Ever traveled somewhere and the stress of getting to your destination almost ruins the trip? As someone who travels frequently both for work and pleasure, I have learned a few simple tricks to make the traveling experience much easier.

1. For the best deals, book as far in advance as possible. Generally, the earlier you you book, the lower price you get. So if you decide to go somewhere, don’t wait to book. Do it NOW!
2. Pack carry on baggage only. This is especially true now that the Airlines are charging fees for checking bags. I could probably write another post on how to pack efficiently, but trust me, bringing only carry on baggage is probably one of the best time and stress saving tips I can offer. Airlines allow you to bring a smaller sized suitcase as well as a purse or laptop sized bag as carry ons. I have seen people stretch the limits of carry on sizes and usually you can get away with a suitcase and a small dufflebag as your two carry on items. This saves you from worrying about lost luggage, needing to go to the check in counter, and my favorite, being able to walk off of the plane and NOT have ot wait for baggage claim.
3. Check into your flight online 24 hours before the boarding time and print off your boarding pass. Not only does this generally get you a better seat closer to the front of the plane, but it also allows you to bypass the check in counters at the airport and go straight through security.
4. Prepare your items for the security line. This is one of the most frustrating parts of flying for me. No matter how much information is out there, people still cannot figure out how to get through the security line without holding everyone up. If traveling with a laptop, don’t bury it at the bottom of your bag. Pack it at the top near the bag opening for easy access. Also, be sure to pack your toiletries in a zip lock bag and don’t pack bottles larger than 3oz. Take off your shoes, belt, jacket, and don’t forget to empty your pockets. That gets people every time.
5. Inevitably, no matter how much you prepare, sometime weather or outside factors cause delays. Always pack your own snack in your carry on. I hate getting on a plane only to be stuck on the runway for a long time with no options for food. If you are traveling with kids, make sure you pack snacks for them as well. Even though the delay is frustrating, you can alleviate some of the stress by not adding hunger to the equation.
6. For security reasons airlines require people to have packed their own bags in order to bring them on the plane.  When traveling in large groups it could be possible your bag may end up in the hands of a family member or friend and they may check it in for you thinking it’s not a big deal.  This is a huge issue especially when you travel outside of the country and you must state how many bags you brought with you.  If you arrive to customs without any bags you will be heavily questioned and if they catch your bag being checked in by someone by someone else, you may never get it back.  ALWAYS arrive and leave your destination with your own bags.
7. Dress comfortable and wear layers.  I like to call this “dressing flexibly.” Often there are not only temperature differences between where you are coming from and where you are going, but the plane is almost always too hot or too cold. So wear comfortable clothing, nothing too tight or bulky, but stuff you can take off or put on in case of temperature changes.

Now, I realize that many of these tips may seem obvious to a seasoned traveler, but it always amazes me how many people are not properly prepared to travel. So, next time you are planning a getaway or have to travel for work, keep in mind these tips and hopefully your travel experience will be much more enjoyable.