It doesn’t matter if you plan to travel solo or visit exotic destinations for a much needed holiday with your family. Traveling comes with its own challenges, and the more prepared you are, the better your experience will be, especially while going abroad. Planning for travel entails more than just booking flights and hotels. You have to be responsible for a number of things, especially when you go with your family.

So here are a few useful travel tips you must consider while planning your next destination travel to stay one step ahead, and most importantly, in charge!

Organize your info

When you plan a multi-city tour, ensure that all the details of the upcoming trips are organized in a single destination travel folder. These include your itinerary and all particulars of flight, hotel, and activity bookings. Organizing a travel folder helps you stay prepared for the next city on the list. This is especially helpful when you are hopping across cities in different nations and have to be at certain places on fixed dates. Planning ahead can save you both time and efforts once you reach the place.

Plan in advance

From the cab ride to the airport to the last leg of your multi-city destination travel, it pays to plan well in advance. Secure the most convenient routes and select better spaced out connecting flights, so you don’t find yourself running around the terminal to catch the next plane ride. Account for time and zone changes, so you don’t end up a day ahead or behind. It can be very embarrassing to show up for an appointment after (or a day early) the booking date. If you plan to take the trains to travel cross country, ensure you have the latest schedules printed with you at all times. Hand out copies to your family members, so everyone knows the route and travel plan.

Prepare for uncertainties

Weather conditions, traffic, or problems en route (there are so many) can all result in delays. So ensure you provide sufficient time or, at the very least, have the resources to extend your stay if the need arises. It pays to spread out your travel a couple of extra days to accommodate for the most unexpected turn of events. Ensure you carry sufficient currency to tide you and your family for an extra couple of days if you do get stranded.

Pack light

Just because you are taking a long trip doesn’t necessarily mean you pack your entire wardrobe. It is always better to pack and travel as light as possible. Lugging around an extra suitcase is only going to slow you down. Pack only the most essential of clothing, footwear and protective gear (depending on the weather) so that you don’t have to take turns hauling the heavy luggage. Also remember, domestic flights have a lighter weight limit for baggage. The last thing you want is chucking half of the stuff simply because the airline will not allow extra baggage on board.