Whether you travel for business of pleasure, the airport is something that you simply can’t get away from. Airplane travel is so much quicker than getting a train or even driving (especially if you are traveling interstate), yet it can be a major stress ahead of what would otherwise be a perfectly lovely trip. Here are some tips to get you through the airport experience in a much more relaxed, much more stress-free way.

Weekdays are Better

Flying during the week is better than the weekend for many different reasons. Firstly, it’s a lot less busy in the airport since most people opt for weekend travel, especially if they are going on vacation – they can take fewer days off work that way. As well as the crowds (or lack of them), weekdays will often be cheaper than weekends. So, if you want to save money and you don’t want to face a milling throng of thousands of people all trying to get to the same areas of the airport as you, pick a weekday if possible. Days are important, but times are also relevant to a better airport experience; if you travel between 11am and 4pm, it will be quieter still.

Travel to the Airport

Driving to the airport can often be more convenient than taking a bus or train since you’ll have your luggage with you. It can, however, be somewhat stressful when you get to the parking lot and discover that there are no spaces, or that it is much further away from the terminal than you thought, causing you to rush; it can also be expensive. By pre-booking your travel to and from the airport, you can plan your schedule and manage your timings effectively, and reduce the risk of being late for your flight, or spending extra time at the airport. Another good idea is to pre-book a car to pick you up once you land at your destination. This will save you the worry of finding a cab (and making sure you’ve got the funds for it), or taking public transport in a place you don’t know. Click for More information if booking a limousine sounds like a good idea to you.

Check in Can be Quick

Airport check in is the part of the process that seems to take an age; queuing up, handing over documents, answering questions, finally being handed a boarding pass, hauling your bag onto the belt and waving it goodbye as you breathe a sigh of relief that that’s all over. It can be made much quicker, however, if you check in online before you even get to the airport. Modern technology has made this part of the airport experience a lot less stressful and time consuming than it was before, so make the most of it. Check in online and print your own boarding passes. All you will need to do when you get to the airport is drop your luggage off at the designated area and you’re done. That gives you much more time to go and have a cup of coffee or even a meal so that you’re totally ready for the flight ahead. Your vacation can begin a lot more quickly, and your business trip will be off to a good start.

Hand Luggage Only

If you really want to be speed and hassle-free through the airport, opt for hand luggage only if possible. This is ideal for anyone on a short business trip – just pack your nightclothes and underwear in your hand luggage, as well as your toiletry bag, and you won’t have to check anything in. Of course, for a longer vacation it isn’t very practical, but a good tip is to make sure you’ve got a spare change of clothes and at least a toothbrush and toothpaste in your hand luggage anyway – if your suitcase goes missing, you’ll appreciate having them with you.

The Security Issue

After check in, the biggest issue for many people at an airport is security. Although necessary, it can take a huge amount of time to get through it, and if it is taking longer than anticipated, you might start to worry that you’ll miss your flight – never a good feeling. The best way to reduce the time it takes to get through security is to make sure in advance that your hand luggage complies exactly with the regulations. You’ll find them online, or in the booking information that you’re sent after you’ve paid for your plane tickets. Check and double check before you leave home that there is nothing in your bag that is disallowed, and that you’re using clear bags where necessary, and you should move through quickly.

The Lounge

If you’re going to have a long wait at the airport – possibly because you’ve arrived in plenty of time to get through check in and security – you may wish to consider booking yourself into an executive lounge. You’ll need to do this in advance, and it will cost you money, but it’s a great way to truly relax before boarding. You’ll be far away from the crowds, and you’ll have access to the internet, drinks, food, even newspapers. The chairs will be more comfortable than those in the departure area, and you’ll have your own space, which can be worth every penny if lots of people make you anxious.

Boarding and Disembarking

Although you may think it’s just a case of getting on and off a plane, there are a couple of tips to think about if you want to make the experience an easy, pleasant one. Firstly, board last. Why? It’s because you’ll spend less time on the plane, less time in your seat waiting to take off, if you get on the plane last. Unless you’re in business or first class, plane seats can feel cramped, so the less time spent in one the better. Secondly, everyone will already have settled down by the time you reach your seat, giving you more space to stow your luggage and sit down. When it comes to leaving the plane, disembark first if you can. You may need to pay an additional fee to be seated close to the front, but by getting off the plane first, you’ll be at the front of the queue at immigration and passport control, and you can get a good spot at the luggage carousel.