There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination more stressed than when you left. Whether you’re traveling for work or leisure, it’s important to arrive relaxed and ready for anything. These tips will make sure your experience – from packing, to the airport and during the flight goes as smoothly as possible, so that you’re feeling fabulous when you step off the plane.
Top travel tips
- Be friendly – No matter how stressed you are, always be friendly to airport officials – smiling and answering security questions politely could mean that they make your journey run a lot smoother. They may even upgrade you, which is always a treat!
- Plan your time – don’t be too conservative when estimating how long it will take you to get to the airport, or you might end up stuck there for hours with nothing to do, which is always frustrating.
- Always check in online, print your boarding card and choose your seat in advance – it might cost a bit more but you’ll save time and be able to score a seat with leg room, close to your travelling companion.
- Where possible, carry hand luggage only – take one handbag and one travel-bag. If you can’t fit everything in these two bags reduce what you’re packing so that you have a more manageable capsule wardrobe.
- Choose your airport outfit wisely – wear flats that you can take off easily for security checks – same with coats and belts.
Handbag essentials
- iPod – An iPod or MP3 player will keep you entertained on the flight. It will also muffle the sounds of everyone else complaining in the airport queues, which can always dampen the holiday mood!
- Essential Oil – Easy to travel with as they come in small bottles. Use it as a fragrance while on holiday, but it can also be used to mask any unsavoury smells coming from the airport or fellow travellers.
- Moisturiser – Planes dehydrate the skin, so make sure that you have a moisturiser or face-spritz easily accessible so that you can apply mid-flight.
- Toothbrush – To keep you feeling fresh; your own one will be far nicer than the plastic airline efforts.
- Sunglasses – These are a must to hide puffy eyes after a long-haul flight
- Scarf – A scarf is so flexible when travelling – a chic accessory at the airport, which can be uses as a blanket when the plane air-con is on, and as a beach cover-up or shawl once you arrive. Missoni scarves transition nicely from airport to beachside.
Packing “dos”
- Customise your luggage – if you absolutely have to check bags in, tie colourful ribbon or tags onto them, so that they can be distinguished quickly at baggage claim.
- Pack dual purpose clothes and products – so that everything you need fits in a carry-on bag, pack tops that can be cover-ups, lipstick that can be used as a cheek stain and so on.
- Don’t over-pack – Lay everything you want to take out before packing it and then make yourself ditch at least three things.
- Pack from the bottom-up – Start with shoes, stuffed with tights and socks, then pack trousers and skirts… right up to your makeup and hairbrush. Roll instead of fold to make more space.
