Fly home via Dublin Airport (above) to clear U.S. Customs before you board.
Your jet lagged brain will thank you!
© Carolyn McGreevy

Travel Tips to Upgrade the Experience

Overseas travel is enriching, and you don’t have to be rich to travel well. When people say it’s all about managing resources, they usually mean money. But another resource is our mindset.

If we’re fixated on how things “should be,” it won’t take much to discourage us from our travel goals, and any little thing could “ruin the trip.”  If we’re adaptable, we’ll “find a way” and savor both the journey we anticipate and the journey as it actually unfolds.

Oh, I see: The attitudes we invest in can enrich our travel even more than the money we spend. Here are travel tips for “First-Class Economy” to help with both resources.

This is an airport? You don’t need to be a VIP to enjoy the Departures-area garden
at Aarhus International in Denmark.
© Joyce McGreevy

Prepare for takeoff.

List “Travel” as a monthly expense. Then use an app to automate saving. You can set a specific amount or round up each transaction to the nearest dollar and save the rest.

Mindful travel tip: Discovering how easily you can save, even on a tight budget, also sheds light on “unconscious” spending.

Simplify expenses and save steadily—the keys to affording world travel.
© Carolyn McGreevy

Preview travel costs.

BudgetYourTrip.com lets you view average travel costs by country, region, and city. Categories include food, accommodation, and transportation. Simply convert local-currency prices into your own currency.

Budget Travel Tip: Use the figures as guidelines, not gospel. The “typical” monthly costs displayed skew much higher than I spend, even with lovely apartments.  In fact, extended stays usually come with discounts.

Mindful travel tip: Donate, don’t accumulate, foreign coins. Many international airlines collect change for UNICEF. You can donate miles, too.

Briefly tempted by a souvenir  hat at Heathrow Airport, a savvy saver decides
to stick with his easy-to-pack beret.
© Joyce McGreevy

Weatherize, don’t “excess”-orize.

Whether you dress informally (hiking in New Zealand) or more formally (exploring the arts in Italy), you need only one small suitcase. Pack light, based on Climate, Culture, and Comfort. Why waste money on airline fees for overweight or multiple suitcases? Managing cumbersome bags just makes you vulnerable to theft.

Mindful travel tip: Are perfect selfies worth lugging around a closet? Use Instagram to capture insights, not “I” sights.

Not just another airport: In Wellington, New Zealand, art installations
celebrate The Lord of the Rings.
© Joyce McGreevy

Don’t wing it.

Read reviews of Economy flights. Does traveling long-haul in Coach sound miserable? It needn’t be. My favorite airlines treat you well whether you’re seated in 1A or 38F. This includes Air New Zealand, Turkish Airlines, and Ireland’s Aer Lingus.

The budget-friendly way to score an amenity kit—DIY!
© Joyce McGreevy

Budget Travel tip:  Some airlines offer Premium Economy upgrades—from your meal to your seat. In this regard, international airlines offer better quality and value than U.S. airlines.

Smoked salmon, delicious entrée, fine wine—this is Economy?
© Carolyn McGreevy

Mindful travel tip: Boarding a crowded flight is a stressor that can ratchet up the territorial instinct—which only creates more stress. My solution? Committing to flexibility and remembering that those around me are my neighbors. Empathy works wonders.

Don’t wait for jet-lag to find out what Arrivals is like. Some airports, like Schipol in Amsterdam, expertly guide passengers from plane to ground transportation. But some airports . . . good luck finding the secret location of the taxi rank.

Do a dry run online. Check airport websites for basic previews. For detailed tips, visit online travel forums like Lonely Planet Community.

Budget Travel tip: Save big on public transportation by paying for fares like a local: Buy before you board. Ask about discounts. Book online, or buy a smartcard.

Being public-transport savvy will reduce your fares and speed you on your way!
© Joyce McGreevy

Mindful travel tip:  Arriving in one city, heading to another? Consider building in a breather overnight. Then resume the journey refreshed. Many airlines allow free stopovers. It’s also a nice transition to heading home, especially if your flight departs early.

Save and savor

Budget travel tip: Seeking affordable, authentic cuisine?  Skip reviews by tourists. Search these terms: [your destination] + for locals + food.  Or get a “taste orientation” with a 2-hour food tour. One of my favorites is free!

Mindful travel tip:  Some great local dining costs little and includes free extras—from park-bench picnics to cafés in libraries, churches, and museums.

Which matters more—the cost of the meal or the pleasure of the company?
© Joyce McGreevy

What’s your favorite “First-Class Economy” travel tip? How does it enrich your travel experience?

Comment on the post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.