13 Tips on Preparing for Summer Travel Now

Run to retailers while there’s still a nip in the air! Colder temperatures mean polar-opposite prices for expensive summer garments. Now is the time to rummage through sale racks for swimwear, cover-ups, strappy sandals, and everything else you can’t wait to pull out of your bag during your summer vacay. The more you save now, the more you can spend then!

Be “abs-spirational” and aim for your strongest summer body. While it’s still too chilly to go for a jog outdoors, fill your days doing planks and push-ups inside. Try setting aside 15 to 30 minutes a day for light group exercise with your family to combine quality time with travel prep and healthy living.

Don’t be in such a hurry to book that flight just yet. Since you have time before this year’s summer trip, check the prices of flights for your preferred travel dates a couple times a week before purchasing seats. Compare airlines and play around with dates, seeing if you can save more money while flexibility is still an option. Once you’ve gauged prices, you’ll feel more confident that you’re getting a fair rate.

Maybe you want a preview of the sparkling waters washing ashore as you fly over the beach in a window seat, or maybe you’d prefer an aisle seat closer to the bathroom on the plane. Whatever your seating preference, you’re going to want to call dibs now, before all the good seats are filled and you’re stuck between a snorer and an armrest hog. If you’re traveling with family, this is the time to make sure you can all be seated near one another, without having to switch seats with other passengers later on.

If you’re traveling out of state this summer, take time to learn about the region you’re visiting. Each country of the world, and even each state in the US, has its own distinct culture, history, and essence. You have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the background story of your summer destination. Not only will you be able to appreciate your trip more deeply, you also will be wiser for it!

You can’t always trust GPS, especially since magnetic north (the place compasses point to as north) doesn’t stay in one place. Besides that, there will be times while traveling that you simply don’t have reception, but still need to navigate. Before you end up lost on a hiking expedition, reacquaint yourself with an old-fashioned paper map of the region you’ll be visiting. If you’re familiar with some of the town’s main streets before arriving, you can wander without worry once there.

One of the most underrated parts of traveling is getting around using regional public transit. You haven’t truly experienced a place until you’ve sat among its citizens on a bus, train, or tram. Regional transit allows you to explore your new surroundings without focusing on driving. It also contributes directly to the local economy and brings an element of community to your summer. Look up public transportation options in the city you’ll be in, and plan on how you’ll roam around town before touching down.

Backing up and deleting photos has become a modern-day chore, but you’re going to need that freed-up storage space for picture-perfect shots in the summer sun. To lessen the burden of looking through hundreds (or thousands) of undesirable pics and random screenshots, do a little every day. Committing to shuffling through last week’s photos isn’t as time-consuming as going through everything in one sitting. Handle one device at a time, so you can fill them with memories all over again.

Between resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels, lodging options are plentiful. Now is the time to check your favorite review sites (such as TripAdvisor), build lists of your favorite homes on Airbnb, and save big by booking low-cost accommodations first. Take convenience into consideration when looking for lodging locations. Unnecessary commutes while on vacation take up valuable time that you could be spending sipping out of a coconut on the beach. Since the summer season is months away, you can get the jump on last-minute planners and claim your spot now!

Venturing outside of the city you visit this summer might end up being your favorite part of the vacation! While you’re planning a sizzling season on the go, investigate other towns near the one you’re already traveling to. If you’re going to a big city, plan on riding bikes for a day in the country. Already going to a rural area? Arrange a day on Main Street to shop, sip, and stroll. You might as well take advantage of your summer mobility.

At this point, streaming giants like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube allow you to download offline content to play when cell signals aren’t an option. Depending on where you travel to this summer, you could be in for lengthy delays, poor reception, and unexpected roaming charges. Build up your offline entertainment library now, so you have more than enough to keep you occupied when you’re not mesmerized by a stunning view. Your data plan will thank you.

It goes without saying that you’ll need to save money as soon as possible in order to have the trip of your dreams this summer, but putting a few dollars a day into your own piggy bank now guarantees a nice little allowance once you’re out of town. People tend to spend less and value their purchases more when they use physical cash, so storing actual bills away today can save you more money in the pursuit of happiness months from now.

Whether you’re traveling domestically or abroad, there is required documentation you need to have ready before leaving town this summer. Make sure you have a valid ID or driver’s license, especially if you plan on renting a car at any point. Updated passports or proof of citizenship can take weeks to process, but you need them to travel outside of the country. Get a head start now! Make copies of all documents (in case they’re lost), print any tickets or itineraries, and file everything safely with your other essential documents.