Greetings from an edgy and interesting Bangkok, Thailand. I’ve set up camp in the Silom area and have been having fun working, writing, wandering, and talking with people.
Last week I took my inaugural journey on Air Niugini Airways, flying on the Manila-Port Moresby night flight, and then later over to Singapore on my circle of the region. I don’t think they’ll be joining the OneWorld alliance anytime soon, but it wasn’t that bad either.
***
The title of this post is somewhat of a misnomer: I almost never experience travel that is truly stress-free. For starters, not all travel can or should be predictable. Sometimes the unexpected is better than the planned.
Secondly, not all stress is bad, because some of the most challenging times in our lives are the most stressful. No risk, no glory—that kind of thing.
Yet, when heading out into the world, it helps to control as many variables as you can. I’d rather experience travel stress related to something fun than something preventable that was my own fault. With that in mind, here’s a primer on low-stress travel—and your contributions are welcome too.
Pack everything in the same place every time. On most trips I take the same clothes and the same gear. I also try to put them in the same part of the bags every time. If necessary, I can now pack for a two-week trip in about 20 minutes. It also helps when packing and unpacking in hotels or guesthouses. I walk in the room and immediately unpack everything I need for the stay. The night before leaving, I repack.
I’ve recently switched bags and have been evaluating a new system. Thus far the verdict is mixed: I’ll probably be better for it in the long-run, but in the short-run I hate the fact that I don’t know where things are. I might even go back to the original, well-worn bags because the system was so ingrained.
Spend more money. I often get stressed out spending small amounts of money. Overall, this isn’t always bad—it’s led to a healthy paranoia about debt and a lifelong adherence to frugality. However, it has its downsides too, in that I can spend hours walking around trying to decide what to eat, or hours trying to figure out the public transit system somewhere instead of just flagging down a taxi.
It only took me about 100 countries—I’m a slow learner—but I finally created a $10 rule for myself that has been rocking my world. The $10 rule is that when I’m traveling, I deliberately avoid worrying about most things that cost $10 or less. As I said, this makes a big difference. I actually eat three meals a day now. If I can’t find free WiFi, I’ll walk into a hotel and pay for the connection. SO MUCH LESS STRESS.
If you get lost, look dumb.If something goes wrong in an unfamiliar setting, stand around for a while and look as lost as you are. Someone may show up to help, especially if you look different from most of the people who live in the country. If you don’t speak the language, most of the time someone will show up to help with that too.
Side note: in my experience, this practice does not work in Russia. In Russia, you’re on your own.
Carry three copies of your passport in different places. I’ve lost two iPods, one Nintendo DS, and countless other things around the world. Thankfully I haven’t lost my prized passport yet, but just in case, I’ve got multiple copies that would make the replacement process easier if it happened. One goes in one bag, the second goes in the other bag, and the third goes in my wallet.
Know that you’ll probably make the flight. The times that you think you’re going to miss the flight but then make it greatly exceed the number of times you actually miss the flight. Most of the time, you’ll probably make it, so don’t kill yourself if you’re running late.
Personally I like hanging out in airports, so I usually pitch up quite early. However, because of transfers, a meeting, or general ineptitude, I’ve also been OMG SO LATE so many times—but in almost every case, the flight was still waiting. And the few times when it wasn’t, well, something else worked out.
Memorize your passport number. This is how you tell an experienced traveler from a beginner: before an international flight lands, everyone is given a landing card to fill out. This card always asks for your passport number. Look around and see who has to pull their passport out of the bag to look it up versus who has it memorized. If you start traveling around the world, you’ll need your passport number for a lot of things, so you might as well memorize it.
Side note: I like to play a fun game where I try to fill out the landing card as quickly as possible. My personal record is nine seconds. It turns into even more fun when the immigration official makes me complete a new one because he can’t read my handwriting—perhaps disqualifying the record.
Get free airline lounge access anyway you can. Most lounges in the U.S. suck, but they’re better than sitting outside. Half of the blog posts I file while traveling are uploaded from various airline lounges. I’ve probably spent a cumulative total of several days inside the Cathay Pacific lounge in Hong Kong.
How you get access varies depending on the situation. I have elite status with all three alliances due to status matching, which helps. You can also wrangle a premium ticket, pay for an annual membership, or find someone willing to let you in as a guest (it doesn’t usually cost them anything). Whatever you have to do, if your goal is reducing stress, and even more so if you’re working on the road, the lounge helps a lot.
Be proactive if something goes wrong. If you have a complaint with an airline or hotel, don’t just tell them what’s wrong—tell them exactly what you want them to do to fix it. Propose an alternative solution, ask if there’s anyone else you can talk to, whatever. Just do something.
Note that standards of customer service vary considerably around the world. In many places, no one will take the initiative to fix something for you unless you are proactive about making it happen. If the situation is important, don’t wait for someone else to correct it; take action yourself.
***
You Want Adventures, Right?
