Home LivingTravelHow to avoid airport chaos: 5 tips from an expert travel writerFlying can be an extremely stressful affair, even before you’ve boarded the plane. These tips will help you prepare for take-off while remaining groundedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingTravelHow to avoid airport chaos: 5 tips from an expert travel writerFlying can be an extremely stressful affair, even before you’ve boarded the plane. These tips will help you prepare for take-off while remaining groundedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Flying can be an extremely stressful affair, even before you’ve boarded the plane. These tips will help you prepare for take-off while remaining grounded
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty)
Let’s face it – if you’re heading abroad this year, your holiday is highly likely to start with the challenge of battling your way through an airport, before clinging desperately to the hope that yourluggagewill make it to the destination it’s destined for. In short? Airports are stressful places right now, which is why I’ve come to the rescue with a guide to alleviating airport-relating stress.
Still looking for the right destination? There’s some handy inspiration in the form of thesesurprisingly cheap all-inclusives.
(Image credit: Heathrow)
(Image credit: Heathrow)
1. Seek sanctuary in a lounge
Nothing takes the shine off bagging a bargain flight quicker than the realisation you’ve just spend £10 on a bottle of water and a chocolate bar. At a time when more of us are opting to arrive at airports earlier than usual due to recent chaotic scenes, it’s easier than ever to fritter away your hard-earned cash at airports, which is where lounges come in.
Flying economy, or with an airline which doesn’t have lounges? Not a problem – book a visit to one of the growing numbers of pay-to play lounges, such as Priority Pass lounges (prioritypass.com). There are 1,300 Priority Pass lounges around the world, and annual membership fees start from just £69. These types of lounges typically offer a wide range of food and drink (although alcohol often costs extra), and they’ve been designed with boredom busting in mind – most have an abundance of power points, dedicated quiet spaces and television rooms which screen everything from sports matches to films.
2. Embrace fast track
Ever watched a fellow passenger cruise through the fast track security lane and experienced a pang of jealousy? Don’t assume they’re enjoying this perk because they’re flying first-class or are a VIP – most airports, including most major ones in the UK, will allow guests to use this lane for a small fee.
For example, if you’re flying out of Gatwick airport, for just £5 you’ll be able to access the fast track security lane – simply book your slot (gatwickairport.com) at least two hours before you fly, or opt to pay at check-in and pay the slightly higher fee of £6.
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3. Opt for valet parking
When operated correctly, valet schemes can save you huge amounts of time as well as cash. Prices vary hugely, so be prepared to shop around. At the luxury end, you’ve got services such as Heathrow’s official valet parking (heathrowparking.com), which will cost you £117.50 per day. You won’t have to worry about remembering where you parked your car, and you can add extras such as internal and external car washes.
Then there are services such as Purple Parking (purpleparking.com), which charges as little as £5.95 a day, and provides its services at most UK airports. There are a wide range of options to choose from – at Gatwick for example, Purple Parking has car parks at both terminals, and it’s possible to opt for add-ons such as meet-and-greet packages.
(Image credit: Samsonite)
(Image credit: Samsonite)
4. Go cabin luggage only
When it comes to baggage, if you can travel with just a carry-on case, do it. With luggage taking longer to get from the aircraft to the airport than ever before (or worse, not making it at all), you’ll save both time and cash. Trust me – this one could transform your life, although mastering the cabin baggage-only approach admittedly takes a little skill. The benefits, however are endless.
Almost all airlines now charge for checked baggage, so you’ll not only save time due to cutting out the baggage drop process but money, too. Our tips? Invest in a decent set of compression cubes – fabric pouches with double zips which compress the contents as they’re zipped up. Make use of internal spaces such as the insides of trainers, travel flasks and spectacle cases.
Worried about keeping your weight down? These days, hard shell cases are often the lightest, thanks to the use of composite, space-age materials chosen for their lightweight construction. I’m particularly smitten withSamsonite’s C-Lite suitcases, which weigh just 1.9kg and are made of an extremely light (but incredibly tough) type of polypropylene. The C-Lite’s internal compression straps help you make the most of your space, too. We’ve got a full selection in ourbest carry-on luggageguide if you’re looking for more price options.
(Image credit: Chipolo)
(Image credit: Chipolo)
5. Be prepared
I get it – travelling with just cabin baggage isn’t for everyone, but (now more than ever) it’s important to be prepared for the dreaded lost luggage scenario. Nothing’s worse than spending the first day of your holiday trawling a local shopping centre for underwear or scrambling to find the nearest pharmacy so you can replace toiletries which have somehow ended up in Mumbai instead of Mallorca. Always stash some essentials – underwear, toiletries and any medication – in your carry-on.
For extra peace of mind, place your own tracking device in your case. I’m a huge fan ofChipolo trackers, but my favourite trackers areApple AirTags. If the worst happens, you’ll be able to use the AirTags’ Find My app to see the location of your case – and yes, possibly learn that although you arrived safe and sound in Sydney, your worldly positions never left Heathrow.
Today’s best travel dealsApple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all pricesChipolo One$25ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best travel dealsApple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all pricesChipolo One$25ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best travel dealsApple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all pricesChipolo One$25ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best travel deals
Apple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all pricesChipolo One$25ViewSee all prices
Apple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all prices
Apple Apple AirTag Loop$12.44ViewSee all prices
Apple Apple AirTag Loop
Apple Apple AirTag Loop
$12.44View
$12.44
$12.44
See all prices
Chipolo One$25ViewSee all prices
Chipolo One$25ViewSee all prices
Chipolo One
Chipolo One
$25View
$25
$25
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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