How to Travel Without the Stress: 10 Simple Tips That Work
Crowded airports, fear of being late, questionable accommodations, etc… you’ve experienced some hassles in the past, or perhaps you want to avoid them altogether.
Simple tips can make your trip much smoother.
Want to travel faster, cheaper, and smarter? Here is our guide based on our actual experiences!
1. Book in advance
It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many vacationers wait and wait in the hope of rare last-minute discounts. Booking in advance allows you to do two things: you book at a price you can afford, and you then have all the time you need to organize your trip.
2. Book your transportation in advance upon arrival.
A lot of time is wasted arriving at an airport just trying to find your bus or shuttle and buy a ticket from a machine, after (of course) exchanging some money at a terrible rate.
Remember to book your airport transfer in advance. In one of our recent trips to Malaga we used KIWI Taxi to book our Malaga airport transfer. It was perfect!
You’ll save precious minutes where you don’t want to waste them.
3. Pack like a pro
Packing your bag properly isn’t just about making it lighter or more balanced. It’s about avoiding baggage fees and delays due to lost luggage.
1- Make a list, ideally after returning from a trip, to see what you had and didn’t need. This can save you €15 in fees for an extra pair of swimwear which you forgot.
2- Save space by rolling your clothes instead of folding them.
4. Travel Insurance Tip
Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and loss or damage to your luggage. This can provide peace of mind in case of unexpected issues.
5. Visa and passport
First and foremost, your passport. Always keep it with you and make sure it never expires, even six months before your trip. It’s obvious, but it’s the most important document when you travel. It must be in good condition to avoid lengthy customs checks.
As for visas, always check before leaving whether you need one or not. And if so, book it in advance. You won’t waste time upon arrival in your destination country.
Take a photo of your passport and visa with your phone and keep save it somewhere. So in case you lose any documents, you can at least show the electronic version.
6. Skip the Queues at Tourists Attractions
In major cities like Paris, New York, Amsterdam, etc., museums are important, and so are the tourist queues to get in.
However, there’s a simple way to avoid them: book your ticket online (again!). You’ll kill two birds with one stone. You won’t have to wait in line, as you’ve probably guessed. And above all, by checking the website of the museum in question, you’ll see the days (or even the time slots) when museums are free.
For example, the MoMA in New York is free on Friday afternoons from 4 to 8 pm (compared to the usual $25). In Europe, many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month (all of them in France).
7. Use Google Maps.
It’s absolutely essential to avoid wasting time when you don’t know the city and don’t want to look like a tourist with a map…
8. Manage Unexpected Events While Traveling
Anticipate potential problems by preparing a first-aid kit. Note down essential contacts before departure.
In case of an incident, quick action is key.
– Lost Documents: Contact the embassy
– Transportation Problem: Use the carrier’s app Smartphone
– Bad weather: Plan indoor activities
– Budget overrun: Reassess expenses and use a Budget app
Also prepare a first-aid kit. Note down essential contacts and stay informed regularly.
9. Don’t forget your ticket!
Today, the standard in air travel is for tickets to be electronic. This allows both the airline and its customers to save money. So, after purchasing your ticket online, you can download it to your smartphone and present it at the departures desk.
The electronic ticket will prove that you have paid for your airline ticket. It is therefore a document confirming that the transaction has been completed and that you have acquired the right to board the flight in question.
10. Relax before you leave
The key to a smooth trip also lies in the preparation the night before. Get yourself into a calm and composed state of mind. Rest and make sure you get enough sleep. You can do some light exercise, but don’t overdo it.
Everything is ready for your departure, so you don’t have to worry anymore. All that’s left is to take care of yourself, which is the best way to de-stress.
You’ll be in the best possible shape the next day.
