The holidays have arrived and you want get home or go on vacation with as little stress as possible. We hear you. Here are some tips to help you park with ease, maneuver through the crowds like a winner, and arrive refreshed and ready to celebrate.
Holiday Airport Parking 101
- Give yourself twice the time you usually would to get to the airport. The holidays are notoriously the busiest time to travel all year. Avoid the stress of potentially missing your flight while sitting in traffic. Checking out the traffic report beforehand wouldn’t hurt either.
- Plan your parking ahead of time. Chances are rates will be inflated at certain garages. Rather than accepting what you see at first, do some research to find the best rates for you. Better yet, reserve your parking online in advance to avoid the hassle once you get to the airport.
BONUS: When you reserve parking in advance, online reservation companies will have garage and parking lot amenities clearly listed so you can get exactly what you want.
- Some airports offer airport hotel and parking packages, which might be perfect for the early bird traveler.
Getting Through Security Faster
- Print your boarding pass at home. Even if you’re checking a bag or two (bag full of presents, anyone?), the lines to check a bag when you already have a boarding pass are significantly shorter.
- If you’re traveling through a larger airport, go to the security check ins at the furthest ends of the bagging and checking area, where lines will be shorter.
Optimize The Wait Before Take Off
- Keep your phone charger in your carry on or purse, as there are outlets almost everywhere in airport terminals now. Better yet, bring a portable charger and hunker down where ever you feel like.
- Airport restrooms can be gross. We all know it. So how do you avoid the worst of the worst? Similarly to how you should approach security lines, beeline for the restrooms furthest from the gates. They’ll be less crowded and therefore, cleaner.
- Do some research before heading to the airport to find out the best food options. This way, you won’t waste time debating McDonalds versus Panda Express when it turns out there’s a great Mexican food restaurant or burger joint tucked in the corner.
How to Walk off the Plane Feeling like a Million Bucks
- Use a neck pillow. We know, we know, you’ve heard this before. But seriously. Have you ever tried to sleep hunched over a tray table? It’s a nightmare. Do yourself a favor and cough up $5 for a neck pillow you can purchase at the airport. Better yet, purchase an inflatable one that you can easily store during your vacation.
- Another one you’ve heard before but probably don’t subscribe to: bring socks. You never know what the temperature on your plane is going to be, so come prepared.
- Bring a mineral water facial spray. Airplanes are incredibly drying, especially in the winter. This will drastically help. You can purchase mineral water facial sprays on Amazon, at Ulta, Walgreens, and other various retailers.
- Speaking of how drying airplanes are, knock out two birds with a hand lotion that doubles as hand sanitizer. It may give you some peace of mind when sitting next to a perpetual sneezer. If you’re the sneezer, bring Kleenex. We’ve all been there.
- Give yourself (and everyone around you) the gift of noise canceling headphones.