Here are some tried-and-tested tips from our travel team to help you breeze through the airport so you can focus on the journey ahead.

1. Arrive at the right time

Some travellers show up at the airport five or six hours early, worried about queues and delays. In practice, this can backfire and add to congestion rather than ease it. For domestic flights, aim to arrive at least two hours before departure. For international flights, allow three hours. During peak travel periods like long weekends, school holidays, festive seasons, some airlines and airports may advise arriving earlier, so check their websites the day before you fly.

2. Check in online

Web check-in is one of the simplest ways to save time at the airport and how to get through airport faster. On busy travel days, airport counter queues can run 30 to 60 minutes long. With web check-in done, you walk past all of that and head straight to bag drop or security. You can also select your seat in advance — a window seat or extra legroom — before other passengers get the chance. Most Indian airlines open web check-in 48 hours before departure, so make sure you don't miss the window.

3. Use DigiYatra

If you haven't already, enrol for DigiYatra which India's free facial recognition boarding system. DigiYatra is now live at 24+ Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. Once enrolled via the DigiYatra app using your Aadhaar, at Delhi T3, where the manual ID queue regularly stretches past 20 minutes during the morning rush, the DigiYatra lane typically clears in under three minutes. It doesn't replace web check-in, but works alongside it to speed up entry, security and boarding.

4. Prepare for security

A little preparation before you reach the screening point goes a long way. Here are a few airport tips to keep in mind:

• Liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum total capacity of one litre.

• All electronics like phones, laptops and tablets must be placed separately in trays for screening.

• Power banks and spare batteries must be carried in hand baggage only and cannot go in checked luggage.

• Remove your belt and, where prompted, your shoes before walking through the scanner.

The more you prepare before joining the queue, the faster everyone gets through.

5. Sort your documents

Having your documents ready before you reach the counter makes a real difference. For international travel, check visa requirements well in advance. Keep digital and physical copies of your boarding pass, passport and any required travel documents. If you're carrying prescription liquid medicines above 100ml, carry a doctor's note — CISF officers will ask for it at the checkpoint. Make sure your phone is charged for easy access to boarding passes and apps like DigiYatra.

6. Check for delays before you leave

Before heading to the airport, check the websites of your airline and departure airport for any updates. If delays or cancellations are expected, you'll know in good time and can plan accordingly. Flight tracker apps and airline notifications are useful here.

7. Get travel insurance

Good travel insurance is worth every rupee, particularly a policy that covers flight delays and cancellations. If your flight is cancelled and the replacement offered doesn't match your original booking, you're not obligated to accept it. Know your rights under DGCA regulations and keep records of any disruption.

Prepare well and your airport experience is likely to be smooth. Even on a busy day, these steps can take a lot of the stress out of flying. Happy travels!

Planning ahead makes every stage of your journey easier. If you're travelling with a stopover, our guide to connecting flights covers everything from luggage transfers to what to do if you miss your connection. Before you fly, check your airline's cabin baggage allowance and make sure your bag is up to the job. Our travel bag buying guide can help you choose the right one. If disruption strikes, our roundup of airline customer service numbers puts help at your fingertips, and we've got a step-by-step guide for when your flight is disrupted by an airspace closure.