27 Tips For Stress-Free Travel

After packing for your trip, you are ready to take the next crucial step. You were leaving home and touching base at your new destination. This step may stretch for 20 hours or even longer, including getting from home to the airport, navigating your way within the airport, checking in, going through customs and security, and spending time before boarding the plane and flying to your destination.

Speaking from experience, the first day of travel is the most challenging day of the whole trip, no matter how well you have prepared for it. On top of being in a “naturally anxious state of mind,” situations often crop up unexpectedly, rob you of your energy, and throw you out of balance. While I think it’s impossible to have 100% stress-free time on the first day, there are many ways to reduce stress and be well-prepared for long-haul flights.

27 Tips for Stress-Free Travel – First Day

I have learnt to plan twice the time I usually do for any other flight. I make sure I leave relaxed and stay relaxed as much as possible, and finally, I am armed with a good dose of patience.

Arriving At The Airport

Arrive 3 hours before boarding! Some years ago, I nearly missed my flight. That experience taught me I have tried to fly with the same airline company for all flight segments since then. Secondly, I plan my journey to the airport to get there at least three to four hours before boarding.

These are my best tips for a relaxed, stress-free first day of travel.

1. Choose the best way to get to the airport, calculate the time, and add 30-45 min for a stress-free journey.
2. Check and have a train/bus/shuttle/taxi schedule confirmed the day before leaving. Book your ticket/journey.
3. Research alternative ways to travel to have it prepared “just in case” you need to change it at the last minute.
4. Inform family or friends of your planned journey to the airport or have them take you there, should any incidents occur with delayed trains or lost connection.
5. If you travel by car, check traffic, weather conditions, and road works to choose a fast and safe drive. If the forecast is for bad weather, consider travelling the day before your flight and staying close to the airport.

Getting to the airport 3-4 hours before is not a waste of time. First, you cannot afford to be late and miss your flight; second, there are plenty of opportunities to make good use of this time. Feeling good and relaxed is vital to enhancing your flight enjoyment and increasing your endurance on the plane.

Checking In At Airports

Be the first to drop off your baggage! Once you have reached the airport, go to your airline’s check-in/drop-off counters and go through security immediately afterwards. Not all airports have a high standard of comfort. If you don’t know the airport, research on the internet and take a virtual tour to show how long it will take to go from A to B within the airport.

1. Calculate the time needed to navigate within the airport to reach your terminal and gate. You might have to get on a shuttle train to connect to your terminal in some airports. Some have shuttle buses that run every 15-20 minutes.
2. You can check online “ALWAYS” from home or your mobile device. This will save you time at the check-in counter and allow you to drop off your checked baggage faster.
3. Check again the baggage weight to be checked in and the handbag sizes at your airline counters. Make sure your baggage is within the allowed weight restrictions. In this post, you can read more about baggage allowance for Australia.
4. Drop off checked bags, and ensure they are locked and labelled with your full name and phone number on the tags.
5. Be the first or in the first group to drop off the luggage to reduce the waiting time to a minimum. Having checked in your luggage is just peace of mind. The sooner you drop it off, the better you can roam around weight-free.

Airport Security Check

Be prepared. Once you have completed the first step of the airport procedure, the next step is going through security. It depends much on the country and airport procedure; I rarely wait for 30-45 minutes in the queue. And sometimes, it can take longer. Be sure to have the right layover time for connecting flights.

These tips help you better organise and feel comfortable on a long-haul flight.

1. Have everything ready so you don’t have to rummage in your bag when approaching the conveyor belt.
2. Hold boarding passes and passports in your pockets, switch off mobile phones, and put them into your handbag.
3. Have the transparent zipper bag with up-to-10 bottles and max-100ml ready on top of your handbag.
4. Empty water bottles and ensure you have no more liquids than those in the transparent zipper bag.
5. Beware, on connecting flights to Australia; you cannot take any bottled water, even if you are in the transfer airport (after security)—more about what you can pack in your luggage.
6. Keep the computer in a separate bag. They will scan it.
7. Don’t wear belts, and check that no metal gadgets are on your clothes, as they might set off the alarm.
8. Be prepared to take off shoes, if asked, and have them checked.
9. Wear a jacket with a few pockets to help stuff things when recollecting your things.

Airport Relax

The faster you go through check-in and security, the better and less stress you accumulate. Now it’s time to sit back and relax before boarding the plane. Feeling good and relaxed is crucial for any long flight. These are a few things I always do to keep myself active and comfortable.

1. Walk, walk, walk as much as you can. This is the first exercise for your legs to prevent swelling and vein blood clots.
2. Don’t sit if you can. You will sit on the plane for at least 12-17 hours, so use your time at the airport to move around.
3. Pack your handbags onto a trolley and stroll through the shopping malls.
4. Do some light exercise, and if you want, find a resting area where you can do your favourite workout.
5. Pamper yourself with a drink or your favourite meal. Buy yourself fine chocolate or a little gift.
6. Avoid the airport buzz. If your ticket or frequent flyer card entitles you to the lounge, go or ask the airline counter for a free upgrade.
7. Find a free Wi-Fi station where you can use the internet and check your mail, chat, phone and social media before leaving.
8. Drink plenty of water. Buy 1-2 plastic bottles with you and have them refilled on the plane.

Conclusions for stress-free air travel

If you prepare well for the first day of your trip and follow these 27 tips, you will help reduce stress at transit airports, recover fast from jet lag, and start having the best stress-free travel experience.

Related Posts:

These tips will help you become better and reduce stress when travelling:

well-prepared for the long flight,
know what to wear on the plane,
how to maintain healthy eating habits 
Return to Rocky Travel – Solo Travel & Trips For Over 50

This post was first published in 2014 and last updated in April 2024.

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