Airport Help
The Airport Is Your Friend!

Airport help???  The airport is your friend??

We think so. 

Help is available at any major airport you will fly into... and we've always found that it's friendly help...

...all you have to do is take the time to look for it.

Most people I talk to say they hate airports...

Hate airports?

That's an emotional reaction to today's security problems and the airline delays that have become more common.

We really do think the airport is your friend...

So let's look at airports in a different light.

If You're Departing

First thing is to read our page on Airport Departures... that's where we've gone into more detail on this.

Just remember, most flights really do operate pretty close to on time, and security lines and rules aren't really THAT bad if you follow our Travel Security Alert Packing Guide...

OK, OK... that's MY opinion, ... and those problems can happen at departure...

But let's just say you got on your flight, now you have to deal with getting your trip off to a good start from your airport of arrival.

Arrival at Paro Airport in Bhutan

Customs and Immigration on Arrival

You've passed through Immigrations and Customs, and now you're through the sliding glass doors into the arrivals hall, you've run the gauntlet of relatives, tour guides, and taxi drivers.

We had advice on all that on our Airport Arrival page... Smile, keep saying no thank you, and walk to a quiet corner of the airport... and...

Look For All The Airport Help You Can Find

I said the airport is your friend, and I meant it. I don't want any of this to scare you with this arrivals gauntlet talk, I just want you to know what to expect...

... because I really DO believe that the airport is your friend and airport help will start your trip off right....

You're in the arrival hall. So now what? You want to be here.

You've planned and dreamed, but for the trip to begin, you have to get out of the airport. Our advice is...

Don't Be In A Rush

You may disagree with me about departures, but on your airport arrival, the airport is your friend and airport help is plentiful.

I know that's hard to believe these days. Airports have a bad rap.... no one seems to want to be at the airport....

But look at it another way.... We think you should take advantage of airport help.... especially if you're an independent traveler. How you handle your airport arrival can set the tone for your trip... at least for the first day or days.

Look for ATMs, Banks, and Service Desks

Even if you're in a group, at least insist that your guide let you get some money at the ATM.....

If you're an independent traveler, utilize those airports.... don't be in a rush to leave. Sure you want to get out and get going, but take your time...

Get money at the ATM or airport bank.

Get Information

Look for Tourist Information.  There is usually a desk where people can offer advice.  There will at least be racks of brochures to help.

Get maps of the city or for driving.

Get food if you feel like it. There are restaurants and coffee shops and book stores and places to buy sandwiches and candy bars and bottled water.

Find A Hotel or Pick Up Rental Cars

Get a hotel or at least booklets about hotels in the area. Almost all airports have information booths and hotel help desks.

If you have a hotel, do you know how to get there? Ask at information. Do they have a bus? Is there a shuttle bus? Do you need to take the train or a taxi in? Where do you catch it? If you're catching a bus or train into town, you don't need to be on the first one... you need to be on the right one and know what you're doing.

Do you need to find a hotel in town or on the road? Ask at information. They or a hotel desk can get you one or give you brochures about hotels on the road.

If you're renting a car, do you know the best way to get out of the airport and to where you want to go? Ask at information, get a map, talk to the rental car people.

It's when you rush that you're most apt to make mistakes... especially if your a little tired and fuzzy from that long plane ride.

Get all this airport help, and you'll save time and aggravation in the long run.

Here's What We Do

We always stop at the ATM to change money.

Then we hit the restrooms to put extra money, our ATM cards, and our passports in our money belts for safety.

We take the time to freshen up, brush our teeth, sometimes we change clothes.

We just kind of stop to catch our breath, pull out maps we've brought with us, think about our game plan.

Then.... when we feel like we've collected ourselves and we have the information we need, we hit the road and have a wonderful trip.

Make use of all that airport help and you will too!

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark

Curious about what else we've written about?  Search our site for a destination or travel tip.

But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark

Return from Airport Help to Airport Arrivals   Airport Departure
Travel Security Alert Packing Guide  What Can You Fit In That Plastic Bag?
Foreign Money Matters   Foreign Language
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