When I was a kid, my uncle would take us to the airport just for fun. We’d park the car, walk into the terminal, grab something to eat, and spend hours watching planes take off and land. Going to the airport was genuinely enjoyable.
These days? Not so much. Airport security lines have gotten longer, the rules keep changing, and the whole process can feel like an obstacle course before you even get to your gate.
That said, there’s a lot you can do to make the experience faster and less stressful. After years of traveling through airports all over the world, here are the tips that have made the biggest difference for me.
Before You Leave Home
Check That Your ID Is REAL ID Compliant
This is the biggest change in recent years and one that catches many travelers off guard. Since May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license or an accepted alternative, such as a passport, is required for all domestic flights in the U.S. A standard driver’s license is no longer enough.
You can tell if your license is REAL ID compliant by looking for a star symbol in the upper right corner. If you don’t see one, you’ll need to travel with your passport or passport card instead.
You can get a REAL ID at your local DMV, but don’t leave it until the last minute, as appointments can book up quickly.
Also worth knowing: many airports now accept mobile driver’s licenses stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. If your state offers this, it’s a handy backup to have set up.
Download Your Airline’s App Before You Go
Check your flight status before leaving home so you’re not rushing to the airport only to find your flight delayed. If you’re driving and leaving your car at the airport, take a quick photo of your parking spot and level number.
It sounds simple, but after a long trip, you’ll be very glad you did.
Check In Online and Have Your Boarding Pass Ready
Skip the check-in desk entirely by checking in online and downloading your boarding pass to your phone. It’s one less queue to stand in and one less thing to worry about at the airport.
Arrive With Plenty of Time to Spare
For domestic flights, aim to arrive 90 to 120 minutes before departure. For international flights, give yourself 3 hours. Airport security lines are unpredictable, and cutting it close adds unnecessary stress to the start of your trip.
Know the Current Liquids Rules
The 3-1-1 rule still applies at most airports: liquids in containers of 3.4 oz or less, packed in one clear quart-sized zip-top bag, one bag per person.
However, airports with advanced CT scanning technology are now allowing certain items to be exempt from this rule, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and medical gel packs.
The safest approach is to stick to the 3-1-1 rule unless you’ve confirmed your departure airport has CT scanners and you’re carrying one of the approved exempt items. When in doubt, pack it in checked luggage or leave it at home.
Pack Your Power Bank in Your Carry-On
This is a newer rule that trips up a lot of people. As of 2025, lithium-ion power banks and portable chargers are no longer allowed in checked luggage. They must go in your carry-on bag.
The same applies to spare lithium batteries. Pack them in your hand luggage, and you won’t have any issues at the checkpoint.
At the Airport
Sign Up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
If you travel more than a couple of times a year, signing up for a trusted traveler program is one of the best investments you can make.
TSA PreCheck is for domestic travel, and Global Entry covers international arrivals. Both give you access to faster security lanes and a smoother overall experience.
TSA PreCheck enrollment costs between $78 and $85 and lasts five years. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck benefits. Some credit cards reimburse this fee, so it’s worth checking before you pay out of pocket.
For more information on how to apply for a Global Entry, click here.
One important thing to note: even with TSA PreCheck, you still need a REAL ID-compliant license or passport. Your PreCheck status doesn’t replace the ID requirement.
To learn about the requirements, costs, and registration for PreTSA, click here.
You Can Keep Your Shoes On Now
This is a welcome change that took effect in July 2025. The TSA ended its long-standing shoes-off policy, so all travelers, not just PreCheck members, can now keep their shoes on at security checkpoints.
You may still be asked to remove them if a secondary screening is triggered, but for most travelers, this step is no longer required.
Use the Left Lane
Most people instinctively veer right. It’s just how we’re wired. The security line on the left is often shorter simply because fewer people think to look that way. It’s a small thing, but over time it adds up.
Get Behind the Business Travelers
A line moving through mostly solo business travelers will almost always move faster than one with families, strollers, and oversized bags. If you have the choice, position yourself accordingly.
