Unless you’re lucky enough to be travelling through award-winning airports like Singapore Changi or Doha Hamad, airports aren’t always the most exciting places in the world. But, thanks to our airport hacks for comfortable travel, you can make this part of your trip far more enjoyable.
From what you should pack in your hand luggage to skipping queues at duty free, these are our 15 top tips for making your journey even better. Plus, we’ve got an exclusive little offer for Skyscanner readers too…
1. Pack a USB-A charging cable
Sometimes we forget to charge our devices before flying, or run down the battery getting to the airport. Having a charging cable handy means you can power up your devices on the go. But why USB-A? This is the original USB connector: it’s big and flat, unlike the smaller USB-C. Wherever you are in the world, most airports and planes have USB-A charging sockets. As long as you have that type of connector , you won’t need to worry about finding an adaptor or plug.
2. Bring a portable battery charger
Not every plane or airport will have charging stations handy. And if they do, they might all be occupied. For moments like this, it’s a good idea to bring a fully-charged portable battery charger as a back-up. The best part? You don’t need to sit still beside the plug socket. Instead, keep charging your phone while you wander around Duty Free. Just make sure you charge up the charger before you leave home, so it has plenty of juice for your devices.
3. Entertain your children with audiobooks
Keep boredom at bay with Voxblock, a new screen-free audio player for kids aged 3-12. It works completely offline, with a library of 150 audiobooks (with more on the way), so it’s ideal for the plane. It’s lightweight, so easy for little ones to carry, and simple to use so they won’t need a parent to help out. Plus, the battery lasts for 14 hours of listening, long enough for most flights, and it’s easy to charge when you need to.
Voxblock launched in August 2022 and has already won lots of praise from the likes of The Independent and WIRED.
Skyscanner readers can take advantage of a £10 discount on Starter Packs – which include a player, three books and a protective bumper – normally £59.99 but now £49.99 with the exclusive code SKYSCANNER at checkout. Order by 31 July 2023.
4. Add a few extras to your hand luggage
Nobody wants to think of the worst-case scenario, but if your checked bag goes missing it’s reassuring to know that you still have some things to get you through the first few days of the holiday. A change of underwear and a spare T-shirt can fold up small, along with some deodorant and a toothbrush so you can easily freshen up.
5. Wear bulky shoes and clothes to avoid baggage charges
Space and weight are at a premium in your checked and cabin bags, so avoid taking up too much space by wearing larger items to the airport. For example hiking boots. They’ll take up a lot of space in your bag, unlike trainers or sandals. Wear them onto the plane. Same goes for hoodies and scarves, which you’ll be glad of as aircraft can often be quite chilly.
6. Bring an empty water bottle
You still can’t bring liquids larger than 100ml through security, but it’s important to stay hydrated when you fly. So, instead of spending money on water when you get through, just bring an empty water bottle. Most airports have refill stations or water fountains you can use to top yourself up for free. Win win.
7. Pre-order your airside food to save time
Some airports have this feature available, so it’s worth digging around on their website before you fly. Pre-ordering an airport meal means you don’t need to have to wait for ages to be served. This can help to reduce some of the stress that comes with waiting for your flight to be called, and gives you more time to relax pre-flight.
8. Book facilities for any disabilities
If any person in your party has a disability, the journey will be a lot more comfortable if you let the airport know in advance. This can also include wearing lanyards for people with autism. That way, staff can recognise it and adapt their service to ensure a stress-free journey through security.
9. Pre-book lounge access during school holidays
Hanging out in the lounge is probably one of the best airport hacks for comfortable travel. Comfy seats, lots of outlets and plenty of food and drink: what’s not to love? You don’t need to be a first class passenger or fly with a luxury airline to enjoy lounges, as companies like Aspire allow anyone to book in. While sometimes you can walk in on the day, it’s best to pre-book during busy times like school holidays, as it can get busy.
10. Use the check-in line closest to the business travel desk
Once the business travellers are all checked in, their staff will often start helping out the team on the desk next to them by checking in economy travellers. So even if the queue looks the same length or slightly longer, there’s a change it’ll go down quicker.
11. Check for additional drop-off facilities to avoid airport charges
This one is for the kind friend or family member who’s dropping you off. While charges can be extortionate, there are sometimes ways around it. For example, Glasgow Airport has a free drop off at its long stay car park with a free shuttle bus to the terminal, saving you £5. Another thing to check for is incentives for electric vehicles. If you pre-register at Glasgow Airport, an EV gets free drop off.
12. Collect full-size toiletries inside the airport
Picking up your toiletries after security saves you space and weight in your checked bag. Even better, you can save time by using Boots’ click & collect service. This is available from selected airports in the UK, including stores after security, which should mean you don’t pay airport prices. It also ensures that you can plan ahead, avoiding a stressful dash around the shop looking for your go-to shampoo.
This is also handy for heavy non-liquid items, like baby formula, as it doesn’t count towards your luggage allowance.
13. Don’t rely on there always being Wi-Fi
We’re so used to always being online, it’s easy to forget that not everywhere has good Wi-Fi or data coverage. Download your boarding pass before departure so that you don’t end up trying to download it in a panic, looking for signal. You can download entertainment, too: most streaming services allow you to save shows, films, podcasts or music to your device. Perfect for watching offline and in the air.
14. Find the best place for a snooze
If you have a long layover, or your flight is delayed, websites like Sleeping in Airports can help you to find the best spots for some shut-eye. Knowing about this site is one of the best airport hacks for comfortable travel. It also has lots of tips on things to see and do in and around the airport, with advice on how to go sightseeing when you’re on a tight schedule.
15. Set your watch to the timezone you’re travelling to
Jetlag is never fun. But you can take the edge off a long layover by trying to adjust to the timezone of your destination while you wait. As well as changing the time on your phone and watch, try to do other things to adapt: seek or avoid sunlight, adjust your eating habits and switch up your sleeping times.
16. Skip the queue with smoother border control
Some countries have programs to make getting through border control a breeze. Some examples are Global Entry (US) and DigiYatra (India). These usually involve pre-approval and clearance to enter, so you can spend less time at the desk. There are usually faster queues for passengers signed up to these programs, too.
Read more tips in our Travel Hacks hub
Now that you know our best airport hacks for comfortable travel, head to our hub to discover more tips and tricks to enjoy the best ever holiday. For example:
- 8 tips for getting the most out of your mini break. Only have three days to explore? Here’s how to maximise them
- Group travel: how to get it right. Get the plans out of the group chat and into reality with our handy hints
- 10 money-saving travel tips that actually work. Travel on a budget like a boss with these wallet-friendly travel hacks
