Travel is so special and fun; it’s truly one of my favorite parts of life. However, it can also be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you don’t travel often, or have pets. I think in some ways, travel gets more difficult the older I get because I have new responsibilities and more to worry about. Even still, it’s important to make time to travel - whether it’s to see new sights, visit family, or experience new cultures. Here are the tips and tricks I rely on for making travel easier, so I can be present and stress-free.

how to make travel easier

don’t compare

Travel how you want. Social media creates lots of comparison, and it’s easy to see someone’s vacation photos and want that, too. However, travel is a really unique experience and you have the best time when you lean into who you are and what you want. I am a homebody; the stress of anticipating three weeks in Europe will outweigh or hinder the fun I’d actually have when I’m there. My mom loves a week in a tropical location with nothing planned; my dad goes stir crazy.

You do not have to go to the most popular or extravagant location to have an incredible travel experience, nor do you have to spend the most money or stay in the fanciest hotel. Think about what you want, your budget, and what will feel good to you - not someone else, and especially not on social media.

know your ideal travel time

This goes a couple ways. My friend has realized 4 days is plenty for a vacation; if I’m traveling across the country, I want to be there for at least a week. Some people love quick two-day getaways; that’s too much fuss for others. Don’t feel trapped by the “weekend” or “one-week” time constraints. Go for 6 days, go for 1. A vacation isn’t worth it if you come home stressed by all that you have to catch-up on.

On the other hand, think about how long you’ll spend actually getting to your destination. As I mentioned, I don’t like to fly across the country for less than a week. If you can’t stand long car rides or get anxious on flights, go somewhere local. You don’t have to travel far to have a memorable experience; being a tourist in your own city is underrated.

do trial runs with pet sitting

My dogs are used to me being home basically 24/7. They do not like being in crates, so taking them to a kennel or pet hotel is not a good time for them, which makes travel a bad time for me as well, because I worry. I’ve had a friend pet-sit in the past, and that ended our friendship. I highly recommend doing a trial run with pet sitting or taking your dog to a kennel/ pet hotel. Do one night (or two) while you’re home/ nearby; you get the practice in without feeling too far away, the pet sitter can ask questions, and your pets get short-term practice, too.

put an AiirTag and labeled luggage tag inside your luggage

Lost luggage is a nightmare. I recommend putting an AirTag somewhere inside your luggage, like in a shoe or within a compartment. As much as I hate to say it, TSA or other airport employees might go through your luggage, so you don’t want the AirTag to be in a place where they can easily take it out. I also like to keep a labeled luggage tag tucked away, too. The one on the outside can fall off, and it’s on extra step of identification should anything happen.

use a packing list

I keep mine on the notes app on my phone; I check as I pack something, then un-check when I re-pack to go home. Having it on your phone also allows you to make notes as you travel, which I do extensively. I like to make note of what I wish I brought, didn’t need, or how I’d do things differently in the future. Adjusting my packing list in real-time has made for a much more streamlined process for future trips, even if I never plan on going back to that particular destination.

have your toiletry bags packed already

Even if you don’t fill the bottles, have your bags packed and keep them in a separate drawer in your bathroom if possible. This makes it easier to remember everything, and you can just grab the bag and go. These are my favorite toiletry bottles that never leak (more tips on avoiding spills here).

I also like to keep a makeup bag ready to go. While I don’t travel frequently, I’ll sometimes need it for on-the-go touchups and just find it a lot easier to have a makeup set for home as well as travel.

Lastly, pack bandaids. These are the perfect size in case you get blisters while walking around, and I never travel without fabric bandids, which are the only ones that actually stay on all-day (even with lots of hand-washing).

bring a water bottle or cup

A water bottle is an obvious choice, especially since so many travel destinations have refill stations scattered about now. You can also typically find refill stations at the hotel gym, so check for that before you buy a case of water for your room.

Some friends think I’m wierd for this, but I also bring another insulated cup for things like iced coffee, tea, or juice. I like my drinks extra-cold, and while hotels have ice machines, the plastic cups don’t do it for me. Staying hydrated while you travel is key, and bringing a familiar cup from home makes it easier to stay on top of it. Similarly, my boyfriend always brings a shaker cup so that he can make protein shakes on the go.

pack a comfort outfit

I’m not sure why we want to bring a whole new wardrobe when we travel, but I personally have come to hate it. It’s a hassle. I change my mind too much, and end up wishing I had more comfy clothes with me. At this point, I really just stick to the basics and focus more on the travel experience than photos of my outfit, but no matter what you prefer, bring an outfit that you feel good in all the time. Whether it’s a cute dress, jeans and a tee, or a sweater that you can dress up or down, bring it. You’ll end up wearing it, and you’ll probably end up having more fun that day because you’re more focused on the present than what you look like.

pack extra ziploc bags

Whether you use packing cubes or not, bring extra ZipLoc bags, quart and sandwich size especially. Even though I have designated bags for my toiletries and makeup, I like to put things like essential oils or makeup remover in the ZipLoc bags first, because they’re prone to leaking. Anytime I travel, my mom or boyfriend or friends always end up asking for extra ZipLoc bags. They’re lightweight and easy to store in a random luggage pocket, so it’s a really easy thing to just throw in your bag just in case.

screenshot your boarding pass

My phone storage is basically maxed out, and I don’t like having to switch between different apps at the airport. I typically screenshot what I need, like my boarding pass, because it’s quicker for me to access it as a photo than open the app and wait for it to load.

Also - take pictures of your luggage claim tags right when you get them (either at the kiosk or from an attendant). In the chaos of navigating the airport, we sometimes just shove the tag in our bag, where it can get crumpled or lost. Take a photo so you have one extra backup.

book a room with a kitchen

Whether you want to save money or have dietary restrictions, booking a room with a kitchen is really worth it. Eating out 3 meals a day while traveling doesn’t always make you feel your best, especially if you’re used to cooking at home. I like booking a room with a kitchen (or kitchenette) for more freedom and flexibility. That way I can:

• store milk for protein shakes or cereal

• make eggs, toast, a quick burger, or other simple snacks without worrying about extra butter/ oil/ salt

• don’t have to worry about restaurants closing early if i’m trying to adjust to the time change

make a packing list after your trip

I touched on this earlier, but make a list while you travel/ after your trip. Make notes on what you wish you had brought, what you didn’t use, and what you ended up wearing the most. I write everything down and do not leave anything to memory, which has helped me streamline packing and traveling in the future. For example, I will never forget extra straws or the charger to our travel diffuser again, but also have a list of quick-fix meals we can make at the hotel with minimal ingredients.