12 Airport Mistakes to Avoid for a Smoother Trip

Traveling is an experience unlike any other. There is a thrill in discovering new landscapes, tasting different foods, and immersing yourself in a culture that's different from your own.

However, one thing stands between you and your destination: the airport. The airport is an interesting place because you never know what will go wrong.

Having traveled to many countries far and wide, I have learned a few vital lessons about flying. Here are 12 airport mistakes to avoid for a smoother trip that even seasoned travelers sometimes get wrong.

Arriving at the Wrong Terminal

The terminal consists of several gates where planes park. If you are not familiar with the airport, you might not know which terminal you need to arrive at.

Try to find out the terminal ahead of time. If there are multiple terminals, it might be kind of confusing. Be sure to check your confirmation email or on the airline’s website.

Arriving Late

While some airports are quieter than others, you cannot always make this bet by going to the airport in the last hour. There are so many delays that could potentially cause you to miss a flight — security checks, long queues, unexpected traffic, and more.

Of course, when you arrive, you feel panic and doom as you try to get to your flight as quickly as possible. This can cause you to make other silly mistakes, such as not reading the board correctly, arriving at the wrong gate, and just being a frazzled mess that will leave you exhausted for the rest of the day.

Who wants to start their trip like that?

Not Following the Airline Baggage Policy

I always see people getting caught out when it comes to baggage! Check the measurements of your bags — both carry-on and checked-in luggage — and make sure they’re not too big and do not hold any hazardous items.

I’m Irish, and we all regularly fly with Ryanair, an Irish airline that is arguably the most affordable in Europe. However, it can quickly become much more expensive when they catch you bringing a larger-than-average suitcase on board or another bag that you haven’t paid for.

Packing Fragiles in Your Checked-in Luggage

Airlines generally advise against packing fragile items in your checked-in luggage. Still, I have done it when I am bringing a lot of electrical gear or I’ve been away for a long time, and my advice would be to pack it up in bubble wrap to prevent it from breaking.

The best choice is to pack your fragile items in your handbag or carry-on luggage, which you can bring onto the flight.

Not Collecting Your Baggage at Layovers

If you have a connecting flight, always ask if your baggage is transferred to your destination point or if you will need to pick it up and check it in again at the layover.

Even if the entire trip is with the same airline, always double-check! It is better to be safe than sorry.

I try to ask chat support online days before the flight and pay for all my luggage online, as the upfront cost at the desk is usually considerably higher.

Not Giving Yourself Enough Time Between Connecting Flights

If you are planning a connecting flight, try to give yourself two hours before the departure of the next flight, and also consider the time zone difference when correctly calculating times of arrival and departure.

I’ve always given myself at least one and a half hours between flights, and even that leaves me quite nervous. You can also check with the airport about the minimum time they recommend, as it’s faster to get through some airports than others.

Forgetting Travel Insurance

While you can manage without travel insurance, there is no harm in protecting against the potential risks involved in flying.

Even the most cautious can be subject to issues outside of their control, such as canceled or delayed flights, missing luggage, and so forth. Many frequent travelers have a horror story or two to tell.

Be sure to register for your travel insurance well in advance so that the policy kicks into effect before take off.

Panicking

I remember one time I faced a major issue during a connection when my luggage, which I was due to pick up for my next flight, went missing. I had no idea where it was, and I was off solo traveling to Vietnam, which was a good fifteen hours away.

There were throngs of people in this busy airport, and I had to ask to skip the queue. I was terrified, and I spent well over an hour looking for my luggage, and I didn’t have much time left.

I embarrassingly started crying, as they didn’t give me much hope, and the online form I had to fill out for lost luggage was very glitchy and wouldn’t work.

As it turned out, someone had put the larger luggage in a separate room. Some people were unlucky and were told that they wouldn’t receive their luggage until the following day.

I cringe when I think about the meltdown I had at that airport in front of everybody. This is another reason why it’s best to have travel insurance, especially for long-haul flights.

Not Booking Taxis in Advance

Taxis outside airports are usually quite expensive. In some countries I’ve been to where haggling is the norm, taxi drivers have quoted prices way beyond the average, and if you don’t know the local currencies well enough, they can easily trip you up.

Keep your wits about you. Sometimes, there is a local bus going straight to town, and if it is not available, try to book a taxi well in advance to save on any unexpected costs.

I always research forums online to find the means of transportation from the airport.

No Local Currency

Find out the currency of the country you are going to and try to have some on hand, as you may need it as soon as you arrive at the airport.

If you don’t already have one, use a virtual bank account such as Wise or Revolut, which makes converting and holding multiple currencies easy. This will bypass many of the unfavorable rates of exchange and fees.

Not Having Mobile Data

When you arrive at the destination, you may want to sign up for a traveler SIM card to ensure you have mobile data at all times on your trip. There is usually a stand or shop at the airport where you can speak to someone about this, or you can apply for one online.

This will make your trip much easier to navigate and reduce your reliance on public Wi-Fi.

You may also want to research your current mobile plan and find out if that covers destinations abroad so you can avoid the extra bill.

Long Hours Without Food and Drink

It’s easy to get so caught up in the chaos that you forget to get something to eat and drink. However, fasting can really add to the stress of the trip, so eat when you can.

Food and drink on the aircraft is usually quite expensive and not exactly gourmet. Try to eat something at the restaurant or cafe before your flight. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, as you don’t want to be hungover on arrival.

Consider bringing a water bottle. Empty it out before you get to the security checks, as liquids are not allowed. Refill it when you get to the other side of the airport. There are usually water fountains or taps that are free to use.