If you’re taking a trip somewhere, there’s a decent chance you may be flying into an airport you’re unfamiliar with. Even if you’re flying out of an airport you’ve used dozens of times, the experience can be tricky and somewhat volatile. There are a plethora of things that can be out of the control of the traveler. As such, you’ll want to account for these potential pitfalls as best as possible. This three-pronged breakdown will offer tips to mitigate the issues one may face at an airport. As you follow these suggestions, you’ll learn that the airport process can be as stress-free as humanly possible.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
First things first…give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and navigate your surroundings. There’s not a worse feeling in the world than having to sprint through a busy terminal with luggage to catch your flight with mere minutes to spare. This problem becomes further complicated if you have no idea where you’re going. Why put yourself through that nightmare when you can leisurely get to the airport and find your bearings?
Some hate waiting at the gate for a flight. With the modern conveniences in the form of phones and tablets, you’ll surely be entertained! Grab a book if you want to unplug from your electronics! If you’re at an airport for the first time, get there early so you can account for potentially getting lost — or sitting down to eat at a local restaurant in the terminal you won’t have back home.
Familiarize Yourself With The Map
This point has to do with research. Help yourself out by researching the airport’s map before arrival. This is particularly significant when mapping out where you’ll get dropped off. Walking long distances dragging your luggage amidst airport traffic on the street is no picnic (especially during summer months). Research exactly which terminal makes the most sense for your drop-off. From there, once zeroing in on your desired location, analyze the airport terminal map and see what options you have. You may realize that there’s not enough of a food selection to warrant eating before your flight. As such, plan accordingly and bring snacks.
Or, the opposite could hold — where you decide to eat at the food court and not bring extra unnecessary items. There might be some gift shops worth purchasing fun items from. As such, be sure to keep some extra space available in your carry-on.
Ask For Help
This one is self-explanatory. If you’re unsure of something, ask for help. You may feel overwhelmed if in an airport where English isn’t the first language. However, for the most part, there will be signs in every major airport featuring English. There are also information kiosks to help travelers, and you can normally identify those working at the airport by some sort of uniform or fluorescent vest. If you’re too bashful to ask an attendant for help, asking a fellow traveler isn’t the worst idea, either.
