As a traveler, you’ll be seeing a lot of airports in your life. This is where you’ll be starting most of your journeys. However, airports can certainly be a problem if you don’t know what you are doing. This article will explore how you can take advantage of your time in airports and maximize the experience when landing on one.
Ziploc Bags
If you know a single thing about the TSA, they will check for anything in your bags that might be contraband or plain illegal to travel. There’s nothing wrong with that, they’re just doing their jobs, but it can certainly be a time-waster when you’re leaving the US. You’d be shocked that some things they do confiscate are legal if you only packed them properly. This is where Ziploc bags come into play.
Always have Ziploc bags when you travel so that you can place some of your liquids in your flight. This is great if you’re going to need some lotion for a long flight. But always remember that the 3-1-1 rule that TSA has so that you can store your liquids appropriately.
Airport Restaurants
Restaurants at airports tend to be a hit-and-miss when it comes to your location. Some of them can be a few of the best globally, such as the restaurants at Changi Airport in Singapore. These restaurants are considered to be the best in the world and usually worth the price. However, not many airports have the same layout and offers. Some airports in the world have overpriced restaurants, especially in areas like Vietnam and India.
When looking for a bite once you’ve landed, the general principle is to find a restaurant far away from the airport. This is because restaurants inside an airport tend to pay more rent than average, and where do they get the money for that rent? You guessed it, right: from the meals they serve. So if you want to save money, find restaurants away from the airport. However, if a particular restaurant inside an airport caught your eye, make sure you can get every piece of experience out of it.
You can take advantage of airport restaurants if some deals come from buying your airplane ticket. Some airlines do this frequently, so make sure to keep an eye out for that.
Items That Cost More in Airports
Universally, these items are important to you as a traveler, and airports take advantage of this. Here are some of them:
- Water
- Souvenirs
- Meals
- Alcohol
- Neck Pillows
- Electronics
Make sure you buy these things outside the airport or bring your own. Products such as skincare and chips can be great to bring into a flight. They might not be cheaper, but they won’t cost you that much either.
Currency Exchange
Airports tend to take a bit of the money out of currency exchange, so make sure you choose one outside the airport. However, if you really need the money beforehand, make sure you do it locally or before leaving for the airport. It can save as much as a dollar in exchanged currency if you do this tactic.
Take a Nap
Airports offer some places where you can take a quick nap. This is great if you have a layover that would last for at least 16 hours. Sure, airport benches can do the job, but that’s only when you want to wake up with a sore back. The airport in Malaysia offers sleeping pods for less than $50. Other airports are adapting to this as well. These can also be a good alternative for hotels if you want to save money.
Always Ask for Free Things
When booking a flight or when you’re inside one, always ask for free things. You’d be surprised what flight attendants will give you as long as you are nice to them.
When you’re booking a flight, always ask for upgrades, especially if you know the flight will be empty. Some airlines are desperate enough for passengers during this pandemic that they’re willing to give you a seat upgrade for just choosing their airlines. So always ask for free things. You don’t have anything to lose for doing so.
VIP Lounge
Lastly, if you’re a frequent flier to a particular airport, sign up for the VIP Lounge, but don’t buy anything inside. Always go for the free stuff. Airports believe that it’s in VIP Lounge they can get most of their money back, but if you’re smarter than them, you might actually be the one to get your money back. So sign up for the VIP Lounge and get some good freebies.
So there you go, some airport hacks that will make your experience more enjoyable. These are hacks that can be applied to any airport globally, so get traveling out there.
