RIAT 2024 Sunday 1st timer help

The signposted routes and the traffic management is good. You may be in a slow moving traffic queue for a while, but just follow the line and you'll get in. There aren't any short-cuts - the roads, other than the planned routes, are closed to non-locals. Follow the crowd, or the signs, towards the gates. Using google maps, touch on your location when you get there (i.e. open google maps and touch the blue dot that shows your current location). This will give you an option to "save parking". Do that, and then you can find your car easily. Also take a photo of the nearest parking zone marker so you can remember which zone to head for. Wear your best hard-surface walking shoes - the show is long and the concrete is hard. Aircraft that are both flying and static are mostly at the east end of the public area, while aircraft that are static display only are all along the public area. You should, of course, wear a hat and long-sleeve shirt is also recommended to keep the heat off you. Stay hydrated - there are free water bottle refill points. Use them. The grass areas at the west end tend to be less crowded than at the east end - everyone wants to see the aircraft line up, it seems. The display is pretty much equally visible from any part of the crowd line. It's best to chill for a while before trying to leave, unless you need to get home at a particular time. Skip the crowds trying to exit, and get yourself some dinner from one of the food stands near the end of the flying show. Eat it and wander around looking at things a bit more, then find your car (easier when all the surrounding cars have left :) ) and go home.