Do you travel like a boss?
We’ve all been there at least once—fumbling about in the airport trying to wrestle you boarding pass out of your pocket while dragging your luggage and weaving through the chaotic crowds. Then you have brave the nightmare that is airport security. You know, that painfully long line that makes you wonder if this is what purgatory or even Hell is like? Finally, you board your plane where you spend the next several hours crammed into a tiny seat as you jet off to your dream holiday…
The good news is every frequent flyer reaches a point where their able to glide through the most stressful parts of traveling without losing their mind. Within the last year, I can say that have reached a sort of para-nirvana as a globe-trotter. So how do you know if you travel like a boss? You know you’re a veteran when…
...You can find the cheapest round trip flights.
I am not one of those lucky few people who can drop what they’re doing and fly first-class anywhere they feel like. However, I have been able to fly to exotic places you would not expect to be cheap. For example, the best budget flight I found was to Japan for roughly $800-$850 round trip! Now this is still too pricey for a lot of people, but consider this: I bought for late October early November. If I had bought it for the summer, it could have easily cleared $1,500 and above. Plus, the ticket was bought months in advance.
A money savvy traveler will hunt down deals like a wolf tracking an elk. You have scour the internet for good deals and you take advantage of promotions some sites are offering. Also—frequent flier miles are your friend! If you’re like me and tend to leave the country on long flights once or twice a year-- do yourself a favor and start racking up those miles!
...You can confidently pack one carry-on bag for long trips.
This is how I knew that I was becoming a veteran traveler—I could survive an extended adventure by living out of a carry-on. Traveling as light as possible is probably the best way to avoid potential headaches when going on vacation. Have you ever waited at baggage claim only to realize with horror that your checked luggage vanished?
Living out of one bag sounds insane if you plan on being in a foreign country for more than a few days, but it has several advantages:
• Mobility—it can get awkward trying to pull a heavy bag behind you all over the place in crowded areas. A small bag means it’s easier to take trains and other transportation while you’re in-country. • Speed—you can get through the ticket counter, through customs and bypass baggage claim etc. All these areas get bogged down when you have large pieces of luggage. • Security—your bag is always within reach and less likely to be stolen. • Souvenirs—odds are you’re going to want to buy trinkets for people, if you take less stuff, you’ll have more room to bring things home.
Unless you’re on a business trip, you should ask yourself “How many outfits do I really need?” Smart travelers pack three or four outfits they can mix and match. Smarter travelers invest in clothing that has dry-wicking features so they can be washed and air dried quickly. I like to pack one nice business casual outfit in case I want to go to a classier venue where Bermuda shorts are a no-go.
To all the ladies out there—YES—it is possible to pack light and still be fashionable without loading up all your washroom toiletries. I wrote a short article on the subject, plus there are literally hundreds of videos and blogs on the subject.
...you can find comfortable accommodations that don’t break the bank.
It goes without saying you should hunt for hotels and lodgings while you’re choosing flights and often websites offer bundled deals. However, these deals are too confining for my taste and I like a degree of freedom when I plan trips. The temptation to stay at a chain hotel or experience living like royalty is strong when you travel but here are some key things to contemplate:
• How many people are you traveling with? Are they willing to share a room? • Are you traveling with small children? • How important are amenities to you (pool, spa services, wi-fi, A/C, meals etc.)? • How long do you plan on being in this city/region? • What is your overall budget for lodgings?
Hey, remember, you’re not about to endure X amount of hours squished in an airborne cigar tube just to barricade yourself in a hotel room. Get out there! Explore! You can save so much money by using hostels, Airbnb, and Couchsurfing.com.
One rewarding tactic my husband and I use is to stay in three—or even two-star hotels or an Airbnb for most of the trip, then spend the last night in a four or five-star hotel. It’s a nice way to come down from all the excitement and rest up for a long flight back home.
…everything is strategically placed so you can breeze through security.
A veteran traveler will wear shoes that are easy to pop on and off, have their documents easily accessible, electronics in sleeve, and have all their toiletries in one compact clear bag that can shove back in their carry-on in a matter of seconds. Some people cool enough to have bags engineered for that kind of thing.
So, what are some other things I missed? I sure there are several more traits that separate the novice from the experts. And if you’re not an expert yet, don’t worry—it can take several years before you find what works best for you. You’ll never know if you stay home, let curiosity guide you to a new frontier.
