Flying Solo: 10 Tips for First-Time Solo Travelers

Flying Solo: 10 Tips for First-Time Solo Travelers

Everybody’s first flight is a thrilling experience, especially if it’s their first time flying solo for their travel journey. When it comes to their big day, first-time fliers are either nervous or eager. Putting aside the nerves about your safety (flying is safer than driving a car, and flight attendants and pilots are professionally qualified to perform their duties and put your safety first), you will still be curious about how to prepare for your first flight.

There’s a lot that goes into preparing for your first solo flight. You have to consider travel insurance, packing luggage essentials, booking in advance, boarding, etc. when creating a list of things to prepare for. Even for people who like to be spontaneous, preparing for your first flight in advance is quite crucial. From navigating airports to TSA checks and flight delays, you have to be prepared to face all these challenges to ensure your first flight experience goes smoothly. Instead of a lengthy guide, we’ve compiled top unmissable tips and some useful advice that even avid travelers might not think to consider when getting ready for a flight.

Read more: Affordable Destinations in Turkey for Budget Travelers

 

10 Unmissable Tips for First-Time Solo Travelers

Flying is an essential part of travel. And a source of worry for many people. Whether they have a fear of flying or heights, concern about their safety or anxiety about a solo flight experience. However, preparing ahead of time can help be more relaxed and get through your solo flying experience with a breeze. Check out these expert solo flying tips for first-time solo travelers:

 

1.   Sort Out Your Travel Paperwork

Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash

First-time travelers often worry that they won’t have the papers needed to board their aircraft, which can make the airport a scary place to visit. What if you’re all packed for your trip to Dubai but your visa and air tickets aren’t sorted yet? Here, the most crucial thing to keep in mind is that your passport is the most crucial document. Whenever you travel abroad, make sure it has six months or more left before it expires.

These days, the majority of airlines provide e-tickets that you may see on your tablet or smartphone. Your confirmation email, which may come from the airline you’re flying with or from a third party, will contain all the information you need to provide to airport personnel.

Staff will give you a real boarding pass at the check-in desk once you present this. This pass contains details about your trip, including your seat number, flight number and scheduled takeoff time. It will allow you entry inside the aircraft, so be careful not to lose it in the thrill of your first flight!

Check out: Ultimate Dubai Package (3 Days)

 

2.   Buy Travel Insurance

Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash

Getting travel insurance is another piece of advice to keep in mind while booking your first flight. Risks associated with travel, such as passport and personal belongings loss, misplacement of checked baggage, etc., are covered by travel insurance. Having coverage for these risks guarantees an added layer of security (especially for people who have severe travel anxiety) against financial loss. 

  • What’s the right time to buy travel insurance? 

When to get travel insurance depends on the type of coverage you pick to suit your trip or trips. However, it’s always advisable to get insurance for your journey as soon as you’ve made the decision to book it or pay for it.

 

3.  Know Your Luggage

Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

The first thing a first-time traveler should learn is to differentiate between carry-on and hold luggage, and then decide whether they need to bring both. If your trip is long-haul (six hours or more), you should check in at least one piece of hold luggage, which you must drop off at the check-in desk before boarding. After that, it will be given back to you at the other end, where you will have to scan it using a luggage carousel.

Carriers sometimes let you bring a backpack or case large enough to hold most of your belongings for a long weekend or city trip on short-haul flights. This makes it possible for you to arrive at your destination more quickly and keeps all of your belongings with you for the duration of the journey. It’s also important to consider packing light because you may be charged additional fees for keeping your luggage in the hold, especially when using low-cost carriers. The sizes of the bags you can bring on board, for both carry-on and cabin baggage, are set by all airlines. As there is no “one size fits all” rule, confirm these details with your airline.

Read more: How to Spend One Day In Istanbul: 24-Hour Istanbul Itinerary

 

4.   Weigh Your Baggage at Home

Photo by Rach Teo on Unsplash

To save yourself from being surprised by additional charges at the airport (in case your baggage exceeds the limit you thought it was), get out your scales and weigh your luggage at home. If the weight of your belongings exceeds the weight limit specified by the airline, try to remove as many extra clothes or toiletries as you can. Pack light and smart, taking only what you need and not what you think might require extra. That way, you can avoid being charged an excess baggage fee, which occasionally exceeds the cost of initially checking the bag, if your luggage weighs more than the airline has allowed.

  • Why should you make your baggage identifiable?

All baggage looks similar and can risk getting lost or being mistaken as somebody else’s. This can cause a big obstacle for your first solo travel trip. To avoid this, wrap a piece of colored ribbon or belt around your luggage. This way you won’t have to take each piece of luggage off the conveyor belt at baggage reclaim. Instead, you’ll be able to swiftly identify your bags and move on with the next process.

