10 Tips For Planning Your Summer Travels

By Catherine Muscaro on July 17, 2016

Summer is everyone’s favorite time of year: the hot weather, the long days, and the perfect nighttime campfires are exactly the pick-me-up we all need if you’re lucky enough to experience winter like we do in the Midwest.

Summer is especially a great time for college kids because we get three and a half long months to do what we please (which means we’re probably going to work a lot and save as much money as possible!) While much of it is spent working, we can a find a weekend here and there to visit friends and family, go away for a long weekend, or even find a nice place to have a stay-cation. Even I recently took a trip out to Philly to pay my boyfriend a visit.

But where do you start? Sure, packing up and jetting off to the top travel destination on your list may work in the movies, but it won’t get you anywhere in the real world. So what kind of things should we know before we set a date and book a flight? What are the must-dos of travel that everyone should follow?

Whether you’re flying or driving, these tips are the best way to enjoy your summer traveling.

(Image courtesy of theloop.ca)

1.) Plan ahead. Though this may seem self-explanatory, it’s extremely important to always plan ahead. From tickets to bookings to rentals, a lot can go into even a small vacation. If you don’t plan at least two weeks in advance, you will not only run into issues with high rates, but also availability. Even if your chosen destination is seemingly less popular, it may be busier in the summer. Get your intinerary set now, tickets and all, before it’s all booked up.

2.) Pack light. I’m sure you’ve read this on every travel blog on the Internet, but it’s true. Pack light, pack light, pack light. Not only will it be much easier to navigate the airport, hotel, or rental car with minimal luggage, it will also save you money if you do choose to fly. I packed four days worth of clothes into one free personal item. I paid $69 for the flight, my seat, and luggage, all because I chose to pack light.

3.) Do not use a third-party. I made this mistake and it almost cost me (an extra $45, to be exact). Sites like Expedia may bundle the best offers with roundtrip flights, hotel deals, and car rentals, but they don’t always charge you appropriately — or at all. I had made seat arrangements and luggage payments that went un-noted, and it was a major pain trying to get it sorted out. Do yourself a favor and go straight to the airline, hotel, or rental website. The deal may not be as spectacular, but it will save you the hassle.

4.) Let your bank know you’re traveling. You tend to splurge a little when on vacation, right? Of course. And while this is totally normal, it may not seem so to the bank. Your card being charged a pretty penny at a resort 300 miles away? This can be cause for a frozen account, which will be a real damper on your fun. To avoid this, just give your bank a heads-up that you’ll be out of town for a few days and will likely spend (a lot) more than usual. Plus you can be notified of any fees that may apply to your purchases — which is likely if you’re traveling overseas.

5.) Use travelers checks. I have yet to use this tip myself, but I’m already budgeting it in for my next trip (hopefully) to Italy. Travelers checks are a great way to save yourself from potential theft or confusion. These shouldn’t be used solely in place of cash, debit, or credit cards, however, as they may not be accepted everywhere. But they are a safe alternative and should be considered, most specifically for international travel. Also, keep your serial numbers for your checks separate from the checks, in case they are stolen. They can be replaced within 24 hours as long as you can verify them.

6.) Be early. Not on time, early. Whether you’re checking in for your flight, hotel, or car rental, always show up early. Even with the convenience of online check-in — which is definitely the way to go when flying — it’s important to account for long lines, security measures, and potential delays by showing up at least an hour and a half early. You aren’t likely to miss any dinner reservations, shows, or flights if you show up early and get the basics of your traveling experience out of the way.

7.) Carry a portable charger. The last thing you want to do is go someplace you’ve never been before, get separated from your friends or family, and have a dead phone. Buy a portable charger with a cord and plenty of battery power and charge it before you leave. I repeat, CHARGE IT BEFORE YOU LEAVE. A portable charger is about as useful as a dead phone if it’s not charged beforehand. Charge it, carry it with you at all times, and only use it when you’re alone or absolutely need it. Don’t charge it so you can take a million pictures on your phone. Keep it for emergencies and emergencies only.

8.) Buy a camera. The mention of pictures brings me to my next point: buy a camera. Don’t rely on your phone to be your main medium of photography. Buy a decent camera, a memory card, a carrying bag, and a strap. Wear it around your neck. I don’t care if you look super tourist-y or dorky. It’s better than losing/breaking it or wasting your phone battery. So you’ll have to upload and edit your photos on your laptop. Big deal. At least you will have a charged phone to use to communicate and in case of emergencies while still capturing the best moments of your trip.

9.) Get a bag with a strap. This is a must-have, no questions asked. You want something that’s big enough to carry comfortably without restricting your movement. You do not want to leave your purse full of money at the restaurant or, God forbid, some random sitting area because you hung it on the back of your chair. Get a bag with a strap and keep it on. I did this on my senior trip to New York and it was the best decision I could’ve made. Instead of losing money or souvenirs (like some of my less fortunate classmates) I had my bag with me the entire duration of the trip.

10.) Don’t stress over the little stuff. So you forget your toothbrush, or your deodorant, or some other product you just can’t live without. Don’t worry about it. If you’re at a hotel, I can guarantee they will have something that you can use. Otherwise, go to a local store and buy whatever you need. While it may be more expensive depending on where you are, it will get the job done. You don’t want to ruin your whole trip stressing over little stuff that can be easily fixed or unnecessary altogether. So what if you forgot your mousse? Just rock it all natural. You are on vacation, after all, and nobody really cares what you look like but you, so don’t let it kill your good vibes.

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