10 Simple Airport Travel Tips
Written by Tony
Traveling through any airport can be a daunting experience, especially with the increased security measures now in place. Here are ten simple tips that we hope will help make your journey more enjoyable:
1) Try to check the status of your flight before leaving home. This can generally be done online but you may have been provided with a freephone telephone number to call for status updates.
2) Be prepared for airport security checks. This means avoid wearing metal (in underwear, as jewelry, belt buckles etc.) Wearing metal will be detected by security scanners and you’ll be required to remove the metal items before being rescanned. Small items of jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces) will not set off the security alarms.
3) Book as much as you can in advance. If you need to use airport parking facilities, book in advance. If you will need car hire at your destination, book in advance. And if you will need hotel accommodation either before your flight or at your destination, always book in advance. You’ll get the best prices and avoid disappointment.
4) Always arrive early. Gone are the days when you could turn up at the airport just 15 minutes before your flight. These days you need to arrive early. For domestic flights within the UK you will need to arrive at least one hour before your flight. For flights to European destinations two hours is generally enough time and for inter-continental flights you will need to arrive at least three hours before your flight. Always check the arrival requirements with your airline and don’t be late.
5) Pack sensibly. Don’t pack anything dangerous (fireworks, drugs, knives). Always refer to the detailed instructions provided by your airline regarding items that are permissible in your luggage and hand luggage.
6) Print your boarding pass in advance. Many airlines today allow you to check in and print your boarding pass in advance, online. This will potentially save considerable time at the airport so make sure you do this before leaving home.
7) Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Never wear overly tight clothing, high heels or tight-fitting shoes. You need to be comfortable on your flight and your feet are likely to swell so be sure to wear comfortable attire.
8 ) Eat before leaving home. Airport food can be expensive so save some money by eating properly before leaving home. You may also like to find out what will be served on your flight and, if necessary, bring your own snacks.
9) Remove any undeveloped film from your luggage. Make certain to remove any undeveloped film (with a speed of 800 or higher) from your baggage for hand checking. All other film and digital cameras are safe to pass through the x-ray machine.
10) Insure your gadgets. These days many of us travel with several valuable electronic gadgets. Mobile phones, laptops, PDAs and iPods are common. As well as travel insurance it is a good idea that you get yourself some gadget insurance cover for these valuable items. Its also a good idea to backup all of your valuable contact details and data before leaving home, just in case the worst should happen.
Hopefully these suggestions will help you to have a safe, successful and enjoyable trip.
Tags: airport, airport security, Travel Advice, Travel Tips
