Travel is a funny thing. It’s meant to bring relaxation but it often brings the complete opposite. The more I’ve travelled though, the more I’ve learned to play an offensive game. While there’s nothing you can do to prevent travel delays or sudden illness, there are things you can do to eliminate other stressors. I use these tips every single time we travel now.
Nine Ways to Reduce Travel Stress
Keep Your Meds With You
Last year we were asked at the gate to check our carry-ons because the plane was full. Not seeing any harm we volunteered our bags assuming they’d be waiting for us on arrival. You know the punchline of course; they lost our bags that contained my husband’s very important heart medication. Since then we keep all meds in my purse which will never get checked. Also make sure you keep them in the bottles they’ve been prescribed to you in to avoid questions at customs.
Roll Your Clothes
The less you have to carry the better. Rolling your clothes allows you to fit more clothing into one bag so that you might even be able to fit the whole family into one.
Exchange Your Money Before You Go
There is nothing worse than landing and trying to find foreign currency. Since I found out about CIBC Foreign Exchange, I’ll never worry about it again. I can order my money online and have it delivered directly to my door before I travel. Not only is it a time-saver, it’s a sanity saver.
Carry Battery Packs
I always have my phone and laptop with me so I can work on the road. My kids have their iPods and my husband has his laptop and phone as well. That’s a lot of devices to keep charged and there’s not always a place to charge them. Everyone gets a battery pack in their carry on as back up.
Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
Nothing irks me more than paying for water, unless of course it’s paying through the nose for it at the airport. Carry an empty reusable water bottle through customs then fill it up on the other side. Keeps money in your wallet and plastic out of landfills.
Take a Picture of Where You Parked
You may think you’ll remember where you parked the car at the airport, but trust me after a week of Margaritas on the beach your memory won’t be so stellar. Snap a picture with your phone and then share it with someone in your party as backup. I once took a picture and then accidentally deleted it. Losing an hour searching for a car is not the way to end your holiday.
Leave Important Documents With Someone At Home
Quick, close your eyes and recite the numbers on our credit card, bank card and passport. Exactly. Unfortunately, I feel like I’ve learned all these lessons the hard way for you. Years ago on a trip to St. Martin our credit card was stolen and our bank card was cancelled. We were just engaged and my future husband decided that he’d rather spend the rest of his life living in St. Martin then ask his future father-in-law for help. “Hello sir, I’d like to marry your daughter but first can you bankroll the rest of our vacation?” We made it through, but since that time I take photocopies of all important documents before we travel and leave them with someone we trust just in case.
Get a Pashmina Shawl
I can’t emphasize this one enough for the ladies. Travel is exhausting and sometimes you just want to wrap yourself up in a blanket and let it go. My shawl has been my coat, my blanket, my pillow, my scarf, my headwrap. It is the best travel investment I’ve ever made.
Keep Hand Sanitizer On Hand
Planes and airports are germ-y places based solely on the fact that thousands of people pass through them daily. Not to go all Howard Hughes on your here but airports and airplanes are crawling with microscopic bugs just waiting to get all up in your business. In my purse I religiously carry three things; hand sanitizer, hand moisturizer (because hand sanitzer is drying) and face spray (because airplane air is drying). Just like I wouldn’t leave home without my passport, I would leave these three things behind either.
Sandy T says
July 23, 2015 at 9:12 amBring a change of clothes & swimsuit in your carry-on bag, in case your luggage is lost or delayed!
mongupp says
August 2, 2015 at 9:38 pmPhotocopy all documents and leave with a trustworthy person.
angela m says
July 23, 2015 at 3:32 pmMy best tip is to bring snacks and books on your carry on for wait times at the airport.
Glogirl says
July 24, 2015 at 9:48 pmMy travel tip is to place all your liquids (ie. shampoo/lotions etc.) in a ziploc bag in case they leak!
prairiebelle says
July 25, 2015 at 3:35 pmI recently saw someone mention as sunglass case for all your cords. I think it is a fantastic idea
ksceviour says
July 25, 2015 at 9:20 pmMy travel tip is to bring lots of healthy snacks,so you are not tempted to stop in gas stations and buy chips and junk food.
Jenn says
July 25, 2015 at 9:40 pmI always pack a days worth of clothing in my carryon bag, just in case.
Christina D says
July 25, 2015 at 11:13 pmMy travel trip is using ziplock space bags to help with getting all your cloths to fit into a suitcase.
butterflyamyc says
July 26, 2015 at 3:47 amPlan ahead
tanyab79 says
July 26, 2015 at 1:59 pmI roll my clothes to make more room to bring more.
