We are taking a bit of a break from our usual trip summaries to do some tips. I know that travel tips are very handy, especially if someone gets overwhelmed by the process. First, it’s going to be okay. Take a deep breath, count to ten and lets get back to it. The first thing I’d like to cover is airfare in general. This can get bunched into a couple of different categories, lets get into it.

Traveling Nationally: If you’re traveling in the US or wherever is your home country, how far in advance should I book my flight? Should I book six months in advance? Will I be okay with a last minute getaway and book the week before? You certainly can book six months in advance, but generally you don’t need to. As a rule of thumb somewhere between one to three months before your planned trip will suffice. Three months you’ll more likely get cheaper deals, so I’d aim toward that side, but you’ll be okay if you can’t. There’s also last minute deals sometimes, and I’ve heard some people get an absolute steal. It’s not something I’ve experienced as I tend to be an early booker.

Traveling Internationally: I can only speak specifically for North American travel to Europe, but from what I know and have looked at, it applies to other international travel as well. As a rule of thumb somewhere between three to six months before your planned trip is good. That makes sense as people tend to book these trips more in advance, as you tend to be gone for longer, need to get requests off of work etc. I’ve done last minute before, and let me tell you, it’s not cheap. Yes, there are last minute deals, but those aren’t super common. I think the closest I’ve book for international was 2-3 weeks, and there definitely was an upcharge. I’ve also booked six months in advance like when I started going back to Europe as an adult after studying there. It really just depends on your situation, but if you’re going for good prices 3-6 months before is ideal.

What days? Tuesdays are the best days to travel and are the cheapest. Wednesdays are a good secondary choice. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days, so best to avoid them if you can. Also, Mondays that are a holiday, fly out the next day on a Tuesday and you will save money. Granted you need to use an extra day of PTO, but it might be well worth it. When I can, I will pick a Friday to Monday (Monday being cheaper than Sunday), or a Thursday to Sunday, (Thursday being cheaper than Friday), just to try and help balance the price a little, knowing that one of the days I’m coming back will be a bit pricier. This is if I can’t use much extra PTO, and trying to offset some of the price. I was the weekend warrior back in the day, planning those extended weekend trips when I was single twenty-something. Plus an extra day might just give you enough time to explore a place you thought you wouldn’t have enough time too. An extra day here or there never hurt anybody.

What time of day should I travel? This is a little more subjective, as it depends on the person. Some people are morning people and thrive in the early hours, while others prefer late nights, and struggle without their morning cup of coffee. I’ve done redeyes, middle of the day, late at night, you name it I’ve done most of them. A lot of it also depends on where you’re going and where you’re leaving from. Traveling to Europe now that I moved an additional thousand plus miles away, the departure times have changed some. If you chose the afternoon flights you do tend to gain a few morning hours at your destination. The flipside of that though is you might just be more exhausted because you’re up earlier and not getting that usual bedtime hours on the plane. Redeyes are not for the faint of heart. You have to be disciplined to sleep on the plane. We’ve done this a couple times as a family because its significantly cheaper, but kids don’t respond as well. If you’re alright with an extra dose of crabbiness the first day until their head hits the pillow it’ll be worth it. Often times that earlier flight affords you several extra hours that you can knock out some museum, or activity that otherwise wouldn’t fit into your schedule, but may also require a slightly earlier bedtime. I know with us that’s usually what happens, and everyone appreciates that extra couple hours of sleep and they’re good as new in the morning.

For longer flights a recommendation that some people, my husband included, like to use is once you’re on the plane, you’re on the time of wherever your destination. It’s eleven at night where you’re going, well you should probably wind down and get ready to sleep. It’s eight in the morning, it’s time to wake up. It works for some people, and others it doesn’t. It is useful though, so that you’re prepared for when you get off the plane, your mind is already in that time zone. I’ve been a fortunate person in that I can pass out on a plane relatively easy, I have noticed that I get older that having an eye mask helps a lot. Some passengers aren’t as considerate when it comes to nighttime hours and having the screens and lights off, so the eye mask comes in handy there. Some people need Dramamine, if you do, take it after dinner so you don’t go the eight hour plane ride with no food.

I’m sure I’m missing something, but that’s what a second travel tips post can elaborate on. So for now I’ll leave you with what we have here. Feel free to comment and add anything you’d like to share. I’m always up for more insightful tips and tricks.

Jess