How to navigate an airport and international travel
How to navigate an airport and international travel
So you’ve booked a trip, or better yet - a retreat with Wandering Roots, and you’re about to take your first flight - maybe solo, international or ever.
To keep you in the “that’s so exciting” headspace and out of the “I’m freaking out” zone, here are my top tips on navigating an airport and international travel.
1.Make a plan and gather the necessities
The things you should sort out before you takeoff are ID, passport, and visa. Check the date of expiration of your passport. It needs to be valid for at least six months after your last day of travel. To determine whether or not you need a visa, go here.
Research how you’ll get to and from the airport to your lodging. Uber, Lyft, or a good ole cab are available at most major airports and reservations can usually be made ahead. Check the airports website for transportation options and rental car locations.
Find out if you need any vaccinations. Some countries require a yellow fever vaccination, and you may be denied entry to the country if you don’t have a yellow fever card. A quick check to the cdc.gov website and search the country/countries they are traveling to will give you the most up-to-date information on what is required. Here in West Michigan, the health departments are generally the best source of travel information/vaccines along with a few specialty pharmacies.
Pack your carry-on with your most valuable items, your passport, your phone charger, headphones, and medication. You may want to bring are a travel pillow and a sleep mask. Don’t forget plug adapters when traveling internationally.
I normally bring a change of clothes, a toothbrush and toothpaste just in case they lose my luggage, or I don’t want to wear the same clothes for more than 24 hours.
Anything in a carry-on bag that is a liquid has to be less than 3.4 ounces per container and all liquids should be in a clear Ziploc bag. If you bring any fresh food (if it’s in a package, it’s usually fine), and you are traveling internationally, you need to consume it on the flight, it will not be allowed in the final scan of your belongings.
2. Download the airline app on your phone
This will make your life so much easier. You’ll get a notification reminder to check-in 24 hours prior to departure, you can check your bags, choose your seat, purchase wifi, display your boarding pass, upload your passport, and it will give you the most up-to-date info on whether or not your flight is on time, delayed or cancelled. It will also give you your gate number, alert you when your flight is boarding, and sometimes tell you how long it will take you to walk to your next connection.
3. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
I always lean toward comfort for my wardrobe but it’s even more essential when I’m flying. I always wear layers because you never know what the temperature will be like on a flight. Pro tip: compression socks can prevent your feet from swelling after a long flight. Shoes that are easy to slip on and off make going through security much easier and quicker, and you may have a hike to reach your gate, so comfortable footwear is key.
4. Give yourself enough time
Make sure to be there 2 hours in advance for domestic flights and 3 hours in advance for international flights so that you have enough time to check-in your luggage, go through airport security and find your gate. It can be quite crowded at the airport, and you might have to wait in line at some places. If you’re not checking a bag or traveling internationally, you probably won’t need as much time.
5. Check-in your luggage
If you checked-in online and don’t have any luggage that requires checking, then you can skip this step.
Upon arrival to the airport, you’ll need to head to the airline counter. Here, you’ll be able to check-in any luggage that’s not carry-on, and you can check-in if you weren’t able to do so online. Some airlines have baggage drop-off desks for people who have already checked-in online but still have to check-in their luggage.
You can find your airline check-in counter on the information boards at the airport (they’re usually numbered, which makes it easy to find them). The documents that you’ll need here are your ID and your boarding ticket if you already have one. If you don’t have a boarding ticket yet, you’ll need your booking number.
I have never seen any airport employee handle a bag with care, so please consider carrying-on anything that is fragile. I highly recommend luggage with a hard case and packing fragile items like they could fall off a mountain ;)
6. Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Most airports have signs literally everywhere directing you to security, departure gates, baggage claim, customs, immigration, rental car services, etc. If they’re in a foreign language, use Google Translate. It may be a good idea to have a few phrases typed out in your notes app. Greetings, yes, no, and where’s the bathroom are usually the ones I find most helpful.
There are also monitors with all airline arrivals and departures on them if you need to look up your gate. If you still can’t figure out where you need to be, ask an attendant at any counter for help.
7. Go through airport security
Most airports have a separate line for TSA pre-check, so make sure you get in the correct line, again look for the signs. You’ll have to show your ID and sometimes your boarding ticket.
