Helpful Airport Tips
I love being at the airport because I truly believe it is the start of your vacation. I love the stores, the different restaurants, and how there are all of these people on their way to exciting places!! However, sometimes airports can be the scene of terrible mishaps. These tips will hopefully help your experience at the airport be a bit smoother.
butterflies at London Heathrow
Bring your own snacks and water bottle - airports are so expensive, and this is something I always struggle with when I travel! I spend way too much money at the airport on snacks and water and cocktails lol. You can bring your own snacks and empty water bottle through TSA. I once spent $20 on a cocktail in Miami and it was the worst drink I’ve ever had in my life. Don’t be like me. I have a list of TSA-approved snacks in this post.
Make your bag identifiable - most bags are black or some neutral color and all look the same. Either get a patterned bag, tie a ribbon around the handle, or have something to easily identify your bag. This makes it easy to find and if the airline loses it, it’s easier to say “it’s a hot pink suitcase with a luggage tag in the shape of a pineapple” and have them find it than “it’s just a navy Samsonite soft shell suitcase!!” (which is what I had to say).
Pack your laptop or big electronics in an easy to reach location - having your electronics and liquids in an easy to reach location will make it easier and quicker to pull out during TSA and on the flight. Nothing is worse than holding up the line digging things out of your backpack.
Check in for your flight in advance - most airlines open up check-in 24 hours before your flight. If you download the app for your airline (which you should), you can check in through the app and it is super easy! Some budget airlines are actually charging people to check in at the airport.
You should have your airline’s app anytime you fly. If your luggage gets lost, this is a great way to track it. If there are any updates to your flight, the app will have that. It also shows you where your gates are and the status for your connecting flights.
Wear socks - YUCK. The amount of people I see wearing open toe shoes on flights is nasty. Wear socks so people don’t have to see your bare feet and so you aren’t walking barefoot through security (double yuck). If you take your shoes off on planes, please GOD be wearing some (CLEAN) socks.
Bring a portable charger - there are plenty on Amazon. Invest in one and your life will be changed! I have 2 now and I love them both. One is the anker powercore and the other came in my Away suitcase. Outlets are few and far between at airports. Save yourself the struggle and bring a portable charger.
Take a photo of your checked luggage - similar to making your bag identifiable, take a photo of your checked luggage and your luggage receipt so if it gets lost, it’ll be easier to identify.
Pack hand sanitizer or wet wipes - airports are covered in germs and nastiness. I always always always pack sanitizing wipes for my hands, surroundings, and phone.
Research where to sleep in the airport - hopefully you don’t have to sleep at the airport, but there are times where you’ll have long delays or overnight layovers. This website will tell you the best spots to sleep at most airports. I once slept on the floor of the front of the Venetian airport. Really don’t suggest that.
Invest in TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry - Global Entry includes TSA Pre-Check, so it would make sense to get Global Entry. It costs $100 for 5 years and lets you expedite the customs screening when you come back to the USA after traveling. If you come back through a major airport (NYC, Chicago, Boston), this could save you hours.
Have a go-to travel outfit - this makes your travel day so much easier by knowing exactly what you’re wearing. In the summers, I wear either black leggings or linen-blend utility pants, tennis shoes, a linen short sleeve, and jean jacket. In the winter, I wear a lighter sweater, tennis shoes and joggers or leggings and chelsea boots and then wear my biggest jacket so I didn’t have to pack it. Figure out your go-to travel outfit and it’ll be a much smoother morning.
If you have any helpful airport tips, leave them in the comments below :)