You know that moment when you’re about to embark on a new travel trip, or perhaps even a new chapter in your life. It’s exhilarating and scary at the same time. You have so many questions and can’t find the answers anywhere. Where should I go? What are some things to keep in mind? What should I pack? What do other people do in these situations? SO MANY QUESTIONS!
To make sure you’re well prepared for your upcoming trip (or life change), we compiled a list of helpful tips that will get you ready and educated on how to travel like a pro. Whether you’re hitting the road for business or pleasure, these 8 tips will help ease the stress and give you the peace of mind to enjoy every second of your next trip.
Travel with only one bag
We know – we know. That’s what every travel blogger out there will tell you. But seriously, hear us out on this one. We’ve found that people who travel with one bag (and not a million) tend to be better at keeping everything organized, are less stressed in the airport, and are generally more efficient with their time.
On top of all of that, traveling with one bag can save you luggage fees, make you feel less stressed out, and take more time to explore the city you’re visiting. And if that’s not enough to convince you, you’ll get through the TSA line way faster!
Download apps before you travel
For one, your phone can act as a translator between you and the locals. It can also be a great way to keep track of your itinerary so you don’t get lost or miss your flight. Below are some apps that are great to download before you travel.
– Google Translate: The app is great for translating phrases or words if you’re meeting locals, trying new foods, or learning about the culture. You can even use the app as a camera to translate signs/posters.
– Tripit: This app is great for trip planning. It’ll keep track of all your itinerary, reservations, and other important information.
– Skyscanner: If your trip is for business purposes, you can use this app to keep track of flight times and costs.
– Airports Wifi Finder: If you’re flying and need wifi, this app will help you find it in any airport.
– GateGuru: Helpful if you’re flying in or out of the US. This app gives you all the info you need on flights and even gate changes.
– Google Maps: If you’re driving or taking public transit, this app is helpful for getting directions, seeing traffic reports, and finding places nearby.
– Hotel Tonight: If you’re looking for a last-minute hotel, this app will help you find a room near you and save some money in the process.
– Airbnb: If you want to try something new and meet locals, this app allows you to rent a room in someone’s home while you’re on the road.
– Booking.com: If you want to stay in a hotel, this app will help you find the best deals.
Research your flight and hotel
As soon as you know where you’ll be going, research your flight and hotel. This will help you keep track of prices and availability, and you can get really specific about what you want. For example, if you’re traveling for business, you may want to search for hotels that are close to a business district or have a shuttle service to the office.
If you have a specific preference, you don’t have to settle for anything. You’ll also want to check the airline’s website for their cancellation policy. If you cancel your flight within 24-hours of booking, you most likely won’t have to pay anything. This can be very helpful if there’s ever a weather delay or travel disruption.
Use a travel credit card
This is a tricky one, and it’s something that we don’t necessarily recommend doing, but it can help if you’re trying to save some money in the long run. If you get a travel rewards credit card, you’ll be able to earn points towards free flights and hotels.
Then, when you’re booking your trip, you can use that credit card to get points towards your flight or hotel and get the trip for free. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay the full amount in order to get the points, so you’ll have to have the cash saved in advance.
If you’re not into that, or if you’re afraid of getting a credit card and being able to pay it off, you can also book flights using a travel booking website to earn cash back. For example, Expedia has a rewards program that allows you to earn points towards a future flight or hotel stay. You can also use websites like Kayak or Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
Ask for help at the airport
If you’re super stressed about getting to your flight on time, there are plenty of ways to ask for help at the airport. For example, if you need directions, simply approach someone working at the airport and ask them. If you want to be discrete, you can discreetly leave a note with your question on it at the help desk and someone will help you out (a lot of airports have this system in place).
Most people working at the airport are in a similar situation as you, and they’re happy to help. If you get to the airport and realize you misread your flight information, there are ways to fix this. The first thing to do is talk to an agent.
They’ll let you know if you’re at risk of missing your flight and what you can do to fix it. If you’re really worried, you can also ask to speak with a supervisor. They have the ability to put you in first class if you explain the situation. Keep in mind that this is only appropriate if you’re at risk of missing your flight.
Don’t be afraid to haggle
This is the perfect scenario where you can be bold and try haggling. Whether you’re trying to get a better price on a tour or a taxi ride, or you want to get a better price on souvenirs, don’t be afraid to haggle.
You can either do this directly with the person or use a third-party app called Haggle. Haggle is a third-party app that allows you to start a conversation with a local seller and negotiate a better price. If you feel uncomfortable doing this in person, you can also do it online. If you don’t know how to haggle and feel awkward doing it, there are a few ways to prepare yourself.
When you’re at your destination, try going to a local market and practice haggling. You’ll feel more comfortable doing it and will know what to say when the time comes to negotiate a better price.
Lock in your accommodation ASAP
There are a few reasons why you should lock in your accommodation ASAP. The first being that there may be a limited amount of rooms available. This is especially true if you’re planning a trip when a lot of people are going on vacation (e.g. summer, Christmas, etc.). Another reason is that while you’re booking your trip, you may find better deals available.
Depending on where you’re traveling, accommodation rates may vary from season to season. If you’re booking a trip to somewhere like Hawaii, you’ll find that rates are much lower during the winter season compared to the summer season when most people travel to Hawaii for vacation.
This doesn’t mean that you should book the first thing you see, but keep an eye out for better deals. If you’re booking with a hotel chain, you may also be able to use their loyalty program to earn points and get a discount.
Leave a Comment