Travelling by air is one of the fastest ways to get around. It saves you hours of driving, and you can finish a 1,500-mile trip in three hours instead of almost two days.

The problem is that more than 2.9 million passengers are flown all over the world every day, which means that airports can get very crowded. 

Not being prepared may not only waste unnecessary time but can also cause you to lose your flight. Here are a couple of tips that can save you a lot of time and money during your next trip.

Airport Hacks: 11 Tips That Could Save You Time and Money

Use Digital Check-In and Check-Out

Most of the lost time is caused by the hundreds of people waiting in line to be checked in. This is necessary for you to get your boarding pass. Without it, you will not be able to get on that plane. 

Luckily, we live in the digital era now, and you can easily check yourself in, along with your luggage. All you have to do is go on their website and add your information.

You should receive a digital boarding pass that you can show directly at the terminal. You don’t have to print the pass; just showing it on your phone or tablet should be fine. 

Don’t Wear Jewelry

Depending on the type of jewellery that you are wearing, it might set off the metal detector. If you wear a lot of jewellery, you need to take each piece off and put it in a tray.

Failing to do so will lead to a thorough security check and people becoming impatient. To prevent any lost airport time, you should pack your jewelry separately.

Book Airport Transfers Beforehand

A lot of airport time is lost waiting for a cab, especially if you are leaving the airport. As many people are getting off the plane, they will all be hunting for a taxi, leaving you waiting in a long line.

Cab drivers also know that you desperately need that ride, so they will likely ask for a higher fee than usual.

A good way to save time and money is to book airport transfers beforehand. These rides will wait for you at the airport terminal when you land, saving you the cab hunt.

Plus, they will have lower costs, especially if you book them early. 

Buy Travel-Sized Toiletries

At the airport, you will not be allowed to carry containers that weigh more than 3.4 ounces. This can put a dent in your plan if you want to use a specific type of shampoo or conditioner.

To avoid them going into the trash bin, you should buy travel-sized toiletries. You can buy the containers yourself and simply fill them with the product you need.

Go for Overnight Flights

You might not get the best sleep while travelling, but overnight flights may be less stressful and time-consuming.

Airports don’t get as much traffic during the night, which means that getting past security and reaching the terminal will be a breeze. Book a flight after 10 PM to reach the gates faster.  

Don’t Over-Pack Carry-Ons

The bulkier your carry-on is, the more it will take to get yourself past the security. Many people tend to over-pack their carry-ons with things that should go into the checked-in luggage.

But the more things you have there, the more you will draw attention from the security. It will also be more difficult to roll around the airport.

Check only one laptop or tablet for entertainment purposes and any other electronic equipment you need. Only 5% of the bags get mishandled and lost forever, so you should be safe.

That being said, you should still have one spare change of clothing, just in case. 

Pack an Empty Water Bottle

Many travellers lose a lot of time at the security check simply because they dared to bring a water bottle. They don’t want to waste money on the overly-expensive bottled water at the airport, so they try to bring their own. 

That being said, while there are rules on how much water you can bring, there are no regulations saying you can’t pack an empty container.

Most airports have water fountains where you can fill those bottles, but make sure the drinking water is safe first.

Park at Nearby Hotels

When you drive to the airport, you will likely have to leave your car in the airport parking lot. Not only is that expensive, but you may also waste a lot of time looking for an empty spot.

A cheaper and time-saving alternative is to park at a hotel nearby. Many hotels allow you to park for as little as $5 a day, which is a great deal compared to airports.

Get a Priority Pass

You might think that the price of a priority pass is high at first, but with time, it will pay for itself.

Priority passes give you access to VIP lounges and all the services there, sparing you the need to buy overpriced airport goods. Since you will be a “priority,” you will also be spared the waiting line. 

Before purchasing the priority pass, make sure you check your flight if it is delayed. In case of a longer delay you may be entitled to a flight delay compensation up to 600 Euro.

Don’t Check the Luggage

Indeed, checking your bags can save you a lot of time as you walk around the airport. The problem is that unless you use the digital check-in method, you will be waiting in a lot of lines.

A good way to save time is to not check in any bags and bring a carry-on with your essentials. By doing so, you also reduce the risk of having your bag lost.

Wear Your Luggage

If your luggage is bigger than the standard baggage size, you will be charged a luggage fee. This can be very inconvenient if you have bulky clothing that takes up a lot of baggage space.

A good way to avoid this fee is to wear your luggage. Rather than putting that bulky jacket in your bag, wear it instead. If you are bringing spare shoes, wear your heaviest ones to the airport. 

When you do all the right preparations, you save a lot of time and money on your flight. This will be very good for your nerves as well.

Check with the airport website and learn as much as you can about their protocol. By following our tips, you should also be able to cut your waiting time.