It is pretty much universally acknowledged that the worst part of travelling is the travel itself. Hours in a plane or car can really drain a person. With my recent trip to Africa, I was reminded just how terrible the process can be. From strict German security, to creepy airport people, to screaming babies, I saw it all. So to any of you who may be packing up for a trip across the border anytime soon (although with coronavirus that may be unlikely) here are some things that you should definitely take with you. 

1. A Boatload of Patience

I promise, yelling at the customer support people will not make the plane get to you any faster. While this isn’t something you can physically pack, it is a necessity nonetheless. Airports are full of lines and pushy people, and as you begin to become jetlagged and irritated, it’s easy to snap. Planes always seem to be off schedule, the guy walking in front of you seems to be moving at a glacial pace, and the obnoxious family with eight screaming kids will of course be seated right next to you, or even better, behind you, with ample chair kicking abilities. This is just how these things go sometimes, and it’s important to take a deep breath and remind yourself that everyone is going through the same thing you are, holding onto your irritation will not make things better. As they say, patience is a virtue. 

2. Layers

   

As you travel to your different layovers and switch planes, temperatures may shift fairly dramatically. The planes I am on always seem to start off hot and humid, and then at some point turn to freezing as I wake up shivering from the cold. Most long flights will provide blankets, but dressing in layers will help with this as well. This is especially important if you are traveling between climates. The airport in Nairobi had no air conditioning, and was very hot, but the plane cranked the A.C., as did the Frankfurt airport that we stopped in. And of course, it was very chilly when we finally landed in Chicago.  Bring zip up sweaters and pullovers that are easy to get on and off, but will still provide a layer of warmth. 

3.Pockets

I bought myself some cargo pants for my trip and I decided to wear them for my airport travel since they were comfortable and had good pockets. By far, the best decision I made that day. As a girl, I am not used to expansive (or frankly, useful) pockets, but I could fit everything I needed at the airport in these. My passport, boarding pass, and credit card could all go into my pockets, and saved me a lot of rummaging around in my bag time. The only downside with this is that you have to make sure that your pockets are clear of all non-essentials so you don’t have to clean them out at the security line. 

4. Compression socks

   

With hours of sitting in the same position, the blood can rush to your feet and cause them to swell or become very weak when you need to get up and finally walk around. The compression socks, while not the most fashion forward statement, help lessen the swelling and some of the other negative side effects. I know that some of my older travelling companions expressed that as they’ve gotten older the socks have become more essential to them, so age may play a factor as well.

5. Headphones 

This may seem fairly obvious but headphones are a must. Bonus points if they’re noise cancelling, so you can block out the general chaos of a typical flight. These let you listen to your own music and movies, and can save you from the malfunctioning chords that attendants typically pass out. If your headphones are wireless, make sure to bring a charger so you don’t get stuck halfway through with no battery. Also, be aware that if your headphones are cordless and you want to access the in flight movies, then you’ll have to use the earbuds the attendants pass out, which, as stated earlier, typically don’t work so well. 

6. Travel pillow

Long distance flights will typically give you a flimsy little pillow, but it will smell like airplane and most likely be weirdly lumpy. They make so many kinds of travel pillows, please get one for the sake of yourself and those around you. Don’t be the person that takes up the whole armrest to rest your head on your hand only to seriously invade your seat neighbors personal space when the plane inevitably hits turbulence and you end up sleeping on top of them. Get a pillow so you can comfortably rest in your own personal space, and it becomes less weird for everyone involved. 

7. Snacks

 Last but certainly not least, some yummy snacks. Airplane food is notoriously awful, and if you’re anything like me, the smell alone is enough to make you feel queasy. Make sure you pack some filling snacks so you don’t have to subject yourself to the questionable slop they call lemon chicken, and you’ll thank yourself for it. Be sure you plan ahead enough to be sure that you have snacks for both ends of the round trip, or that you budgeted enough money to buy snacks for the way back. 

I can definitely think of several more items that could be added to the list, but in the interest of brevity I’ll end it here. I hope I could help inform or at least remind you of things that are necessary for international travel, and perhaps improve your next flight experience. Good luck, and safe travels!