you have a large carry-on, as planes board back to front.
- Near the Wing: Choose seats close to the wing for a less bumpy ride on long-haul flights.
- Avoid Washrooms: Seats around the washrooms tend to become hangout zones.
- Couple Tip: If traveling as a couple, pick the aisle and window seat to increase your chances of having the middle seat empty. If someone does occupy it, you can always trade seats to sit together.
Use SeatGuru
SeatGuru.com allows you to find the best seats on any plane by entering the model of the plane you’re flying on, showing available power outlets, extra legroom, and more.
Packing and Preparation | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Travel Credit Cards
Get a travel credit card to earn rewards like miles, points, and cashback that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Many cards also include travel insurance, saving you money on medical, cancellation, and interruption insurance.
Avoid Tight Connections
Avoid connections less than an hour and a half to prevent the hassle of missed flights due to delays or long walks between gates.
Early Morning Flights
Book early morning flights for a lower chance of delays and more options if you need to rebook.
Two-Factor Authentication
Ensure you know how to use two-factor authentication abroad, especially if it’s via SMS. Switching to an authenticator app is a good idea.
Multiple Payment Methods
Bring more than one payment method, like a second credit card or a second debit card, preferably from two different banks.
Long Cords and Power Strips
Pack long cords for electronics and consider bringing a power strip if you have many devices to charge, as outlets can be limited.
Portable Power Bank
Always bring a portable power bank and avoid using random USB connections or chargers to protect your phone’s security.
Dress for Comfort
Dress in layers as flight temperatures can vary. A zippered hoodie offers versatility for temperature changes.
Water Bottles and Snacks
Bring an empty water bottle to save money and reduce plastic waste. Pack snacks to avoid relying on airplane food and to prevent getting hangry.
Luggage Tips
- Identify Your Luggage: Make your luggage easy to identify with stickers, ribbons, or tags.
- Weigh Your Bags: Weigh your carry-on bags before flying to avoid fees.
- Transfer Heavy Items: If your checked bag is overweight, transfer heavier items to your personal bag, like a backpack or purse.
- Lost Luggage: Add an email slip inside your bag in case the luggage tag gets broken. Consider using an AirTag to track your luggage.
- Scan Important Documents: Scan and upload important documents like your passport, itinerary, and contact information to a cloud service shared with a trusted contact.
- Lock Screen Contact Info: Set your phone’s lock screen wallpaper to your email or an emergency contact.
At the Airport | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Arrive Early
Arrive at the airport early, especially for international flights, and bring a book to keep you occupied.
Parking
Take a picture of where you parked your car to avoid wandering around with your keys.
Boarding Passes
Download your boarding pass to your phone’s wallet app for easy access, but always have paper copies as a backup.
Keep Luggage Receipts
Always keep your luggage receipt for tracking if the airline loses your bag.
Lounge Access
Get lounge access via credit cards offering free or discounted passes, or pay for access if you have a long layover.
Wi-Fi Security
Connect to the official airport Wi-Fi and use a VPN for extra security.
Packing Extra Items
If your carry-on is overweight, buy something small at the airport to get an extra bag for free.
Security Tips | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Liquid Bags
Use airport-provided security liquid bags or any small clear plastic bag for your liquids.
Breast Pumps and Milk
Parents can bring breast pumps and full bags of breast milk through security, along with an ice pack and cooler.
Security-Friendly Clothes
Wear security-friendly clothes with no buttons or buckles and shoes like runners.
Choose Security Lines Wisely
Choose security lines on the left as they tend to be shorter. Lines with business travelers also tend to move faster.
Communicate with Airport Staff
If your flight is boarding soon, inform airport staff to potentially get through security faster.
In-Flight Tips | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Decongestants for Ears
Take decongestants before boarding if you have a cold or allergies to prevent ear pain.
Priority Boarding
Consider an airline travel credit card for priority boarding or enroll in the airline’s rewards program.
Overhead Compartment
Place your bag in the first available overhead compartment space you see.
Courteous Packing
Put your one carry-on bag overhead and your personal item under your seat.
Sun Protection
Wear sunscreen as airplane windows block UVB but not UVA, which can cause skin damage.
Sleep Aids
Bring melatonin pills or NyQuil for red-eye flights, along with an eye mask, earplugs, and a neck pillow.
Avoid Certain Drinks
Avoid hot or carbonated drinks to prevent bloating and gas.
In-Flight Snacks
Help yourself to the snack tray typically located in the middle or back of the plane near the toilets.
Moisturizers
Bring hand, face, lip balms, and eye drops to combat the dry air on planes.
Entertainment
Download audiobooks, podcasts, or shows before your flight, as not all planes have entertainment systems.
Compression Socks
Wear compression socks for circulation, especially important for older and pregnant travelers.
Sanitize Your Area
Wipe down your flight area with sanitizing wipes and avoid using the front seat pocket.
Personal Bag Essentials
Keep essential items in your personal bag under your seat for easy access.
Post-Flight Tips | The Ultimate Guide to Airplane and Airport Travel Tips
Boarding Pass Disposal
Never throw your used boarding pass in public trash cans due to personal information on the barcode.
Currency Exchange
Avoid airport currency exchanges and use ATMs for better rates.
Accommodation Transport
Use public transit to leave the airport and then grab a cab or rideshare for the remaining distance.
SIM Cards
Check airport kiosks for tourist SIM cards or use eSIMs for data during your trip.
Be Kind
Treat airport and airline staff with respect and patience to make your travel experience smoother.
These tips are designed to help you navigate the complexities of air travel, making your journey more comfortable and less stressful. Happy travels!