These 10 tip-top airport hacks will help you overcome common airport obstacles, so your vacation can get off to the best start possible.
Take note and enjoy.
1. Empty water bottle
A vacation is pricey enough without having to buy drinks which cost twice as much at the airport as they do in the supermarket. But since you can only take 100ml of liquid through security, it’s worth travelling with an empty water bottle, which you can fill up for free later on.
2. Airport lounge
Booking into an airport lounge allows you to live the holiday lifestyle before you’ve even stepped foot on the plane – they’re luxurious spaces with great facilities and first-class complimentary drinks and snacks.
3. Quiet gate
If you’re not willing to indulge in an airport lounge pass, you can seek out a quiet airport gate in order to enjoy some relaxation and serenity before your flight.
4. Customised case
You’d be surprised how much your suitcase will blend in amongst the hundreds of bags on luggage carousel. Customising your case with a bright ribbon or a sticker is therefore an effective way to help make it stand out, so you can retrieve it quickly.
5. Don’t rush to the gate
When a boarding call occurs, most flyers go wild and rush to the gate like a pack of hyenas. So rather than race to your gate and get caught up in a queue, enjoy an extra 10 minutes or so browsing the airport, then board in a more civilised way after the line has cleared – you’ll all end up in the same place after all.
6. Fly red-eye
Flying red-eye allows you to enter the airport when it’s at its least busy – during the night. That’s not the only perk either – find out more about the benefits of red-eye flights on Lifehacker.
7. Carry on you most important items
Lost luggage is the stuff of airport nightmares and it does happen. So make sure you keep items such as your reservations, electronics and medicines in your carry-on luggage.
8. Go to the left
As R&B sensation Beyoncé once sang, ‘to the left, to the left’ – the same principle applies to the security queue. Research has found that the left line is usually the shortest as people are more likely to veer in the direction of their dominant hand.
9. Wear layers
Just because you’re jetting off to some exotic tropical country with glorious weather doesn’t mean the airport or airplane will be nice and warm too. It’s therefore worth carrying some extra layers such as a jumper or light jacket.
10. Pre-book your parking
If you’re driving to the airport, don’t make the mistake of paying for parking when you arrive – it’ll cost you a fortune. You can use comparison sites such as Looking4.com to find airport parking deals for Ontario, Orlando and most other US hubs.
With these hacks to hands, you’ll feel like an airport pro next time you head off on vacation.
That’s our list! Share your thoughts in the comments section.
