How to Travel More Comfortably (Across the Board!)

At risk of overstating the grossly obvious, I love to travel. Like, really love it. In my opinion, there is genuinely nothing better than the thrill of boarding a plane to travel somewhere new and different you’ve never been, or maybe even somewhere you’re re-discovering! Regardless, getting out of your bubble never fails to be an exhilarating experience- and sometimes, particularly during the physical traveling parts, not in a good way. These are some cheats that I’ve discovered to making not only your travel experience more comfortable in every possible way!

BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT

If possible, bring your own hotspot.

Particularly if you are traveling with a big group, planning to get to the airport super early for whatever the reason, or have a layover of decent length. Although there may not be much you can do about paying for wifi once you’re up in the air, there is no reason to spend $25 on airport wifi (hyperbole…but is it?). If you know you’ll need to get connected and will need an internet connection to do so, you should absolutely bring your own hotspot and save yourself quite a few $$.

Download entertainment onto your smartphone!

So it’s 2020 now, and technology is really doing that on some levels. Specifically, the fact that you’re now able to download media onto your smartphone (if you have one) and enjoy movies, tv shows, podcasts etc, without paying a dime for internet access. Stay entertained without paying an exorbitant amount! Just make sure you are connected to wifi when downloading, don’t download too much at once or it will take even longer than the forever that it takes, and keep an eye on it. You don’t want to sit back and “let them download” only to realize there was an error and the past hour has been entirely unproductive. Trust me on that one.

The same goes for music! Spotify allows you to download your playlists and listen to them wherever and whenever, no matter your connection. They may as well be in your itunes library!

DON’T CHECK A F@$#*&G BAG. 

I swear to you all I will mention this in every single blog post. These will be my final words on my deathbed. Say it with me. If at ALL possible, DO NOT CHECK A BAG. Not only is it ludicrously common for luggage to get misplaced, lost, sent to the wrong location or even stolen/accidentally picked up by the wrong person, but waiting on checked luggage can add hours to your travel process, as well as serious stress. I include a lot more information on how to make this possible in my prior two blog posts, but seriously. I guarantee you’ll thank me when you’re casually strolling by the hoards of people standing on each others faces waiting for their one bag in a sea of hundreds for an hour because you had the sense to keep all of your belongings right overheard making your boarding and disembarkment (that’s a real word right? It is now) criminally simple. Just grab your bag and commence your vacation! Especially if you select an airline that allows a free carry-on, you will save up to $125, potentially more, on bag fees for one single bag.

Bring a portable charger!!

This one is self-explanatory. Right? Take a charger and KEEP IT HANDY. 

Keep legroom in mind when considering personal items

Can you afford to shove everything in your suitcase and keep the belongings that you have with you at your seat to a bare minimum? You may absolutely want to do that. Using your personal item as a cheat to take everything that you own on vacation is all fun and games until you realize you’re on a 7 hour flight to London with little to no space to move or stretch your legs because your bag thinks it’s more important than your comfort. Just keep that in mind!

Check In Online

Always check in online if possible!!! Most airlines offer check in to your flight up to 24 hours prior, and typically will give you the option to select your seat if you haven’t already (it’s not free, but it is the ultimate tip to ultimate comfort on a flight. If you’re down to spend an extra $100 for round trip extra legroom, you better go head) as well as purchase bags if you must check one (*narrows eyes*) or if there is a carry on fee. I will always suggest buying your bag(s) now if applicable because it is typically less expensive than paying at the gate. It’s also just one less thing that you have to worry about the day of. You’ll have enough on your mind- take one thing off by being able to breeze right on through security and straight to your gate when you arrive. 

Dress strategically!

I’ve mentioned this before, but what you wear to the airport can literally change your entire trip. Definitely layer TOPS. You honestly never know how hot or cold the plane might be, and I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have too many sweaters at hand than not enough. If it’s super warm, you can use the extras as extra padding, pillow fluff, as a blanket, etc. If not, you’re thanking whatever god you believe in that you wore your bulkier sweater(s). This is also super handy because wearing thicc layerable clothes to the airport is not only most beneficial to you and your temperature on flight, but can also save you so much space in your suitcase to pack some extras you may not have been able to fit otherwise!

