It’s a common saying that air travel is stressful. But the truth of the matter is that for most people, the actual process of flying is a breeze. Flights have gotten at least marginally more efficient, there are more ways to stay comfortable in your seat, and often you can simply nap or read books from beginning to end. The stressful part, typically, is actually in the process of getting to the airport on time.
Typically, this is just a matter of organization and planning. There’s always the possibility of unforeseen complications holding you up and making your trip to the airport go slowly. But by taking the proper steps, you can largely take the hassle out of the experience.
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The first and perhaps most obvious step is to have all of your packing done in advance. It’s shocking how often even the most organized and careful people wind up snatching things up at the last second and stuffing them into bags, or even running back into the house after leaving to grab something that’s been left behind. Sometimes these things just happen. But by packing as if you’re heading out the door the night before you actually travel, you can set yourself up for a smooth departure.
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The next thing after packing to consider is how you’re going to get the airport. The ideal scenario is to have a family member, neighbor, or friend who can give you a lift the moment you’re ready to go. This gives you control over when you leave and also makes for a smooth drop-off right by the terminal. However, if this isn’t the case, a professional car service can also be a nice option. These services are generally more reliable than other forms of taxi travel, in that they involve experienced, regulated drivers, and they can be scheduled whenever you like.
You should also think about the parking scenario at the airport if you opt to drive yourself, which is always a fairly efficient option. Typically, lots can actually be pretty far from the terminals, unless you’re dealing with a small airport. However, there are also some newer airport parking options you might not be aware of, which can help you to get settled and reach your terminal more efficiently. With some of these services you can even book a spot in advance and set everything up online, which just helps the process go that much more smoothly.
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And finally, to cap off your trip to the airport, you should have all of your bags organized and tagged in advance. This is a small thing, but it’s just the kind of two-minute hassle that can leave you checking your watch in the security line and sprinting to get to your gate. If your bags are tagged and organized and ready to be checked, you’ll save a little bit of time that wraps up your trip to the airport quickly and easily.
