The summer season is one of the busiest at the airport. Many people go on holiday en masse, which means long lines and long waiting times. Smart planning and preparation is needed to get your vacation off to an easy start, without the stress associated with airport crowds and security checks. Here are eight tips to make traveling easier in the summer:
Check in online. Airlines generally allow passengers to check in online 24 hours in advance. Checking in before you go to the airport will save you time. Make sure you have a digital (and paper) version of your boarding pass ready so you have a backup ready on a handy mobile device.
Leave home early. From traffic that may be busier than usual and hard-to-find parking spaces, to security queues and baggage drop-offs, having extra wiggle room in your schedule will calm you down.
Double check your luggage. The hand luggage space is full during the holiday season. So when preparing to pack bags, it is ideal to check in advance that the luggage meets the airline's dimensions and weight restrictions for checked and carry-on luggage. After all, you don't want to pay extra to take your stuff with you.
Get smarter with essentials. Carrying a few essentials in your carry-on, such as a bathing suit and a piece of clothing, will help if your luggage is delayed, as you can still go for a swim or change your clothes on arrival.
Remember the hand luggage rules. You can take all liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes with you in your hand luggage, if they are in containers of a maximum of 100 ml. Put these liquids in a resealable, transparent 1 liter bag. You can take one bag per person. You put the rest in a suitcase that you check in.
Bon Jour. Konichiwa. Shalom. Learning a few words in the native language of the destination country will relieve stress. A simple hello or thank you in the native language can make people more friendly. If there is no time to learn a few words before leaving home, you can download a translation app on your mobile phone.
Have valid identification ready. You must always have a valid ID at the airport security checkpoint. Since most IDs have an expiration date, make sure it doesn't expire before your return trip home. It's a good idea to have color photocopies and digital copies of all important identification documents, including your passport, boarding passes, front and back sides of bank and credit cards, and health insurance information. Be sure to pack all paper copies in a separate location for extra security. Also, don't forget to check the expiration date in your passport. If it expires within six months, you may not be able to enter most countries.
Keep your travel company's phone number to hand. Put the e-mail and telephone number of your travel organization in your mobile phone. You never know when you need it.
