8 Travel Tips for the Busiest Summer Travel Season Yet

After a few years of travel plans being delayed, messy or canceled altogether, experts agree on one thing: We're about to enter the busiest travel season we may have ever seen.

If you are one of the many people traveling over the summer this year, we can only advise you to be prepared. But don't worry—we've also got a few great travel tips on preparing for the busiest summer travel season yet. Let's start off with:

1. Don't Check a Bag

Sorry overpackers, you're not going to like the sound of this one. However, trust us when we say it's worth it to skip the giant suitcase. Not only will it save you time and money at the airport, but it's also easier to carry your belongings once you get to your destination (an especially big benefit if you end up with time to kill before you can check into your hotel or Airbnb). If you're flying a short domestic trip, go with a personal item only—you can find some pretty big bags that still fit airline standards on Amazon, and all you need to do is leave enough space to shove your actual purse into it. For international flights, a carry-on and personal item (we still recommend bringing the aforementioned biggest one possible) will do. Plus, the time you'll save in the checked luggage line might be the difference between making your flight and missing it with the way lines are expected to be this summer—and there's no chance the airline will lose your bag in the process.

(via Shutterstock)

 

2. Arrive Early

Yes, you should arrive early even if you have TSA precheck. While we all have those friends who love arriving at the airport a measly hour before their flight departs, this summer is no time to risk it. The guide is usually to get to the airport at least three hours prior to an international flight and two before a domestic one, but we'd say it's worth giving yourself some extra cushion room to deal with those extra long lines and potential other hiccups this summer.

 

Also read about: 7 Travel Tips for Non-Meat Eaters

 

3. Time Your Travel Dates Wisely

Haven't actually booked your trip yet? If you don't have to go to your destination during a certain time, we'd recommend going when your destination is slightly off-peak for travelers, whether in September or even early May. A lot of people go on vacation over the summer, which makes flights more expensive and airports busier than you might expect.

(via Shutterstock)

 

4. Book Your Accommodations Early

If you're the type of traveler who books your flight and doesn't think twice about where you'll be staying until you're just about to get to your destination, this summer is not the time to be playing the game of "wait and see." Airbnbs and hotels can both get booked up, especially during peak travel seasons, so be sure to plan your stay soon after you book the actual travel method itself.

 

5. While You're at it, Book Trip Activities Early, Too

We'd hate to see you miss out on some of the things you're most looking forward to seeing at your destination just because you forgot to get your tickets in advance, so avoid this mistake by booking things early. You might be tempted to wait due to factors like not knowing your full itinerary yet, but it's far better to plan your trip around these activities than try to fit them in whenever.

(via Shutterstock)

 

6. Don't Delay Getting Your Documents Together

If you're hoping to go international this year and haven't applied for your passport yet, good luck. The busy travel season means tons of delays on documents coming back, so be sure to not only purchase any flight insurance that you can but also to get your paperwork sorted out as early as possible. Boring? Maybe. But worth it? Undoubtedly.

 

7. Pack Snacks & Reusable Water Bottles

Busier travel spots mean less time to spend purchasing necessities and less time to search for them overall as well, so it's always worth the little extra steps of preparation. Plus, bringing your own snacks and water bottles will save you from spending way too much on overpriced airport food, and that means more cash to spend making memories at your destination.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: 7 Pro Tips for Saving Money When Traveling Abroad

 

8. Avoid Tourist Traps

Some people that live in "touristy" cities don't always have the best intentions, especially when it comes to making money off of people they can tell are just visiting. Tourist traps can be anything from restaurants that serve overpriced yet not-so-authentic food (often found near ultra-popular tourist hotspots) to people trying to steal from you in subtle andsneaky ways, so keep your eyes peeled and try to spend some time researching common tactics and things to look out for in the place you're traveling to.

 

And, of course, it doesn't hurt to have the right traveling essentials to set you up for success as well. For a little help with that, just click HERE for our list of the items you need for your best (albeit busiest) travel season so far.