Believe it or not, another Spring Break season is nearly upon us, and countless Minnesotans can’t wait to flee the frigid temperatures of the Twin Cities for warmer climates.
But with the excitement of Spring Break also comes one unfortunate headache: dealing with one of the peak travel seasons at MSP Airport. Getting to the airport, through security, and to your gate often seems like a sluggish logistical nightmare hardly worth the trouble – but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are some tips to simplify and streamline your trip to and through MSP so you can spend less time in transit and more time soaking up the sun.
Avoid the busiest time windows
The level of traffic at the airport typically has more to do with the time of day than anything else. Peak travel windows such as Monday morning (commuters leaving to start their week) and Friday afternoon/evening (leisure travelers heading out for a weekend trip) are going to slow you down more than if you’d traveled at mid-day and/or during mid-week.
Avoiding these high-traffic windows if you can is a good first step in minimizing your time spent navigating the airport.
Check in to your flight ASAP
Most airlines allow you to check in to your flight online within 24 hours of your boarding time, so do that as soon as you can. Having to do so in person at the airport is an unnecessary delay the modern traveler shouldn’t have to deal with anymore.
In most cases you’ll also be able to save your boarding pass to your mobile device, removing the need to print off and keep track of a hard copy, which is just one more item you can forget at home or lose in transit.
Give yourself ample time
No one likes experiencing that rushed, panicked feeling on your way to the airport, so make sure you leave with more than enough time to get through security and to your gate stress-free. We’d all rather be sitting at the gate enjoying a snack or flipping through a magazine than standing in line at security repeatedly checking our watch. You can make it happen.
Know where you’re going
It’s important to know whether you’re flying out of Lindbergh Terminal or Humphrey Terminal, in addition to knowing which gate your plane will be departing from. If you’re not familiar with MSP, take a look at a map before you head there to get a lay of the land. It can make a big difference, especially for inexperienced travelers.
Book a Taxi
Parking at the airport can be a major headache, not to mention the expensive cost. If you’re coming from anywhere within 30 miles of MSP, it’s more than worth it to book a taxi. Not only will you not have to deal with parking, but you’ll get door-to-door service from a professional driver, while you sit back and relax.
Don’t miss: TRANSPORTATION PLUS’S AIRPORT SPECIAL
Carry on (if you can)
Carrying on your luggage has several advantages from an efficiency standpoint. First, you won’t have to stop and check your bags, which costs both time and money. Carrying on also ensures your luggage isn’t lost or misplaced in transit, and that you won’t have to wait at baggage claim at your destination to retrieve it after the fact.
Instead, you can walk right out of the airport and get to work embarking on your Spring Break getaway.
Sign up for expedited security processing
Special programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR take much of the frustration out of the security process, granting members expedited processing to whisk past long lines and quickly get on with their travels. If you can afford such a program, it can drastically improve the airport-going experience.
Dress easy
We’ve all been there – scrambling at the security checkpoint to empty our pockets and untie our shoes while the line is bearing down on us from behind. It’s a good idea to minimize the amount of items you’ll have to take out of your pockets and the number of clothing items you’ll have to remove when going through security.
It also helps to place small items of clutter in your carry-on when going through the checkpoint, as you won’t have to remove them from your pockets and place them in a bin, only to put them right back in your pockets on the other side.
Simplify your Spring Break travel with Transportation Plus
Transportation Plus offers premier travel service throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota, enlisting full-time professional drivers and low rates to get you to your destination quickly and reliably. Our services include:
- Airport specials
- No surge pricing – EVER
- ihail app for quick and easy booking
- Wide range of vehicles and options
- Full-time professional drivers
- Vehicles serviced and inspected every 3,500 miles by ASE-certified mechanics
- And more
Book your ride today for quick and easy travel to and through MSP for Spring Break.