Travel tips

When to arrive

Aim to be at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before international travel. During peak holidays, school breaks or when a major event is running locally, add an extra 30 to 45 minutes. Many airports publish live security wait times on their websites. Check before you leave the house.

Documents and check-in

Have your passport (or government ID for domestic flights), boarding pass and any required visas in one easy-to-reach place. Online check-in usually opens 24 hours before departure and lets you skip queues at the counter if you only have carry-on. Save a screenshot of your boarding pass in case the terminal Wi-Fi misbehaves.

Security and customs

Liquids and gels in carry-on must usually fit in containers of 100 ml or less, packed in a single one-litre clear bag. Laptops and large electronics often need to come out of bags at screening. International arrivals are a separate flow. Leave time for immigration, baggage claim, customs and any agricultural or biosecurity checks that apply.

Lounges

Lounge access is one of the easiest comfort upgrades for a traveller. Options include airline-operated lounges (premium-cabin or elite status), independent contract lounges that sell day passes, and access via cards like Priority Pass, DragonPass, Plaza Premium or LoungeKey. Many independent lounges allow advance booking online for a guaranteed seat.

Layovers and transfers

On a single ticket with one airline, your bag is usually checked through to the final destination. On separate tickets, especially across alliances, you almost always need to clear customs, collect bags and re-check at the connecting airport. Add at least three hours for international-to-international transfers on separate tickets, and confirm visa rules for the transit country in advance.

Ground transport

Most major airports have a clear taxi rank with published fares, a designated ride-hail pickup area, public transport options into the city and rental car desks landside. For an early-morning departure, an airport-area hotel with a shuttle is often more reliable than a city hotel plus a 5am taxi.