Going on a holiday vacation can be an exciting time but it can also be fraught with trouble. It’s true that the Internet helps a lot in terms of getting discounts on hotel stays and plane tickets, and you can arrange more affordable JFK airport parking in New York for your car using alternative parking options nearby.
Yet it would seem like Murphy’s Law will always be in effect when you’re on a holiday. You may lose or forget something, delays can wreak havoc to your schedule, and some things may be more expensive than you expected. Here are some of the more common problems that have bedeviled travelers even now. But instead of just griping about them, we offer some sensible solutions as well:
Long Lines on the Way to the Airplane
When you’re stuck in traffic or in a long line at security or ticketing, it can be a boring time. But that’s what your smartphone is for, so you can while away the time with apps or with some social media networking online. But you can avoid some of the security hassle by using the TSA Pre-Program to speed through security.
If you’re stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, you should really notify the airline of your situation so they can perhaps get you on another flight. But you can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation by getting to the airport way ahead of time, so even traffic won’t mess with your schedule.
Lost Documents
Yes, losing your passport and your driver’s license can cause you a lot of problems in a foreign land. The first thing you need to do when this happens is to contact the US embassy, and they’ll tell you what you can do next.
However, you can make things easier for yourself by making digital copies of your important documents before you even go on your trip. Scan your documents and store them in your email. Having these digital copies of your documents can ease the process of getting them replaced.
Road Trip Hygiene
If you’re not too fond of planes and airport security, you can travel through the 48 states by car and go on a road trip. While this may seem like a fun time, hygiene can be problematic if you’re not staying at a hotel or campground every night. The smell can be rather unpleasant in the car when it’s full of unwashed people during the day.
The solution to this problem is to just get a membership at one of those national fitness chains. These have gyms in just about every major city, so you will always have access to showers and locker rooms. Going on a tour of the country with your college buddies will be much better if you’re all showered on a daily basis.
Forgotten Toiletries
It’s very common to forget your toothbrush when you travel. It’s not even an emergency, since you can buy them at any convenience store and they’re very cheap. But when you’re dead tired after a long journey and you’re already in your hotel, having to buy these things can be tiresome and annoying.
The quick and easy solution to this is to just ask the front desk for what you need. This situation is so common that hotels have a stash of toiletries like toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste along with other similar items. Most of the time, they’ll just hand it to you when you ask.
All these problems are easy enough to fix, but the key to a stress-free vacation is to be prepared for any problem. Have a checklist of the things you need to do beforehand, and try to anticipate any potential hang-ups. Have a solution for any potential problem, and you’ll feel better knowing that you have a ready solution just in case there’s trouble.