Rick Steves' Brilliant Hack Makes Navigating European Airports So Much Easier

If you're in the midst of planning the perfect European travel itinerary, you're likely full of excitement. After all, the continent is home to iconic cities, beautiful architecture, delicious cuisine, stunning natural scenery, and fascinating cultures. What you might not be thinking about is the stress of traveling through European airports. Although Europe is ahead of the curve in many ways, the airports can still be complicated to navigate. These days, traveling by plane is more anxiety inducing than glamorous, and flying in Europe is unfortunately no exception. Luckily, Rick Steves has some great advice on how to get through the airports with your sanity in tact.

Rick Steves is one of the most popular European travel experts, particularly amongst tourists from North America. He traveled to Europe for the first time when he was a teenager, and the trip inspired him so much that he would go on to base his entire career around encouraging others to travel there. He's published numerous bestselling travel guidebooks, hosted a European-travel themed television program, and takes thousands of tourists on group tours. He always recommends reviewing maps of the various airport terminals you'll be visiting so that you don't get lost. 

"Over the years I've learned some tricks on dealing with European airports," Steves wrote on his website. Talk about an understatement. Today, he still spends several months out of each year traveling through Europe — and he has to make his way through the airports just like the rest of us. If you're looking for strategies to make your trip as stress-free as possible, follow his advice and download the airport terminal maps before you depart.

Imagine that you arrive at a major European airport after a red-eye flight, which can be a savvy traveler's secret weapon, but comes with its challenges. You're tired and groggy because it's only four in the morning where you're from, but the airport is already bustling with crowds. After adjusting your watch to reflect the new time zone, you realize that you have less than an hour before your next flight departs to your final destination. You have no idea where you're going in the unfamiliar terminal, and your morning quickly descends into chaos. Before you know it, you're running to your gate trying not to miss your flight. 

Don't let this happen to you. To avoid unwanted stress, get a lay of the land before you arrive. Study some maps of the airport terminals before you depart your city of origin. "Smart travelers download airport terminal maps to their smartphones or print them out before they leave," Rick Steves explains. "You can also look for websites with detailed instructions on how to get from your arrival gate to the center of the city (e.g. for Paris and Rome). Google has even started mapping airport interiors with its Street View program," he added.

Follow the same protocol for your trip home. "When it's time to fly home, be sure you know your departure terminal before you leave for the airport. Don't count on the taxi driver or shuttle bus driver knowing where you should be dropped off." Be sure to budget plenty of time to make it through the terminal so you don't miss your flight. 

Reviewing the terminal maps can save you some serious stress at the airport, but Rick Steves has plenty of other great tips to make your experience even better. He recommends limiting your baggage to one carry-on suitcase and a small backpack, which is a requirement for people who are going on one of his group tours. According to Steves, once you enjoy the freedom of carry-on only travel, you'll never go back to checking bags. His advice is particularly important when you have connecting flights, or when you're flying to a few different cities on your trip to Europe.

"When you carry your own luggage, quick, last-minute changes in flight plans become simpler. A small bag sits in the overhead bin or under your seat; when you arrive, you can hit the ground running. It's a good feeling. When I land in London, I'm on my way downtown while everyone else stares anxiously at the luggage carousel," he wrote on his website.

Steves also suggests asking airport staff members for help when you need it. "I'll ask the gate agent if she can seat me in the exit row. I'll ask the car-rental agent for the easiest way to get out of the airport. And if I have a tight connection and there are lines at passport control, I'll ask the attendant politely if I can use the "elite flyer" line instead so I can make that connecting flight," he wrote. A little help from staff goes a long way in ensuring you don't lose your mind in a busy airport. Don't be afraid of language barriers. "Nearly everything is translated into English at European airports, but you still need to pay careful attention," he added on his website.