School holiday travel hacks

With school about to break, a holiday is on everyone’s mind and heads up – it is going to be a busy time at the airport. 

To help you keep your chill while travelling during this busy travel period we've collected a bunch of travel hacks to help you plan ahead.

TIP 1: Be aware of the busiest travel days

Let’s be honest, school holidays is a busy time for travel. We all know this, but sometimes it can fall through the mind cracks and be a surprise. We’re expecting the busiest travel times to be:

• Domestic Terminal: Friday 28 and Sunday 30 June especially around 5pm and 10pm. And Saturday 6 July will be busy. 
• International Terminal: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June morning particularly around 7am and 9am.
• The last weekend before school goes back will be a busy time too - 13 and 14 July. 

It will be busy inside the terminals as well as the pick-up areas and on the roads to and from the terminals. Keep your chill by allowing extra travel time to and from the airport.

TIP 2: Book your parking online in advance 

If you are looking to book car parking at the airport for your trip or to pick someone up, book online in advance for the best price. It will be a busy time at the airport, so being prepared with your parking in advance is the most convenient option.

• Getting out of town for a long weekend? Park after 12pm on Friday and pick up your car before 12pm on Monday with the $39* ParkLong weekend special.
• ParkShort is the perfect option if you are picking up family and friends. You can help them with their bags and greet them in the terminal for just $5* for the first hour when you book online.  
• Start your trip with ease and experience the convenience of ParkValet, just drop your keys with a parking attendants and let your holidays begin.
• Still not sure what parking option is right for you? Check out this guide to Brisbane Airport Parking.

TIP 3: Use the waiting areas

If you are on pick-up duty and not planning to park, use the waiting areas until your passengers are at the pick-up zone and ready to go. Using the waiting areas will help reduce the traffic on the surrounding roads and your frustration if you are asked to move on and loop around because your passengers are not quite ready to be picked up yet.

TIP 4: Lost and found

Remember to pack your valuables securely including your passports and ID, phones and favourite toys. If you do misplace something in the terminal, get in touch with our lost property team to try and find your items.

Lost passports and other identification documents like drivers licences must be handed into the Australian Federal Police. If you think you lost your item near the boarding gate, on the place or if you are missing your luggage, you’ll need to contact your airline’s lost property team. 

TIP 5: Find some zen while you wait

Once you’re in the terminal, through check-in and security this is your time to relax pre-flight and find your kind of pre-holiday cheer. A few ideas we prepared earlier:

At the Domestic Terminal:

• Treat yo’ self! From Friday 28 June the brand new Krispy Kreme store will be open in the Qantas end of the Domestic Terminal, next to Gate 25. Travelling before the 28th? No worries, we have you covered with another Krispy Kreme store located in Virgin Terminal near Gate 49. 
• Enjoy fresh, nourishing bowls on the fly from Seeds by Bruno Loubet. Now open in the Qantas Café Court. 
• Calling all Allpress coffee fans! The new [email protected] store is now open in the Qantas Link area. Grab a magazine, a bite to eat and a cuppa before you jet. Located near Gate 1. 

At the International Terminal:

• Grab a seat by the window, order a pre-flight coffee or cocktail from Windmill & Co and snap your first holiday photo.
• Escaping the Australian winter for some Northern Hemisphere sun? Pick up a pair of Ray-Ban, Prada or Miu Miu Sunglasses for up to 50% off at Sunglass Hut on your way out. 
• Treat yourself to a winter harvest pie and standard coffee for only $11 from Hudson's Coffee. 

And if all else fails, smile. Your holiday is about to begin after all!