Regardless of whether you are taking a day trip, a weekend break or heading away for a few weeks, it is important to keep your stress levels low and stay relaxed – not just during your trip but before and after it too. This is why I spent time thinking about how I stop travel from being stressful and intimidating.

Travel is one of the most popular ways for people to spend their spare time, but despite this many people describe the planning, organising and even the act of going away as particularly stressful.

So here are some tips to travel from being stressful and you may even get some relaxation whilst you’re away.

How To Stop Travel From Being Stressful

Initial Planning

Consider Time and Place

If you already know where you want to go try to be as flexible as possible with regards to when you go. Do a simple internet search of your destination and random months to check the typical weather forecast – this will give you an idea of what and how much you may need to pack. ie: “Paris in May”

If you have already decided on the time of year that you want to travel but can’t decide on a destination then head to Skyscanner – use the “Everywhere” option and see what takes your fancy.

Travel off-peak, mid-week and late night (or early morning) and things will be considerably cheaper than weekends or during school holidays.

Read: Finding Your Own Travel Style

Think About Duration

It’s impossible to plan a trip if you don’t know how long you’ll be away for. It doesn’t matter whether you’re away for a day, a weekend or a little longer, you’ll need to know when you’re going and coming back in order to save enough money and make those all important bookings.

Research the Costs

As you start planning a trip you need to think about how much it’s going to cost you.

To do this you need to decide what sort of trip you’re taking – Are you backpacking or travelling with your full luggage allowance? Will you stay in budget hostel or luxury hotels? Have you thought about what you might do during your trip, where you’ll want to eat, whether you’ll take any excursions? All of this needs to be taken into consideration.

Start Saving Money

If you’re looking to make travel a priority then you might want to consider how you can cut back on unnecessary spending. Once you’ve worked out roughly how much this trip will cost you, you’ll know how much you need to save. Write down all your current expenses so you can determine where you are spending money and how you can cut back.

Read: Travel and Me: My Travel Confessions

Get a Travels Rewards Credit Card

While you’re working to save money, get a travel credit card – you’ll earn sign-up bonuses to redeem miles and points for free flights and hotel stays.

You don’t need to sign up for every cards available, pick one or two and focus on those. Do this the moment you decide you want to travel.

The important thing to remember is that you must pay off any card you may have IN FULL. Don’t let debts build up. You should be using rewards cards to help cut costs and earn bonuses not to pay for things that you can’t afford.

The All Important Booking

Check for Last-Minute Deals

Once you’ve started planning your trip and you’re on your way to saving money you might want to check for any deals you might have missed. You may have been dreaming of Paris in May but then you might find a great deal for a trip to Krakow instead.

This might actually encourage you to visit a place you never would have thought of before.

Book Your Flight

After you’ve signed up for your travel credit card and received that sign-up bonus, use those miles to book your flight. Again, use Skyscanner to search for your chosen destination and dates.

Read: Travel and Mental Health

Book Your Accommodation

Now that you know your dates and destination, you’re saving and earning rewards for your trip it’s time to book you’re accommodation. I nearly always book using booking.com, again you can earn rewards. The more you book using the site the more likely you are to receive discount. Plus their nice enough to send birthday treats.

Plan Activities

You should have already have noted down the main activities that you want to do and how much they’ll cost you. This is all part of your budgeting plan.

Don’t fall into the rabbit-hole of over-planning. If there’s a restaurant that’s popular then book a table, if you want to do a walking tour then book it (try and do a food tour on your first evening/morning) but don’t book more than one or two things as you want allow yourself time to just explore and do things spontaneously.

Buy Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is much more than just medical protection – it covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is cancelled, a family member gets ill and you have to come home, or if something gets stolen.

I have never needed to claim anything on my travel insurance but that doesn’t mean I would buy it anyway. Every time I book a trip I make sure I am still covered and that my policy is still in date.

