As you’re all probably aware I travel, a lot. I mean I have major itchy feet. I fly on average once a month and do one major overseas trip a year. I’ve been travelling on my own since I was 18 years old and my wanderlust has never ceased, if anything it’s gotten worse. Here are my tips for travelling domestically, the main crux of it is spending as LITTLE time at airports as possible:
1. Carry on is all you need domestically, even for weeks away. Buy a hard case carry on bag with 360 degree rotating wheels. Seriously. My life has changed a million percent since I bought a proper suitcase. The rotating wheels means you can do anything with it, squeeze through any isle/stupid barricade. I got mine on special at Kmart for $60. Best money I *ever* spent. Don’t fill it to the brim, as if you are like me, you will be bringing shopping home.
2. Check in online and choose your seat. Especially if you travel alone a lot you don’t want to get stuck in the middle. I always choose second last row, aisle seat as the last row has little to no baggage storage. Being at the back of the plane you are the first to get off (flying Virgin). Yeah you’ve got to walk on the tarmac but who cares. Also even if you don’t have a printer STILL CHECK IN and when you get to the airport go up to customer service (not flight check in) and ask them to print your boarding pass. Get to the airport 40 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave that way you just walk on your plane.
3. Suss out hardcore travellers and walk in their slipstream. They clear the way for you and are efficient, especially in security. Avoid the elderly, families and the infirmed. Get into the secure area as quick as you can and then you can relax.
4. In that vein get your security check stuff sorted out. Don’t wear studded belts (ugh I do this ALL the time), don’t travel with your laptop, pull out your umbrella, take off your hat and get all your pocket stuff into that tray.
5. Don’t drink the coffee at ANY airport.
6. Same goes for food, it’s all terrible. Vegetarian sushi is usually your best (and most of the time only) bet. Don’t buy ANYTHING at the airport $5 for a mount franklin bottle of water just makes me explode.
7. Take snacks with you. Barely anywhere outside of Melbourne is vegan friendly (without lots of proper planning first). I always have a packet of Soyco satay tofu in my bag and some gluten free vegan fruit bars. They feed you in a pinch and give you some time so you can figure out where you can eat your next meal. Hobart has quarantine so don’t take fruit there.
8. Be super nice to all airline staff, they have a really shitty job sometimes.
9. If a parent is travelling alone with a baby and you’re ok with babies and they need help - offer. Sometimes just being able to go to the toilet on your own is the craziest luxury a solo parent could ever have.
10. Get a good frequent flyer program and mine it for all it’s worth. I have enough points to fly to London return business class. That’s going to come in handy one day. I’m not going to be rich all my life.
11. Get into an airport drop off/pick up routine with other people who are also frequent flyers.
12. Clean the house before you go, there is nothing nicer than coming back to a clean house and a freshly made bed (seriously, it's made me cry sometimes after a horrendous trip). Separate all your dirty clothes before you fly home (or better yet if you can, do all your washing and drying) so they're ready to be chucked into the wash/hung up when get home. If you're super organised have a few cooked meals in the freezer so you have lunch and dinner the next day. There is nothing more awesome than being able to come home after work the next day and not have to do ANYTHING.
What are your travel tips?