How to Prepare for a Trip: 9 Tips for No-Stress Traveling

Blog

Nov 6

About 50% of travelers use travel as a way to relax and recharge their batteries. If you're one of those people, then you know that anything going wrong on your trip can totally throw off your relaxing vibe.

There are certain things you can do and plan before your trip so you can make sure it is stress-free! Traveling smart means that you take the time to do research and plan your trip ahead of time so you are able to enjoy it.

Keep reading for our nine tips on how to prepare for a trip so you can be stress-free.

1. Find a House Sitter

Before you head off on your relaxing vacation you should make sure to find a house sitter that is available to check up on your house when you're away. If you get nervous about leaving your house with all of your belongings alone, then a house sitter is your best bet at getting some peace of mind while you're trying to relax.

A house sitter needs to be someone that lives nearby as well as someone you trust. Ask them to check your mail, water your plants, and just walk around your house making sure everything is alright. You can either pay your house sitter for their time or even bring them back a souvenir from your trip!

2. Make a List of Everything You Need

Before you even start packing you should sit down and make a list of everything that you will need to bring with you. You may also find yourself writing unnecessary things on your list that you can eliminate during the packing process.

Depending on where your trip is you may want to do some research to see what other people recommend you pack. This way you can make sure to bring all of the necessities you may have forgotten.

3. Give Yourself Enough Time to Pack

Another reason why people get stressed on vacation is that they did not give themselves enough time to pack and make sure they're bringing everything. Don't wait until the last minute to bust out your packing list and think you'll manage to remember everything.

Try to start packing your bags a few days before you're planning to leave for your trip. This way you will be able to run to the store if you forgot something or you will even have time to wash your favorite swim cover up if need be! Plus packing in advance will help you stay stress-free on the days leading up to your trip.

4. Book Transportation in Advance

Before you leave for your trip you should make sure that you have some sort of plan when it comes to transportation. If you're going to a small town, then you might be perfectly okay using Uber or Lyft to get around. But sometimes these services we rely on aren't available when we travel.

If you want a completely worry-free trip, then you may consider renting a car for your trip. When you have your own car you have the freedom to go and do whatever you want whenever you want. If you're traveling to Brisbane, then check out Alpha Car Hire so you can get your car as soon as you land at the airport.

5. Check the Weather

We can't control the weather but we can be prepared for it. Try to do some research before you book your trip and see when the best times to travel are based on weather.

Make sure you're looking at what the weather will be right before you head out for your trip. The weather predictions are constantly changing so you will want to keep an eye out for any rain or super cold weather that may happen especially if you're going somewhere tropical.

6. Plan Your Itinerary

A great way to have a stress-free trip is to plan your itinerary beforehand. Do some research and look for the best places to have some fun, eat dinner, and get a drink at night.

Even if you plan on spending much of your vacation at your hotel or relaxing you will still want to make sure to find places to eat. Try to branch out and look for restaurants that are exclusive to the place you're traveling to. You will thank yourself for trying something new and branching out of your comfort zone.

7. Prepare Your Finances

Before leaving for your trip you want to make sure you have enough money available to spend on your trip. Bringing cash with you is a great way to make sure you will have some money in case an emergency were to arise.

You should also make sure to contact your banks or credit card companies and tell them that you will be traveling. Sometimes banks or credit card companies will think that a charge is fraudulent if it is far away from your home and they will lock your account. This would add a lot of unneeded stress to your vacation.

8. Remember a Sleeping Mask and Earplugs

Two items that will change the way you travel are a sleeping mask and earplugs. These can be used during your journey as well as on your trip for some total peace and quiet. Sometimes plane rides can take off late at night or super early in the morning so having a sleeping mask as well as earplugs can help you get a few extra hours of sleep so you're ready to go once you land.

9. Leave Early

When taking a flight you want to make sure you leave with enough time to spare especially if something were to go wrong. Airports can be confusing and sometimes we end up in the wrong section. Make sure to leave with enough time to make any changes you might need.

If your travel plans go smoothly with no serious blips, then you will have lots of extra time to start relaxing early. Make sure to bring something to help keep yourself preoccupied if you have to wait like a book, magazine, or music.