Airports are the gateway to great adventures in faraway lands, but they are also the place where one can lose their sanity while paying $10 for a bottle of water. Long security lines. Flight delays and cancellations. Broken escalators and trams. Overcrowded gates. Expensive eateries. People yelling at gate agents. Lost luggage. The things we put up with for our love of travel! 🧳✈️
Airports I have traversed on my trips ~ blue markers past trips, green markers future trips.
Surviving Airports
My international trips generally entail two connections, which equates to spending a lot of time in airports. Living in North Central Florida, one relies on regional airports, which tend to only offer direct flights to a handful of domestic airports. This means an additional connection for international trips. (Yes, there are several international airports approximately two hours away, but I prefer to endure a second connection over the drive!)
Through my travels and hours spent in airports, I have found ways to make my visits more comfortable and enjoyable. The following are a few of my best travel practices for airports. ✈️
🧳Keep airports in mind when picking flights with connections ~ The larger, international airports will have more eateries, activities, and services along with a hotel or “suites by the minute” where you can rest a bit. This will help pass the time and make the hours spent at the airport more bearable. Some regional airports are great but have very limited dining options and little to do except plane spotting!
If you have a long connection, keep in mind that some international airports offer free city tours or can assist you in reserving one with a local tour company.
🧳Review terminal maps ~ Most airport websites or apps provide terminal maps. These maps will give you a sense of what to expect regarding distance from the security checkpoint to the gate, the number of restaurants in your terminal, what services are available (e.g., currency exchange, phone charging stations, etc.), and the location of shuttles and trams.
🧳Do not rely on airport apps ~ While some airport apps are great, others are riddled with issues and may not provide up-to-date information on gate changes or departure times. Also, do not trust the distances provided by those apps. I had an airport app once tell me the distance to my gate was .2 miles when it was really almost a mile!
🧳Read the airport’s press releases ~ Yes, this may sound crazy, but those press releases sometimes have critical information! They will inform you of upcoming construction projects that affect parking, check-in location, etc., whether trams and shuttles will be out of service, if portions of a terminal will be closed for maintenance, etc. They will also share information on upcoming art exhibits or events happening at the airport that will make your visit more interesting and enjoyable!
The press releases help determine if upcoming construction or closures will impact accessibility. This proactive approach allows travelers to contact the airport beforehand to request any necessary accommodations.
🧳Watch YouTube videos ~ There are a lot of videos on YouTube that will show you the layout of a terminal or how to get from one point to another within an airport. I found these videos to be helpful as I planned my trip to Europe, given I had a connection in Heathrow Airport going from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3. The videos showed key information such as where to catch the tram followed by the shuttle bus, how long the connection will take when there are minimal crowds, etc. It made me realize that a 2-hour connection may not be enough!
🧳Do not limit yourself to airside eateries ~ If you have a long connection, you can look into grabbing a bite to eat at one of the landside eateries, which are generally not as crowded as those airside. Some airport hotels located on the landside have restaurants that are open to the general public, and those provide another, probably nicer, dining option.
If you choose this option, remember that you will need to pass through the security checkpoint to return to your gate.
🧳Finding quiet space ~ One wonderful oasis of peace and quiet in an airport is the Chapel/Prayer Room. Most airports have such a space, and it is open to the general public regardless of faith. These rooms provide a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Some Chapel/Prayer Rooms provide travelers with prayer books and items (e.g., prayer shawls, prayer rugs, etc.), while others hold weekly services.
🧳Take advantage of air lounge day passes ~ If you have a long connection, check out the lounges associated with your airline and travel credit card to see if they have day passes available. Passes range in price from as low as $40 to upwards of $100. Most lounges offer the basics such as meals and beverages, comfortable chairs, and a business center, while others also offer shower and sleeping facilities.
Upcoming Future Posts
✈️ Miami International Airport ~ I have traversed Miami International Airport (MIA) well over 30 times, so I will dedicate a post to this airport to give travelers insight on how to best navigate MIA.
✈️ Heathrow Airport ~ I had a handful of interesting experiences and many lessons learned at Heathrow while on my recent European trip. I will write about managing connections at Heathrow, passing security checkpoints, and surviving Terminal 3.
✈️Charlotte Douglas International Airport ~ I have now had 2 connections at Charlotte International (CLT), including a 7-hour layover. In a future post, I will share insight on how to manage connections at CLT and navigate concourse C and E.
✈️ Denver International Airport ~ I had the opportunity to traverse Denver International (DEN) a few weeks ago during a weekend trip to the city. I will share information and tips on rideshare services, security checkpoints, and late departures with my fellow adventurers.
Stay tuned for more airport information from upcoming trips!
✈️ Munich International Airport (2025)
✈️ Vienna International Airport (2025)
✈️ Charleston International Airport (2025)
So far, these have been my favorite airports in Europe and Africa. I am hoping to add Munich and Vienna to the list!
✈️ Frankfurt Airport
✈️ Václav Havel Airport Prague
✈️ Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
✈️ Cairo International Airport
✈️ Luxor International Airport
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