Holiday travels: 10 practical hacks to make trips less stressful

As global travel continues to rebound and the festive season begins, millions of travellers are discovering that while vacations promise rest and adventure, the journey itself can be anything but relaxing.

From delayed flights and lost luggage to traffic jams, missed connections, and unfamiliar destinations, stress has become a familiar companion on the road, in the air, and on the rails.

Travel experts say, however, that thoughtful preparation and a few strategic choices can significantly reduce pressure and help travellers stay in control when plans change.

“Most travel stress doesn’t come from the trip itself; it comes from avoidable surprises,” says Lydia Kamau, a Nairobi-based travel consultant.

“The more questions you answer before you leave, the fewer problems you face on the ground.”

Here are 10 research-backed travel hacks seasoned travellers and experts say can make trips smoother and more manageable, whether by plane, road, train, or ferry.

1. Pack with a checklist

Forgetting essentials remains one of the most common travel mistakes. Kamau says having a reusable packing checklist, digital or paper, helps travellers stay organised and avoid last-minute panic.

Experts recommend categorising lists by clothing, documents, medications, and electronics, especially when switching between transport modes.

2. Research about your accommodation

Before booking, travellers should confirm key amenities such as Wi-Fi, hot water, air conditioning, and whether the property has a washing machine or laundry service. This is particularly useful for road trips and train travel, where packing light is essential.

3. Travel with carry-on bags when possible

Skipping checked luggage saves time and reduces the risk of lost bags. Airlines report that passengers with carry-ons move through airports faster and face fewer delays upon arrival. The same principle applies to buses, trains, and ferries, where limited storage space can slow boarding.

4. Download and back up important documents

Boarding passes, hotel confirmations, ferry tickets, rail passes, travel insurance details, and copies of identification stored securely on a phone or cloud storage can be lifesavers when Wi-Fi is unreliable or paperwork goes missing.

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5. Choose off-peak travel times

Early morning flights and midweek departures are often less crowded and more punctual, according to airline data. Off-peak hours for road travel, trains, and ferries also mean lighter traffic, shorter queues, and lower fares.

6. Build in buffer time

Experts recommend scheduling extra time between connecting flights, train transfers, ferry crossings, and road trips.

Tight schedules increase anxiety and leave little room for delays, especially in unfamiliar cities or during festive seasons.

9. Pack a personal “stress kit”

Noise-cancelling headphones, snacks, a refillable water bottle, a charger or power bank, hand sanitiser, basic toiletries, and essential medications can make long journeys, by air, road, or rail, far more comfortable.

9. Sort out money before you travel

Travel advisors recommend exchanging some currency into widely accepted denominations, such as US dollars, before departure, especially when visiting destinations where card payments are limited. Informing banks and enabling mobile payments also helps avoid declined transactions during transit.

10. Expect problems and plan for them

Perhaps the most important hack is mental. Accepting that delays, breakdowns, weather disruptions, and schedule changes may happen allows travellers to respond calmly rather than react with frustration. Travel insurance and emergency contacts provide added reassurance across all modes of transport.

As holiday travel seasons approach, experts agree that preparation, not perfection, is the key to a less stressful trip.

While no hack can eliminate every disruption, these practical steps can help travellers spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the journey, no matter how they choose to travel.