Krista M says
July 26, 2015 at 2:11 pmGet new toys & activities for the kids and stagger them. Do not give them everything at once– make each individual activity last as long as possible. I find by the time we’ve arrived at our destination I still have stuff leftover they haven’t yet seen or played with (to use on the way back!)
Andrea Amy says
July 26, 2015 at 3:21 pmBe organized. Organization is everything! Plan ahead, and be prepared.
BlessedTA says
July 26, 2015 at 3:54 pmBe flexible
Jolie says
July 26, 2015 at 8:11 pmI always pack a change of clothes in my carry-on in case my luggage gets lost.
Josh S says
July 26, 2015 at 8:18 pmPack lots of snacks.
Tammy Dalley says
July 27, 2015 at 10:19 amHave lots of snacks on hand
Chris Stockford says
July 27, 2015 at 10:22 amPut all your liquids in a ziploc bag in case they leak!
Lushka Smith says
July 27, 2015 at 10:33 amUse small containers for your beauty products, refill when you get home, then you are ready for your next trip with less hassle.
Lana Hood says
July 27, 2015 at 10:45 amTake less than you think that you will need 🙂
Juliee Fitze says
July 27, 2015 at 1:28 pmI roll all my clothes then put them in an airlock bag so they weigh less.
Maria says
July 27, 2015 at 2:33 pmDon’t overpack ! We always bring more than we need
favgreen(Rhonda W G.) says
July 27, 2015 at 9:50 pmAlways allow for more time than you think…
Rebby says
July 28, 2015 at 12:43 amMy travel tip is simple, stay organized, pack light but make a list so you don’t forget anything!
edmontonjb says
July 28, 2015 at 2:01 amMix up everyone’s clothes into different suitcases so that if a piece of luggage gets lost, everyone will still have some clothes to change into.
Jonnie
Pam says
July 28, 2015 at 10:23 amMake sure you have all the meds in your carry on: tylenol, diarrhea, stomach, allergy and above all Polysporin.
David says
July 28, 2015 at 1:18 pmlots of snacks on hand
lori b says
July 28, 2015 at 2:54 pmmine is packing a smaller bag inside my suitcase for purchases
Jackie M says
July 28, 2015 at 11:16 pmBring an extra light weight duffel bag. You never know if you need to pack a little more (yay to shopping!)
billiondollarprincesss says
July 29, 2015 at 12:01 amBe organized and pack and plan beforehand!
Amy Heffernan says
July 29, 2015 at 9:16 amUse a zip lock baggie to store all important information!
Courtney says
July 29, 2015 at 9:56 amPack food, snacks and drinks. It’ll save so much money!
Jenny says
July 29, 2015 at 10:42 ambring lots of snacks
ivy pluchinsky says
July 29, 2015 at 11:42 amroll my clothes up to make more room
Melinda Jana (@Sukki24) says
July 29, 2015 at 12:26 pmpack extra medicine!
nicky says
July 29, 2015 at 12:55 pmcarry a water bottle and snacks, this will help keep everyone happy!
Florence C says
July 29, 2015 at 1:36 pmI always put clothes in my carry-on. I also put an outfit in my husbands suitcase and one of his in mine.
Lindsay T says
July 29, 2015 at 3:19 pmMy best travel tip – when travelling with someone else put half of your clothes in each checked suitcase, that way if one gets lost you’ll both still have clothes!
Jennpup says
July 29, 2015 at 4:48 pmPack ear plugs (never know when you’ll get noisy hotel room neighbours/hallways) and gravol.
SUMMER PLEWES says
July 29, 2015 at 7:20 pmBuy bead organizers at the dollar store to stock your jewelry and necklaces.
Mark V says
July 29, 2015 at 7:26 pmtry to stick to carry on only.
wendy hutton says
July 29, 2015 at 7:50 pmI roll my clothes so I can get more in the suitcase
Jenness M says
July 29, 2015 at 8:13 pmPhotocopy your passport and other id and keep it seperate. My purse was stolen in Barcelona and that would have helped!
Tricia Cooper says
July 29, 2015 at 9:20 pmBring a pair of PJ’s and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag. BTW — lots of great ideas here!! Thanx!
Bailey Dexter says
July 29, 2015 at 10:03 pmWhen packing for a trip with the kids, I lay out a top & matching bottoms one on top of the others. Then I add the underclothes,socks & matching hair accessories. I then roll it up in a roll, this way they can pick all the rolls and everything is all in it, as well as always have enough of everything for them!
