Courtney GWhenever someone is planning to go on vacation, often time that vacation requires boarding a plane. Maybe it’s your first time ever riding a plane. Maybe you’ve always gone on vacation with family or friends and it’s your first time going solo. Either way, you’re a first time airport traveler. If you’re feeling a little nervous about going through the airport by yourself, this is for you!
I’m writing this in honor my friend who fell into the latter category. Two friends and I were meeting in New Orleans for my birthday trip (which I will share soon) but we were all coming from three different places meaning she’d have to navigate the airport alone.
When we all lived in Chicago, we went to New York together (our very first girls trip) so my friend could follow us through the airport during that time.
There was another group trip to Disney World (another trip I’ll share) but another one of my friends who was also going to Disney lived close enough to her that they went to Orlando together. Any other time my friend went to the airport she was with her family.
I’d like to think she and I are the same in which the unknown can give us a lot of anxiety. This feeling is what causes me to overthink so I wanted share some tips to help you navigate any airport with ease.
1. Download the Airline’s App
If you haven’t done so already, I highly recommend downloading the app of the airline you’re flying with. It will let you know all of your flight information and keep you up to date on any changes such as new departure time or new gate. You can check-in through the app which leads me to my next tip.
2. Check-In the Day Before
Before even going to the airport, check into your flight the day before. Usually the airline will send an email 24 hours before you flight that it’s time check-in. If you check-in once you receive that email, you can say whether or not you’re checking a bag, find out which gate you’re in, and print out your boarding pass.If you have the airline’s app on your phone, the boarding pass will show on your app so you won’t have to print (Save the trees!) but if I’m being honest, I would still print the boarding pass anyway in case something happens with the app or your phone. Doing these first two steps can help you skip a line waiting for check-in at the airport or self-kiosk (I’m always here for less lines).
3. Look at the Airport Maps
Find the websites for your home airport and the airport you’re landing in. This well help tremendously on where to go for bag check, TSA security, what there is to eat in your concourse, where the bathrooms are, etc.
I did this for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. I’d never been there before and I was planning on taking public transportation to French Quarter and wanted to make sure I knew where to go (and what New Orleans staples I could eat from the airport).
4. Make Sure Your Luggage Fits the Size and Weight Requirements
For all check bags, you’ll need to make sure the weight is less than 50 pounds. If it’s over that there may be an extra charge associated with it so double-check with your airline and pack accordingly. If you’re someone who likes to shop on vacation, make sure you leave room for any clothes or souvenirs for the trip back home.
Carry-on bag and personal item sizes can vary from airline to aircraft so double check with your airline.
5. Figure Out Transportation and/or Parking to (and from) the Airport
Transportation to and from your home airport:
I will be honest and say I’ve never driven myself to the airport for any of my trips. I’m either with my family, getting a ride, or using public transportation.If I’m going on a trip with my family, we never park at the actual airport. We use an offsite parking shuttle service because it is usually cheaper than parking at the airport. You can check sites like Groupon to see if you’re city has a coupon for this type of service. You can also check your credit card offers.If I’m going somewhere without family, they’re usually the ones dropping me off or picking me up from the airport at home. One time I did have to use an Uber but that can get pricey depending on how far you live from the airport and if there are any surge prices.When I lived in Chicago where I had no family, I used Uber or Lyft until I was comfortable using public transportation to get to the airport.If you are driving yourself and decide to park, you will need factor in the time it takes to park and use the shuttle into your arrival time to get to the airport (and into your travel budget).
Transportation to and from your destination airport:
This should be covered in your initial planning for the trip but having a hotel that provides a shuttle to and from the airport is really helpful in this situation. If not, plan to use a ride share service like Lyft or Uber, a taxi, or public transportation (especially if you’re visiting a place like New York City or Chicago).
6. Arrive at the Airport at Least 2 Hours Before Your Flight
If you’re wary about navigating the area, I would highly recommend arriving to the airport 2 hours early (even 2.5 hours early) so you can take your time and not feel rushed while waiting in security and finding your gate.
Yes, even if you have 6:30am flight, you should arrive at the airport at 4:30am. Your parents made you get up early for a reason.
I’ve seen too many times people trying to push and cut their way through TSA because their flight was boarding. Now, I didn’t know their situations. I didn’t know why they were just now showing up at the airport just as their flight was boarding but if they’d arrived two hours early, they wouldn’t have missed (or nearly missed) their flight.On busy seasons like Christmas or Thanksgiving, check the news because they may tell you to arrive 3 hours before your flight.
7. Wear the Right Outfit
I’m hoping to get into this more when talking about going through TSA, but for now I’ll give an abbreviated version.When going through the airport no matter which airport you’re flying out of, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. It is best wear comfortable shoes that easy to take off for TSA and comfortable clothes. Some people wear joggers or a tracksuit to avoid have to wear or take off a belt. My signature airport out was tennis shoes, a pair of black jogger pants, a tank top and a denim button up shirt. I’d have it buttoned up while going through TSA and then afterwards I’d unbutton it and wear it like a jacket. I keep it buttoned up to This can also come in handy if it’s cold on the plane. During cold months I would keep the joggers but would wear a sweater and boots instead.
8. Look for Signs
Airports have many signed to help you get to security or your gate. If you’re in airport that has a different language than you, focus on the icons for bathrooms, baggage claim, arrival areas. They’re usually the same across airports.
9. Keep an Eye on the Flight Board
When you first get to the airport, usually you’ll see a board that lists all the flights currently scheduled to depart or arrive in the airport. It’s in alphabetical order by city. Look for departures, your flight number, city you’re going to, time of your departure and the airline logo. Sometimes it may show a different gate than the one you were given when you checked-in. It can also show if the flight is currently boarding, delayed, or even cancelled (we never want that but sometimes it does happen) so before moving to the next place after security, try to find your flight on the flight board to make sure you’re going to the right area.
Another use of the flight board is when waiting for other flights to land. For the Disney trip, I was the first to arrive in Orlando but one of my friends was coming in an hour or so after me so I waited for her. I looked at the flight board to see where her flight’s gate would land in. After getting some breakfast I took the airport tram Orlando has to her gate and just sat there until she disembarked the plane. I was lucky that our airlines were on the same side of the airport or else I would’ve had to go through security (I’ll get into that in another post); another reason to look at maps ahead of time.
10. If All Else Fails, Follow the Crowd (and Breathe)
In the worst case scenario, you can follow the crowd to check-in or TSA or when you go to baggage claim and arrival exits. This method can get tricky once you’re out of security because everyone will be going to their own concourse and gate afterwards but if you follow the other steps above, you’ll be able to find your gate.And remember to breathe! Don’t panic if you think you’re lost. You can always ask a TSA security officer or gate agent where to go if you don’t think you’re in the right place.
There you have it! I’m hoping these first time airport tips helps you next time you have a solo flight. If anyone else has some tips, comment below! We’re all about helping others here.
Also check out the TSA’s website for other tips or requirements when traveling via airplane.
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