21 Airport Hacks I Learned from Pro Travelers

Air travel can be both exciting and daunting.

While it opens up a world of opportunities, it also comes with its own set of challenges.

From long security lines to crowded airports and flight cancelations, air travel can be stressful. However, with a few simple airport hacks, you can make your journey smoother, more efficient, and even more enjoyable.

Here are my favorite airport hacks that I’ve learned from pro travelers that can help you save time, money, and hassle on your next trip.

What Are The Best Airport Hacks?

1. Ask Locals How Early to Arrive at the Airport

If I’m departing from a new airport, I always ask locals (hotel reception workers, someone at a restaurant) how early they recommend arriving at the airport.

The amount of time it takes to go through airport security varies greatly from airport to airport. At JFK you might need 3 hours, while in Helsinki 1,5 hours may be enough.

So in order to make the best use of your time, ask a local what they recommend.

2. Check-in Online

The majority of airlines offer online check-in, which can significantly speed up your time in the airport. Instead of having to wait in line at the ticket counter, you can go directly to baggage drop-off.

3. Add Your Boarding Pass to Your Digital Wallet

Many airlines allow you to save your boarding pass directly to your digital wallet on your phone. This can be incredibly useful if you’re like me and don’t always have access to a printer to print your boarding pass.

Just be sure to add it to your digital wallet before you leave for the airport, so you can have easy access to it when you arrive.

4. Use Your Credit Card for Lounge Access

Airport lounges are great respites from the chaos of the airport. They offer comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, and wi-fi in a more calm and elevated atmosphere.

Many of these lounges require a membership, which can often be expensive.

However, many premium credit cards, offer lounge access and you may be able to enter without having to pay extra. Check your credit card’s benefits to see if this applies to you.

If you don’t have a credit card with lounge access yet, here are some great cards to look into.

5. Weigh Your Bag At Home

In terms of pre-flight airport hacks, this is number one. Always weigh your bag before you get to the airport.

There’s nothing worse than being notified at the check-in desk that you have to pay $100+ for your extra 5 kilos over the weight limit.

One of my favorite travel accessories is a small, portable scale you can use to quickly weigh your bag on the go. It’s saved me a lot of money and headache over the years.

6. Bring an Empty Water Bottle

Hydration is key to staying in a good mood while traveling! This is why I always bring an empty water bottle with me to the airport.

Many airports have water bottle filling stations at the gates, so you can save money by bringing an empty one.

This is especially important for long flights. I usually fill up my bottle at the gate and sip on it in addition to any drinks offered during the flight to stay hydrated.

7. Keep Your Laptop Within Easy Access

Keeping your laptop easily accessible while traveling is important for a number of reasons.

First, you’re definitely going to have to remove it from your bag when you’re going through security. And you don’t want to be the one holding up the security line. Easy access helps speed up the travel for you and everyone else.

Additionally, you never know what info you may need to pull up or reference during your travels. On a recent early morning flight, I was asked at check-in for a vacation document I didn’t have printed out. I was so glad I had my computer nearby and could pull up the digital copy.

8. Use Packing Cubes in Your Carry On Bag

Packing cubes are a great packing hack for keeping your bag organized, especially when going through the security line.

These fabric cubes come in various sizes and are made to fit into your carry-on (or checked) bag. They can help you separate items like toiletries, clothing, electronics, etc.

If you use packing cubes, when you’re asked to pull out certain items for the security check – you’ll know exactly where they are!

And, as a bonus, it makes me feel like one of the savvy travelers. An ego boost never hurt.

9. Bring Extra Zip-Lock Bags

Whether you choose to use packing cubes or not, always bring a few extra zip-lock bags!

These are great for storing liquids, keeping items dry in case of water spills, and generally helping to keep your bag neat.

No matter how organized you may be while packing – having a few extra zip-lock bags on hand can really come in handy.

You can also use zip locks to safeguard large items like shampoos in your checked luggage.

10. As for a Window/Asile Seat

If for some reason during online check-in, you got stuck with a middle seat, don’t give up just yet.

It’s always worth asking if you can switch to an aisle or window seat when you get to the airport.

Who to ask? Your first point of contact will be the staff at the airport check-in/baggage drop-off counter. Ask them if they could move you to an aisle or window seat.

