Airports can be stressful and time-consuming but with three simple tips travellers can breeze through. Seasoned travellers at Wanderlust Storytellers have revealed their top tips for cutting down on costs and skipping the queues. Even for regular flyers, there’s always something else you can do to allow for a more seamless experience.
Booking a holiday is already an expensive cost, so saving where you can will mean you’re left with a manageable amount of money to enjoy your trip with rather than splashing the cash where you could save. From making use of online airline processes to adjusting your packing, small changes could lead to huge benefits before boarding.
Check in online 24 hours before your flight to secure better seat options and avoid long check-in queues. Most airlines allow mobile boarding passes, which you should screenshot in case of connectivity issues.
Some airlines also offer a “twilight” check-in service which allows passengers to drop their bags off at the airport the night before they fly. This means that when they arrive to the airport, all they need to do is go straight to security for departures instead of heading to the check-in desks.
Once going through security, this can easily be filled up for free at a water fountain. Many airports now have filtered water stations, saving you money and reducing plastic waste, says Wanderlust Storytellers.
For anything you do need to buy at the airport, most airlines will allow passengers to take a shopping bag alongside hand luggage, so stocking up on essentials before you board can help you spend less while on the plane where costs can be expensive.
Place all electronics and liquids in easily accessible outer compartments of your carry-on for quick removal at security checkpoints. Budget airlines often have very strict rules about luggage and tourists will need to make sure their case fits inside the dimensions.
Jamie Fraser, travel expert at Wild Packs, says common luggage habits can quickly cause bottlenecks in the narrow aircraft aisle. He said: “Many passengers don’t realise how small actions with their bags can slow down boarding for everyone. Plane aisles are tight spaces, so when someone stops suddenly or struggles with luggage, it can delay hundreds of passengers behind them.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
