7 Ways To Travel Easier :: Airport Edition {Part 1}

Travel

Jul 3

Written By Andrea | Good Midlife Travels

Let’s play THIS or THAT in Ways to Travel Easier :: Airport Edition

Which of these work better for the way you travel?

In THIS or THAT, you can see if you want to reinvent your travel time with a few new pieces

keep the status quo {because it can’t possibly get any better 😊}

I’m always looking for easier {+ more compact} ways to fly. Traveling with a carry-on suitcase + personal item bag on all trips is a challenge when one stashes shoes like a squirrel hoarding acorns for winter. 👟👞👢

We can all be on the same plane, but we all travel VERY DIFFERENTLY. Find the best pieces FOR YOU - that’s the only goal in these travel easier posts.

Alrighty, on to the list of ways to travel Easier

Let’s see if we can lighten your travel suitcase {and maybe, possibly, hopefully, squeeze in an extra pair of shoes 👟}

1/ This or That:: Water Bottle vs Thermos

I carry an Insulated Water Bottle to refill inside security

{happiest day was seeing all the water bottle stations added throughout airports - never have to tuck my bottle under the dribbling, trickling fountains again 💧}

The Thermos – {Yeti makes a good one too}

If you like hot drinks {coffee & tea} or traveling with your own food –oatmeal, soup packets– {getting hot water once onboard}, then I can see this being worth the carry.

Your vote?

2/ This or That:: Over-handle bag vs back pack

Can’t go wrong with either. But backpacks, for me, are for hiking – not airporting.

I had my Over-Handle Tumi for years, and still love it, but 6-months ago I changed out my trusty Tumi for my mocha weekender for more space + laptop compartment. The newest version of Tumi does have compartments.

All fit easily over a carry-on suitcase handle to stay in place while I’m walking the terminal, and go perfectly under the seat on the plane.

Hands-free and carrying on your back. This Travel Backpack is popular, and has a place for every piece of your trip.

With this backpack, you can carry on your back, OR it has a strap to go over your suitcase handle.

Look for these amenities in both::

Your bag has a slide-over/trolley strap on the back so you can drop it on top
They zip closed {not snap or magnet}. Don’t make yourself an easy target for sticky fingers when you’re not looking!
Inside zip pocket to hold valuables {passport, purse, wallet}

3/ This or That:: Sandals vs Sneakers

Sandals are speedy + comfortable airport shoes...

…As long as you don’t mind walking barefoot through TSA security –where billions have walked before you– {or you have Pre✅}

If you don’t have Pre✅, pack socks in your personal item bag to put on through security.

Sneakers are always a win for airport walking. To get through security faster, tie your laces on the side –in knots– so you can slip them on-n-off FAST.

This video shows the fast sneaker trick

Airplane floors get pretty chilly at 35,000 feet. If you’re a sandal-wearing flyer, pack a pair of socks in your personal item bag. {I use them on the hotel room floors, too.}

4/ This or That:: Airpods vs headphones

I have AirPods Pro, but B loves his Beats Fit Pro.

I’ve noticed his are lasting longer than mine recently, so have a peek over at his too if you’re looking.

I also have these headphones.

I like the idea that people can see I have headphones on. Sometimes my hair covers my AirPods, and people think I’m ignoring them🫣Sorry.

Side Note::

Noise-cancelling is the best feature ever invented
Most airlines no longer hand out headphones {for free}

5/ This or That:: Portable charger bank vs Magnet to your phone

Do you pack one portable charger for ALL devices, or just one for your phone?

Multiple Devices to charge your phone, iPad, headphones…I pack THIS ONE for its multiple charging cords hiding inside.

It comes with a carrying case that fits an extra charge cord for the times I traveled with my kiddos and they forgot to pack a charger.🙃

Magnet Phone Charger when I bring my phone only. Love this one, because it sticks to the back and I can forget about it. {Be sure you have a MagSafe phone case}

6/ This or That:: In Room Travel chargers

This 👉🏼 Flat Charger to charge all together

I like keeping all my devices charging together so I only need one outlet + everything sits together. Don’t forget anything in the room. {See it in action HERE}

You just have to forget a charger ONE TIME to make you want a trick or gadget to avoid leaving a man behind {at the hotel 🤦🏻‍♀️}.

That 👉🏼 Universal adapter + charging cords for each electronic & travel case

7/ This or That:: Seat-back Organizer vs Loosey-goosey

Inside your personal item bag, YOU NEED a smaller in-seat buddy that holds all the goodies you’ll need during your flight.

Travel pouch, Tripper, Airplane tips, snack bag

I kinda feel like an official, organized, got-my-shizzle together adult!

Far from it - but at least my seat-back friend is organized & ready every flight. 😇

This is the organizer pouch built for in-flight essentials, and has all my in-flight go-to’s handy all flight long!

If you’ve ever had your tray table down – drink in hand as you try to get into your under-seat personal item for your AirPods – YOU’LL FOR SURE want to put this idea into action before your next flight.

7 Easy Ways To Travel - Part 1 is complete!

Gathering and video-ing up the next 7 for you.

Until then, I hope you Travel Well · Travel Light · Travel in Style
✈️