Travel Tips – 6 Ways to improve your airport travel experience

Travelling can be such a drag sometimes – from the long queues, navigating airport security, uncomfortable plane seats (oh Lord help if you’re stuck in a middle seat) to unending transit hours and arrival anticipation.
But what if i tell you it doesn’t have to be this burdensome?

Everything/Anything can be fun if you plan ahead and guess what? I’ve  highlighted some tips which I’m certain will enhance your travelling experience.

First thing i like to do and suggest is Check in online.

Most airlines give you the opportunity to check in online. This window normally opens 24 hours before your departure time. So for example, if your flight is for 10pm on Friday, the online check in  portal opens at 10pm on Thursday. The perks of this are numerous.
1. It buys you some time to get to the airport, so you can avoid the airport queues to check in. Just proceed to print your boarding pass and show at the counter.
2. We can agree that a trash seat can make your entire trip a horror story. With this, you  have the opportunity to select from the available best seats to avoid being assigned randomly. This is also useful if you’re traveling with a partner – so you don’t get assigned random seats.  POINT TO NOTE (not all flights have 24 hour online check in. Some have 48 hour windows etc. so do some research to find out)

Keep your travel documents close – If you’re not on a direct flight, endeavor to keep your travel documents close, you don’t want to be unpacking your hand luggage every time you’re asked to show it at the various check points. I’ll suggest a fanny pack or a specific corner in your bag you can easily reach.

Light hand luggage – Is it just me or don’t you roll your eyes at people with “hand luggage” like main luggage, you see them struggling with different boxes while trying to get a charging spot at the airports (read my Nigeria sister and family).I will always recommend light hand luggage, something that you can easily monitor for security purposes and just to make your transit a little less stressful. 

Books/TV to keep you busy – I feel like books/TV shows are usually more fun while traveling but again that’s probably a ME thing. I try to catch up on a chapter or two of that book i’ve not had the time to read or shows i need  to catch up on, thankful for Netflix, you can remotely access and enjoy. So before you travel, try to download your favorite shows so you can binge watch (while waiting) even without internet. 

Dress loose/comfortable – Personally i wont recommend jumpsuit. Maxi dresses, track suits, and leggings are my favorite travel outfits. If possible, avoid belts or anything metal that will need to be removed during screening. 

Cash Always – Have some cash, for spontaneous activities like accessing a lounge or getting coffee. It may or may not have anything to do with my lack of trust in Nigeria cards or maybe I’m just old school but what can really go wrong with that? 

Long transit times and general travel delays can really make you want to tear your hair out. These are just some of my suggestions on keeping your sanity through it. How do you survive? Let’s talk.