How To Airport Like a Pro | Frequent Traveller Tips

April 25, 2019 by Emme

The airport is an interesting place; people from all over the world coming and going, waiting and arriving. It’s a place in between. I used to HATE airports, they drove me crazy. They’re always so busy and I couldn’t shake feeling rushed or anxious (regardless of how early I got there).

Over the years however I’ve gathered a few vital hacks for making your airport experience much more pleasant, starting with my number 1…

LUGGAGE SCALES

If you’re worried about overweight bags, get yourself some luggage scales like this one and weigh your bags at home. This has saved me on multiple occasions and eliminates the stress at the bag drop off counter. They’re also pretty compact, so you can pack it to use again on your return home.

BRING AN EMPTY BOTTLE OF WATER

Pack a big (empty) water bottle in your carry on and refill it once you get through security. This way you can avoid the extortionate airport prices and you’ll stay hydrated throughout your flight.

PACK A PORTABLE CHARGER

This is a LIFESAVER when you’re on the go – never go scrambling for an outlet in the airport again! It’s also great for charging on the plane, a lot of airlines have USB chargers now, but you can never be sure. I use this one from Amazon and really like it.

GLASSES vs CONTACTS

I used to exclusively wear contacts, until I realised how much they dry my eyes out. This is especially true when you’re travelling by plane because the air is incredibly dry in the cabin. Make sure to wear your glasses especially if you’re prone to dry eyes and you’ll be a whole lot more comfortable.

SNACKS

Let’s face it, airport food is usually expensive and their aren’t usually great options, especially if you like to eat on the healthier side of things. Flying dehydrates you so make sure to stay away from the salty stuff and bring your own healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit, unsalted nuts, etc.). Make sure to check the TSA rules beforehand though so you know what you can take through security.

CHECK IN EARLY

Airlines usually let you check in 24-48 hours in advance, so be one of the first to snag your favourite spot (if you haven’t already pre-booked your seat). This will also save you ample time at the airport and you’ll be laughing at all those poor souls in the check in queue!

STAY SANITIZED

I don’t have to tell you why this is an essential all too many people forget to pack. Airports and planes are some of the most contaminated places you can be, so stay clean friends! There’s nothing worse than being sick during a trip.

BLANKET SCARF

I used to just bring my coat, but I always found it so bulky and heavy. When someone told me to just use a blanket scarf it was one of those “genius, why didn’t I think of that?” moments! A wool scarf like this one from Wilfred is perfect it’s lightweight, warm and stylish – perfect for chilly airports and planes.

LOOK TO THE LEFT

This is an interesting one I was told about – if you stuck for time or don’t want to spend ages waiting in the security or immigration queue, stick to the left hand lanes. Research says that most people go towards the side of their dominant hand, and since there are a lot less left-handers, it makes sense those lines as less popular!

AIRPORT LOUNGES

This final hack is one of my favourites and probably one of the most overlooked: book an airport lounge. If, like me, travelling can make you anxious, paying a little extra $$ to get yourself into an airport lounge makes the world of difference. This is such a game changer especially for long layovers – there’s usually food, drinks, fast wifi and sometimes even showers available, making the waiting so much more pleasant.

❤ Emily