7 Airport Tricks That Actually Save You Time

Airports are designed to slow you down. Long corridors. Confusing signs. A duty-free shop between you and your gate.

These 7 tricks push back. And they work consistently — not just in theory, but trip after trip.

1. Check In Online — The Moment It Opens

Check in the moment online check-in opens. Usually 24 hours before departure, sometimes 48 or even 72 hours for certain airlines.

You get a better seat — the window you wanted, the exit row with extra legroom, the aisle you always prefer. You skip the counter entirely. And if the flight is overbooked, you’re protected: last check-ins go first on the voluntary bumping list.

For low-cost carriers like Ryanair, this matters even more: checking in at the airport instead of online can trigger fees. Set a reminder. It takes two minutes.

2. Use the Second Security Checkpoint

Most travelers only know the main security area. Larger airports often have a second, less-visited checkpoint — sometimes on the other side of the terminal, sometimes serving specific gate zones.

Frankfurt Airport has multiple security points in Terminal 1. Using the northern entrance instead of the main entrance often saves 20–30 minutes.

A quick look at the airport’s website or a Google Maps satellite view before you travel can reveal these shortcuts.

3. Lounge Access Without Business Class

You don’t need a business class ticket to get into airport lounges.

Travel credit card with lounge benefit: American Express Platinum, certain airline co-branded cards — many premium travel credit cards include lounge access or a Priority Pass membership.

Priority Pass: Costs an annual fee, gives you access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide. Worth it from around 6–8 flights per year. More on lounge culture and business class: Business Class: When It’s Actually Worth It.

Day pass: Many lounges sell day passes at the door or via apps, typically €30–60.

Lounges mean: quiet seating, free food and drinks, reliable WiFi, often showers. On long layovers or early morning departures, this makes a real difference.

4. Ask About Gate Upgrades

Just before departure, airlines know whether their business class is full. If it’s not, upgrades happen — sometimes free to status customers, sometimes for a small fee to anyone who asks.

Asking politely (“I’d love to upgrade if there’s anything available”) sometimes gets a positive response. No guarantee, but the chance is real.

Alternatively: bidding systems. Lufthansa, Swiss, and many others run upgrade auctions before the flight via app. You place a bid — and the minimum price is often surprisingly low.

5. Take Carry-On Dimensions Seriously

Not because the rule itself is the issue — but because of the consequences when you ignore it.

Being stopped at the gate because your backpack is too large costs time, sometimes money, always nerves. At Ryanair: €50–80 at the gate for oversized bags.

The solution is simpler than it sounds. Our guide One Week, Carry-On Only shows how much actually fits in a compliant backpack. Most low-cost standard: 40 × 20 × 25 cm, max 10 kg. That sounds small. For a week, it’s plenty.

6. Get Free Water After Security

Airport water prices are absurd. €3–5 for a 500ml bottle is standard airside.

The simple alternative: bring an empty reusable bottle through security and fill it after. Most large airports — especially in Northern Europe — have water refill stations airside. Free, clean, better than buying plastic.

Where there are no stations: ask restaurants or cafés for tap water. In many European countries, this is free.

7. Don’t Forget the Return Flight Check-In

Travelers in another country often don’t think about their return check-in until departure day. Wrong.

Online check-in for the return flight opens 24–48 hours before departure — even if you’re currently sitting on a beach somewhere else. Checking in early means you choose seats, avoid middle seats, and save time at the return airport.

For low-cost carriers, late check-in can trigger fees. Set a reminder 24 hours before your return flight.

Bonus: Moving Through Security Faster

A few small things that make a real difference:

• Remove belt, jacket, and shoes while still in the queue — not at the tray
• Have laptop and liquids at the top of your bag before you arrive
• Use one tray instead of two
• Stand behind frequent business travelers in the queue — they move efficiently

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The most relaxed part of any trip is the part you’ve prepared for. Zercy helps with the planning before — so nothing goes wrong at the airport itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should you arrive at the airport?

For domestic and short-haul flights: 90 minutes before departure. For international flights: 2 hours. For long-haul and large hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Heathrow: 2.5–3 hours. These times assume you’ve already checked in online and have no checked baggage.

What does Priority Pass cost — and when is it worth it?

If you fly 6–8 times per year: yes. The Unlimited tier costs roughly €400 annually but gives you access to 1,400+ lounges. Many premium credit cards include Priority Pass at no extra cost — check before you pay.

How do gate upgrades actually work?

Yes, but rarely and with no guarantee. Best chances: status customers of the airline, fully checked in, asking politely when business class isn’t full. Bidding upgrades (via the airline’s app before the flight) are more reliable and often cheaper than expected.

What happens if your carry-on is too big?

You get stopped at the gate. The bag has to be checked — at a price significantly higher than pre-booking checked baggage. Easily avoided: check dimensions before packing, use a bag that genuinely fits.

Read more: 7 Tricks to Find Cheaper Flights · When to Book Flights · One Week, Carry-On Only