 

5.   Understand Airport Procedures

It’s essential for all travelers, whether avid or newbies flying solo, to learn the airport procedures before boarding their flight. You can visit their website to learn about eh basic procedures so you’re not surprised or delayed when you get there. 

  • COVID Updated Guidelines

Some of the airport guidelines could have undergone minor adjustments since COVID-19. For instance, on some airlines or trips to specific destinations, you might need to present specific documentation prior to or during check-in to board the aircraft. A negative COVID test result, a health statement, or a passenger locator form are a few examples of this. It’s crucial to review the travel limitations of the country you’re visiting as well as the airline’s policies before your journey. Furthermore, wearing a face mask during your trip and while you are inside the airport is mandatory in many places.

Check out: Antalya Tour (3 Days)

 

6.   Remember to Dress With Comfort in Mind 

Photo by Atoms on Unsplash

You might be excited to arrive at the airport with your best-traveling outfit. However, one of the most important for easy airport navigation is to dress in unrestrictive and comfortable clothes. It can be a pain to spend hours on an airplane wearing uncomfortable clothing, especially on lengthy journeys. You can pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage and change at the airport upon landing if you have an important appointment to catch afterward. 

  • The Magic Trick to Airport Fashion

When departing a cooler country, dressing in a jacket and jeans could seem like a smart choice, but when you get to your destination in 35ºC heat, you’ll immediately regret it. Because of this, it’s advisable to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage or bring some detachable layers, especially if you anticipate feeling cooler on the plane than when you get to your destination.

 

7.    Always Arrive Early, Not on Time

Photo by rawkkim on Unsplash

Here’s a tip that will last you for all your travel adventures: arrive not on time, but always 1-2 hours early.  Regardless of the purpose of your trip, be it business or pleasure, it’s wise to get to the airport early. Arriving at the exact time means you might miss your flight because of late check-ins and erratic security lineups.

Airlines normally request that you arrive three hours before to your trip if you are traveling abroad. You can take this time to relax and get a bite to eat before boarding. Remember that most planes begin boarding around 45 minutes before to scheduled departure and many flights close the boarding door by 15 minutes before the exact departure time. 

Read more: Reasons Why You Should Make Dubai Your Next Travel Destination

 

8.   Book Your Flights in Advance 

Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash

This one can really blow your budget. Airlines usually offer their cheapest seats far in advance, so you’ll nearly always pay extra if you wait to buy. Try to book your flight at least a few weeks in advance if your trip dates are flexible. When you book too late, you also run the danger of having fewer seat selections, and nobody wants to spend hundreds of dollars just to have their options confined to the middle rows, where everything is congested and overwhelming. Which is not an ideal first-time experience for solo flying travelers.

 

9.   Always Exchange Currency Online and in Advance 

Photo by John McArthur on Unsplash

For those flying solo for a trip abroad, exchanging currency is another obstacle they must face. Instead of using the ones at the airport, use a different currency exchange company if you are traveling with cash as they typically provide bad conversion rates. Or, before the day of your flight, exchange your money with a reliable currency exchange agency. Using the currency exchange services at the airport would only be wise if the firm you choose allows you to get your currency in advance online and pick it up at the airport. These businesses typically provide a higher exchange rate when you pre-order online. 

Check out: Luxor and Aswan Package (4 Days)

 

10.   Don’t Stress Over Security Procedures

Photo by Lukas Souza on Unsplash

The cabin crew will walk you through certain processes you need to know before the flight takes off. This contains instructions on how to buckle up your seatbelt, certain cabin rules and emergency procedures. While this may seem alarming, don’t panic! This is a routine operation designed to give you peace of mind, and it is followed by every airline for every trip. Keep in mind that security inspections can occur at random, so if an alert sounds and you’re sent for a follow-up screening, just remain composed and do as instructed.

 

Make Your Solo Trip Unforgettable With a Guided Travel Experience 

Gearing up to take to the skies for the first time can be a frightening experience, but it does not have to be. As you eagerly anticipate your very first flight, keep the tips above in mind to make sure you have the best flying and travel experiences. Do you want to have a fully guided travel experience without any booking hassles and long lines?

If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place.

iLinkTurkey offers a diverse range of guided tour packages for destinations around the world. Head over to our packages and book one of our best-selling worldwide packages now.

Share

Trending Now

Tags

You Might Also Be Interested In

Signup For Our Email List

Get In Touch

Your Travel Journey to Turkey Starts Here
iLinkTurkey is a leading tour service specializing in offering high-quality travel experiences all around the world. Book a tour with us now and get started on your next adventure.
CONTACT US
Phone

+1-201-366-1155

Need live support?

info@ilinkturkey.com

Copyright © 2023  ILinkTurkey. All rights reserved.