Long-distance trips provide you with an opportunity to expand your horizons. While people tend to have different views of what qualifies as traveling a long distance, it’s generally understood that a trip qualifies when it spans more than 50 or takes 3 hours or longer to reach your destination. Whether you’re flying or driving, taking these steps helps you get the most out of your experience while staying safe.
Create an Itinerary
After you’ve picked your destination, your next step is to create a detailed itinerary of what happens each day of your trip. While you might change plans slightly, outlining your excursions, dining preferences and special events helps you to plan for every possible contingency. For instance, you’ll know to pack a raincoat if you plan to go walking through a major city during a time when rain is in the forecast.
Select Your Clothing and Equipment
With your itinerary in hand, you’re ready to begin packing your clothing and gear. Since some destinations might not have access to your preferred clothing and equipment retailers, it’s best to bring what you need. For instance, you’ll need a swimsuit if you expect to go snorkeling. Alternatively, you might prefer your ski clothing for a winter excursion.
Pack an Emergency Kit
If you have an emergency mid-flight, then you can ask a flight attendant for supplies such as a bandage for a minor cut. But, you might prefer to have some essentials with you for times when you lack access to someone else’s supplies. Grab a small bag or tin, and fill it with travel-sized antiseptic ointment, pain relievers and any other items you think you’ll need. If you’re traveling by car, then remember to bring an emergency roadside kit that includes snacks, extra water, jumper cables and a portable tire inflator.
Protect Yourself With Travel Insurance
You never know what might happen on a long-distance trip, and protecting yourself financially from the unexpected is important. Travel insurance can help you with vacation mishaps such as needing to replace your luggage or cover the cost of an emergency health care need. Depending upon the insurance you purchase, you can also rely on your policy to cover cancellations that disrupt your trip.
Carry Back Up Power Sources
Surprisingly, many flights and hotels still lack great places to charge your electronic devices. Your chances of facing a low battery increase on long-distance trips, and you could also find yourself traveling through rural locations that don’t have easy access to a charging port. Bringing a portable charger ensures that you won’t lose access to your electronics during a critical point in your adventure.
Pre-Load Your Entertainment
Few things can make a flight feel longer than realizing that you don’t have cellular service on a plane. Pre-loading your favorite movie can make the flight easier. You might also want to pack a paperback book to read in case your electronic devices fail or lack power. Even making a playlist can be an asset on a road trip when you may need to focus on driving rather than looking for your favorite songs.
Once you’re packed and ready to go, make sure to dress for comfort. Bringing along a light blanket and some noise-canceling headphones go a long way toward improving a flight. Finally, remember to load the details about your lodging, insurance and itinerary into your phone or laptop, so you have all of your essential information at your fingertips.