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Is it your first time traveling? It’s okay, relax. We’re here to help you out! We’ve got some airport travel tips from the experts over at Travel Leaders that will help improve your flying experience.
For packing tips, make sure to read this 10 Step Guide for One Bag Travel.
Airport Travel Tips
Portable battery charger with a USB connector
Make a checklist and check it twice. Before any trip, it’s important to make a checklist of essential items like chargers for electronic devices or prescription medications. It’s easy to forget the items you use every day and you don’t want to spend your trip seeking replacements. Add to your list a portable battery charger with a USB connector as “back up” to your backup.
Need a cheat sheet? Here’s our electronics packing list!
Know your emergency contacts. Email yourself a copy of your emergency contact info where it’s easily accessible. Don’t rely solely on your cell phone contact list.
Bring digital and hard copies of identification cards and papers. It’s good to have a printed copy of your passport information page showing your picture and digitally in your email or a flash drive as well. In addition, other important items to keep copies of are visas, front and back of credit cards and health insurance information.
Learn more about how to keep your passport safe while traveling.
Send someone a copy of your itinerary. It’s always good for a person that’s not traveling with you to be aware of where you’ll be and other relevant info like flight, hotels, and travel dates.
Check-in online. Airlines generally allow passengers to check in online 24 hours in advance, with a cutoff of couple of hours before boarding time. So make sure you’ve checked in well before you’re set to head to the airport. Have your boarding pass, paper or digital version, within easy reach, along with your ID, to save time as you approach the security checkpoint.
Read more tips in our Airport Survival Guide!
Leave early. From traffic that may be heavier than usual and hard-to-find parking spots, to longer lines for security screenings, you’ll ease your stress if you give yourself extra wiggle room in your schedule, whether traveling by train, plane or automobile. Arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
It may get a bit boring if you’re waiting around in an airport but it’s better than stressing out and starting your trip on a bad note.
Double check your baggage. Overhead space will be at a premium during the holiday travel season, especially as people bring gifts for friends and family or return home with gifts they’ve received. So when preparing to pack your bags, it’s crucial to check in advance whether your luggage meets the airline’s size and weight restrictions for checked baggage and carry-ons.
Here’s our airline listing of baggage allowance guidelines for this year.
Save gift wrapping for later. Speaking of gifts, wrapped packages are screened like any other item. So, to allow for an easy transition to the gate, carry your gifts unwrapped through security. Consider packing pre-cut paper and a small roll of tape so you can wrap them after you pass through security or when you reach your destination. Or, better yet, buy wrapping paper upon arrival.
The secret to traveling light is to create a functional but minimalist capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide!
TSA-Approved Accessories Bottles
Keep 3-1-1 in mind. Most airports allows each passenger one quart-size bag of liquids and gels, including toothpaste, gel deodorant, and lotions. Each item must be 3.4 ounces or less. Medication, infant formula and juices for infants or toddlers are exempt from the rule, but keep them separate from the items in your one-quart bag.
How exactly does the 3-1-1 liquids rule work? Find out!
Be prepared to take laptops out and shoes off. These rules don’t always apply but make your life easier and just plan for it. Laptops and tablets usually need to be removed from your luggage and submitted separately for screening. You might also have to place your shoes and belt in the plastic bin that goes through the X-ray screening. While you’re at it, remove any metal jewelry or accessories.
Use packing cubes to help you organize and even compress your belongings to maximize your space.
Label prescription medication. In addition to packing enough prescriptions to last your entire trip, bring extra in case you come home later. Keep your medications in their original labeled containers, then place in a clear plastic bag. You can also carry a smaller pill box to carry in your purse for easy access. Never check your prescription medication.
Keep valid identification at hand. Children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling with a companion, but passengers age 18 and older must show valid ID at the airport security checkpoint. For international trips, make sure your passport has at least six blank pages and will not expire before the end of your trip and for domestic travel, make sure your ID is valid.
What are your top airport travel tips to travel better for the holidays?
For more airport travel tips, please read:
- Top 10 Airplane Essentials
- Bring these on a Plane if You’re Traveling with Kids
- How to Choose a Suitcase
- 75 of the Best Travel Packing Tips
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Empty water bottle.
great article! where is the red suitcase from that is in the featured photo? I am desperate for it!
Hi Mark! The featured photo is actually a stock photo so I’m not sure where it’s from. I’m sorry about that 🙁
Wanted to inquire about travel insurance – do you take travel insurance for trips to Europe and cruises? If so can you lend some recommendations….
Hi there! I did use travel insurance for my round-the-world trip, which ended up being incredibly useful when i got sick on the road. I highly recommend Travel Guard – they were easy to work with and I got $900 in medical expenses refunded after my trip!