Time- and Energy-Saving Tips for Your Next Trip to the Airport

With all the new rules at the airports these days, getting from your house to the plane can seem like a major hassle. If you follow these tips, you can more easily board a plane without any minor delays along the way.

Packing: Saving Time at the Airport by Spending More Time Packing at Home

Tip #1 Pack Early: I know people who don't start packing until the day before their flight leaves. This is no good if you want to make it through the airport quickly and with little hassle. Packing quickly can lead to bringing much more than you need and lead to you having to pay hire prices for luggage since you might end up bringing more than you would have if you really thought it through.

Tip #2 Pack Light: If you start packing early, it's much easier to pack light because you have the time to think about each item you planned to bring and ask yourself "do I really need this?" With airlines charging per bag now, and with there being weight limitations on the bag you are allowed to bring, it's best to concentrate on only bringing what you REALLY NEED in order to minimize luggage weight and the number of bags you need. In Addition to packing light, you should weigh your luggage, once packed to make sure it is at least 10-20 lbs under the airlines regulations. The left over 10-20 lbs can be used for souvenirs on the way back.

Tip #3 Pack "Outfits": If you pack "outfits" instead of individual clothing items, you'll find it much easier to pack light. I like to make a schedule for the vacation week, and decide what I need for each day. If I end up needing 2 dresses, 2 short outfits and 2 pant outfits, I pick out what I'm going to wear for each occasion and pack that first. I then pack a few backup shirts or shorts, but not many. If you determine ahead of time what you will be wearing each day, you won't have to pack as many optional clothes.