You can also as the gate agents once you get through airport security. Sometimes they release holds on better seats just a few minutes before the flight, so this can be a great time to ask.

11. Pack Snacks

The only thing worse than having a headache because you are dehydrated is being hangry (hungry + angry).

A few years ago I made it a rule to ALWAYS pack snacks, and I never regret it. It’s also a welcomed surprise to anyone who’s traveling with me.

The snacks don’t have to be fancy – I usually just pack a few protein bars, dried fruit, and nuts. Here’s a list of my favorite travel snacks.

When it comes to airport tips for saving money, this is also probably my favorite hack. Airport food is ridiculously overpriced so having your own snacks on hand will be a win no matter what.

12. Don’t Forget a Portable Charger

An often-overlooked but still very important airport hack is to pack a portable charger.

The wait times at the airport can be long, so it’s best to come prepared with an external battery that you can use to charge your devices.

Yes, there will probably be outlets for public use at the airport, but you may not want to be tied down to one location.

13. Keep Your Toothbrush Handy

When I’m jet-lagged, sleep deprived, and traveling for hours on end, I feel gross in every sense of the word. This is why one of my favorite airport hacks for a long flight is to keep my toothbrush in my carry-on luggage.

During a layover or a flight, I pop into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face and instantly feel more refreshed.

P.S. If you were wondering if you can travel with your electric toothbrush, the answer is yes.

14. Head to the Left-Most Checkpoint

Did you know that the statistics have proven that the left-most checkpoint is usually the shortest?

Try this out during your next trip, whether you’re waiting in line for luggage drop off of at the security checkpoint. It’s worked well for me!

15. Mark Your Suitcase

Another great airport hack is to mark your suitcase with something that will make it stand out from the crowd. This will reduce confusion and second-guessing when picking up your checked baggage at the luggage carousel.

Whether you choose a bright color, a unique tag, or just some creative stickers – this could be the difference between potentially losing your bag and easily spotting it on the carousel.

16. Take a Photo of Your Parking Space

Airport parking is notoriously challenging. After a long day of travel, the last thing you want to do is stress about where you left your car.

To avoid this scenario, take a photo of your parking space before you leave – it will be so much easier to find your car when you come back!

Most airport parking garages have markings, like A3 or Red 7. So if you take a picture of the marking along with your parking spot, you’ll have a much easier time navigating back using an airport map.

This trick changed my life!

17. Wear Layers

Even if you’re traveling during the summer, wearing layers is key to staying comfortable at the airport and on the airplane.

The temperatures can be unpredictable, so it’s best to opt for layers that you can easily take on and off.

I like to wear comfortable pants with a short sleeve shirt and a long sleeve sweater or sweatshirt on top. And if I’m traveling in sandals, I pack a pair of socks in my carry-on bag, in case my feet get cold.

18. Sign Up For Global Entry

If you travel frequently, signing up for Global Entry can be a great way to expedite your airport experience.

Global Entry is a U.S. government program that allows travelers to bypass long lines and submit their passport information and security checks before entering the country.

The enrollment fee is around $100 (which can often be covered by travel rewards credit cards!), and once you’re signed up, you can breeze through customs and immigration like a pro.

It’s worth every penny!

19. Ask For a Free Flight Upgrade

This doesn’t always work, but it can’t hurt to ask!

If you arrive at the airport early and there are still empty seats in first class, don’t be afraid to ask the ticketing agent if they can offer you an upgrade.

Sometimes airlines will waive the fee in order to fill those last few seats.

20. Reference Airport Maps

Airports are usually large and complex, so it’s important to be prepared.

If you have a short layover, familiarize yourself with the airport map and plan out your route ahead of time. Will you need to transfer to a new terminal? Are the terminals connected by transport or can you walk there?

A map will help you answer those questions.

Knowing where you’re going will help you find the right checkpoints quickly, even in a busy airport.

Final Thoughts and Bonus

I saved my favorite for last…

21. Stay Calm and Collected

The best airport hack I have is to stay calm and collected. The more frazzled you are when trying to navigate the airport, the more likely it is that something will go wrong.

Take a few deep breaths and remember to be patient with yourself. Traveling can get stressful at times, so give yourself time to rest and relax. Once you arrive at your destination, the stress of traveling will seem like a distant memory!