The excitement of going on holiday can vanish the moment you hit airport traffic. Kids in the backseat asking, “Are we there yet?” while the GPS shows another 20-minute delay. You push forward, checking the time, hoping to beat the check-in desk closing.
School holidays make everything worse. The airport is full. The drop-off zones are chaotic. And your stress levels? Through the roof.
You’re not doing it wrong. This is how many Aussie families start their holidays, simply because the system isn’t built for families during peak season.
That’s why we created Park N Fly: to take the stress out of airport parking and help you start your trip on the right foot.
And with a bit of careful planning and helpful tips, you can flip the script and start your holiday the right way.
Let’s start with the simplest thing you can control: your timing.
Leave Early, Arrive Calmer: Travel Timing Tips
The best way to beat the holiday travel traffic is to leave early. School holidays bring airport traffic to a crawl, but with a few adjustments, you can cruise through it. The earlier you plan, the smoother the ride will be.
Here are some tips you can follow:
- Fly midweek if possible: Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually mean fewer crowds compared to Fridays and weekends.
- Avoid early morning departures: Mid-morning flights around 10 or 11 am can mean less congestion both on the road and inside the terminal.
- Use traffic apps: Tools like Waze or Google Maps help you avoid detours and spot bottlenecks ahead of time.
- Add buffer time: School holidays need an extra 30 to 45 minutes added to your usual schedule.
- Check airport congestion forecasts: Some airports show live or historical crowd data to help you choose better arrival times.
Once you’ve locked in a travel time that gives you breathing room, the next step is to look at how you get to the terminal.
Skip the Queue: The Shuttle Trick Every Family Should Know
The last thing you want during school holidays is to arrive at the airport already tense. But that’s what happens when you’re circling for a drop-off, dodging trolleys, and rushing kids to the terminal. It’s a stressful start, and avoidable.
Park N Fly turns that mess into a smooth handover. You park once, hand over the keys, and a shuttle whisks your family to the terminal without the drama. No searching for kerb space, no sprinting with bags, no dodging airport security giving you the side-eye.
But the real value of this shuttle service is the predictability. While others are stuck in airport queues, your family is stepping onto a pre-booked ride that’s clean, secure, and on your schedule. It takes the pressure off and replaces it with a sense of control.
With the logistics out of the way, now’s the time to get your family organised and ready for a smoother drop-off.
Smart Packing and Family Prep Ideas
Families travel differently, and when it comes to family trips, there’s no such thing as “over-preparing.” The more chaos you can eliminate at the start, the better your whole trip will go.
You can follow these strategies at this point:
- Pack a drop-off kit: This should include hand sanitiser, IDs, snacks, wipes, and a phone charger. Keep it in a separate bag that’s easy to grab.
- Give everyone a job: Kids who carry their own backpack or check their own boarding pass feel more in control and less anxious.
- Label everything: Water bottles, headphones, toys, and even carry-ons. A clear label can prevent lost items.
- Use checklists: Tick things off the night before so there’s no morning scramble.
- Print backups: A paper version of your tickets and ID can be a lifesaver if a phone dies or an app doesn’t load.
- Bring something calming: A soft toy, favourite book, or quiet activity can help kids stay calm during waits or busy moments.
After packing and planning are complete, you’re set for a more relaxed journey. And that brings us to the bigger idea: turning your travel day into part of the holiday itself.
Make Your Travel Day Feel Like a Holiday
It’s easy to think of the airport as a hurdle, something to survive before the fun begins. But that mindset adds pressure to a day that doesn’t have to be difficult.
With a little planning and the help of a trusted parking service provider like Park N Fly, your airport journey can feel like the perfect start to your holiday. No rushed parking. No stressful goodbyes. Just a direct ride to the terminal and a clear head.
When you start your travel day calm and in control, it sets the tone for everything that follows.