You want your vacation to start now … but there’s one big thing standing in your way: the airport experience. Between snaking security lines and long passport control lines when returning home, getting through the airport with ease is no easy task.

If you want to minimize your time in the airport—both on your way to your vacation and coming back—here are three ways you can speed up the process.

TSA PreCheck

You’ve probably heard of this service, a “trusted traveler program” that makes getting through airport security lines a breeze. But how do you know if it’s worth the investment?

I’d recommend investing in TSA PreCheck to just about any traveler—because the gains are so worth it! It costs $85 and is good for five years. I think it’s an especially great deal for families, because children under 17 do not have to enroll if they’re traveling with a parent who has TSA PreCheck. Plus, many major travel credit cards offer a statement credit or reimbursement towards the TSA PreCheck application or renewal fees.

So, how does it work? After approval upon enrollment at a TSA PreCheck center, you’ll be able to use the special TSA PreCheck lanes at airport security—which are almost always shorter than the regular lanes. TSA PreCheck also expedites things because you don’t have to take off your shoes or unload liquids or laptops from your bag.

Global Entry

While TSA PreCheck saves you time on the front end, Global Entry gets you home faster on the back end. If you’ve ever traveled internationally, you know that before you exit the airport on your return you have to go through Passport Control—and the lines can be long, especially if several planes arrive at once, unloading hundreds of passengers.

Global Entry is a program designed to expedite your entry back into the U.S., by allowing you to skip the main line and use kiosks instead (in fact, there is now a Global Entry mobile app that makes re-entry even faster, because you can skip the kiosks altogether!). We got to use Global Entry upon our return from a trip to Italy, and it felt so good to be able to bypass the long immigration lines and get home sooner. The program costs $120 and is good for five years; you’ll have to apply online and visit an enrollment center for approval beforehand. Some travel credit cards also offer statement credits or reimbursement for Global Entry application fees.

So, who should get Global Entry? Since the program is only helpful for international travel, I only recommend it if you anticipate traveling outside the U.S. at least once a year. There’s a cool bonus with Global Entry as well: when you enroll, you’ll also be enrolled in TSA PreCheck. It’s a valuable two-for-one.

Mobile Passport Control app

Let’s say you decide against investing in Global Entry; your family doesn’t travel internationally all too often, so enrollment just doesn’t make sense. There’s still a way to skip the long immigration lines if you do happen to travel abroad.

It’s called the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app, and here’s the best part: it’s free! The app allows you to input your passport and travel info upon arrival back in the U.S. Then, when you reach immigration, you can follow the signs for the special MPC lines and skip the main—and typically much longer—line. Up to 12 travelers can be processed under an MPC form, which means you only have to fill out one app form for your family.

There are some drawbacks to MPC compared to Global Entry. For one, it’s not a completely automated process; you still have to get your passport inspected and stamped (as opposed to using an even faster kiosk). And for another, MPC lines aren’t always open. But for the cost—free!—it’s a great option for the occasional international traveler. Just be sure to download the app before your arrival back in the U.S., so you can easily pull it up and input your information as soon as your plane lands.

Want more expert guidance for your next escape? I’d love to help—you can learn more about my travel design services right here, or complete your trip inquiry form now to get started!