The One Thing To Do Before Your Next Trip To The Airport, According To Travel Advisors

With the lines, strict procedures, crowds, terminal mazes, and potential delays or cancellations, it’s no wonder that 55 percent of Americans surveyed in 2023 by Expedia find air travel to be stressful. (They would rather file taxes or go to the dentist!)

The airport need not be a stressor, travel advisors confirm, and with a few savvy strategies and a mental reframe into viewing the building as a portal to other lands, it can feel almost as magical as Disney World.

Ahead, travel advisors reveal the number one strategy to slash airport stress—and share a few bonus pro tips to make the transit experience a little less grating and a lot more gratifying.

The Top Tip For Stress-Free Travel

Be prepared. Whether you’re traveling with family or solo, the most important thing to do before your next trip to the airport is to ensure that you have the essentials handy. “As a mom, I feel scattered pretty much all the time, but feeling that way at the airport is especially miserable,” admits Mary Helen Law, a Rome, Georgia-based founder of Law Luxury Travel.

• Prep the night before: The night before your departure, “pack your bags, pack your passport or ID in an easily accessible place, and set a plan for the next day,” suggests Emma Major Schroeder, an Atlanta, Georgia-based luxury travel advisor and the owner of Major Traveler.
• Have a system: The easiest way to remember to do this—and to remember where everything can be accessed—is to have a system for storage. It can be helpful to “assign” pockets for your cell phone, passport or ID, wallet, and keys so there is no question where these items are when you need them. Getting these items situated the night before will help you avoid forgetting any crucial items (and, consequently, having to rush home to grab them or call someone to come deliver at the airport doors).

Beyond guaranteeing that you’ll be able to board, having these important items within quick reach is courteous to others. “Generally, most people at an airport are in somewhat of a hurry to get where they are going,” adds Haleigh Scott, a Dallas, Texas-based owner and luxury travel designer with Next Exit Travels. Being organized will save you time, stress, and allows you to skip the deep-dive into every corner of your bags, but it also streamlines the security process for TSA agents, gate staff, and fellow travelers. 

5 More Tips For A Lower-Stress Airport Experience

The travel advisors we spoke to agree that organization is crucial for your best airport experience. A few other small steps can also make a big difference in improving your commute.

Sign Up For TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Or CLEAR

If you don’t already have one of these “fast passes” for airport security, check with your credit card company (if you have one), as they might offer free enrollment. But even if you’re paying out of pocket, it’s not too pricey if you fly frequently; Global Entry is a one-time $100 fee, TSA PreCheck is $78 for 5 years, and CLEAR is $189 per year.

“At this point, it’s so easy to get and the benefits make such a significant difference in your travel day that it’s an absolute must,” says Jonathan Alder, a Winter Park, Florida-based luxury travel advisor and founder of Jonathan’s Travels. Since you don’t have to remove your shoes, liquids, or laptop, and can hop into a shorter line, “this takes nearly all of the stress, hassle, and time out of the security process. I’m generally in and out in less than 5 minutes from start to finish.”

Just remember that “if your TSA PreCheck or Known Traveler Number Is not attached to your ticket, you cannot use the expedited security lanes! If it's not on your ticket, call the airline or your travel advisor to have them add it or ask at the check-in desk,” Scott says.

Check Off As Many Tasks As Possible At Home

As we mentioned above regarding organizing your essentials, it’s wise to “pre-game” at home to reduce the amount of time you have to spend (and potential stress that you have to feel) at the airport.

"Paying for checked luggage can be done ahead of time on the airline app,” Law explains. Waiting to check-in or pay for bags until you’re at the counter or kiosk “just adds unnecessary time to the beginning of the arrival routine.”

At most airports, bag drop is a breeze if you’ve already checked in on the app, Alder says. Once you arrive, find a kiosk, type in your confirmation code, and print your bag tags. Drop off the tagged luggage you plan to check with the airline agent, and you’re all set to stroll to security with the boarding passes you either printed at the kiosk or have in your digital wallet after checking in online.

Plan Ahead About Parking Or A Ride

“Many think driving to the airport is the easiest option, but hiring a car service, using a rideshare, or hopping on public transportation can alleviate stress,” Schroeder says. Or if you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who can drop you off and pick you up, this works great, too.

A good portion of airports around the country are feeling the pressure of high traveler volume and low parking availability, Schroeder adds, noting that “there is little worse than arriving at the airport and struggling to find parking, while feeling the oncoming stress of check-in and security times.” 

If you do plan to drive, check your airport’s website to see if you can either reserve a parking spot in advance or check on the supply of spots so you have a better idea of whether they’ll be space for you in your preferred lot or not.

Booking your rideshare or parking spot in advance “means you're much more likely to get a reservation and you might even save some money by not waiting until the last minute,” Scott says.

Arrive Early

“It's a running joke across the country, and maybe even the world, that dads in particular like to get to the airport several hours before departure,” Law says. “But truly, is there anything more stressful than feeling rushed, especially knowing that the plane isn't going to wait if you're late?”

Many airlines are closing the boarding door up to 20 minutes prior to flight time, so even if you are technically “on time,” you could still be subject to that boarding door closing early and missing your flight, Schroeder adds. So give yourself plenty of time to travel to the airport, park (if needed), check your bags (if you’re doing so), weave your way through any potential long lines, make it through security, and find your gate.

“Most guidelines recommend 2 hours for a domestic flight or 3 hours for international. This might seem excessive, but combat those feelings of ‘wasted time’ by utilizing airport lounges when and where available,” Law says. 

Search for lounge locations and qualifications online before you arrive. Everything from airline status to the category of your seats (such as first class) to owning certain credit cards may grant you access to an airport lounge, which Scott deems “an oasis of calm in the middle of often chaotic airport environments.”

Lounge access or not, “airports are equipped with ample spaces to read, work, grab a drink, or enjoy food. You can even get a good walk in at many airports,” Schroeder says.

Be Kind—and Self-Aware

The last airport stress-reliever relates to Southern hospitality. A little smile, some self-awareness, and remembering the golden rule can go a long way.

“Airports can be stressful with delays, cancellations, upset travelers or staff that may be having a rough day. But if you lead with kindness, you'll keep your own stress level down and that of those you are interacting with,” Scott says. “And the best part is that this tip doesn't cost you a dime!”

A few helpful reminders from the pros about how to be kind and self-aware in the airport:

• When interacting with others, keep your phone tucked away.
• Don’t stop in the path of traffic and move out of the way of other passengers, especially when getting reorganized after security.
• If you’re standing still, stay to the right on escalators and moving walkways.
• Be courteous of those entering or exiting the plane train or bus.
• Listen to TSA and gate agents.

“You'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar, so be nice to the gate agents, TSA staff, and fellow travelers,” Scott says. Chances are high that you’ll get good vibes back in return.