Be well prepared for air travel and arriving at the airport

• Check-in, baggage drop and boarding have separate deadlines, depending on the airline, fare and airport.
• The terminal, gate and security procedures may change, so check them again shortly before setting off.
• Keep travel documents, medication, money, keys and essentials in your easily accessible carry-on baggage.
• For a connection, allow for terminal transfers, checks, baggage and the transit country's entry requirements.
• Plan onward travel from the destination airport around your arrival time, baggage and a later alternative.
• For delays, cancellations or baggage problems, booking references, receipts and contact details are important.

The journey starts before you reach the terminal. Check your departure point, transport, parking or transfer arrangements against your booked flight time. If you are leaving early, make sure the first available service is actually running. If you have a lot of baggage, are travelling with children or have reduced mobility, allow extra time for getting around and taking breaks. The journey to the airport includes your departure point, transport and arrival at the terminal.

The day before, check the flight number, terminal, baggage rules and check-in details with the relevant provider. An earlier confirmation may have been superseded by a later change. Check-in, baggage-drop and boarding deadlines are listed in your booking information and can be added to your travel checklist alongside your departure time. Save the most important documents offline as well, so you can access them even with a weak connection.

Your carry-on baggage should contain anything you will need before arrival: passport, entry permit, medication, glasses, keys, money, phone and charger. Divide carry-on and checked baggage according to accessibility and the specific provider's rules. Liquids, batteries, sports equipment and mobility aids may be subject to additional requirements.

After dropping off your baggage, you will go through security. This can make the walk to your gate longer than the airport map might suggest. A filled water bottle, metal items and electronic devices are handled according to the rules in force. Follow the security requirements posted for liquids and electronic devices.

For a connection, consider the first flight, terminal, checks, baggage and onward flight as one chain. If you cross a border while in transit, the transit country's requirements apply in addition to the destination's entry rules; these include entry and document requirements. If you have separate tickets, check whether you need to collect and recheck your baggage. Leaving enough time between flights allows for terminal transfers, checks and checking in baggage again.

The final leg matters too. Save your accommodation address in its local format and as text that can be read offline. For a taxi, bus, train or pickup, note the stop, meeting point and a later connection. An address saved offline complements a paper copy. If plans change, allowances, contacts and a plan B can help.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or you are denied boarding, keep the flight number, booking confirmation, messages from the provider and receipts. EU air passenger rights apply to flights within the EU, certain flights from non-EU countries to the EU operated by an EU carrier, and flights departing from the EU regardless of the carrier. In the event of a cancellation, the rules generally provide for a refund, rerouting or a return flight, as well as assistance at the airport. The provider concerned is still your first point of contact for resolving the matter in practice.

If baggage is lost or damaged, report the problem as soon as possible where you discover it. Keep your baggage tag number, photos and case reference. If you become ill or lose your baggage, contacts you can reach and recorded case references are important. When dealing with addresses, announcements and enquiries, language and communication matter while you are travelling.

For practical preparations, plan your departure, carry-on baggage, documents, arrival and first overnight stay together.

You can also carry a small note on paper with your flight number, accommodation, meeting point and a phone number. Include only the information you will actually need while travelling, and keep it separate from complete personal records. For your overnight stay, consider your arrival time and first onward journey; you can narrow down your accommodation search by destination.

How early should I get to the airport?

It depends on the airport, flight, baggage, checks and your personal circumstances. Use the airline's deadlines as a guide; allow extra time if you have a long way to go or a lot of baggage.

What should I keep in my carry-on baggage?

Keep your passport, permits, medication, money, keys, phone, charger and anything you will need for the first few hours within easy reach.

What should I do if I need to change terminals?

Check the route, travel time, any additional checks and whether you may need to collect your baggage. A tightly scheduled connection is particularly risky.

Which documents should I keep if there is a disruption?

Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, messages from the provider, baggage tag number, case reference and receipts for necessary expenses separately.

When can a cancellation result in compensation?

Cancellations notified less than 14 days before the scheduled departure may give rise to a right to compensation. Extraordinary circumstances may rule out payment; the airline must provide evidence of them.