Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
With so many flights scheduled during busy summer or holiday seasons, it’s easy to spend more time at the airport than you’d like. The best way to save time is to be a savvy traveler. Plan ahead with these airport tips!
Airport Tips: How to Save Time
“Airport travel, especially during the summer, can be a sweaty nightmare or a pleasant experience,” explains expert traveler Margie Floris, president and co-founder of the travel wellness company Savvy Travelers.
“It all comes down to how much preparation you do to save time at the airport. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to cut back on airport time and keep yourself fresh when traveling.”
Being a savvy traveler is all about knowing the tips and tricks to get you through the airport quicker, keep you organized and prepared, and help you feel fresh and happy when you reach your destination.
Here are some tips to save time and be a savvy airport traveler this summer:
Choose wisely
To save time, try to fly on non-peak days. Those who can fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for example, will find that the airport is not as busy. This alone should help speed up your travel experience because you will not be caught in as many long lines. Of course, Thanksgiving is the exception to this rule.
Breeze through security with this airport survival guide!
Prep ahead
Do what you can for your flight before you even arrive at the airport. This includes downloading the airline’s app, so you can use mobile check-in and show your digital boarding pass. This will send you right to security, bypassing the initial check-in line.
If you’re a carryon newbie, read this guide – it will have you packing light in no time at all!
Tumi Voyageur Convertible Crossbody / Zoppen Rfid Blocking Passport Wallet
Neatness helps
Having everything organized helps lines move quicker. Knowing where your travel documents are, including your identification, and being able to quickly grab them will keep things moving along.
Aim to be organized and leave behind unnecessary items that create clutter in your pockets and bags.
Learn how to choose the best in-flight travel purse!
Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage
Weigh ahead
Weigh your bag at home and plan accordingly to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport. You may need to remove items to meet the weight limit; it’s better to do this at home than at the airport.
Need to keep your carryon under 7kg? Read this.
Arrive fresh
It’s easy to get hot and sweaty as you run around the airport. The last thing you want to do is sit on a plane feeling uncomfortable. Savvy Travelers wipes are a savior during flights when you want to feel clean and refreshed. Their individually-wrapped cosmetic wipes are curated for the on-the-go, sophisticated, savvy travelista.
Stock your carry-on bag with wipes from their “Jet Set Kit” including No Sweat antiperspirant deodorant wipes, Speak Eazy mouth cleansing wipes, Take Offz makeup wipes, and In The Klear lens and screen wipes.
Read this post for more airplane beauty tips!
What are your airport tips on how to save time? Share in the comments!
For more airport tips, please read:
- Top 10 Airplane Essentials
- Bring These on a Plane if You’re Traveling with Kids
- 75 of the Best Travel Packing Tips
- 9 Quick Tips for Air Travel
LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!
Love some of the tips! Packing cubes (yes); organization (yes); slip om shoes (yes) etc.
As I have been all over the world and on every airline imaginable both for business & leisure I have found the following. Business trips are done M-F, so you will find more travellers during the week. Even though travellers think Sat is not a good time, it actually is because, a lot of people want to make the most of their vacation, so they actually travel Sun to Sun. If you do want to travel during the week for a vacation Thursdays have been very good, both with lines and prices. Tips for getting through security; avoid having a family in front of you, persons with too much carry on, get behind business travellers, as they fly regularly and know how to get through lines quickly. These are things that have worked for me in my 30+ years of flying.
These are awesome tips Athena! I totally agree! I like Tuesdays for flying as well! Prices always seem to be lowest then!
Women: don’t wear an undewire bra. It will cause the bells and whistles to go off and you’ll be subjected to a personal search. Slows you aND your travel companions down and is a hassle.
Actually, most underwire bras actually don’t set off the alarm anymore! Luckily, they’ve found a product to not set it off anymore! Phew!
Thanks for the great tips!
You’re welcome Benjamin 🙂 Glad you like them!
I broke down and paid for the TSA preCheck. I’m finding it’s worth the $85. The global one is better for international travel. That’s next!
Thanks for the tip Edwina! Happy travels!
Always have boarding pass ready before security check, jewelries tucked away in my purse and slip on shoes.
Great tip Alexis! Thanks for reading!
I would also check to see if your airport has TSA security wait times. I know ATL does and this saves me from getting there super early, going through security super fast and then having to wait around for 2 hours before my flight.
That’s great advice Kaylin! Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! I seem to have the unfortunate luck of being stopped for bag searches for random things (cheese in Amsterdam, tweezers in Bangkok), but having my things organized in packing cubes speeds up that process.
Being organized always helps to speed up the process! Happy travels Ashley!
I always peruse the airport map before I get there, so that I’m oriented and not looking for a restroom (or a decent coffee!) for ever.
Great tip Cecelle!
I enjoyed this article! Lots of great tips plus I found some interesting products that I’d love to try next time I travel. 🙂
That’s great Marj! Thanks for reading! Happy Travels!
I really need to get one of those luggage weights to take with me and just keep in the suitcase.
They are super handy! Thanks for reading Lara!
I try to wear slip on shoes to make going through security easier. I also try to avoid wearing jewelry or accessories that I would be required to remove before going through the metal detectors.
Good to hear from you Emily! Great tips! Totally agree on slip on shoes, it certainly makes it quicker to take them off and put them back on! Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder about downloading the airline’s app! Great tip. 🙂
Thanks for reading! Anything I can do to make your travels smoother!
Love the tips. I especially liked the savvy travelers jet set kit! Oh, course, making sure you are organizing zed and knowing where your things are in your purse/ organizer.
Definitely! Organization is key! Thanks for reading Melissa!