It’s almost time to fly back home for a much-needed break. However, the past two years have been a complete hindrance to travel and have probably made us rusty in our planning.
Here's how you can plan for a stress-free departure:
Travel requirements
Travel in 2021 has changed and you want to arrive at the airport with the countless documents required. Dedicate some time to surfing your airline website and be sure to make a note of the tests (usually a PCR) and documents needed.
Don’t forget that some PCR tests need to be taken a few days before flying, so be sure to create a calendar reminder for when these need to be done.
Store all your document hard copies in a designated folder, and have a backups on your phone.
Plan your airport commute
Most international students don't privilege of being driven to the airport, so planning your train or taxi journey beforehand can be a huge timesaver. You’ll want to plan to arrive at the airport a couple of hours earlier than the check-in time because of the additional security and Covid checks.
Remember trains tend to face delays during the festive season so factor that in when booking your journey. Alternatively, plan a backup - this will probably be a taxi, so map out where they can pick you up from and make any pre-bookings needed.
Packing
One of the hardest parts of travelling as a student is fitting four months worth of shopping into one or two bags. Weigh them in advance so you’re not left paying ridiculous extra baggage charges or struggling to carry them round the airport. You could even pay for excess baggage before check-in as those tend to be comparatively cheaper.
Dress and carry light
As much as you want to look the part when you arrive back home, don’t compromise comfort for style. These are tedious journeys and you don’t want to wear tight clothing, have sore feet and then have to run to your boarding counter.
Avoid carrying your layers in hand – either pop them on and take them off once in flight, or leave room for them in your hand luggage. And don't forget to put your essential documents in a place that's easy to access.
Relax, stay safe and be vigilant
Anything unprecedented can happen at any given time and sometimes no amount of planning can solve that. Be vigilant at all times, and speak directly to airport security the minute you find yourself puzzled.
More than anything, relax when travelling. Don’t think about your assignments or deadlines, and focus on completing your security checks instead. If you find yourself flustered, avoiding group travel can leave you calmer and you can operate at your own convenience.
All in all, stay safe and enjoy your much deserved Christmas break!
Edited by Katie Wheatley