Hi lovelies! As you know I recently travelled to the UK for
a vacation. Travel is extremely rewarding but it can also be quite a stressful undertaking.
Today I’m teaming up with Lipault to share some of the tips and tricks I picked
up that made my experience in the airports a little more comfortable.
My trip involved 2 flights each on departure and return and
a stop-over in Dubai. The stop-overs were short at 2 hours and 5 hours each and
with each flight being 7-8 hours it can end up being taxing and tiring if you
don’t plan well. Here is what made my life a little easier.
Invest In Good
Luggage
Good-quality, durable luggage might be a bit of an
investment but it will last you a lifetime. When choosing luggage, make sure
that it is lightweight, made from sturdy material and has a decent set of zips
and finishes. I personally use Samsonite luggage because the bags are of
stellar quality and are really lightweight and spacious. I’d also advise you to
get a colour other than black or to add some colourful ribbons or a slip cover
on your luggage so that you can identify it easily.
Make sure your carry-on bag fits the requirement for the
airline you are flying. The Lipault Plume Spinner is created to fit the
dimension requirements for most airlines. It is also made from water-resistant,
durable nylon fabric and is finished off with robust but extremely lightweight
hardware. It weighs ±7.7
pounds without anything inside and the spinner wheels
make moving around really easy. The bag comes in loads of delightful colours
too, from black and brown to sultry red and calming blue to pretty pink like
mine.
Pack Smart
When preparing your carry-on I suggest packing 2 sets of
extra clothes and 3 sets of extra underwear. Nobody wants to think about their
luggage getting lost and even though it only happens a small percentage of the
time, you don’t want to be stuck without clothes. I pack in items like
leggings, t-shirts and clothing that I can fold and fit into a big Ziplock bag.
That way I can pack one outfit + underwear together. The Ziplock bags compact
the clothing and allow you to pack the clothes in neatly, allowing enough room
for some duty free shopping. ;)
Also buy items like extra hair-ties, bobby pins, gum, wet
wipes and band aids and pack them in your carry-on. Small things like these can
get very expensive and eat into your budget.
Pack your carry-on liquids (below 100mL) and your medication
in a clear Ziplock bag and remember to include your liquid/gel liner, mascara
and lip glosses because some airports will make you remove them from your
makeup bag. Have this Ziplock bag and your electronics (Laptop/iPad/Hair iron etc.)
in an easily accessible compartment or in your handbag so that you’re not
fumbling around at Security. Take an extra little Ziplock bag and remove your
glasses, belt, jewellery etc. and put them in there and in your handbag before queuing
up for Security. This keeps them together so you can put them on again after
clearing Security.
Familiarise Yourself
with the Airport
Check out the website beforehand and locate your terminal
and check-in counter if possible. Get acquainted with the restaurants and
stores that you can find in the airport especially if you only have a few hours
(in transit) and want to do some shopping. Apps like Zomato (available in some
countries) list all the restaurants available in and around airports and in the
different terminals.
Get There Early
Even if you have checked in online, try to get to the
airport right when the check-in for your flight opens. Queues can get pretty
long and Security and Passport Control, depending on the business of the
airport and time of the day/year, can also take up lots of time. You don’t want
to rush through your duty-free shopping do you?
Budget
Apart from duty-free, budget an amount for snacks, food,
magazines etc. and stick to it. Even if it means withdrawing that amount in
cash. Everything looks so tempting when you are travelling especially if its
restaurants and snacks that aren’t available in your country and food can end
up getting really expensive. Zomato allows you to look at menus beforehand so
you can get an idea of prices at various restaurants to help you budget.
Be Comfortable
This means what is comfortable for YOU. Don’t let anyone or
a website tell you what to wear because only you know what works for you. I’ve
seen girls breeze through airports in heels! Personally I prefer a pair of
sneakers and a pair of slip-ons from Flossy packed into my Lipault carry-on.
For clothing I like leggings or joggers.
Make sure your carry-on and handbag are easy to carry and
move around. I love my Lipault Lady Plume Tote Bag because it’s lightweight,
durable and easy to carry. The nylon fabric means that if I spill that cup of
coffee I can wipe it up without any permanent damage.
Layer up! Temperatures can change all the time. The airplane
can get really warm or really cold and airports are usually air conditioned. Instead of one heavy, gigantic coat wear a few
lightweight items. I usually wear a tank, a long-sleeved tee, a light bomber
jacket and a pashmina. Don’t forget to leave some space in your carry-on for
your layers!
Be Calm and Polite
Flights get delayed or you might have to get searched at
Security; things like this happen and there’s no use getting worked up. Everyone
in the airport is literally just doing their job and trying to make the
experience as efficient and comfortable as possible for everyone.
Don’t forget your Pleases and Thank Yous! Being polite costs
nothing and means everything! Smiles are free too and can make someone’s day.
What makes your airport experience easier? Let me know by
commenting below!
Until next time
Love and sparkles
Zaakira xox
