Whether you’re traveling alone or with your children and family, it’s okay to be stressed out. However, if you pack the right things for your trip, you can enjoy stress-free travel.
Check out my list below for details.
Taking a break from everything at home and getting away to an exotic destination is a mind-cleansing experience. However, if you’re someone who faces anxiety at every stage of travel planning, a weekend getaway can become a stressful endeavour for you. Whether you’re planning a vacation with a baby, young children, teenagers, or all by yourself, investing in the right products can help you travel stress-free.
Once you have picked out the ideal destination for yourself along with the perfect itinerary, it is time to stock up on relevant products and services to ease your nerves during the trip.
No one wants to deal with the headache of travel stress – whether it’s for business or pleasure. After all, vacations are supposed to be a time to relax and rejuvenate! But sometimes, the planning process (and even the journey itself) can be anything but relaxing.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce stress before, during, and after your travels, I’ve got 6 travel tips to help you out.
- Plan ahead
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: plan ahead! The more you can plan in advance, the less likely you are to run into stressful situations. If you’re flying, book your tickets as early as possible to get the best rates. Once you have your flights booked, start thinking about other important details like accommodation, transportation, and activities. You’ll also want to make sure your important documents like passport, travel insurance, and boarding passes are in line. The last thing you want is to be scrambling at the last minute to get everything in order.
- Make a packing list
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of travel, especially if you’re trying to pack light. And especially so if you are leaving it all until the last minute! To make things easier on yourself, create a packing list in advance. Way in advance! This way, you know exactly what you need to take with you on your trip and can buy items in advance if you don’t already have them. One useful tip is not to overpack. You might think you need six pairs of shoes and three weeks’ worth of clothes, but chances are you’ll only end up wearing a fraction of what you bring. Not to mention, lugging around a giant suitcase is no fun. Also, remember to leave room to bring back gifts and souvenirs from your trip!
- Pad your itinerary with extra time
One way to mitigate stress is to give yourself more time than you think you need. This way, if things run behind schedule (and they often do), you won’t be left scrambling to catch up. For example, if you have flight connections, make sure to give yourself plenty of time in between. I recommend at least 2-3 hours, especially if you have to change terminals or get a connecting flight. Never underestimate how long it takes to move through the security line, especially if flying during peak season! The same goes for any other activities on your itinerary. If you’re planning on going sightseeing, leave some extra time in case you run into crowds or get lost. No one wants to be rushing around on vacation! Arriving early for things will also help you avoid the stress of being late.
- Travel during the off-season
If you can, travel during the shoulder or low season. Not only will you find cheaper rates on flights and the best deal on accommodation, but you’ll also avoid the crowds. And that means fewer stressful situations! Of course, this isn’t always possible. If you’re restricted to school holidays or other peak times, don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to reduce stress while traveling.
- Join a tour group
One great tip, and a way to meet people and see the sights without having to worry about planning everything yourself is to join a tour group. There are all sorts of different tour groups available, from food tours to history tours, so you can find one that suits your interests. This is a great option if you’re traveling solo, but it’s also fun to do with family or friends. And it takes a lot of the stress out of planning! I recommend Get Your Guide for city tours and day trips. It saves all the hassle of organizing transport to attractions yourself, and you get the benefit of a professional guide. It’s a way to make life easier and see more at the same time.
- Choose your accommodation wisely
Finding good hotels can sometimes be a stressful endeavour. Where you stay can make or break your vacation. If you’re looking for a stress-free experience, it’s worth spending a little extra to stay somewhere comfortable and convenient. Having a good sleep always makes the day go better. For example, if you’re traveling with family, you might want to choose a hotel with kids club facilities so you can have some time to yourself. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, you might want to splurge on a luxury hotel. And if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of great hostels that won’t break the bank. Location is also important. You want to be close to the things to do, but also not in any areas or neighbourhoods that make you feel unsafe when you walk. For example, I always recommend that when visiting Athens, people try to stay in the historic centre as it’s close to all the main places to see in Athens. The important thing is to find somewhere that suits your needs and makes you feel comfortable.
- Relax and go with the flow
Finally, the most important thing to remember when traveling is to relax and go with the flow. Things might not always go according to plan, but that’s all part of the adventure. Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful if you’re not prepared. By following the great tips for stress free travel in this article, you’ll be able to travel without any drama and enjoy your time away. Do you have any suggestions for how to travel stress free? Let us know in the comments below!
