Being stuck at home probably has you thinking of ways to plan some stress-free travel as soon as you’re able. Travel bans due to the current pandemic have everyone itching to leave their cities more than ever. The second it’s safe to travel, the first thing we’d like to be doing is jumping on a plane and heading somewhere far away from our homes. After months of staying still, it’s time for a change of scenery. To get you back in the traveling mindset, we have put together some of the most useful tips for stress-free travel to make sure that your first trip after the pandemic is not headache-inducing.

Create a packing checklist

First things first – create a packing list. Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at the airport only to realize you’ve forgotten your passport! As we are all probably feeling rushed to get out as soon as possible, forgetting things is more likely. Having to think on the spot of everything you need to bring may be overwhelming, so help yourself out and jot those items down. Even breaking it down into categories (clothing, toiletries, etc.) will give you a neat overview of your essentials.

Organize your suitcases and clothing

Who doesn’t like a tidy suitcase? Investing in packing organizers or travel cubes can be vital in making your vacationing life smoother. You can avoid having to rummage through your suitcase just to find that one blouse that matches by organizing your items into little baggies. Organizing your bags is a great way to ensure stress-free travel.

Pack days before the trip – no last minute decisions

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip. Packing the night before you leave will only guarantee you’ll miss something, ruining your vacation before it even begins. Especially if you’re someone with a busy schedule, starting the packing process ahead of time will allow you to fill it up day by day, slowly but surely. Take the pressure off yourself from having to do it all at once.

Download traveling apps

There are often overlooked, yet extremely useful apps to help orientate yourself to a new city. These can include simple mapping, discount-seeking or translating apps. Almost all large cities have an app dedicated to their public transport, which can help ensure that you don’t get lost on the metro.

Have a mini necessities bag

Traveling can be unpredictable, and you never know what you’ll encounter in a new environment. In your carry-on, you should always pack a necessity pouch with all the essentials. This includes basic first aid items (Band-Aids), hand sanitizer, lip balm, emergency cash and anything else that may be important.

Research the weather beforehand

Knowing what the weather will be like can help you pick out the clothes you want to bring. You also want to be ready for unexpected weather like rain or chilly evenings. Having to buy clothes during your trip because you didn’t account for breezy nights isn’t nearly as fun as buying trip souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.

Keep a daily itinerary

Organizing an itinerary – some people love it, some despise it. A lot of people dismiss the idea, as they believe that it restricts you to only the activities on your itinerary, but this doesn’t have to be true. Spontaneity and impromptu adventures can often be the most exciting experience. However, it’s still great to have an itinerary there as a general plan just in case.

Clean your home before you leave

Coming back to an untidy home is the worst, and it can be enough to reverse the relaxation effects of your holiday. You’ll want to stay in vacation mode for as long as you can, even after your return. So, it’s better to sacrifice a little time before your trip to get things sorted and cleaned beforehand in your home. We promise your future self will be thanking you.

Inform friends and family of travel plans

Make sure that someone knows where you are going and where you will be staying to ensure your own safety. Give someone close to you information on how you can be contacted, while also familiarizing yourself with local emergency numbers of your destination. Hopefully, you will never have to use them, but there is no harm in being prepared. Stay connected by giving regular updates and generally sharing all the great times throughout your trip. Surely, your friends and family will be happy to hear what you’ve been up to during your travels.

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