Take a Mental Inventory While You Wait in Line
Don’t wait until you reach the front of the line to start thinking about what needs to come out of your bag. While you’re shuffling forward, mentally run through what you’re carrying.
Laptops and other large electronics still need to be removed from your bag at most airports. Liquids, too, unless you’ve confirmed your airport has CT scanners.
Coins, keys, and anything in your pockets should go directly into your bag before you reach the conveyor, not into the plastic tray. It’s faster, and you’re less likely to leave something behind.
Use Only a Carry-On Bag Whenever You Can
Checking bags is one of the biggest time drains in air travel. It adds time at check-in and baggage claim, and there’s always the risk that the airline misplaces it.
With a little smart packing, most trips can be done with only a carry-on. You go straight through security, straight to your gate, and straight out of the airport at the other end.
Place Your Documents in an Easy-to-Reach Spot
Have your ID and boarding pass in your hand before you reach the checkpoint, not buried at the bottom of your bag.
Keep your travel essentials like earphones, snacks, and your e-reader in an outside pocket so you’re not unpacking everything just to get through the line.
Try the Facial Recognition Lane If Available
TSA’s touchless ID program, which uses facial recognition, has expanded to more than 15 major U.S. airports. If it’s available at your airport, it’s worth trying.
You provide biometric verification and skip the manual ID check with a TSA agent. You still go through security screening as normal, it just removes one step from the process.
“You know… the airport is the only place you can walk around with no shoes, a glazed look on your face, and sleep on the benches and no one judges you.” ― Coriander Woodruff Share on XGet Through Security and Into the Gate Area Quickly
Once you’re through security, you’re in the calm part of the airport. Any disruptions or incidents at an airport are far more likely to happen before the security checkpoint. Life really is better on the other side.
Bring an Empty Water Bottle
You can’t bring a full water bottle through security, but an empty one is perfectly fine. Fill it up at a water fountain once you’re through, and you’ll have cold, free water for the rest of your time at the airport and on the flight.
Staying hydrated on a flight makes a real difference in how you feel when you land.
I had arrived at the airport one hour early so that, in accordance with airline procedures, I could stand around. Dave Barry Share on XOnce You’re Through Security
Find a Quiet Gate to Wait At
Empty gates are a hidden gem in busy airports. They almost always have power outlets available for charging, plenty of seating, and none of the noise and crowds found near the main shopping areas.
If you have time before boarding, wander a little further down the terminal and find a quieter spot.
A few more things worth keeping in mind once you’re on the other side:
Bring a portable charger in your carry-on so you’re never hunting for a free outlet. If you see books in the airport bookstore that look interesting, take a photo of the cover and check reviews later at your leisure.
And finally, the golden rule of air travel: do not put anything valuable in the seat pocket in front of you on the plane. Your phone, your passport, your earbuds.
It goes in the seat pocket, you get distracted, and it stays on the plane. You have been warned.
Final Thoughts: Beat the Lines Before They Beat You
Airport security has actually improved quite a bit recently with the new TSA changes, especially now that you can keep your shoes on.
Knowing the current rules before you fly makes the whole process faster and less stressful. A little preparation at home saves a lot of time at the airport.
What are your go-to tips for getting through airport security quickly? Share them in the comments!
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4 Responses
“Walk a little bit further”. This literally happened yesterday. There are two escalators down to the immigration hall in KLIA. A massively long line of people queueing to go down the first escalator. Simply by walking 5 steps ahead you will see the second escalator on the other side of the disabled access (see through glass!) elevator.
Second escalator completely void of people! Same goes for exit doors, etc.
Good tip! I will remember it next time I go there or any airport for that matter. Thanks for your comment
Loved these tips, especially the mental inventory of what you will need to remove, and taking n empty water bottle. I just applied for my TSA Precheck, so here’s hoping it arrives soon 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, sometimes the simplest tips are the most effective. TSA Precheck will simplify your travel experience immeasurably.