Business Traveler Insights For Stress-Free Holiday Travel

Are you traveling over the holidays? Sadly, long check-in lines, repeated delays, and lost reservations often turn what’s supposed to be a fun trip into a seemingly never-ending nightmare. Fortunately, these useful insights from business travelers can help you make your trip with as little hassle and few headaches as possible.

• Plan your trip ahead of time. No matter how busy you are, start planning your trip as far out as possible to avoid high hotel prices and skyrocketing plane and train tickets. If you’re going on a road trip, schedule your vehicle to be serviced two to three weeks before your trip so there’s ample time for any repairs. In addition, make sure your travel insurance policy is up to date and provides sufficient coverage for yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings.
• Bring as little luggage as possible Try to limit your luggage to one or two bags—more can make it challenging to keep track of them, especially if you’re traveling by plane. As Tara Donaldson advises in her CNN Travel article “10 packing tips from a travel pro for a best-case scenario,” a compression bag can significantly reduce the amount of space your belongings take up in a carry-on.
• Use apps to your advantage. From remote check-ins and flight updates to current driving conditions and must-see tourism attractions, using apps can streamline your travel experience significantly. To make your trip as smooth as possible, spend an hour or so installing all the apps you need before you leave.
• Carry cash, but not too much. Depending on your destination and method of travel, it’s a good idea to bring some cash—especially if you’re traveling overseas. Keep enough on hand for a taxi, a meal, and some tips, but nothing more, as travelers and tourists are always a target for pickpockets.
• Keep your home secure. In recent years, burglars have started using social media to find out when people go on vacation so they can take advantage of their absence. If you’re leaving your home unoccupied, you don’t want to be worried about your possessions, so check that your alarm system is in good working order. Also, don’t announce the details of your trip—such as when you’re leaving and how long you’ll be gone—on Facebook, Twitter, or any of your other social media accounts.
• Create your own bubble. To stay relaxed on a long plane or train journey, bring things that help you create your own bubble. Noise-canceling headphones, your favorite playlist, and an exciting book or movie can do wonders to effectively block out the sounds of any stressed-out fellow travelers.

Holiday travel is supposed to be fun, and with these insights, you’ll not only be more prepared to enjoy the holidays, but also to return to work rested and happy. So remember try to take pleasure in the journey—and not just your destination. 

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/experts-guide-to-packing/index.html