Getting to and navigating airports is, at times, the most daunting part of a trip. But, do you cancel your trip because you are worried about the airport? No!
Here are a few tips and tricks to get around the airport in an efficient manner. Hopefully, they will put your preoccupied mind at rest and you’ll be looking for flight tickets in no time!
Keep in mind that your actual boarding time can be 20 to 40 minutes before the departure time, which is printed on your ticket.
Give yourself plenty of time, there is nothing worst then being late, rushing, panicking, and running through the airport. But how much time should you plan ahead?
Once you know your departure time I suggest adding 30 mins. That is the latest at which you should be arriving at your gate. Keep this saved as the time of your flight. From there you have to judge the size of the airport to know how early you should actually be.
If it is an airport with only 1 terminal, I would suggest showing up 1 hour before the time of your flight. If it has more than one terminal, like many airports, I would suggest arriving at the airport 2 hours before the time of your flight.
The last thing to consider is traffic and holidays. What time will you be heading to the airport? Will it be during rush hour? For airports with more than 1 terminal, I would leave 30 minutes earlier than your expected drive time.
What about during a holiday? Airports are always super busy before, during, and after a holiday. Be sure that if you are traveling for a holiday, that you plan to arrive 3 hours before your departure time. I highly recommend not arriving any earlier than 3 hours, it is not necessary.
Remember, if you ever get stuck in a time crunch, find a TSA employee or any employee for that matter. They can help you skip the line, (if there is one) so that you don’t miss your flight. People are really friendly and don’t want you to miss your flight, keep in mind that you are in good hands.
What Will Need To Be Removed From Your Bag During Security Checks?
Keep this stuff in easily accessible places... When going through security you will have to take out any large electronics (laptop, or iPad), any liquids, medications, and you have to take off your shoes.
To make this process less stressful, and faster for everyone, make sure these things are easily accessible.
Put your laptop in its own pocket in your luggage, or better yet, take it out and hold it while you're in line. When you go through actual security you will have to take the laptop out of its case. All liquids and medications should be put in a clear zip-lock bag. This keeps everything together and makes security rechecks easier. Ensure that this plastic bag full of liquids and medicine is not at the bottom of your bag! You want it right on top, that way you don’t have to spend time digging for it when everyone behind you is in a hurry.
You will have to take your shoes off, keep this in mind when deciding what shoes to wear. Pick something that is easy to take off and on.
Lastly, once you get through security be sure to grab all your items and head over to the benches, which they always have right after security. Other people will be trying to grab their things and you do not want to be putting on your shoes, while people are grabbing there duffel bags from over your head. Make the area less congested and head on out of the way to some benches where you can reorganize your stuff.
Follow the signs!
Immediately after security, there is a large bored that lists all the flights and their gates. If you do not know what gate your flight departs from, you will have to find out from this bored. It is very large and obvious, an electronic version of what you would see in the movies from a busy train station. From there, the signs are really easy to read, follow them and you will make it to your gate!
Walk Fast!
Even if it seems close, sometimes following the signs is deceiving as airports are huge! As a part of walking fast, it is really important to not make pit stops until you find your gate. This is because, again, you don’t know how far away the gate actually is. First, find the gate, then once you have go ahead and find food or whatever you need.
Biggest Tip!
Stay calm! If you are really panicked just ask for assistance, people are literally paid to assist you. Airports are just like malls, you got this and go get ‘em tiger, explore the world!
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