I will never understand why people complain about red eye flights. I’ve been taking them for years and have never had a problem. I enjoy them, in fact.
Red Eye Flights – 10 Quick Travel Tips Worth Taking The Time To Read
Sitting around in an airport for hours is pointless and frustrating for everyone, but there are ways to use that time to your advantage. If you can’t stand the idea of sitting around waiting for your flight to depart and would rather be doing something more useful at the same time, then read on to find out what you can do while you’re waiting!
Traveling can be stressful if you don’t know what to expect. The time you spend traveling can have a major impact on the quality of your trip. To help you avoid the stress, here are 10 quick travel tips that will benefit you in your planning, packing and traveling so that you can relax and enjoy your adventure.
1) Plan Ahead: Make sure you plan ahead of time. The more details you get out of the way ahead of time, the less stressed you will be when it comes time to actually leave.
2) Confirm Your Flights: Confirming your flight is a step that many people forget to do. But it can save you a lot of grief if you call and confirm before arriving at the airport.
3) Get Directions: Find out how to get from the airport or train station to your hotel, hostel or other place where you will be staying. This will help avoid getting lost or paying for a cab ride that may not be necessary.
4) Pack Light: When packing for your trip, think about whether or not each item is necessary and pack lightly. You want to avoid taking things with you that will just be extra weight for no reason.
5) Pack Smart: Before leaving home, make sure everything is
Since I started traveling at the age of 19, I’ve done it all. I’ve slept in gutters and 5-star hotels. I’ve spent months guided by a Lonely Planet and weeks lost on a whim. I’ve flown first class and crammed myself into economy seats.
I’ve approached travel as a hobby, an adventure, a job, a vacation, and all combinations therein. And while I think that traveling is, in some ways, one of life’s greatest joys, it can also be stressful and unpleasant if you aren’t prepared for it.
So here are my 10 top travel tips to help you not feel like an idiot when you go to another country for the first time:
1) Don’t overpack — It’s almost impossible to overstate how helpful it is to travel light. The less luggage you have to lug around with you on buses and trains (or up stairs!), the less there is that can be stolen or broken or go missing along the way; and the easier it is to fit into small spaces or catch a last minute flight. Plus, you’ll be more mobile: if your backpack weighs 15 pounds (7kg), that’s like carrying an 8
If you’re flying and want to avoid or reduce the effects of jet lag, here are 10 quick tips:
1. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Stick with water.
2. If you need caffeine to get your day going, have a cup of tea or coffee when you get off the plane, not before you leave for the airport.
3. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your flight.
4. Eat light meals; avoid heavy meals and processed foods at least 12 hours before you fly. Taking a small amount of vitamins A, B5 (pantothenic acid), C, E and B12 helps as well.
5. If you can afford it, upgrade your seat to business or first class with extra legroom so that you can stretch out on a long flight and fall asleep more easily.
6. On a long flight, take advantage of the layover stops by getting up and walking around every two hours or so to keep your circulation moving when it’s possible for you to do so without missing your connecting flight. Take a short walk outside if the weather is good enough for this, but avoid taking naps since they can make your jet lag worse when it’s time to sleep again later on in the day
1. Layovers are a part of life, but they can be pleasant if you know how to enjoy them.
2. When you pack, make sure to put your shoes in the plastic bags provided by the airlines; this protects against smelly feet and bad odors.
3. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on bag. If they lose your luggage, you will still have something clean to wear.
4. Always bring a book or magazine with you on the plane; this will help you pass the time while waiting for your flight.
5. If you have any questions about your travel arrangements, ask the airline staff for help; they are there to assist you and ensure your safety during travel.
6. You may want to contact your bank before traveling abroad so that they know where and when you’re going; this way they won’t block or freeze your card as suspicious activity from another country!
7. Make sure your passport is up-to-date with at least six months validity left; many countries require this before entry into their borders (and it’s always better safe than sorry).
8. Keep track of what time it is where! This will ensure that calling home doesn’t take anyone by surprise when they hear their phone
Depending on the distance of your flight and the time difference, there are two basic ways of adjusting to jet lag:
– Take a red eye that arrives in the destination first thing in the morning. For example, take a 10 pm flight from LAX to JFK. You get to sleep on most of the flight and arrive at 7 am feeling relatively fresh. This allows you to get a full day’s work done and go to sleep at your normal hour that night and be adjusted when you wake up the next morning.
– Take a day time flight so you can sleep on plane but arrive at night time local time. For example, take an 8 am flight from JFK to Tokyo. You can sleep for most of the long haul flight, then arrive at around 8 pm Tokyo time. By going to bed early that night, you’ll be able to rebound and get back on schedule in one day.
Depending on what type of trip it is (business or leisure) I’ll decide which route makes more sense and adjust accordingly.
I travel a lot. Like, a whole lot. And while I definitely have my routines down to a science, I’m also not above discovering new ways to make air travel easier.
So thanks to the good people of Twitter, I was able to round up the most brilliant hacks for dealing with the toughest parts of flying.
1. Invest in a neck pillow
Neck pillows are great for long trips and can even double as lumbar support on shorter trips (just flip it around).
2. Carry-on essentials
Carrying on your luggage may not be all that easy if you’re checking a bag too, but it’s worth it if you can swing it. Just remember: You need at least 3 ounces of liquid or gel in your carry-on, so stock up on all of those little travel-sized toiletries before you get to the airport (you can pick them up at any drugstore or grocery store).
3. Take a photo of where you parked
Don’t forget where you parked! Take a photo of the sign right when you park so that you know exactly where to go when you return to your car after flying back into town.
4. Learn how to pack