Make sure you have all the necessary documents

A civil passport if you are traveling within Russia, a foreign passport if you are traveling abroad, a printout of the itinerary receipt (most airlines only require a passport to check in for a flight, but it is better to have the itinerary receipt with you, at least on a smartphone, just in case), as well as documents that may be required by the rules of entry into the destination country: hotel reservations, return tickets, money in foreign currency to pay for a visa, etc.

How advise istanbul airport luggage storage if you are traveling with children in US, you need to take a birth certificate and a passport (if any). To travel abroad, a child will need a birth certificate, a foreign passport, and also a notarized consent to leave if the child is traveling without parents (with a nanny, grandmother, etc.) Check the rules of entry into the destination country for minors: even if the child is traveling accompanied by one parent, the border guard may require a notarized consent from the other parent. You should always have the documents you need for pre- and post-flight security checks with you, so put them in your carry-on baggage (not in your checked baggage).

If necessary, check in online for your flight

For example, this is mandatory for all Ryanair passengers, otherwise a fee will be charged at the airport. You will be notified of the need to pre-check in for Ryanair and other low-cost carriers after purchasing your ticket.

Check the weight of your luggage

Make sure that your luggage complies with the weight allowance for your flight. The maximum allowable luggage weight is indicated on the itinerary receipt. It is easy to find out the weight of your luggage at home: step on a regular scale first without your suitcase, and then with it.

Make sure your items comply with the baggage and carry-on baggage rules

For example, all liquids you take on board the plane must be in containers no larger than 100 ml and no more than 1 liter in total. Read more about baggage and carry-on baggage rules so that your expensive perfume or favorite Swiss knife are not confiscated at the airport the first time.

Plan your route to the airport in advance

If you are using a car, consider the possibility of traffic jams. If possible, give preference to commuter trains and the metro, which are much more reliable than cars and run on schedule, which allows you to calculate your arrival time as accurately as possible. Pay attention to the terminal from which you are flying: at large airports, terminals are often located in different buildings, the distance between which must be covered by transport. For example, one of the Heathrow terminals in England is located an hour's drive from the main airport area. The name of the terminal should be indicated on your ticket or itinerary receipt in a format such as "A12". The departure terminal may change, so it is more prudent to check it in the list of flights on the airport's website on the day of departure. 

Prepare to wrap your luggage if you think it is necessary

Today, airports offer a service of wrapping luggage, which is wrapped in special film. This is done for two purposes: 1. to protect the suitcase from damage and dirt during transportation; 2. to protect the contents of the luggage from the curiosity of unscrupulous airport employees. Experienced travelers know that it is easier to buy regular cling film and wrap the luggage yourself than to overpay for wrapping. For example, at Domodedovo, this service will cost you 600 rubles.

Even more experienced travelers wrap their luggage using pre-purchased film at the airport immediately before checking in for the flight: there is always a risk that security will ask you to open your suitcase at the airport entrance, and then your efforts and meters of film will go down the drain. However, whether to wrap your luggage or not is a personal matter for everyone.