Whether you’re travelling to the States for business or pleasure, the actual travelling part can be a part of the process that people would rather not think about. This is because there’s so much to think about. Getting tickets booked and printed out, making sure you’ve got your passport, making hotel reservations, and even ensuring that your luggage meets the requirements of the airport. The whole rigmarole of travelling is enough to put anyone off doing it altogether, but instead of avoiding it, why not make it easier upon yourself?
Photo by Nils Nedel on Unsplash
Consider what areas of the US you want to travel to
There are so many states within the US, that it can be challenging to pick one. This is especially so for those that have never travelled to the states beforehand.
Whether you’re looking for places that are considered the best honeymoon destinations or you’re looking at multiple locations to do a road trip with friends, doing the research is important.
For some states, there’s more to see and do than in others, as well as having vast cultural and social differences. Despite them all being in the same country, there are some big differences between them.
Take the stress off your back
Arranging transport is one of the biggest contributors when it comes to feeling stressed out while travelling. Not knowing where to leave your car while you’re travelling, or even trying to avoid the pricey airport parking charges is something that many people struggle with when trying to travel around the world. Rather than taking your car, why not arrange for a family member or friend to take you to the airport?
Thinking of the other end of your journey, if you were to travel to say, Atalanta, and you’re not sure how to get to your accommodation, taking an Atlanta airport shuttle is a fast, convenient, and stress-free way of getting to your destination on time. It saves you having to wait around for a taxi or even worse, a coach to take you on a longer journey than needed!
Create a plan of action
One of the main reasons that people feel like travelling is a hassle is because they’ve not organised themselves properly. It’s a good idea to know exactly what you’re supposed to be doing during the duration of your journey so that you don’t risk missing a flight, or even forgetting an important document that you’ll need. Here’s a fantastic pre-flight checklist that you should check out to ensure that you don’t forget anything, and so that you can create a plan of action.
Since the US and pretty much all of its cities are busy and bustling, you should also think about the activities that you’re expecting to participate in once you arrive. Many places may require you to prebook such as the Statue of Liberty because of how popular it is amongst tourists.
Don’t let travel anxiety prevent you from travelling
Travel anxiety can prevent you from wanting to travel, and it’s important to understand that it’s completely normal, and you’re not alone! And when you’re travelling to the US, there’s a chance you’re in for a long haul journey. The feeling that you’re no longer in control, or even claustrophobia is enough to put anyone off wanting to get on a plane, train, or boat, but there are steps that you can take to eliminate as much of this anxiety as possible:
- Remember to breathe. It might sound like the most natural thing to do, but when you’re feeling anxious breathing can feel laboured. Take deep breaths and you’ll begin to feel better before you know it.
- Ground yourself as much as possible. When you’re feeling anxious, identify something you can hear, feel, smell, and taste to help gain control over the way you’re feeling. Some people find that keeping their feet firmly on the floor helps too.
- Distract yourself from the situation. Perhaps a good book or a film will help you forget that you’re travelling and make the time pass quicker!
- Turn it into part of your vacation! Many people choose to take a camera on their journies so that they can document everything they see, and also turn what would normally be an anxious time into an enjoyable one!
Where possible, don’t travel alone!
The USA is a pretty big place, and it’s easy to become daunted by the huge skyscrapers and large masses of land. Travelling alone is going to bring on more stress than if you were to say, travel with a group or a loved one. If you’re travelling for business you might not have this option. However, wherever possible, travel with someone to help share the load of responsibility and also make the whole process much more enjoyable.
Use a travel agent!
Finally, arranging a vacation can be difficult if you’ve never done it before or aren’t sure what to book. Using a travel agent to arrange accommodation, help with flights, arranging taxis where needed, and also providing information about your destination can make the whole process one hell of a lot easier. Consider using a travel agent to make your travelling experience as easy as possible!
