Long TSA lines and packed flights aren't usually anyone's idea of fun, but they do signal one thing: people are traveling. Airports are buzzing, vacation plans are in motion, and summer travel is once again in full swing. Whether you're heading across the country or across the globe, the adventure starts the moment you leave home.
So with the Summer Solstice officially kicking off the season, we thought it would be helpful to share some of our favorite tips and tricks for a hassle-free summer journey.
We suggest following these 5 tips to make summer traveling easier this year:
- Update Your Travel Docs
- Check For Travel Restrictions
- Book ASAP
- Consider Travel Insurance
- Pack Light
1.) Update Your Travel Docs Before Your Summer Vacation
Before you start packing, take a few minutes to check your travel documents. If you're heading abroad, make sure your passport is current and meets your destination's entry requirements. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. And if a renewal is needed, don't wait until the last minute. Processing times can vary, particularly during busy travel periods.
Pro-tip: make sure to make a copy of the photo page of your passport just in case it is lost or stolen. But please, keep it separate from your passport! You should also check to see if any country-specific visas you may have needed expired during the pandemic. Finally, if you are planning to travel overseas, you may want to check out these tricks and tips to make your long haul flight more comfortable.
For domestic summer traveling, you’ll just need a current drivers license. However, looking to the future, by May 3, 2023, every adult will need a REAL ID driver’s license from your state (or a TSA-approved alternative, like a US Passport) to board any domestic flight. Find out more about REAL ID here.
2.) Check For Travel Restrictions and Safety Requirements
For summer traveling from the US, most countries have dropped the need for any type of health documentation. But you still should check to make sure you don’t need a Travel Health Certificate (THC) to enter the country you are visiting. Popular destinations like Australia, Japan, and the Bahamas still require some type of THC for entry. And if you are still a bit nervous about Covid and flying, check out our top tips for staying healthy during your flight.
3.) Book Early for Popular Summer Destinations
Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and popular destinations tend to fill up quickly. Are you looking forward to a long weekend, but not the Memorial Day travel prices? From flights and hotels to tours and attractions, planning ahead can save you money and give you more choices. If you haven't locked in your vacation plans yet, don't wait too long. The sooner you book, the better your chances of finding the itinerary you want at a price you'll love.
And always, book your flights first when you plan your trip. Flexibility on your departures and arrivals can make a world of price difference, and it’s much easier to plan your lodging, cars, and restaurants to fit your flight schedule (not vice versa). If you’re planning a road trip, reserve your rental car early since availability can disappear quickly during peak summer months. Finally, one of our favorite tips to get cheaper fares is to book flights for summer traveling for the end of August/early September (yes, that’s still summer!).
4.) Consider Travel Insurance for Safe Travel
Before COVID, most travel insurance policies didn’t cover pandemics, but, luckily, that is no longer the case. While we’ve never been big fans of travel insurance, COVID changed our thinking, especially for summer adventure travel. If you’re still on the fence about travel insurance, check out this great article from the Better Business Bureau on whether travel insurance makes sense. Travel insurance can also help cover delays, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and canceled travel plans. If it does, here are a few sites where you can read reviews, compare various policies and receive quotes . For outdoor activity trips or remote destinations, having additional protection is often a good idea.
5.) Pack Light and Prepare for Summer Heat
The team here at Knack hates to check bags. We live and die by carrying everything with us on our flight. So, for summer traveling, with its associated delays and cancellations, we always pack light. We shared our favorite techniques for packing light (with a Knack Pack of course) in a recent blog post. We cover the right type of clothing, toiletries, and packing techniques to ensure that you and your things never end up in separate destinations.
A few packing tips for dealing with summer heat and staying comfortable:
- Bring a reusable water bottle
- Pack extra sunscreen to avoid sunburn
- Carry healthy snacks for long airport delays
- Keep a small aid kit in your backpack
- Wear lightweight clothing during extreme heat
- Take breaks in shaded areas during outdoor activities
- Stay hydrated to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion
- Always wear your seat belt during long drives and airport transfers
These small safety habits can make a huge difference during a busy summer vacation.
Finally, if you need some suggestions for summer travel, here are a few insider tips if you’re thinking about visiting our hometowns of Providence, RI or Portland, OR .
Once you do make your plans, drop us a line at support@knackbags.com and tell us where you are going to go this summer. Better yet, tag a pic of you and your Knack Pack with #knackbags when you get there!