Also, wear shoes that you can slide on and off. For a few reasons. First of all, it will make going through security a breeze if you can just slide your shoes right on and off as opposed to holding yourself and a potential line up because you have converse to tighten, lace and double knot. Who has the time?!! Now, hear me out for this next part- take your shoes off for the flight. Not only is this IMMEDIATELY more comfortable, making it feel like your legs have more space and freedom, but also keps save your feet and legs from becoming victims to the air pressure. Leg discomfort from the altitude of flying is so very real, and that’s the least of the potential outcomes. Keep an extra pair of fluffy socks or slippers handy to wear during the flight. Related, if you’re on a longer flight, try to get up and get your legs moving maybe every two hours. It’ll help a lot.

If you have a massive scarf, wear it!! Scarves are so multi-functional. It can keep your neck warm while also providing support for comfort, or you could use it as a blanket, window cover, etc. Can’t go wrong with a massive scarf. 

Prepare EVERYTHING that you may need not only at the airport, but once you land, prior to even leaving your home.

It will make your life so much easier if you just have everything all together off jump. That way, you have absolutely nothing to worry about besides simply keeping track of the folder, bag or wherever you’re keeping all of the important documents and there’s no last minute scrambling or confusion over where you’re going, or brief panic when you don’t immediately feel your ID or passport and believe it may be misplaced.

If traveling internationally, always check foreign transaction fees beforehand.

You will be a whole lot more comfortable abroad if you know exactly where you stand financially. Make sure your bank doesn't charge you extra fees costing an arm and a leg to use your card overseas, withdraw cash, etc. Have a game plan for how exactly you intend to make purchases etc so that you're not caught out in these international streets broke and confused.

ON YOUR FLIGHT

Don’t leave items in your carry-on that you may need during the flight.

Going off of my charger point...IF YOU KNOW YOU WILL NEED THINGS DURING YOUR FLIGHT, OR EVEN MAY WANT SOMETHING, LEAVE IT HANDY??? CHRIST. The amount of times I’ve been on a flight where there’s some big hullabaloo and the flight attendants and everyone sitting around this person end up super inconvenienced because someone didn’t think to consider that they might need their phone or laptop charger during the flight so it’s overhead in their suitcase. Or left a snack, or even their laptop, their book, etc.

Now you’re angry (because you’re dumb, noah fence) because it’s not as simple as your probably thought it should be for you, the flight attendants are angry because this is an unnecessary disruption, and everyone around you is angry because they’re honestly just trying to chill n ur harshin the vibe. Just…if you know you might want or need something during the flight, keep it close by and NOT locked up in your luggage. Common sense, people.

Use or invest in a good pair of wireless headphones.

Honestly, this one is so simple it’s actually kind of funny. It’s easy to tangle yourself up or get wires caught in your blanket, etc. Wires can get frustrating and annoying, and using wireless headphones will literally just eliminate even the possibility of your headphones creating any extra annoyance on your journey for whatever reason. This is mostly advice for when you want to rest or sleep on a flight- of course, if your airline has in flight entertainment you kind of need headphones with wires but odds are, awake and alert, you won’t really have any issues.

Make sure YOU smell good.

That way, if others don’t, you can take comfort in your own inner wrist/sweater/blanket (we love long lasting perfume). There’s not much you can do but it’s so much better than nothing. Also, this should go without saying, but make sure you smell good for the consideration of those around you. Don’t be the guy that makes others hold their own wrists to their noses for the duration of the flight.

Drink.

Buy alcohol and drink it. Some airlines even allow you to take alcohol on board with the intention of drinking it in air (@JetBlue), but I believe you must give it to the flight attendants so that they can monitor your intake. Some airlines (@JetBlue) also include your first drink free. Please sponsor me. Just be careful with how much you’re drinking. Just kidding, I’m not your mom. Get obliterated!! I’m KIDDING. I’m not.

Find alternate uses for your provided pillow.

On longer/international flights, airlines will typically give you a pillow and blanket, which, lit, thank you. But have you considered the possibilities. If you have those sweaters or a scarf to use as pillow fluff, you can use the free pillow as lower back support or put it under your butt to discourage that stale booty feeling you get when you’re sitting down for a while. I mean, you could also do it the other way around as well and use your pillow for its intended purpose, and roll up/fold the other assorted clothing items as needed for bodily support.

Happy Travels!