Airport Hacks Every Traveler Should Know
I don’t know about you but when I think of airports I see nothing but stress and hassle! While there are some things you cant prevent like lost baggage and long flight delays there are certainly many tips and hacks to use to make your airport experience a whole lot easier.
Begin your next airport visit on a high with these super handy tips that will have you navigating through airports like a pro.
See below a few of my handy airport hacks that every traveler should know! Airport Hacks 101
Arrive Early
This is one hack you have heard of one too many times, and that is to ARRIVE EARLY! Getting to the airport early can save you so much stress and worry.
Give yourself more than enough time. Airport schedules can always change last minute.
Check-In Online
With the super-advanced technology we have these days, you are now able to check in and download your boarding pass straight to your phone or tablet. This makes life so much easier, am I right?
You can do this by connecting to the airport wifi or beforehand. The wifi at the airport isn’t always reliable, so I do recommend checking in and downloading your pass at home before you arrive. That way, you’re ready to go!
Get TSA Pre Check
What is TSA, you say? It’s essentially Transport Security Administration. For only $85.00, you can sign up to be a TSA member and gain access to the TSA pre-check line at any airport in the USA.
This allows you to speed through security and not have to remove your shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, and light jackets. And it lasts for 5 years. This hack is definitely worth getting if you often travel within the US.
Apply here for TSA PreCheck Today!
Bring a Portable Charger
Buying a portable charger has been a life-changer for me! I never go traveling without one. Bringing a portable charger allows you to charge your devices on the go wherever you are.
That way, you’re not walking around the airport trying to find an outlet or to find that they are broken or being used.
I recommend buying one that has over 1000mah that way, you have long-lasting battery life and can charge multiple devices at once.
Amazon has a great range of affordable charging devices! The Poweradd I find, is really good!
BYO Snacks
Airport food can be quite expensive, so if you want to save a little extra money, I suggest bringing your own food with you.
I do recommend bringing dry food as this will be easier to pass through security. Having food with you on the plane is always handy to have as some flights may not be serving food during the flight.
Pack Only The Essentials In Your Carry On
Expect the unexpected! Sometimes luggage does go missing, so make sure you carry the essentials in your carry-on.
I always have my most needed items in my carry-on luggage, such as a spare set of clothes (or clean undies, at least), mouthwash, facial wipes, chapstick, and medication for travel. Etc. See below for more tips on in-flight beauty essentials.
Read More
The Ultimate Carry-On Packing Guide
Check Out The VIP Lounges
If you’re a member of an airline and travel frequently, I highly recommend checking out the VIP lounges. Relaxing in the club room may be worth your wait, especially if you have a long layover.
I know when I’m traveling home to Australia, flights don’t leave until really late that night, so relaxing in the club room definitely pays off. Most club lounges include free wifi, better food, relaxing lounges, and sometimes even showers.
What if I’m not a member? Not to worry, you can buy a lounge pass with a Priority Pass membership. This allows you the VIP experience with whomever you fly with and with access to 1200 lounges worldwide.
Sign up here! For a Priority Pass Membership.
Look Up Airport Gates
Have a tight connection? I find it super handy to look up airport gates before I get there.
This little hack could save you so much time, rather than finding your way through the terminal last minute and it’s especially helpful navigating through those larger airports.
There have been many occasions where I have needed to catch an external bus or train or even walk for 30mins to even get to the right side of the airport.
Looking up the gates prior to leaving and knowing exactly where I need to go saves me so much time and is certainly less stressful.
Wear your extra clothes
Worried your luggage may be overweight? Grab your heaviest items of clothing and wear them on the plane. This will free up room in your bag and save you from paying extra money for overweight luggage.
Always tag your luggage
It would suck if you arrived at your destination and then realized you had taken home the wrong bag!
Be sure to always add a bag tag or something colorful to your bag that way, you can identify which bag is yours more easily and avoid taking home the wrong bag.
Hot Tip! Adding a bag tag with your name, phone number & email can also be helpful in a situation where your bag goes missing. This way, airport staff or security can identify your bag more easily and can contact you straight away.
Chill out in day-use hotels
Got a long layover? Instead of hanging around the airport all day, why not book a hotel room just for the day.
Day-use hotels are great if you want a quick shower or decent sleep before your next flight without having to book a whole night’s accommodation.
I love to use dayuse.com when I have a late flight back to Australia, and I don’t want to sit in the airport for 9+ hours.
The best thing about Day Use is that their hotels are generally close to the airport and you can choose whatever time of day you would like your room, for example, 7.00 am – 1.00 pm, 9.00 am – 8.00 pm or 2.00 pm – 11.00 pm.
Ditch the taxi and use airport shuttles instead. Most hotels will have a free shuttle service that runs from their hotel to the airport 24hrs a day.
Be sure to check with your hotel and see if they have a free shuttle service and what times they are available. More often than not, I find the shuttle so much quicker than having to wait for a taxi, especially if I have a really early flight time.
Found this post helpful? Let me know down below your top airport tips, and I hope these airport hacks will help save you time and money on your next getaway!
Just a heads up! This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog.
You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
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Alexandra Booze
Loving your colourful and vibrant website! Thank you for all of the travel tips. 🙂 Happy and safe travels!
Love,
East Coast Contessa
Ashlea Paige
Hey Girl
This means so much, I’m glad you enjoy my posts 😀