Top 3 Airport Hacks: What you need to know

If you are checking your luggage, take a photo of your bag exactly how you checked it. You want to do this because if the airline happens to lose your luggage, this can make it easier for them to locate it. Yes you’ll have a tag for your checked luggage but it’s so much easier for them to be looking for a bag that is at the airport when they know exactly what it looks like. Keep this photo on your phone to be able to show the airline quickly and they’ll hopefully it a lot faster. 

Airport Hack #2

Confirm where your luggage is going to

If you don’t have a direct flight, you want to confirm with the agent if your luggage is going to go all the way through to your destination or not. Sometimes it doesn’t. Depending on the tickets you buy and if you are flying on different airlines it may not be possible for them to check the bags all the way through to your end destination. Double check to ensure that it is going directly to your destination and that the tag put on the luggage is correct (we all make mistakes). The last thing you want to do between your flights is to go and pick up your luggage, recheck it in. If you are booking tickets this way, you want to make sure you have enough time to retrieve your luggage, and check it in at the next airline counter. It can be a very stressful way to save money on your flights.

Airport Hack #3

Wash your hands after security

Once you and your carry-on bags go through security head to the bathroom and wash your hands. You know those tubs that you, and everyone else in the whole airport, put all of their stuff in to get scanned, are the dirtiest thing you will touch in the airport. So b-line it once you have all your luggage to the bathroom and wash those hands. You don’t know what’s on those tubs, and you don’t really want to, plus with Covid-19 going on all over the world you just want to get sanitized so you don’t get sick on your trip.

Airport Hack Bonus

Don’t be in a rush to leave the airport at your destination

When you arrive at your destination and collect your luggage, everyone seems to be in such a rush to get out of the airport. I personally like to take my time so I can give myself some breathing room. Take a deep breath and release any fears and stress before you go out into the new city. Plus there are a few things that can be accomplished prior to leaving the airport. 

1. The first thing is to check to see if they have a tourism kiosk or tourism center and go there. Pick up your free city maps, get any information you want and you can also usually buy tickets for transit here as well as for attractions that you’re planning on going to. When you can get these sorted out before you leave the airport it will save you time and stress on your trip. 

2. Next I like to get a sim card for my phone. If I’m going to be purchasing one for my trip, I’ll likely purchase it at the airport. You will read on many blogs that you shouldn’t get your sim cards here as it does usually cost more money when buying it at the airport or the train station versus getting it in the city. 
   
   My reasoning behind paying the extra money is that it relieves so much more stress because you’re not having to find a place in the city to get a sim card as well as having someone to set up in your phone. If you are very tech savvy and comfortable waiting till you are in the city to look for one, definitely do that, but to save time and have data on your phone immediately get it done at the airport. 

3. Lastly, sit back and take a breather. Decide, if you haven’t already, how you’re going to get to your accommodation. Figure out if you’ll get a taxi, if you can get an Uber or take public transportation. Again, if you’re going to be taking public transportation or even a taxi, go to the tourism office and get some information. Ask them how to get to where you’re going and how much they think it should be if taking a taxi. 

When you are taking your next trip, keep these airport hacks in mind so you can have a stress free trip and have an amazing time.