Top 15 Travel Tips
Lost luggage and long airport queues have made holidays stressful and far more costly for many this summer. Regular globetrotter Norah Casey has some expert tips on how to be a smart traveller.
1. Sounds obvious but deciding where to go is the most important decision. And although somewhere exotic and far flung might be tempting, balance the destination with the ‘hassle factor’. Check if you can fly direct or have to make switch planes and how long that might take (and the prices of course). There are still covid restrictions in place in many parts of the world so read up on the requirements and factor in quarantine time and expense if necessary. Check the weather at the time of travel - rainy season is not for everyone.
2 Book the hotel before booking the flights. I have found to my cost that accommodation at the destination I have chosen is scarce and really pricey because of a convention or festival. When choosing a hotel don’t just look at the obvious reviews on the bigger websites, delve a bit deeper and check out travel writers reviews and social media mentions. Also check the cancellation policy. At the moment, with flight cancellations and the risk of Covid infection you need to know what the position is if you have to reorganise your stay.
3 Investigate all options on flights. There are lots of apps and websites that will do comparisons, I usually check on them first and then go directly to the airline to book. For the most part your ability to switch and cancel is easier if you do. The time of the flight is a really important consideration. Dublin Airport has a big bottleneck in the early morning, the check-in, bag drop and security queues are really high between 3am and 9am. Switch to a mid-day flight or later if you can when it is quieter.
4 Always register to join a frequent flier club with your airline, I have membership with dozens and even if you don’t plan on flying regularly with that airline there are often perks that you can avail of even on that first flight. I was upgraded on a flight in Asia purely on my flying club membership.
5 Smart destination planning is everything at the moment. I always explore if I can use Uber or Free Now or if there is another local app. Register for the one you are going to use so that you can access it immediately on arrival. Restaurant booking apps are always useful and it pays to book ahead at least for the busiest nights at the weekend during your stay. There are lots of local tourist guides, but I never find them that useful because of the precariousness of wifi and mobile signals. I usually plan what to do and save it to my phone.
6 Book a carry-on bag rather than checking it in - luggage is going astray at an alarming rate currently. Buy a fast pass, if possible, when they are available. On Aer Lingus you have to pay to bring a 10kg bag on board (it used to be the opposite) but it is worth keeping your luggage with you if you can.
7 If you are investing in a new cabin bag then check the dimensions and buy one that meets the strictest rules - for me that is Ryanair’s size restrictions which is 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10kg weight. Choose a spinner (4 wheels) to save on back pain and choose the lightest so as not to add extra to the weight. The Samsonite Tunes Spinner 4-Wheel Cabin Case is a great option and is only 2.3kg.
8 Check in at the right time (usually 24 hours in advance), I always book and pay for seats at the front - firstly because it is easier to get on and off quickly but at the moment the food and drinks trolley is spartan and usually runs out pretty quickly. You can prebook meals on most airlines also. Also nearer the front is nearer the toilet!
9 Print out all of your documents so you are not solely reliant on your phone (a friend of mine got caught out recently because her phone went dead just before security). Make sure you have copies of the boarding passes, Covid vaccinations (or test result), passport and hotel reference details. If you are hiring a car remember your driving license and if relevant your insurance certificate. I have all of my important documents in a password encrypted file saved to the cloud which includes everything I might need should the worse happen.
10 Apply for the European Health Insurance Card well in advance. It is free and you can apply through hse.ie. It gives you access to free or reduced cost medical services within the EU. Travel insurance is expensive right now but if you do decide that you might be safer with it then read the small print really carefully to see what the excess and exclusions are.
11 Packing for travel is an artform in itself and, as someone who does it often, I do it by rote. Firstly, think about how many days you are away, what the weather is like, what you intend to do (during the day and at night). Assuming a sunny destination, pack a bathing suit, a wrap, versatile sandals that might double up for evening and sunglasses. Hats I buy at the location but I always bring a silk scarf to protect my hair. A few light dresses for evening and one pair of white or black trousers that can be dressed up with a couple of blouses and t-shirts for dinner. Roll clothes for maximum fit which will also keep them reasonably crease-free. I always bring trainers and bicycle shorts for walking and cycling and at least one nice pair of flat shoes for daytime strolling or evenings. A cross over smaller bag is always tucked into a corner, which is much better for security and evenings. Assume you will be washing underwear and socks so maybe bring four sets that can be rotated. Regardless of the weather I always put a wrap or cardigan in my handbag for the plane and chillier evenings. I always bring a good camera, but you might be happier with your phone. Lastly, remember to pack some masks and check out where and when you might need to wear one at your destination (most flights no longer require a mask but some airports do).
12 Liquids are where the real expertise comes in. You can buy smaller plastic bottles but I always invest in some smaller sized pots and reuse them again and again. Remember the rule is: Only liquids in containers of 100ml capacity or less, fitting comfortably into a one litre transparent plastic bag (approximately 20cm x 20cm) when fully closed, are permitted. The key is that the plastic bag must be able to close. Security staff are much tougher on this point and only last week the woman in front of me lost two expensive creams because she could not close the zip-lock. Decide what you absolutely must have with you and what you can buy there. I rarely bother with shampoo, conditioner or suntan lotion. I take small pots of my serum, cleanser, day and night creams. I put my favourite make-up into a smaller bottle and a travel-size toothpaste. Be clever about curating your make-up with versatility in mind, a palette that holds eyeshadow, blusher, bronzer and powder is great (Charlotte Tilbury has great palette combos and make-up minis).
13 I’m a regular traveller but it amazes me how many people don’t think in advance about streamlining the whole experience of airplane travel, especially security. Decide what you need to have access to during the flight and choose your additional hand bag carefully - not overly large but something that fits all the essentials including your laptop or ipad (and don’t forget your earphones). I put all of my documents and passport into a clear plastic folder so that everything is in one place (avoids all the flustering). I always keep a phone charger in my handbag to cover for delays or battery dips. Think about what to wear in advance. Don’t wear heavy jewellery. Go for comfy soft shoes with no metal, no belts, and make sure you have easy access to the liquids bag so you are not pulling everything out when you reach the top of the queue. Make sure you have cash in your purse for taxi, buses or trains at the other end.
14 A few miscellaneous pre-planning things that many people skip. Check if your mobile phone provider will work at your location, read up on their roaming charges and let them know you are travelling if necessary. Similarly I have had problems with credit and debit cards in some locations so check with your provider first. If I am travelling somewhere long haul, I save the contact details of the Irish embassy or consulate in case of sickness or emergencies. Bring prescriptions with you if you require regular medication - I lost my tablets on one trip and having the prescription made it much easier to replace them.
15 Make sure to fit in some relaxation time and when planning. With must-see sighting seeing trips, less is often more. Exploring one place thoroughly is far more satisfying than hopping on and off buses to take a quick snap. Eat and buy local where you can and check on local traditions and culture. I bring back one beautiful thing to remind me of every trip, maybe a piece of art, or a lovely glazed bowl - something special that will bring back memories of the time you have spent there.
Now go and enjoy every moment
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