If you’re planning to travel this Easter be better prepared. Invariably more people will be thinking the same as you and head to the roads and airports for a short trip away so the roads will be busier as more people take a short Easter break to a sunnier clime or merely to get away from the drudgery or political Election TV campaigning. It is also the start of the school holidays.
Airports will be busier as will the roads so you need to allow more time for the unexpected delays that can blight your journey. Ensure your space is booked for you get a quote now for your Easter Airport Parking
Whilst the actual delays will be outside of your control you can at least mitigate the potential stress and extra queuing time if you make allowances for potential delays. Here are a few tips to help you be better prepared.
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Online Check in
Many airlines allow you to check in online in fact most budget airlines prefer it and will actually charge you if you don’t. This will save you valuable queuing time and enable you to print off your own boarding card pass as you only need to visit the fast-bag drop off to hand in your luggage.
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Take only what hand luggage you really need
Travelling with essential hand luggage seems logical but why do you see so many travelers trying to carry on several pieces of hand luggage. Do they really need to have so much with them on the flight or is it that they are scared to place the items in the hold or trying to avoid luggage weight limits. It’s so much more relaxing to have only one small hand luggage piece when departing the aircraft instead of struggling to place in above head lockers or down the isle of the plane. Carry on what you really need and pack the rest in your suitcase.
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Change some foreign currency before you get to your destination
don’t leave it till you arrive as you won’t get a good rate at your destination airport exchange bureau as they reduce it, be better prepared and exchange some currency before you arrive at the airport of departure or destination and get more for your pound.
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Check your travel documents and keep them together
Sounds simple enough but it’s amazing just how many people don’t check their documents beforehand. If only have to visit the Passport office in London to see the number of people queuing for emergency passports as they didn’t check to see when they expire. Remember you can’t travel on a passport internationally or outside the EU if your expiry date is less than 6 months upon your return date. If you’re travelling as a family best to appoint one most organized person to hold all the passports, tickets, paperwork. Children are independent but don’t let them manage their own tickets or passports. Most children don’t fully understand the implications of losing them. Even misplacing them by throwing them in their bag will cause delays when passing through security or trying to board the plane. You don’t want the added stress of having to unpack a Childs bag on the terminal floor trying to find a boarding pass, passport or paperwork.
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Be fully up-to-date with checked-in luggage restrictions
Check your luggage allowances before packing. Checked-in luggage and hand luggage restrictions vary from airline to airline, so check online prior to travel. Never assume that what was correct last year still applies today Check it first. It doesn’t take much time and will save you the additional cost of luggage excess charges which can be a bit of a shock
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Check hand luggage restrictions
There are strict rules what can be carried on an aircraft and what is not permitted in hand luggage. These restrictions may appear bizarre to you but you only have to look at the dump bins prior to security check-ins to see all manner of items discarded. Be aware of these rules particularly the liquids in luggage rules. If you are visiting family this Easter and plan to carry presents in your hand luggage, make sure they are unwrapped for inspection. Any wrapped presents may be unwrapped for inspection when passing through security. I recently witnessed a traveler arguing with a security officer abroad over perfume he had in his hand luggage which exceeded the volume limit for liquids. He lost the argument and lost the perfume.
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Book your airport parking online
To ensure you get the very best possible price for your airport parking and to reserve the ideal parking location its best to book as early as you know you’re travelling. Book your airport parking in advance. Good savings can be made by booking airport parking online.
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Book an Airport Hotel
If your flight is early morning why not consider driving down the night before and stay at one of the numerous airport hotels connected to the airports and start your journey in a less stressful way. By staying at an airport hotel you know that you will not be affected by traffic delays and will easily be able to get to the airport ON TIME. Some airlines even offer check-in the night before you flight the day before.