Preparation counts: Arriving at the airport, travelers start their vacation in the most relaxed way when they are well organized. For many, this includes being there in good time and preparing in advance for check-in and the security check.

“The summer holidays are finally here and for many it will be the first time they have boarded a plane. Even seasoned travelers may now feel like newcomers to travel,” explains Friederike Burge, travel expert at Skyscanner. A current survey by the leading travel company shows which problems and time wasters travelers have already experienced before departure. But with a few tips and tricks, it will be easier to get through the chaos at many airports this summer and save time. Experienced travel professionals reveal how it works:

Check in and arrival at the airport

42 percent believe the best time to arrive at the airport before an international flight is two hours.

Expert tip: In order to plan enough time, passengers are best informed about current waiting times on the respective website or app of the airport. There they usually find live updates with estimates of how long it takes to get through security.

More than half (51 percent) of German travelers only check in at the airport.

Expert tip: Many airports offer baggage check-in the day before departure. If you have the opportunity, you can shorten the time at the airport before departure and avoid queues. Travelers who only fly with hand luggage and check in online reduce the risk of further delays.

Around a quarter (26 percent) of German travelers stated that they had to repack their luggage when checking in at the airport because it was too heavy.

Expert tip: With a luggage scale, holidaymakers know before they leave home whether the weight of the suitcase is within the baggage allowance. So there are no nasty surprises or annoying repacking at the check-in counter.

flight ticket

37 percent of German travelers load a digital version of their boarding pass onto their smartphone or tablet. However, 28 percent already have an (almost) empty mobile phone battery upon arrival at the airport.

Expert tip: Travelers should bring a charger or even a power bank and make sure the phone or tablet is charged before heading to the airport. Although most airports have charging stations in the terminals, vacationers play it safe with a power bank in their hand luggage.

Security check

19 percent of those surveyed wait in line before preparing themselves or their luggage for airport security. More than half (53 percent) have had to remove something from their hand luggage and thus throw it away because it did not comply with the regulations during the check.

Expert tip: For carry-on luggage, a wheeled suitcase with a front zip pocket is an easy way to separate liquids and important documents. Everything is within reach when it needs to be taken out for security. Already at home, you should pay attention to the maximum size of the liquids in your hand luggage (100 milliliters) and stow them in a transparent bag so that there are no problems and delays during the check. If you want to take fewer liquids with you, pack a bar of soap. This saves space and is more environmentally friendly. Another tip is to pack an empty water bottle, which holidaymakers can then refill for free at the airport. Apps such as Refill show where there are water stations.

58 percent of those surveyed have had to remove items of clothing such as belts or shoes when going through security because the control alarm was triggered.

Expert tip: Time for jogging pants - Comfortable clothes make traveling easier. If you also make sure that shoes and clothing can be removed easily, you may save time at the security checkpoint. If possible, passengers should do without a belt or take it off before the check.