International travel can be equally exciting and stressful – even excitement carries an element of stress. To avoid compounding stress take the following steps to ensure you get to your destination in a great frame of mind, ready to (literally) take on the world!
Be well prepared
If it matters to you to know where you are sleeping each night and that your arrangements are all in order, book in advance. Allow plenty of time between transfers to avoid races through unfamiliar airports and make certain you are insured for the duration of your trip. Duplicate all your documents and booking references and pack a second set in your checked baggage or leave one with a relative, so it can be easily accessed in unforeseen circumstances.
Take your time
Accept that delays do happen, but give yourself plenty of time in airports and when picking up or dropping off rental cars. Check the airline website before departing for the airport to ensure your scheduled service is running on time. This simple step saves an awful lot of frustration if the weather or other factors have caused delays.
When you have extra time, you will be less fazed by long lines or unexpected circumstances. Always have a book or other entertainment handy, so that you can pass the time in an airport. You may like to utilise free any wifi services to catch up on emails, social media updates and the like.
Be efficient
Weigh your baggage before you arrive at check in to avoid ‘panic repacking.’ It always easier to pack less, not more, and buy any missing items throughout your travels. However, most travellers tend to take far too much! Have well organised carry on luggage, that fits the ‘carry on’ criteria. Before you go through passport control, find your passport and boarding pass and put away your keys, wallet, phone etc. There is no need to have them in your hands and it speeds up the process considerably to have only the essentials ready to go.
Do your research
If you are in transit in a large unfamiliar airport, check it out online first! It’s extremely helpful to know whether you have a five or 25 minute walk between gates before you have to embark upon it. Familiarise yourself with the route you need to take, particularly if signs may not all be in English. Airports are generally multi-lingual, but in a rush, it is easy to become stressed or lost.
Look after yourself
Hungry and tired travellers are more likely to over react. Wherever possible, be well rested and have something to eat and drink before arriving at the airport. It does wonders for the mental health!
Forgive other travellers
It can feel like you are ‘always’ stuck behind the family with difficult children, or the slow-coach or the argumentative couple. Take a breath. You never know what has lead them to their behaviour. Try and be patient and compassionate – not only will it keep you more relaxed, your attitude may rub off on them.