After traveling to over 38 countries and many airports, I am giving you 7 important things that could go wrong, if you are not prepared. All airports are different, but the system and process of going getting to your boarding gate for an international trip is about the same
Check Your Passport Expiration Date. Make sure your Passport is valid and does not expire for at least 6 months. If you need to apply for a new Passport – start the process a few months earlier or pay for the expedited Passport. Do NOT leave your passport at home. I always do a passport check before I head to the airport.
Make a digital and also print out a paper copy. Make a copy of your passport, your plane ticket, boarding pass. Just in case something goes wrong with your phone or other electronics, you will have a paper copy. Keep copies in your carry-on bag.
Get to the airport at least 3 hours early. For an international flight, you never know how long the lines to check in your luggage are going to be and you really have no idea if the security lines will be extra-long or delayed. You don’t want to rush, so get to airport in plenty of time..
Weigh and measure your luggage and carry-on bag before you leave home. Airport luggage fees for overweight bags are expensive. And at some airports the airline staff will have you remove items from your bag and leave behind or throw away if your luggage or carry-on bag is too heavy, by even one pound.
Check about a month early if you need a visa to travel to your destination country. Do not wait until the last minute to order your visa, even online it can take a few weeks to get approval. Rember your name should be written exactly the same as on your passport on all travel documents.
Check your carry-on for travel contraband. Do not have any (sharp objects, even mini sewing scissor will be confiscated). No liquids, gels over 3 oz should be in your carry-on. Those items should be in your checked luggage at the ticket counter. Also these items should be placed in clear plastic Ziploc bags.
Check your Airport Departure Display Boards. All Airports have a board that displays the time of your flight and the airport gate you will be departing from. Check these terminal boards frequently, as these board can update or change the times of your flight or change the airport gate number you will leaving from.
There are Information Boards throughout the airport. A Departures (for flights leaving the airport) and Arrivals (for flights arriving into the airport) make sure you are looking at the correct board for your destination.
Remember, if there is something at the Airport you do not understand – ask questions. Find an information desk, a security officer or airline staff person. They are there to help you navigate if this is your first time going through the airport process.
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