We know travel can be stressful. The day before a trip is exciting, there’s so much anticipation in the air — you’re finalizing your packing, pulling out your passports and checking things off your list. You try to go to bed early to get a fresh start, but it’s hard to sleep when you’ve got a lot on your mind about your trip. And then travel day hits, and it’s go go go.
We’ve put together 5 tips to help you feel more comfortable and ready on travel day. If you’re interested in even more tips, download our ebook on how to travel well.
Give yourself plenty of time before your flight
Start at the time of your flight and work backward to figure out what time you should leave the house. And consider the possible obstacles: Will there be rush-hour traffic? Do you need to drop off kids or a pet with a sitter? Do you need to figure out parking at the airport?
If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll want to arrive at the airport about 2 hours before your flight. The long-haul flights usually board almost an hour before takeoff and if you need to check a bag or go through passport control, it’s good to give yourself extra time.
Pack a few essentials in your carry-on
Most likely you and your checked bag will be reunited upon entry to whatever city you’re destined for, but on the off chance that there is a delay or your bag isn’t there upon arrival, having some toiletries, your favorite makeup or skin-care products and a change of clothing will set you up for success rather than added stress. Just make sure you follow regulations for the sizes of liquids.
It can also be handy to travel with your toothbrush in your carry-on in case you want to freshen up on a long-haul flight.
Be comfy
The idea of sitting on an airplane doesn’t conjure up super comfortable memories. So do what you can with your wardrobe to feel as comfy as possible, right down to your footwear. On longer flights, your feet might swell up, so wear shoes you can loosen or even take off during the flight.
Opt for a pair of light breathable pants, bonus points for an elastic waistband. And consider layers for on top, I have been on planes that have been sweltering and ones that have me shivering. Be prepared for all conditions.
Hydrate!
This is more of an all-day travel tip, but something to consider from the moment you wake up on travel day. It can be hard to remember to drink water when you’re traveling. We recommend packing a water bottle or buying one at the airport that you can refill. On the plane, anytime the flight attendant offers water, take it. Don’t worry about having to get up to use the restroom, more movement can help with the swelling of feet anyway.
Make your checked bag stand out
There’s nothing more frustrating than standing at baggage claim watching the bags go by wondering which one is yours. Before your trip, find something that you can use to identify your bag quickly. In our family, we use a bright ribbon tied around the handle. We use the same rainbow one for all bags so we can spot them quickly and eliminate any uncertainty that can take extra time. This helps us get to our destination as fast as possible.
Whatever you’re feeling about your upcoming trip, we hope this helps to ease some of the anxiety you may be feeling. Have more tips to share? Feel free to let us know, we love getting feedback.