Posted on Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Airports are exciting, buzzing places - gateways to long summer holidays, fun city breaks, and romantic escapes. But airports can also be stressful places where waiting is the name of the game: waiting to be checked in, waiting to go through security, waiting for your bags to appear on the reclaim conveyor belt. But there are a number of ways to speed up the process. Read our tips on a swift and low-stress airport experience.

1. Only take hand luggage.

Bringing a large suitcase will mean a longer wait at the check-in desk. You'll also have to wait at the baggage reclaim for it once you arrive at your destination. If you can make do with only hand luggage, it will also make transfers and boarding taxis/buses much quicker and easier.

2. Check-in online.

This can be a great help if you don't have checked luggage. You can simply proceed directly to security.

3. Empty your pockets.

Make sure all coins and other metal items are in your handbag/hand luggage before you approach security. And don't forget your belt. This is likely to save you time and fuss. 

4. Take a pen.

If you have to fill out visa-on-arrival forms or customs declarations, having a pen in your hand luggage could save a lot of time. Those pens tied to desks can get rather over-subscribed - and often run out of ink. If you get the opportunity, fill out any forms while still in the air.

5. Understand entry requirements for your destination.

In some countries outside the EU you may need a photo or a certain amount of money in a particular currency in order to receive an entry visa. Also make sure you have six months' validity on your passport.

6. Take clear plastic bags for liquids.

Having a few of these with you will save time. They are usually available before security either free or for a small fee. Also make sure all your liquids are in containers of less than 100ml, or they will very likely be confiscated.

7. Weigh your bags before you reach check-in.

This way, if you discover one of your bags is over-weight, you can shuffle items around different bags and avoid any extra fees.

8. Understand how to get out of the airport and to your next destination.

While winging it can seem adventurous, the reality of traipsing around an airport in search of a train/bus/taxi is rather less glamorous. And if you're on a budget, you should definitely know the cheapest way to leave the airport before you arrive, or you may well fall victim to a taxi driver offering an over-inflated fare.

9. Download helpful apps.

There are an array of apps available to help expedite your journey. Many airlines have apps available that will keep you updated with your flight's status. It's also a good idea to download maps of the airport and further destinations. Maps.me offers free offline maps so you don't even need an Internet connection to view them.

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