Tips for a hassle-free travel experience

ATLANTA — You've got to drop your kids off at school, stop by the bank and pick up your dry cleaning. That's a lot to do and still make it to the airport two hours before your 11 a.m. flight.

But what if you could cut that time in half, and not miss your flight?

Don't fret.

Before you head to the airport on your next trip and fall victim to the hassles that can waste time, here's a cheat sheet to help you navigate more quickly:

1. Take public transportation. No car means you don't have to spend time looking for a space in a long-term parking lot that sometimes can be a hike to the terminal. When you return from your trip, you can get right on that bus or train rather than spend time lugging your bags to your car — that time can multiply if you forgot where you parked. In most cases it could cost less to take public transportation than to park. If you have to bring your car, park as close to the terminal as you can, write down the space number on your ticket and take the ticket with you.

2. Pack light. The fewer bags you have, the quicker you can get through the terminal, past security and on board the plane. Try to avoid checking bags if possible. That also will save you money, since most major U.S. carriers charge $15 to check a first bag and $25 to check a second. Aviation consultant Mark Kiefer of CRA International notes that luggage stores can tell you the largest wheeled carryon that will fit in an overhead luggage bin. Strollers and child car seats are typically not counted against your allotted number of carryon bags. Airlines will gate check those for you.

3. Use self-service options. Print your boarding pass out online the night before your trip. If you are in a rush and haven't done that, use a self-service kiosk in the airport, if available, to check in. That will save you from standing in a long line to check in with an airline agent. Delta offers paperless boarding at some airports, including Atlanta and Salt Lake City, allowing travelers with Web-enabled mobile devices like a BlackBerry or iPhone to download their boarding passes, then hand over the devices for scanning by federal security screeners and airline gate agents. When checking bags, use curbside check-in if available. It can make for a quicker walk through the terminal. Remember that curbside has cut-off times before the flight departs — it varies by airport, but is often at least 45 minutes before the flight, said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith.