How to beat travel stress and make the best of it .

Travel stress precedes travel excitement and begins the moment you start looking for flights. Considering, the dates are already decided. Being prepared and knowing what to expect will go a long way enjoying your travel. Long queues, flight cancellations, staffing shortages, strikes, lack of regular updates and sometimes bad customer service can turn an enjoyable travel into a nightmare. It is common for travellers to miss their flight or lose their luggage during peak travel seasons leading to frustrations and bad experiences. Travel post COVID is continuously increasing globally which means, it is better to be prepared and expect what is to come.

Often, it is more frustrating when things happen that are not under your control. The good news is, despite these realities, travel can be enjoyable by making small changes to your planning.

1. Keep your travel documents together

Make sure all your travel documents are together. You will need these handy from time to time. Check for your tickets, passport, boarding cards, visas, travel insurance documents, hotel bookings, addresses of your family or friends, contact numbers of where you will stay. The details are required at the departure / arrival airports.

2. Check time and date of travel.

It is very important to check the date and time of your travel plan matches the date and time on your tickets. Several years ago, my wife and I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 4 to drop off my father-in-law. I promptly handed the passport and tickets (those days, the airline tickets came as a booklet)  to the lady at the check-in counter. She asked how many of us were travelling. I said it was only my father-in-law. She looked at me and said “Sir, your flight is next month same time.”  Till date I have not figured out who was more furious – me, my father-in-law or my wife.

3. Always consider additional time into your schedule, because things happen that you can’t control (or could’ve controlled).

Airlines recommend passengers arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure. It is for good reason. Gate changes, Seat Changes,  Check-in difficulties,  long queues are common these days. Sometimes, the boarding gates would be in a different terminal or further away. Reaching boarding gates always takes time to navigate.

4. Queues and waiting

Lining up in queues and waiting is an integral part of any journey. From the time you enter the airport till you leave the airport you will have to join queues and wait for your turn be it at the check-in desk, security gates, immigrations, baggage collection, customs, taxi rank, bus stop, train stations, the journey is not complete without experiencing queues and waiting.  I have found therapeutic to observe people and analyze and predict their behaviour during the wait. I could also be a small game when travelling with teenagers or inquisitive kids. Often waiting could be frustrating leading to unpleasant situations that can be easily avoided. Just stay calm and carry on.

5. Distractions

Keep yourself distracted from frustration in queues and waiting. Carry some soothing or exciting audios to listen or books, newspapers, magazines to read during your travel. Even better if you have any some videos, games or puzzles on your phone. Pack some snacks to munch on, it’s great way to keep frustration at bay. You can also be connected with your family and friends. Go to https://rovesim.com and add an eSIM data plan to your mobile phone^#

6. Your turn

Make sure you are prepared to quickly make your way when it’s your turn at the counters. Searching for things, taking time to remove your coat, jacket, belt, shoes, laptop, coins etc. can be extremely frustrating to others behind you and to the security staff.

7. Avoid Hold-ups

Make sure you have been to the toilets, fed the baby, filled the water bottle, grabbed a coffee before joining any queue. Otherwise, you will make somebody hold your place for you or have to join the queue again.

8. Access to internet

Check you have access to internet, most airports provide free Wi-Fi for a limited period. You will need it to access online check-in references, QR codes, boarding cards, booking references etc. It is a good idea to visit https://rovesim.com and get data for your destination in advance.

9. Baggage Handling

It is important to check bags when collecting from the belts. Promptly report damage or lost baggage at the baggage counters before making your way towards the Customs gates. This will help you make any claims for lost or damaged luggage later.

10. Essentials – quick reminder

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Happy travels!!