1. Showing up too early
2. Arriving too late
3. Taking too much luggage
4. Not paying attention to information
5. Not updating your passport
6. Not knowing your way around
7. Not charging electronics
8. Drinking too much
9. Relying on airport announcements

Whether you're heading off on holiday or jetting around the world on business, most of us will set foot on a plane at some point - and that, of course, means a trip to the airport. And while it is effectively a means to an end, we all want our experience from check-in to boarding to go as smoothly as possible, maybe with a little duty free retail therapy thrown in. But just as there are things you should avoid doing when you're on a plane, how you behave at the airport can also affect the whole experience of getting your trip started. According to the experts, we're all making a fair few mistakes in that regard. Read on to find out what you're doing wrong before you've even got on the plane - and what you should be doing instead...(Picture: Getty Images)

1. Showing up too early

If you're jetting off somewhere you want to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, and that includes being punctual when it comes to showing up for your flight. However, arriving at the airport too early could well be your first mistake, because while nobody wants to be racing into the terminal at the last minute, turning up hours in advance is just as bad, since check-in won't have opened and you'll probably end up twiddling your thumbs until it is. What to do instead? Well your best bet is to check the website of the airport you're flying from to see their recommendations as to when you should get there. Heathrow, for example, suggests you arrive three hours before your flight if you’re travelling internationally, or two if you’re travelling domestically or to Europe. Bear in mind also that check-in times may vary depending on where you're going and that the whole process of checking in and clearing security may take at least an hour depending on how busy the airport is (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Arriving too late

If showing up too early at the airport is a no-no, arriving too late worse. At best, turning up less than an hour before your flight will leave you rushing, at worst you could miss the plane altogether since many airlines technically close the gate 30-45 minutes before take-off. The only circumstances under which you might get away with this would be if you've got no luggage to check in and you've paid for fast-track security - but even then you're taking a risk by just sauntering in at the last minute. As with showing up too early, follow the guidelines given by your airport as to when to turn up, and stick to them. And make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey to the airport, whether by road or rail, and check for any transport issues before you set off. We all know delays happen but the airline's not going to hold your flight just because you got caught in a tailback on the M4. So don't leave anything to chance (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

3. Taking too much luggage

Ok so we know if you're off on holiday you might want a different outfit for every occasion - and if you're heading out on business you'll need to dress the part - but if you end up taking your entire wardrobe and rock up at the airport weighed down with bags, your wallet won't thank you. How much luggage you can take onboard with you depends on the airline you're flying with and what type of ticket you have (as business and first class can typically take more) but just because the airline you flew with previously let you take a certain amount, it isn't a one size fits all approach. Make sure you check your airline's website to see what the allowance is and stick to it, otherwise you face being charged for excess baggage. Don't overdo it on your cabin bag either or you might have to check that in, and incur additional charges there, too. And don't forget to weigh your packed bags before you leave for the airport so if they're over the limit you can do something about it before you end up paying (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Not paying attention to information

So you've arrived on time, you haven't overdone it with your luggage, you've not blown all your money in duty free...but the potential mishaps don't end there, because not keeping track of what's going on with your flight could leave you running for the gate when boarding time comes. And yes we know there are lots of fun distractions to be had at the airport - from spending time in the shops through to having a quick glass of something to kickstart your holiday - but you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that you're actually there to travel. Just because you've made it as far as the departure lounge doesn't mean the plane won't take off without you if you're not at the gate in time. So set the distractions aside and keep an eye on the departure board, as well as checking your boarding pass to see what time your gate is due to open (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Not updating your passport

So you've got your airline tickets sorted, your baggage allowance, your accommodation and your currency - but have you checked your passport recently? Almost all countries require you to have at least six months remaining on your passport (or three months for countries in the EU and other parts of Europe). Others require you to have a visa before they'll let you into the country. However if your passport is expiring sooner than that, or you don't have other required paperwork, don't expect to get any further than the check-in desk as travel website Afar points out airlines could be heavily fined if they let you on board without it. If you have a trip planned and it needs renewing, do so well in advance. According to the Government website it can take up to three weeks for a new passport to arrive after you've applied (although it may be less) and visas and other documents can take even longer. So don't wait until you get to the airport and assume it'll all be OK, because it won't. And that also applies if you've forgotten your passport - you can expect to be sent home to get it rather than to be allowed to fly without it (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Not knowing your way around

Airport departure lounges are big places and if you're not familiar with how they're laid out, it can be pretty easy to get lost. If you're heading off somewhere, Flyopedia suggests you should check out the airport map beforehand so you can see the exact location of facilities such as shopping or dining, as well as the gates. Speaking of which, it can sometimes take a long time to reach the gates from the departure lounge (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Not charging electronics

While many airports now provide spaces for you to charge mobiles, laptops and other electronic devices you might need in the course of your flight, arriving at the airport assuming you'll be able to just plug your phone into a charge point and all will be well isn't advisable. If everybody else is using them, or you end up rushing for your plane with no time to find one, you could find yourself with a powerless phone or computer until you get to your destination (which isn't ideal if you need to use either). Instead, charge up your devices before you leave or invest in a portable charger or power bank to juice up your phone (although obviously you'll want to make sure that's fully charged too) (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Drinking too much

We all know how tempting it can be to hit the bar before you get on board your plane. Whether it's to toast the start of a holiday or celebratory trip abroad, or even just to calm your nerves if you're an anxious flier. But be warned that if you indulge too much before the plane has even taken off you could find yourself grounded. If you show up drunk at the departure gate they could refuse to let you on board, if they think you could present a risk to other passengers or staff members. Even if you do make it on to the aircraft after you have a few drinks, the combination of take-off and landing with all that alcohol coursing through your veins could well make you feel unwell, something you really don't want on a long-haul journey. And if you do overdo it there's even the chance you could nod off in the departure lounge and miss your flight altogether. So if you are planning a pre-flight drink stick to sensible limits, and make sure you drink plenty of water also (Picture: Getty Images)

9. Relying on airport announcements

Finally, we should remind you that relying solely on announcements about the status of your flight is never a good idea. Yes, they're certainly useful but things can and do change when you're at the airport - whether your flight is delayed (or even worse, cancelled), or the gate number is changed, or something else happens, it won't necessarily all be broadcast. So keep an eye across departure boards and the websites of the airport and airline for the most up to date information, or a use a real time website such as Flight Tracker (Picture: Getty Images)