The end of the year is always a busy time for travelers, whether you’re traveling to see family or traveling for business. With travel being less restricted than it was a year ago, more and more people are traveling.
Airports tend to be more crowded and hectic during the holiday season, so it’s important to make sure that you have everything you need before you get to the airport. Here are five things to remember and extra tips to make your holiday trip as smooth as possible.
1: Remember All of Your Documents
First and foremost, you must have all of the documents you need to board your flight (i.e., plane ticket, passport, etc.) and anything else that may be required for your trip. If your trip is a business trip, then make sure you have everything you need for your business meetings.
Luckily, we live in a highly digital world so many of these important documents can be kept safe on a laptop or easily accessible on our smartphones. Still, people forget that technology can malfunction, so also make sure that you have a backup plan just in case something goes wrong.
2: Smart Luggage Hacks
Luggage can be a hassle when it comes to flying. You don’t want to pack too much into one suitcase, and you also don’t want to pack too many suitcases. This is where having packing cubes can be extremely helpful.
These individual bags will help you to better organize your suitcase, making packing less stressful while also making it easier to locate everything you need once you arrive at your destination. Try using packing cubes the next time you take a trip, whether it’s for the holidays or next year.
3: Electronic Devices and Accessories
Because just about everything can be done digitally, most people are practically glued to their phones and other devices. With that being said, it’s not likely that the majority of people will forget their phones for their next business or pleasure trip. However, there are some accessories that will be very useful to you during your trip.
For example, a portable charger will come in handy when you can’t find an available outlet. If you’re going on a business trip, you’re probably also going to need your laptop and/or tablet in addition to your phone, so make sure to purchase some handy accessories for these devices too.
4: Comfort and First Aid Items
Many people bring along blankets and travel pillows for longer flights. These and other comfort items are great to have, but many people may not consider bringing some basic first aid items along with them.
It’s also a good idea to pack OTC (over-the-counter) painkillers in case you have a headache, and bringing medications on a plane is okay as long as it’s in solid form. Keep any medications you may need in a carry-on rather than your suitcase so that you can access them with ease if needed.
5: Other Things You May Need
If your holiday travel requires you to fly on a plane, it’s likely that you’re traveling miles away and that the weather can be drastically different from where you’re departing. For example, if you’re flying from Florida to New York, it’s going to be a lot colder, or if you’re flying from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest, it’s going to be a lot wetter. Make sure that you pack clothes and accessories necessary for the weather conditions of your destination.
Also, if you’re going to rent a car at your destination, make sure to have your driver’s license and that you’re aware of car insurance requirements in that particular location. If you’re driving to your destination, make sure your car is well-maintenanced, that you have an airtight insurance policy, and that things like oil and tire conditions are checked before you hit the road.
It’s important for you to be as prepared as possible when you’re traveling, whether it’s during the holidays or not, and whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. Being organized and prepared will help your trip to be as stress-free as possible.