Read: Coping With Travel Sickness

Final Preparations

Buy Foreign Currency

Depending on how far in advance I’ve planned a trip and depending on how much foreign currency I think I might need I tend to buy in batches. This way I can purchase different amounts according to varying exchange rates.

Arrange Transport

Always work out how you’re going to get to your accommodation. There’s nothing worse than arriving into a unfamiliar place and then not knowing how to get to where you’re staying. Especially at night or early in the morning.

Make sure you’re aware of local buses or taxis and how you would pay for it (cash, travel passes or contactless debit cards). Alternatively, book an airport transfer in advance and relax knowing you don’t need to think about getting across strange cities.

Check in online

Most airlines offer online check in which is great. It’s never going to reduce your stress levels if you’re behind schedule and then get to the airport to find a big queue for the check-in desk for your flight. You can avoid this unnecessary stress by checking in before you even get to the airport.

Read: The Importance of Sleep

Print Your Documents

Many people will probably tell you that it’s not very environmentally friendly to have printouts but honestly I would rather have a wad of paper in my bag than having to scroll my way through a load of folders on my phone.

One way to stop travel from being stressful is to make sure that all your important information is easy to access, so simply print all of your bookings and insurance paperwork and keep it all in a document wallet.

Get Packing

Have a variety of cases and bags to choose from, this way you can pick the correct luggage according to the trip you are taking.

Always start thinking about what you’re going to pack a few weeks before you’re due to travel. Have a few things set to one side that you can always pack quickly (first aid kit, toothbrush, packing cubes) – knowing that you already have some things ready will help make the process of packing less intimidating.

You should have already considered the weather at the planning and booking stage so you should have a rough idea of what clothes you’ll wear. Wash and pack a few of the basics a week or so in advance – this will ensure that you’re not tempted to wear it the day before you’re due to travel.

Write a list to help plan outfits in advance, this will also help to prevent you from overpacking. If you’re going away for more than a week consider packing some travel wash and do a spot of laundry half way through your trip. Underwear is that easiest thing to wash and dry quickly so only pack half of what you think you’ll need.

Finally, pack however suits you most conveniently. If like me you read a lot of travel blogs then you’ll be up to your eyeballs in people telling you that the best way to travel is with a backpack flung over your shoulder. However, if you are happier packing a suitcase and paying extra to check it in then do this and don’t let others tell you that you’re doing it wrong. 

Book Your Seat

If you’re already feeling stressed, your mood will only be worsened if you board the plane only to realise you are stuck in the middle seat or have limited legroom. Instead, reserve your seat in advance and board safe in the knowledge that you’ll travel in comfort.

Read: Why Everyone Should Travel Solo (at least once)

Get Travelling

Book Accommodation for the Night Before

Nobody likes an early morning flight. Especially when you factor in the travel time to the airport and then time it will take you to get ready before you leave your house. Take some of the stress away by heading to the airport the evening before and staying somewhere close. That way you’ll be able to have a good night’s sleep, have some breakfast and then arrive at the airport refreshed and ready for your flight.

Arrive Early

Think of your time at the airport as part of your trip. Arrive early and enjoy it. A few days before you travel look at the airport’s website and see what is available: the shops, restaurants etc.

Arriving early means that you won’t be running around stressed, you can take your time heading through security, then you can settle down with a book and a drink and maybe even grab something to eat and do a spot of people-watching.

Be Comfortable

Wear comfortable clothing during your travels. Pack a large scarf that can also be used as a blanket in case you get cold. Remember to take a refillable water bottle as it’s important to stay hydrated. Keep your skin moisturised. Read a book. Get some sleep. These are all things I do to ensure that I am comfortable and happy during the actual time spent travelling.

Read: An Inflight Skincare Routine

Finally

Enjoy your trip and hopefully it won’t be stressful.

One final thought, on your return take an extra day or two before returning to work. This will mean that you can still relax, as well as getting unpacked, do laundry, catch up on sleep after getting home before having to rush back into work mode.

How do you stop travel from being stressful and actually enjoyable?

Let me know in the comments.