Travel Tips: Why you need to plan extra time while traveling
Time, time, time… Time is always an issue during travels. We are late or early, stuck in traffic, stressed out… Especially if you are having a short vacation, time can be an issue every single day. You would think “I want to do as much as I can!”, and that makes sense since the amount of money you spent on flight tickets. However, don’t forget; vacation is about doing good for yourself and having fun. If you are pushing yourself too hard, it would be just the same as your everyday at work, just different location.
Here are five tips, regarding how to place your time in your travels. These are very simple, yet easy to disregard at the same time.
Pick up at the airport
If someone will pick you up at the airport, consider the extra time for baggage claim and customs when you arrange the time. Depending on what airport you are at and what time the flight is landing, the amount of time will be different. If you are picking up someone at the airport, try to be there early. Baggage claim and customs will take some time but maybe not as much as you think.
Walking takes time
It’s easy to guess how much time it would take by public transportation like train or bus. And it’s easy to disregard the moving time. As long as you are not staying at the bus/subway station, you have to consider the extra time for walking to the place. Especially if you have an appointment with someone at a certain time, make sure you have enough time for your transportation and walking time to the transportation. Rush hour is not just for cars and trains. Walking on the street during the rush hour slows you down.
Everything will take longer than you thought
You are in a new place. Everyday is a challenge and everything is new. As a traveler and explorer, we prefer to see a different view rather than the same one every day. So we use different streets to find places, and use new methods every day. How fascinating it is to look around at your surroundings while jaunting down the street? Hence, everything will take longer than we planed. It’s not about discomfort; it just means we are adopting something new everyday.
Plan less
Because of the same reasons above, there is a good chance that you may not accomplish your daily itinerary. I prefer to travel longer and slower, but there were times in my past that only allowed me to have short holidays. However, even for short holidays, try to plan less. Make a list of your priorities, and start from there. Going somewhere and doing something special is not the only thing you can do during your vacation. Hop and jaunt in your neighbourhood. You’d never know what you’ll experience. It’s good to have “I want to see as much as I can!” attitude, but it will wear you out.
Better be bored than sorry
Going to the airport is exciting. But waiting several hours at the airport can be the most boring thing ever especially if you are on the road for a long time and a trip to the airport is another routine. However if there’s only one thing you don’t want to happen, that would be missing your flight. Even if you are on a flexible schedule, all the rearranging flights and plans will not be fun. So, give yourself an extra hour or two for your trip to the airport.
Do you agree on that? Did you have any bad/ good experience regarding time planning in your travels?