Jasen H says
July 29, 2015 at 10:03 pmBackup all data of every electronic device you are bringing with you. You never know when you might misplace a phone or laptop!
em says
July 29, 2015 at 11:10 pmuse a ziploc bag when you travel with liquids. put the ziploc around the bottle then close the lid, flip the ziploc inside out and zip
zahra premji says
July 30, 2015 at 2:47 amKeep an extra ziploc bag and a change of underwear at the very least in your carry-on/purse
janicour says
July 30, 2015 at 9:24 ambring a copy of passpots and drivers license when you travel
Cristina L (@gLawrieous) says
July 30, 2015 at 10:24 amScan copies of your passport, ID, medical cards and Travel documentation and email them to yourself, so if you ever lose anything you will always have access to copies!
Fiona Mullins says
July 30, 2015 at 10:49 amPack all liquids in plastic bags
Paula R says
July 30, 2015 at 11:28 amPack a couple days ahead, then when you remember something you can just add it to your suitcase
ginette4 says
July 30, 2015 at 12:11 pmBring plenty of snacks and stop often to stretch legs and visit local attractions
Nate Fuller says
July 30, 2015 at 1:22 pmI pack everything in my carry on bag!
Tamra H says
July 30, 2015 at 2:44 pmBuy your own re-fillable travel toiletry containers and fill them yourself. Much less expensive than buying them each trip!
Jenn Erin says
July 30, 2015 at 9:48 pmPack ear plugs!
Sara Rai says
July 31, 2015 at 2:41 amI would say to bring alot of snacks:)
Michelle Matta (@littlemmm) says
July 31, 2015 at 12:48 pmmy best tip is dont stress, or fret or yell if you forget something.
Stephanie LaPlante says
July 31, 2015 at 1:19 pmAlways pack snacks, emergency money and travel insurance.
Cheryl says
July 31, 2015 at 6:13 pmPrepare yourself ahead of time with lists so you don’t forget anything
KC says
July 31, 2015 at 9:32 pmPack some clothes in carry on in case your checked baggage gets lost!
Nicole Jubleew says
July 31, 2015 at 9:42 pmIf you are traveling outside of the country, scan copies of all your documents including passport and credit cards and email them to yourself. That way if they get lost of stolen you will have easy access to a copy to get them replaced.
magscheung says
August 1, 2015 at 7:16 amJust in case, I always keep my liquids in ziplock bags! I am always afraid they leak all over … I’ve learned from before! =)
gene d says
August 1, 2015 at 8:13 ampack less than what you think you will need
Mandy says
August 1, 2015 at 1:22 pmMy tip for moms with babies is to bring extra clothes for yourself as well as baby on the carry on.
nicolthepickle says
August 1, 2015 at 1:42 pmMine is make a list and check it off as you go along.
Brenda Lacourciere says
August 2, 2015 at 5:24 amMy best travel tip is to always plan ahead but leave some room for extra activities even if it is just resting.
Stephanie says
August 2, 2015 at 10:47 amBest travel tip is bring lots of sunblock because it can get expensive in destination countries
Michelle Chang says
August 2, 2015 at 3:44 pmUse packing cubes to keep luggage neat and organized – it makes packing, unpacking and repacking much easier!
seham merzib says
August 2, 2015 at 5:36 pmbring games, books for the kids
Patrick Siu says
August 3, 2015 at 4:12 pmAlways carry your passport with u, never in a luggage in case of theft.
Tina L. says
August 3, 2015 at 4:50 pmbring snacks and reading material in case of delays
stacey h says
August 3, 2015 at 7:55 pmbring healthy snacks and a change of clothes on your carry on.
Caroline says
August 3, 2015 at 10:25 pmI roll my clothes when packing, place shampoo etc in Ziploc bags in case they leak, and make a list to ensure I don’t forget something.
Andrea says
August 4, 2015 at 7:25 pmMy best travel trip is to roll clothes instead of folding, it saves space! Also, create a checklist so you won’t forget anything!
Angela M says
August 5, 2015 at 9:09 amI always make use of empty spaces such as shoes
Eldon L says
August 5, 2015 at 4:06 pmI always have extra paper towels with me
Tracy D says
August 6, 2015 at 10:01 amBring a power tube to keep your electronics going, even during delays!
CL Chin says
August 6, 2015 at 12:07 pmmy best travel tip is to pack fairly light and keep an extra set of clothes in your carry on luggage just in case.
KellyPC says
August 6, 2015 at 8:51 pmPack light!