Get the insider tips on travelling thru airports. Simple tips that can save you time and money. Learn how to save money, speed up your process of checkin and security. Tips from a seasoned traveller

1. LESS STRESS IN THE AIRPORT
Travelling through airports with less stress
Let´s face it, travelling can be really, really stressful. The stress starts with the airport. This
short report will give you some tips on how to minimise stress when travelling
Why listen to me?
Good question and I am glad you asked!! In the line of work I do I have gotten to travel all
around Europe and parts of South America. I´ve seen big airports, small airports, the scams,
the upgrades, the downgrades, the restaurants and more… This is my collection of tips to help
you get the best of your travel starting with your time in the airport! I have some extra special
tips for you at the end….
The Tips
1

2. 1. Check in Online – this is the first most important thing you can do. See if the airline
company that you are flying with allow you to do an online check in. So many people
don´t realise that they can check in online, both on the outbound and the return journey.
This can save you so much time. Even better if you only have hand luggage. You can
literally arrive at the airport and go straight through security. Top tip sometimes you can
select your seats for free when you check in online
2. Plan your route – plan how you are going to get to the airport. Most major airports have
airport busses that will leave from the centre of town and drop you to the airport. They
are usually quicker than trains, and less expensive than taxis. However always check to
see if they leave you at the right terminal or if you need to a feeder bus or train.
3. Know where you are going – the internet is your friend! Know what terminal you are going
to and how to get there, where do you check in, where do you leave luggage etc
4. Don´t get robbed! - the fact is that airports are notorious for robbing you blind when it
comes to buying food or snacks in the airport. Therefore plan ahead and pack your own
snacks. In most airports nothing will be said if you bring a salad or sandwich thru
security. Remember bottles of drinks etc are now allowed
2
5. Don´t get scammed – airports are a great place for scammers. People who will try to con
you out of money. Here´s a great one. A guy in Barcelona airport who hangs around and
listens for English speakers. He ask for money to get to Girona airport, saying his friend
booked him a flight but the bus left him in the wrong airport. He has one hour to get to
the airport and needs just 2 euro for a taxi. Yeah he got me, he did not fool my girlfriend,
and then the following week asked her again. When she said do you not remember me he
just walked off! There are at least 4 of these scammers working Barcelona airport
6. Bag drops – remember there are usually two queues – one for check in and one for bag
drop. If you have done your online check in you will only have to drop your bag. So
remember to select the right queue
7. Getting ready for security – security can be stressful. I´ve lost and forgetten items when
going thru security, so here´s my tips. Remove all your belts, watches, coins, and
anything else you have in your pockets and place them in your hand luggage – that way
you won´t forget anything. Once you have shown your boarding card, place it safely in
your hand luggage. I have seen so many people leave passports and boarding cards in the
plastic trays. Remember to take out your cosmetics, laptops and iPads etc. Be nice and
smile to the people doing security. They have the power to really mess you around if they
2

3. want!!!
8. Check, check and check again – before leaving the security area make sure you have
everything taken out of the trays. It´s easy with all the stress to leave something behind.
I´ve done it too often
9. Check the departure gate – normally the departure gate will not be displayed until an
hour or hour and half before departure. But make sure you know what gate you are going
to. On some rare occasion departure gates can change so always keep an eye on the
screens
10. Stand up and be counted! – if you are travelling with a budget airline and you are
concerned about where you will be sitting make sure that you start to queue early. Most
budget airlines don´t allow you to book a seat so it´s first come first served.
11. Be careful with your bags – two points here. Be careful about leaving your bags
unattended for obvious reasons. But the second point is if you have over packed your bag
or try to get on the plane with more than one bag, many airlines will charge you extra.
Budget airlines are notorious for this. In fact it is said that the ground staff get a
commission for every bag they find that is over the size.
12. If your bag is oversized – take stuff out, if it´s clothes wear them. Ok you make look
ridiculous with for tshirts on and a pair of trousers over your shorts, but if it saves you XX
amount of euro or dollars it´s worth it.
13. Use the toilet before boarding – seriously, between boarding the plane, take off and being
able to use the toilet (if it´s free) could be one hour! So use the toilet in the airport before
boarding
14. Keep your boarding pass – some airlines (mainly the budget ones) ask for your boarding
pass before you actually get into the cabin, so make sure you have it handy.
15. Sit back and relax – you´re on the plane and now it´s time to relax and take it easy! The
stress of the airport is nearly behind you….
16. Collecting your bag – ok so you´ve relaxed now the second part of your airport experience
starts….. time to find the way to the baggage area. Make sure you check the screens.
When the bags come out make sure you collect the right bag. I´ve seen lots of the same
3

4. bag (usually if a store has a special on you will see this). Make sure you pick up your bag
correctly.
17. Getting from the airport – when you arrive in a new country you will stand out a mile.
Looking around not knowing where you are going. The first thing you must do is make
sure you go to the information desk and ask for information regarding travelling to your
destination. I remember I was advised about this when I went to Colombia in South
America. The taxi drivers are everywhere, however you need to book the taxi in arrivals,
and you will get a fixed price, otherwise who knows where you will end up and at what
price….
So that´s the top tips I can give you but here are two more special ones….
Internet Everywhere
If you have a smartphone or tablet a really useful thing to be able to have is the internet! If
you´re stuck in an airport or around a major city, the internet can be expensive. So imagine
being able to get unlimited internet access for under $7 a month? Check out Boingo for more
information – it´s been my life saver!
Get upgrades….
Did you know that it is possible to get upgrades when you fly, if you know how to work the
check in desk staff? Imagine getting business class for basically no extra charge! Interested?
Bet you are, if so check out http://tiny.cc/businessclass
4
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)