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Frommer's Travel: How to make time at the airport a bit less stressful

Prospect of spending time in airports got you down? Pauline Frommer makes it better
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Everyone wants to go on vacation. Nobody wants to go to the airport. But with the following tips, your stay in that purgatory could be just a hair more tolerable.

Check in online ahead of time: Printing your boarding pass ahead means one less line at the airport. ’Nuff said.

Get to the airport early: This may sound counterintuitive, since who wants to spend more time at the airport? But flying becomes far more stressful with the potential of missing your flight hanging over your head. Give yourself an extra half-hour so you can relax a bit.

Be an outlet sharer: There’s no airport commodity as valuable as power outlets. So be the guy everyone is happy to see and bring a mini travel power outlet with you. There are half a dozen affordable ones on the market that are the size of an adult man’s hand, with three outlets and three USB ports. They’re small and portable — and you might need those extra power sources in your hotel room, too.

Keep your receipt if you have to buy something from one of those overpriced Best Buy vending machines: If you forget your power cord, headphones or some other gadget and have to buy it at the airport (and who hasn’t that happened to?), Best Buy’s price guarantee means that any regular store will refund what you overpaid at the vending machine, so long as you have proof. Just knowing that will make your day much nicer, I promise.

Pick the right airport: Not all are created equal, so if comfort enters the equation and your destination has several hubs, pick the best-reviewed one.

And that can change from time to time: For example, in New York City right now, LaGuardia Airport is undergoing a multiyear renovation that has snarled roads going into and out of the airport. Just to avoid the hassles, you may want to use JFK and Newark instead for the next few years.

Consider “lounging”: A number of credit cards now allow their bearers free access to a wide variety of airport lounges, and their more serene atmosphere, complimentary food and drink, uncrowded restrooms and cushy, outlet laden chairs. If you’re not one of those lucky card holders, and you have a long layover, see if a kind stranger will add you as his or her guest. Yes, this requires loitering by the lounge entrance and approaching people you don’t know, but if you’re well-spoken and decently dressed, many folks will be happy to help you.

A final tool: The app Lounge Buddy will have reviews of the lounges near you, and will tell you what fee you’ll need to pay for access. Sometimes the price is worth it.

Seek out the chapel or yoga room: If you can’t get into the lounge, these lightly used spaces usually are empty, and they’re serene oases away from the frenetic energy of the terminal. And nobody is going to check that you’re actually praying or doing downward-facing dog.

Leave via the arrivals area: You’ll avoid the bigger crowds at the departures area that way, get a cab much quicker (if you need one) and have an area where a friend or an Uber can pick you up much more easily.

Note to the reader: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. The information in this column was accurate when it was released, but prices are competitive, sometimes limited and can always change without notice.

Pauline Frommer is the Editorial Director for the Frommer Travel Guides and Frommers.com. She co-hosts the radio program The Travel Show with her father, Arthur Frommer and is the author of the best-selling Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City.


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