Traveling is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Whether you go it alone, with a friend, or with a whole herd of friends, seeing the world is always an incredible experience. Airports, however, are another story. They're large, crowded, and an absolute germ-fest. But there are a few tricks for surviving the airport milieu, so before the chaos of holiday traveling, here are the best tricks I've found.
1. Get there early.
Most people know this one, but there's always that one person who doesn't want to show up until 45 minutes before the flight, and then complains when they miss it. If you have to check in, drop off luggage, get through security, and hike to your gate, spending a few minutes catching your breath before getting on the plane will be worth it. Plus it leaves time for coffee.
2. Wear shoes that you can take on and off quickly.
I don't particularly care if your shoes are comfortable. If you want to strut through the airport in 5-inch heels, then by all means go for it. But for the love of all things holy, please don't wear over-the-knee lace-up boots. Chances are you're going to have to take them off at security, and if you're the person holding up the entire line, then you definitely aren't making any friends.
3. Bring an external charger.
There are no outlets in airports. Ever. I have yet to find any airport with enough outlets, and if there happens to be one, it will be like Black Friday at Target trying to get it. So please, save yourself some stress and bring an external charger. There's nothing like getting to your destination and then not being able to use your phone as a GPS.
4. Have your boarding pass handy.
Whether it's on your phone or printed out, always have it in your hand or within reach. You'll need it to check in, to get through security, and sometimes just to buy a coffee. Like having complicated shoes at security, no one likes the person at the front of the Starbucks line who is desperately digging through their backpack.
5. Always go to the left-hand lines.
This might not necessarily always work, but in my case it has. Most people have the tendency to veer right, so going to the lefthand lines will typically get you through security faster. And who doesn't like getting to the Starbucks faster?
6. Take an empty water bottle.
Everything in airports is overpriced, and while sometimes that coffee is necessary, you don't want to spend more than you have to. They won't let you take liquids through security, but an empty water bottle to fill up on the other side is always worth it.
7. Take a picture of your parking spot.
Airport parking garages are the WORST. There's never enough signage, they're incredibly expensive, and always full. But if you have to park in one, make sure to snap a pic of the floor and aisle. Trust me, I have spent way too much time wandering around parking decks trying to find my car, and it's not the most fun way to end your vacation.
I love traveling, and I don't completely hate airports, but let's face it: traveling could be a lot easier. Airports are crowded, you're stuck in one place for a long time, and all you want is to get to your destination. But with a little preparation and a lot of patience, it'll be worth it.
