While your vacation will likely be one of the best weeks of your year, the journey getting there can be a whole other story.

Have you ever counted down the days to your holiday, only to have it tainted before you even get there?

We know we have.

Whether it’s a hideously long flight delay, bad airplane food, or missing luggage, the first few days of your holiday can be badly impacted by one negative experience at the airport.

Take a look at some of our favorite airport hacks to make your journey that little bit easier!

Pre-booking your airplane seats will remove a lot of pressure at the airport because you won’t have to rush to get a good spot. Pre-booking can give you a huge advantage, especially when traveling with young kids, as it’s important that you can get seats next to each other.

A lot of airlines will actually block off the spacious front row of economy for families at no extra cost: just call them up far in advance and ask to reserve them!

You can also use a website such as SeatGuru to help you choose where you want to sit before your airline’s seat selection opens – reviews will be supplied for each individual seat, as well as a clear map of aisle seats, window seats, extra legroom seats, and seats near power outlets or USB ports.

Bonus tip: If you really struggle with turbulence when flying, the seats right in the centre of the plane are usually the least affected.

It’s worth investing in well-made pieces of luggage that will last for a long time, and we recommend choosing a unique color or pattern for your suitcase, so you can spot it easily at baggage claim without risking any accidental bag-swaps with strangers.

Delsey and Dakine both offer durable suitcases in an assortment of designs and colors. If bright hues or funky patterns aren’t your thing, go for something more understated like this Samsonite four-wheeler, but be sure to attach a ribbon or keyring that will help you identify it.

Always check the size and weight on baggage restrictions for your airline before you leave. This way, you can weigh your suitcase at home to avoid the embarrassment of an overweight case and dodge any extra baggage fees! You can pick up some bargain baggage scales from your local supermarket. Also, check out our Guide To Holiday Packing!

Bonus tip: Purchase a Trakdot to track the whereabouts of your luggage in the event of it getting lost.

Find a hand-luggage piece that perfectly suits your lifestyle and is comfortable to carry – it can come in any shape or size as long as it fits with your airline’s size and weight regulations!

If you’re bringing your work away with you, go for something that can accommodate your laptop like this carry-on suitcase by 90Fun, which includes a large front pocket for electronics, pens, and notepads.

If you’re travelling with children, then this Delsey laptop backpack can fit plenty of tech, books, and toys to keep both you and the kids busy on the plane, and also leaves both of your hands free when you’re walking through the airport!

If your carry-on doesn’t have a zip-compartment for your valuables, invest in a wallet or folder that you can keep essentials in, such as your passport, ID, cash (foreign and domestic!), and boarding pass.

Check out this sleek and chic Bellroy Travel Wallet, or for something cheaper that can be used for the whole family, take a look at this Lewis Clark document organizer.

A portable charger  is a must-have too, so you’re not constantly in search of the nearest outlet in order to keep your electronics high on battery power.

Don’t forget a spare layer of clothing, headphones, and your toothbrush, either.

Our other top recommendations for packing in your carry-on include a blanket and eye-mask for a comfortable snooze on the plane, a Kindle for some lightweight in-flight entertainment, and a pair of sunglasses for when you touch down in sunny Cancun at the other end of your flight!

You might be jetting off to sizzling hot Mexico for a week, but don’t forget that airplanes, and airports, can be uncomfortable, and even chilly.

Don’t bother with high heels or tight jeans; wear loose, soft clothing, comfortable shoes that can be conveniently slipped off, and bring woolly socks and a warm sweater in case you get cold.

Ditch the contact lenses for the flight and wear your glasses instead – your eyes will thank you later.

It’s also valuable to bring some travel-sized moisturizer and hand cream to keep your skin hydrated too.

We know, you’re excited for your vacation and you’re not even thinking about the return journey yet, but trust us, it is one of the most useful airport hacks.

If you’ve driven to the airport, take a few quick snaps of your parking space when you arrive so you can remember where it is – there’s nothing worse than returning home at the end of a great holiday, only to spend hours trying to remember where you left your car.

You may also want to try a “find my car” app, which saves the location of your parked car for future reference when you return home!

Since the majority of humans are right-handed, most people are biased to the right when faced with a choice of direction, meaning the left-hand queue will often be shorter.

If all lanes are looking busy, head to the queue nearest the Business Class desk, which often has little or no queue at all. Airline agents at a business class desk will usually call forward economy customers from a nearby queue if their lane is empty.

Less time in the queue = more time for shopping, eating, and being early for boarding!

Airplane food can be a real hit and miss, especially if you’re flying with kids!

However, we bet you didn’t know that you can actually bring your own snacks on board; as long as your food doesn’t exceed the airline’s liquid restrictions you can bring whatever you like.

Healthy granola bars or protein-packed energy balls are a great choice.

Check what restaurants are available at the airport ahead of time – you could grab a meal there when you get to the restaurant, or get something to take away – most airport restaurants will clearly point out which menu items you’ll be allowed to take on the plane.

Bonus tip: bring a large, empty bottle and fill it up once you get through security to save yourself from spending on overpriced water. Consider in purchasing a collapsible water bottle,  it is great plus its reusable so better for the environment.

Prepare yourself to breeze through security by taking your jacket off before you arrive there, and one of the most important airport hacks to take into consideration- your liquids ready in a Ziploc bag so they can be readily deposited in a plastic tray.

You’ll have to remove your electronics from your carry-on at security as well, so make them easily accessible, packed at the top of your carry-on. Be sure to fully charge them before your trip: you may not be allowed to board with them if you are unable to switch them on when asked.

Avoid wearing jewelry or a belt to the airport if possible, as you’ll have to take these off at security, which will only slow you down – keep them stored in a safe place in your luggage instead. Also, go for slip-on shoes which are comfy and easy to take off.

Once you’re through security, find your gate number right away. It’s okay to browse the duty-free stores, or grab some food, but make sure you get to your gate with plenty of time. Once you’ve located it, find a nearby, empty gate where you can wait in peace, and make full use of the seats and power outlets before your flight begins boarding.

Keep your passport and boarding pass safe in a zipped compartment or travel wallet so you can have them at the ready!

Although you’re likely familiar with your local home airport, going to a new airport for the first time can be confusing.

If you’re headed to new territory for your vacation, or simply for a layover, we suggest trying the GateGuru app, which has airport maps of the facilities on offer in each terminal. This is super helpful if you need to find a restroom or a restaurant quickly, if you need to find a customer service desk, or the family lounge.

You can also use GateGuru to plan your journey itinerary, book yourself a rental car once you’ve reached your destination, or if you just want access to the WiFi to let your loved ones back home know that you’ve arrived safely!

We know that the journey to and from your holiday can be tough, but these top ten airport hacks could go a long way in turning it from stressful to stress-free – and it’ll all be worth it when you’re stretched on a sun lounger in Playa Del Carmen, sipping a margarita, and enjoying the Caribbean!

Head over to our blog to check out more of our travel tips!