Traveling can be stressful because you are completely out of an environment that you can control. And how you start your vacation can have a big impact on the rest of your time. Fortunately, you can reduce holiday hassle by getting it right at the airport before leaving.
Prepare Your Vehicle Parking in Advance
Parking issues are common and something we can all do without, especially at airports. The sheer scale of an airport means you can be driving around for a not-insignificant amount of time before finding a spot. What is the best solution? Arrange your parking beforehand. Most airports offer reservations, at a cost, of course. But you can also use a reputable airport offsite parking company. These usually offer extra services, and your car will be better than when you left it.
Reduce Holiday Hassle with Real-Time Flight Info
Flights change all the time, and most problems can’t be predicted ahead of time. And these things lead to delays and canceled flights. Most airways let you check the status of your flight online, so you can find out ahead of time if it is going to be late or canceled. But you can also track your flight by downloading apps like Flight Aware. And if something changes, these will let you know. You can also find the best places to eat, shop, and use the bathroom with apps.
Pack Some Snacks to Avoid Expenses
Your trip costs a lot by itself, and the markup on food at airports is like a heist. But if you bring your own food, you can save a lot of money. In most airports, this is not against the rules. As long as the food doesn’t cost too much. Most things are fine, like sandwiches, breakfast bars, and candy. But you might not want last night’s chicken curry. If you aren’t sure, you can look up your airport on Google to find out what they allow or what facilities they have.
Familiarize Yourself with Common Regulations
There are many rules, regulations, and laws when it comes to international travel. There are too many to list here. But here are some of the ones that can surprise you and catch you off-guard:
- Liquids aren’t allowed through most security checkpoints.
- Give yourself at least two hours before boarding time.
- Don’t overpack your carry-on luggage, or you will be charged.
- Be aware of what you must declare at your arrival destination.
- Bring a facemask and hygiene products such as hand sanitizer.
There are many travel tools you can take when flying. But it goes without saying that things like guns, ammo, and safety razors aren’t allowed onboard an aircraft for obvious reasons.
Check-In for Your Flight ASAP
No one likes having to wait in lines. So, make sure to check in online 24 hours before your flight, so you aren’t required to wait in line at the airport. This can also be a great way to get a good reserved seat if you weren’t able to choose your seat when you bought your ticket. Some low-cost airlines will charge you a fee if you check in with a third-party agent. This is another reason to sign in for your flight before you get to the airport. Don’t give them what they want.
Research Layovers to Reduce Holiday Hassle
You might know your home airport well. But you might not know what a layover terminal or a destination terminal is. If you’ve never traveled out of a certain airport before, it might be hard to figure out where you are since some are so big. Before you leave, you can look at the airport maps to find out what services are in each terminal. By doing this ahead of time, you’ll save time when you need to find where you can eat food, purchase bathroom supplies, or use the toilets.
Don’t Forget About Your Phone
In the world we live in now, we want our technology to always be charged and ready to use. You may also depend on your phone when you travel, like most people do these days. You forgot about the battery before you left, though. Nightmare! With a portable battery charger, you can keep your cell phone and other electronics from running out of power. This means you no longer have to look for an (unsecured USB) outlet if your phone’s battery is about to die at the airport.
Summary
Getting away for a while after working hard is a God-given right. But you can reduce the holiday hassle of being out of your comfort zone. You can reduce stress by booking your parking space early, understanding the standard rules of airports, and packing a portable phone charger.