Are you fed up with being a hamster in a cage, rushing through the airport to board your airplane?
We have all been there; the long queues, the delayed bags, the last-minute quest for your gate.
And at that time, every single reason is enough for you to just not bother stepping outside your home.
But do not worry, as now it is possible for you to experience entirely different scenarios at the airport than the usual stressful ones, if only planning is done, and some vital tips are kept in mind.
In this article, we will introduce you to nine helpful hacks that will allow you to be at ease when at the airport, and by the time you reach your gate, feeling all refreshed and ready to fly.
Rent a Private Car
Perhaps the first decision worth considering is booking an exclusive car service that would take you to the airport, as opposed to using public transportation.
To some extent, a bus or a train may be advantageous if you are flying from New York City or Los Angeles; however, they will make your travel longer.
If you are in the market for a car rental, LAX has several companies located nearby that should be able to help you with that. L
Looking into one to see if it is cost-effective is something that every traveler should at least consider if they’re about to catch a flight on the West Coast.
Do You Know?
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the most common reasons for delays at the airport are things like runway traffic, the previous flight arriving later than expected, and of course, extreme weather.
Hail a Taxi
You might also get to the airport in a taxi instead of taking public transportation, and again, you have the option of taking a train or bus, but it will likely take longer.
You must wait till it makes all local stops, even if you take an express train, a taxi should still get you to the airport much faster.
There’s the added factor of being able to put your suitcase in the trunk or keeping it with you in the backseat rather than having to lug it onto a train car or a bus.
The other passengers will give you dirty looks if you run into them with a huge bag on wheels, and nobody wants that.
Use an Uber or Lyft
If you have the Uber app on your smartphone, or that of Lyft, their main competitor, then you can look into getting a ride to the airport that way.
Once again, you should be able to get there faster than you could if you took public transportation.
You can also have a nice chat with the Uber or Lyft driver if you are a friendly person and they’re in a talkative mood.
You can get some local colors about the city or find out about the driver’s life or might tell them yours.
Of course, you can also request silence on the app if you don’t feel like talking, hopefully, your driver will respect that.
Look Into Any Hotel Shuttles
If you stay at a hotel and know that you are going to have a flight the next morning, then you should look into if your hotel has a shuttle service or not, and if it does, then you can get the details.
Many of the more high-end hotels have a shuttle that runs every hour or so, and some might even leave every half hour.
These will not usually cost you anything, and they will probably drop you off right in front of the proper terminal.
The one thing to keep in mind is that you should have at least a couple of dollars in cash to tip the driver, that’s not a requirement, but they will appreciate it.
Get a Hotel Close to the Airport
You can see about getting a hotel close to the airport; all you have to do is roll out of bed, grab a shower, and walk a few feet to get to your terminal.
That is bound to be much less stressful than having to make it halfway across the city to ensure that you catch your flight on time.
However, If you’re a deep sleeper, you can also ask the hotel to set an alarm for you.
Then a phone call at the appropriate time might get you out of bed with more reliability than an alarm on your smartphone.
Pro Tips
Know Your Airport: Figure out the layout of the airport you’ll be inhabiting.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on the status of your flight using apps or websites for real-time updates.
Use a Shuttle Service Operating Within the Airport
There are sometimes shuttle services that operate within airports as well, and if you use one, it can get you across the airport and to your terminal faster than trying to walk the whole way.
These shuttles usually run every few minutes, and they’re free, thus you can try to make it from one side of a huge airport to the other in just a few minutes to catch a flight, and then they’re likely your best bet.
Wake Up Earlier
If you know that you’re someone who tends to poke around on your way to the airport, and you struggle to wake up in the morning, then sometimes something as simple as setting the alarm a half-hour or even an hour earlier might work.
That may be the difference in making or missing a flight, especially if you didn’t pack or prepare yourself too well the night before.
Travel with Less Luggage
You can often save time in an airport by taking less luggage with you, which means having a single bag can make better time on your travels than if you are trying to get to your departure gate with several huge ones.
Make Sure Your Luggage Has Wheels On It
This last tip may appear slightly straightforward but to many voyagers it is one of the things they never consider.
Most suitcases have wheels on them these days, and some have pushed-down handles too; it would be advisable to use them.
Perhaps, some older suitcases may have sentimental value, but if they don’t have wheels, carrying them is going to tire you out and slow you down, and you will likely be exhausted by the time you get to your gate.
It is hoped that these few tips will allow you to make sure that you get to your gate and depart on time.
