Often, airports can be extremely stressful. You find yourself busy, bustling and short-on-time; navigating the airport with ease takes experience. JFK is a huge airport with eight terminals supporting 90 airlines, which carry passengers all around the world. JFK is not for the faint-hearted. If you find travelling stressful, make sure you prepare yourself for New York’s busiest airport. Once the airport terminal fills up it can be extremely overwhelming. Thus, it is nice to have a few airport hacks under your belt to make travel easier.
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Cheap parking
Make sure you do your research to find the best value airport parking. This little bit of research can go a long way by saving you a lot of time and money. There are a number of options to choose from. Check out the JFK Airport long term parking rates for parking for your long-haul flight. Booking in advance will save time and hassle. Many airport car parking services offer free transportation to the airport.
Early check-in
Check into your flight early. Most airlines offer the option to check-in 24 hours in advance, as well as a way to download your boarding pass onto your phone. If you do not manage to check-in in advance, look around for kiosks in the departure terminal, which often stand empty. Checking in early will help you avoid unnecessary lines. There is nothing worse than standing in a long line in an airport.
Use technology
Today there are many apps designed to make travelling easier. Each airline has its own app. These will serve as a great lifeline to important information, such as your flight status and boarding pass. Make sure you make the most of the technology available to you. Also, there are a number of websites that will offer information about airport security, terminal maps and security wait times.
Expedited clearance
JFK is one of many airports worldwide that offer expedited screening programs, such as global entry or TSA Pre-Check. Make the most of this opportunity and become a pre-approved traveler. These services cost around $85 and $100 but will help you avoid lines and long wait times. Knowing you are a pre-checked traveler gives you more time to get to the airport. So don’t panic if you get stuck in New York’s rush hour.
Follow TSA rules
Prepare your luggage and carry-on before security checkpoints. Buy travel-size items, pack your liquids and charge your phone. Preparing these small things before getting in line at security can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Layovers
For those travelling through JFK on a layover, plan ahead. The airport is huge and there are a number of terminals to navigate around. Once you have pre-planned your way around the airport, take advantage of everything JFK has to offer its travelers. For example, there are a number of lounges to sit back and relax in, as well as a diverse selection of restaurants and duty-free shopping.
Article written by Carol Trehearn