You put your bag(s), footwear, jacket, and anything metallic (like a belt, watch, phone, etc.) in a container. Liquid or electronic items must be taken out of your bag and put into a separate container. You don’t have any of these requirements if you have TSA-precheck, so worth it if you ask me. If you have a water bottle, make sure that it’s empty because otherwise, it might be confiscated.
While your luggage is screened, you’ll walk through a screening machine yourself. You can collect your luggage on the other side. Sometimes the screening machine detects something unusual, and you might have to open up your bag, go through the screening machine again, or look through it with an agent.
8. Find your gate
Your gate number is often printed on your boarding pass. Occasionally, the departure gate of your flight can change, this is why I love the airline app because it will alert you, but the information screens will be updated as well.
Make sure to get to your gate by the time your flight is boarding. Boarding times are listed on your ticket, in the app, and on the information screens.
9. Board the plane
This often happens in a certain order, so pay attention to the agent and have your boarding pass ready. When it’s your turn to board, the gate attendant will scan your ticket. Sometimes on international flights, they will also check your passport again.
Seats are labeled just below the overhead storage bins. Your larger carry-ons go above your seat and your smaller carry-ons go under the seat in front of you. Sometimes your larger bags will be gate checked if you’re on a small plane that doesn’t have much overhead storage. If this happens, you’ll need to wait on the jet bridge when you arrive to collect your gate-checked bag.
Depending on the type of plane you’re taking and the length of your flight, there may be free inflight entertainment. This usually consists of movies, music and games that will keep you busy during a long-haul flight.
I always bring my own entertainment because once I was on a 12-hour flight where the in-flight entertainment wasn’t working. I normally bring my tablet or laptop with movies downloaded on them before I board the plan, as well as books, games, etc.
10. Going through customs
If you’re flying internationally, you’ll need to go through customs after leaving the plane. Pro tip: use the bathroom on the flight just in case there is no bathroom prior to customs and/or use the bathroom if it is available before you get into the customs line.
Processes vary depending on the airport, but you’ll always need your passport. Sometimes, you’ll need to fill in a form in advance, but you’ll be informed in advance during your flight.
Pay attention to the lines. Some lines may only be for citizens of the country you’re visiting. Global Entry has a separate line when you’re returning to the US, just make sure you’re in the right line.
Most agents will ask you why you’re visiting, where you’re staying, when you’re leaving, and your occupation, so have this information available.
For most US passengers returning back to the US, you will need to re-check your bags when you go through customs. For example, for most return European flights, I have a connection in ATL or ORD but neither are my final destination. I go through customs in one of these airports and once I’m through, I need to grab my checked luggage at a baggage carousel and re-check it with the airline. Most major airports have this processed fairly streamlined but some can take a lot longer.
Once you re-check your bag, you will have to go through security yourself one more time before proceeding to your connecting flight’s gate. You will only need to do this process once in the US, regardless of how many connections you have.
If you purchased something in duty-free, especially anything food related (think a fifth of liquor, jar of marmalade, etc.) you will most likely be flagged at the security point, post customs. If you can sneak it into your checked bags before you re-check them, you can avoid anything being confiscated or tested. This also means your water bottle needs to be empty.
11. Pick up your luggage
Follow the “baggage claim” sign to a room full of baggage carousels. There will be screens displaying flights and carousel numbers, and the app usually gives you this information as well . It can sometimes take awhile for your luggage to show up, be patient! Then follow the signs to the exit or transportation/rental car locations.
If your luggage was lost, there is usually a counter and/or kiosks in the carousel room that you can report it missing and get a new tracking number.
12. Connecting flights
If you have to catch a connecting flight, you don’t need to worry about your checked luggage only the items you carried on with you.
You’ll need to follow the signs for connecting gates.
13. Exiting the airport
In some countries, locals make a living by loading your bag for you. There could be someone reaching for your bag when you’re out of the airport. If you’d like a hand, make sure you have a tip on hand because they can be quite pushy. If you don’t want help, just hold on tight and keep saying “no thank you.”
The first time that you’re flying might be scary and stressful, but there’s no need to be nervous if you arrive at the airport on time. Know that you will have enough time to go through all the necessary steps and that you will always find someone that’s willing to help if you’re not sure what to do. Take deep breaths, be flexible and be patient. You got this, friend!
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am retreat host, travel designer, and a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Retreat Host | Travel Designer