Flying this summer? Airport travel can get stressful and overwhelming. If you're a Globe Aware volunteer, especially a college student on break, here are some tips to make your journey smoother and less hectic.
5 tips for airport travel
June 5, 2025
Kathryn Pinto
The Daily Collegian
Flying this summer? Airport travel can be stressful and extremely complicated. As an out-of-state student from far enough away, people question my decision to attend Penn State. Over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about reducing travel hassle.
Here are five things you can do to ensure a smoother journey.
Flying this summer? Airport travel can be stressful and extremely complicated. Here are five things you can do to ensure a smoother journey.
1) Look up a map of the connecting airport
Running between gates?
Too many times while traveling, I have encountered a complicated flight transfer. A delay, accidentally booking the only flight available 45 minutes before departure, or construction can have you running with your luggage past Hudson News and Duty-Free stores.
These maps have saved me many times during a tight transfer and have let me know where I need to go, even before I exit the plane. Usually at larger airports flight transfers can have you walking the entire six terminals, so knowing how to get from place to place can be essential.
I’ve found these maps online and they are often accessible from your phone. You should be able to see the terminal you’re trying to get to, as well as the gates and stores that surround it. Oftentimes, airports have transport systems that help you get to far terminals and you’re able to see these on the map.
2) Ask gate agents questions
Getting help for questions in a busy airport can be hard. A lot of airlines have something they use as an online help resource, but this can take a while to load and you may encounter issues with usability.
If you load the app and put in your flight information, it will probably take longer than just going up and asking someone your question. Plus, through the app system, you have to rely on data and Wi-Fi, which can be spotty in a new place.
Instead, gate agents can look up the information about your flight. Speaking to them can get you an answer quicker than online. They may also be able to direct you to the right person who can help.
3) Empty water bottles before arriving
Avoid the walk of shame from the security line. Honestly, I have brought full bottles to the airport a lot, thinking that I will drink more and remember to empty them before I enter security.
But in the mix of everything else going on, I have often forgotten and walked into the line with full bottles of forbidden water on me. Shame.
To avoid the hassle of remembering to empty this from your luggage, just bring it into the airport empty. Get in the car with it empty, and it may save you later.
4) AirTag your suitcase
As someone who travels with all of my worldly possessions way more than I want to, this is such a nice reassurance. You can easily slip an AirTag in your bag when you check it, so that if anything happens, you have an extra way to know where your luggage is. Airlines have their own tracking systems for bags, but it’s nice to have extra security built in to make sure you get your suitcase.
When I land at my destination, I can always see whether or not my suitcase has made it to the right place. When I’m at the airport, I can check if it has made it to the gate or terminal I’m departing from.
This has increased my stress when flying, though. Too often, I have internally combusted over a notification that my bags are no longer with me. This is normal.
You will get these notifications, especially when your plane starts moving (thank you, Apple Support and my mom for calling).
I suggest checking your AirTag only once when you land and once during a transfer, just to see that it got somewhere near you. 9.5 out of 10 times it’s in the right place.
5) Do assignments ahead of time
Please don’t think you can get things done on the plane.
Honestly, I’ve tried. I have overestimated my ability to work in airports and during transit too many times. As a high school student flying for ice hockey, I constantly promised myself I would actually finish an assignment on the plane. Please lower your expectations.
Travel is always crazier and more tiring than you can imagine. Also, planes are very small and the ability to do something you should be doing is often really impossible.
On the plane, you will be presented with the option of sleep, which for someone like me is always extremely enticing. Just give in and don’t plan on getting anything important done.
Airports can be a lot. But you can make it slightly less than a lot.
