Ten Travel Tips for a More Seamless Journey
Ten Travel Tips
I’ve been flying alone all over the continental US since I was seven + I started flying alone internationally when I was sixteen. Traveling is an enriching, rewarding experience that can be simplified with some planning! I’m no expert but these tips should help you on your next trip; check them out below:
Don’t be afraid to fly unaccompanied or have your child fly unaccompanied! It provides an invaluable learning experience for them. I’ve been flying alone since I was seven and now I feel extremely comfortable traveling alone, which I love. Your child will be very safe and in very good hands: flight attendants dote on their minors and the experience of flying unaccompanied will help your kiddo feel independent. This is a great way to give your child responsibility in a controlled space.
Try to stay someplace with a kitchen space when you travel, so as not to spend every all your money on eating out! There's lots of helpful ways to save money while traveling, and I will do a separate blog post on that.
Set up travel alerts through websites like Kayak! There’s lots of ways to save money on flights, so they don't have to break the bank
This is what’s going to happen at TSA: Shoes off and in a bin (it can have other things in the bin). You must take your laptop out and put it in a separate bin with nothing but the computer in it. Jacket purses and small bags can go in a bin together. If you must have liquids it’s 3 oz or under and they must all fit in a quart size bag. If someone tries to be pushy, forget them they probably need a coffee. Watch your camera and laptop closely and if you’ve got lenses and valuables let TSA know. They dropped my phone once…
Loosely plan everything. Yes it’s not fun, yes it helps everything run smoother. Just pretend to be a super mom and sit down and plan your life out. Plan if you want to hike or shop or visit museums or go to clubs. You don’t have to stick to the plan, but there’s no point of spending lots of money to travel somewhere if you don’t know what to do when you get there.
Try not to check a bag, even if you’re traveling internationally. Keep all your valuables with you no matter how heavy they are if you must check it a bag. (I went to Europe for two weeks without checking a bag!)
Arrive two hours early to every single international flight. Forever. When you get to customs be patient, have your paper work and stay OFF your phone!
if you’re staying with a friend or at an Air B n B don’t forget to write a thank you note (handwritten is best, but not necessary) or review the space online. DO NOT be a messy guest. Someone’s home is not a Hilton.
If you’re staying in a hotel, try to snag someplace that’s not a chain so as to fully experience the atmosphere and culture of where you’re staying. This is more of a personal suggestion, as I love to get the full cultural experience when I travel.
Have a good time with it and know that there will be chaos sometimes. That’s what makes it fun! Have extra cash in the currency of where you’re traveling. Know that there may be a language barrier or you may be jet lagged or that one day may not be super fun….that’s okay! It’s part of the journey!
“The world is a novel and those who do not travel ready only a page. ”
So these are just some suggestions pulled from my experience traveling over the years! Everyone has different "hacks" for traveling, but I swear by these ones. I hope they help + that your travels lead you somewhere magical.
