To start 2014, we surveyed our team to see what wisdom they have to be better prepared, travel smoothly with family and beat the stress and boredom that commonly come with flying.
How to Beat the Stress
—Fly direct and at off-peak times: Avoid stress and crowds by traveling on less popular days and times, such as Christmas Day or a red-eye flight.
—Never check a bag: To save time, money and hassle, a golden rule at KAYAK is to never check a bag. Roll your clothes before packing or leave a pair of shoes at home – whatever you have to do to ditch checking luggage.
—Explore during layovers or delays: A simple idea that’s often ignored by travelers: stop watching your gate – it’s not going anywhere – and leave. KAYAK employees prefer to pass the time by eating, shopping and when possible, relaxing in the airport lounge.
—Deplaning etiquette: There’s no reason to spend your time standing, hunched over with nowhere to go. Instead, stay relaxed in your seat until the line starts to move a few aisles ahead of yours. When it’s time, grab any luggage in the overhead compartment and keep it moving. Hold your bags in front of you so you’re not whacking people on your way out.
Family Travel Tips
—Keep kids entertained: The #1 way our employees keep their kids entertained/on good behavior while traveling is games and movies, followed by books. Download all content in advance of your trip so your small ones will be occupied the moment you hit the gate.
—Best airline for family travel: Virgin came in #1 with JetBlue Southwest and Lufthansa in a three-way tie for second.
—Best hotel for family travel: Marriott won by a landslide, followed by Starwood, for its spacious rooms and family friendly services.
—Most pet-friendly hotels: Kimpton came in on top. Not only does the chain welcome any dog free of charge, regardless of size or breed, but it also offers a breadth of pet amenities, from comfy beds to treats.
Where to Go and What to Bring
—Be prepared for lost luggage: In addition to a laptop or tablet, KAYAK employees never leave home without a change of clothes and necessary toiletries in their carry-on.
—Sleep tight: For business or leisure travel, never forget ear plugs, a face mask and a neck pillow.
—Keep reading: The #1 item brought on leisure trips by our employees is a book or eReader. There’s only so much reality TV you can watch. Your brain will thank you.
—Study for your trip: Before traveling internationally, we recommend learning conversation basics in the local language and buying a good old fashioned tour guide book. Don’t underestimate your taxi driver or local shop owner as a resource, either. They can steer you away from tourist traps and toward local hangouts.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive 2014 Travel Guide in a few weeks that will include, tips on where and when to save on travel this year.
(Preview photo cred: iStock.com/RobertChurchill)
