Top Travel Hacks for Stress-Free Airport Experiences

I’ve just been on my very first flight with an infant, in full mom-on-a-mission mode, and let me tell you — nothing humbles you quite like dragging a stroller, a sleepy baby, and way too many bags through airport security on three hours of sleep.

It really hit me how crucial good prep is. Things I used to wing without thinking (like doing online checking or packing snacks) suddenly became mission-critical. Trust me, “I’ll just figure it out on the spot” is not the motto you want when flying with a tiny human in tow.

So yeah, if you’re planning to travel with kids (or even solo), do yourself a favour and prep ahead — trust me, your future self will thank you.

Going through an airport, wherever you are in the world, can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re not well-traveled or doing it for the first time with kids. However, once you know what to expect and how to navigate the airport itself, it can be a smooth process for most, so long as you’re paying attention.

With that being said, here are some top travel hacks that will provide a stress-free airport experience.

Do your homework on the airport

When it comes to airports, each one is different from the next, meaning you’ll want to do your research in preparation for wherever you travel from and to.

This can be helpful for those who are often nervous when travelling to an airport. Knowing the layout of the airport and roughly where you’ll need to head to in order to check in and drop off any luggage is going to make your experience a lot more enjoyable as a result.

Do your research and make sure you’re doing this at least a week or so before you travel.

Check all your flight information in advance

Another tip to do in advance is to check you have all of the flight information required and in advance. There’s nothing more stressful than showing up at the airport and having no knowledge of where you’re meant to go or what direction to head in.

This is particularly stressful if the airport itself is busy and you’re navigating a larger airport with little ones running around.

While you’ll be able to find all the information you need upon arrival, it’s always good to make use of the online world and the apps you’ll use when catching your flight to check the details ahead of time.

By doing it ahead of time, you can then focus on getting your party through the check-in and onto the other side, towards your gate.

Beat the queues and arrive early 

Airports can get busy, especially during peak times of the year. If you’re travelling during times of the year when the children are off school, then this is likely to be the time when the airport is most chaotic.

In order to help make your experience at an airport more enjoyable, the earlier you can get to the airport, the better. Ideally, you need to be at the airport three hours before a flight, depending, of course where you’re going in the world.

The earlier you get to the airport, the sooner you can get in the queue to check in or at least get through security sooner if you’ve already checked in online and don’t have luggage to drop off. You should also look to book your car spot if you’re travelling to the airport this way. 

Again, every airport is different, whether you’re looking at Manchester airport parking or halfway across the world.

Print your documents where needed

While not all documents need to be printed off nowadays, plenty of travellers will print off their documents in order to have a physical copy should it be needed. While a digital option is often easier to have available on your phone or tablet device, what if the battery went flat or you unfortunately lost your phone upon arrival at the airport?

Look at printing your documents, like your boarding pass and confirmation of any bookings you have going to and from the airport, so that you’ve got everything ready and prepared just in case. It’s always good to have a backup option available because it provides more peace of mind to you or those who are responsible for organising the travel.

Pack your suitcases with care and attention to weight

When packing, you always want to pack your own suitcase so that you know everything that’s gone into your luggage.

Packing your suitcase will likely take a bit of planning and preparation. The earlier you can get it packed, the better. However, you don’t want to pack too far in advance so that all your clothing ends up creased.

A couple of days before the vacation or work trip would be the best time to get packing. If you’ve got multiple suitcases, try to mix up your clothing as a group or even individually, just in case one were to go missing or be delayed at arriving in the airport.

You should also pay close attention to how much the suitcase weighs because most airlines will have a maximum on how much you can carry. If you’re overweight when you arrive at the airport with your luggage, then you might need to pay a fee for the extra weight.

Dress comfortably for the journey

When going to the airport, you should ideally be dressed in an outfit that you’re happy to travel and sit down in for a long period of time.

For some, getting dressed up might be an appropriate choice, but for others, it may be their idea of hell to get changed in a t-shirt and trousers or a dress with heels.

Everyone’s version of comfort looks a little different from the next, which is why you’ll want to try and dress as comfortably as possible for your wants and needs.

There are a lot of versions of comfort, but for the most part, leggings or joggers are often the preferred choice for loungewear on a plane. A slouchy top or adding a couple of layers to your top half will provide a bit of versatility that you can adjust depending on how hot or cold you get in the airport or on the plane.

Be prepared for security

Finally, be prepared for security, but don’t panic. Chances are, you’re not trying to smuggle something past security that shouldn’t be on your person or in your luggage. With that being said, look at what to expect with security and try not to panic too much before going through.

These travel hacks will help you enjoy a more stress-free airport experience in the future.