If you are thinking about taking any kind of long-haul trip this holiday season, you’re in for a busy and exciting ride. Between packing, traveling, and the holidays themselves, there is so much to worry about that it can be hard to focus on just one thing! But if you have checked your itinerary and ticking off all of the items on your date sheet as planned, here are some tips to help make your journey go as smoothly as possible:
CHECK YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
This is one of the things you should start working on early. If you are flying, check the list of recommended vaccinations and other necessary travel documents to be sure that everything is in order. Also remember that any time you are flying on a plane, you will need a government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. If there is no one else traveling with you, be sure to have this information available before arriving at the airport – it can save quite a bit of time
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT IN ADVANCE
Airlines tend to decrease their prices as they get closer to departure dates, so booking early can help save money. However, if you are not in a rush to get there, booking at the last minute is just as good. Either way, be sure to check out the prices and flight times before booking -you might find something that works even better for you.
PACK WISELY
Before making a list of things to bring or buy before the trip, think about how you might use these items while traveling. For example: if you like to read while traveling, consider packing an e-book reader instead of print books. Also, remember that if you are staying in a hotel during your trip, they will have many of the basic things that you may have forgotten – such as shampoo or toothpaste – available for purchase.
HAVE A GAME PLAN
Make sure you have a plan of where you are going and what you are doing once you get there. If you’re staying at a hotel, make sure that the location is close to your destinations and local public transportation, as well as things like stores or restaurants. You should also contact the hotel ahead of time to see if they offer any special packages that help to reduce costs (if available).
Long-haul trips are a lot of fun, but can also be pretty draining. Make sure that you have all of your documents in order before you leave, and make a list of what you will need for each day and night to avoid overpacking! Take some time to plan out your itinerary once you arrive to save time on your trip and avoid getting lost; after all, that is one of the worst things that can happen while traveling.