Remember, the goal is low-stress travel, not stress-free travel. At the end of a recent trip I came home to Portland after 20 hours of flying from Asia. It was 11pm by the time the airport train dropped me at the bus stop. As I walked to the stop I could see the bus leaving. I was a mile and a half from home, and the next bus didn’t come for 24 more minutes.
Instead of hanging out, I decided to walk the rest of the way. My feet were sore from wearing the same shoes for weeks and then flying all day… but I’m supposed to be a runner, so what’s 1.5 miles? I had to carry my bags, but that’s why I travel light, yes? It rained a little, but hey, I live in Portland.
The walk home gave me time to reflect back on the trip and consider the various things that had gone right or wrong. All things considered, I love my adventures and wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Have anything to add? Feel free to share your advice for others in the comments.
***
P.S. Those of you in Bangkok, you’re invited to join me on Friday night from 7-9pm. RSVP here for details.
###
Image: ChrisCB
February 19, 2010
Mike
Hey in most cases going through little stress, or killing your own fear, to make something good happen is awesome. Do it for the story!
February 19, 2010
Meghashyam Chirravoori
I have nothing much to contribute to what you’ve written. But I just loved the simple, no-nonsense, “this is it” style you wrote. I’ve followed AONC but never commented.
So I’ll finally do it. I like reading this stuff.
February 19, 2010
Ceil De Young
I loved the look dumb hint. Always works for me but I never thought I’d hear a man say that. I’ve had my luggage lost so often that I always carry a change of clothes in my carry on bag. I also have a bag for hygiene and personal items that I never unpack even at home. It’s always road ready.
February 19, 2010
Marc
Definitely enjoy your posts Chris. A few things to add:
Regarding passports, leave a paper copy with a friend/relative who can fax it to you. I would not scan this and put it online, the security risk to your identity is to great.
Check CDC/State Dept websites for medical information in non-European countries. Both recommended carrying Cipro (a type of med that neutralizes water borne illness) which came in handy when I fell into a still water lagoon in Bali. Don’t freak out about intl travel, but this tip saved my life.
Don’t be afraid to explore but ask a local where it’s OK to go and where it isn’t. Life is no different in big cities around the world, no one cares that you are a tourist. Just be smart so you can enjoy your adventure.
Call your credit card company before you leave the US & specify what countries you will be in and when. I do this on every trip and they note my acct. This way card txs aren’t blocked as the card company trys to figure out if the txs is legit.
February 19, 2010
Tyler McCann
I like that walking home idea, Chris! There have definitely been a few times like that for me, granted not after two weeks overseas. Keep living the adventure!
February 19, 2010
Kathryne
Great tips Chris! One note on the passport copies – I also make sure a trusted friend (usually my brother) has a pdf copy as well. In the event that everything goes wrong, he can always email the pdf to the embassy. Thankfully, it has never come to that, but nice to know I have the last resort!
Love your ideas on packing. I have my trusty Costco wheelie bag that has served me well for many years now. My rule for packing has been if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go (essentials go in first, everything else is up for grabs). I too have started carrying a couple of different sized ziplock bags after a dryer mishap in Amsterdam left me with a load of wet clothes.
February 19, 2010
Graham
The $10 rule is great. It’s especially relevant when talking about food – people on holiday often forget that it costs money to feed yourself when at home too!
I used to stress about spending $18 for food in one day while on holiday, before realising it would have cost $10 to feed myself if I’d stayed at home and done nothing. For me it’s only the extra cost (not the total cost) that needs to be considered.
February 20, 2010
Ceil DeYoung
I loved the travel tips.
February 20, 2010
Ben
Chris, I want to thank you for keeping us cubicle dwellers sane and hopeful, that the slogging we do, both at work and home will oneday lead us to explore the big exciting wide world.
Cheers
February 20, 2010
carolyn madison
Hi, Chris, thanks so much for all the good ideas, tips, support to live the good life. I put all my numbers in my phone like: Bank #, Passport #, Drivers Lic #, Flight #, Hotel phone #, etc. I also put the confirmation # if it seems important.
Of course, I never put a password in, in case I lost the phone. It has made my life so much easier, as you say when you have to fill out the sordid forms…
Again, thanks for all you give to us.
Carolyn
February 20, 2010
Jon
I enjoyed the article. I generally follow something like the $10 rule, though I never really specified an amount for myself. In Tokyo I paid about $8 to take a taxi to a destination that ended up being only about a block away. I was tired, had an appointment in 10 minutes, and wasn’t sure if I was even walking the right direction. If I’d have known where I was going I wouldn’t have spent the money, but since I didn’t, it was worth it.
February 20, 2010
Marilyn
Great site Chris. Thanks to all for the tips. The $10 tip is number one. Wasted so much time going through what you described. I think I’ve been coming around to that way of thinking during my last couple of trips. The world didn’t suddenly come to an end when I simply tried the first option. My passport & flight numbers etc are all in a tiny notebook which I carry in my purse. Like the fact that my passport is safely tucked away during the flight. Don’t trust my memory when it comes to filling out forms!
February 20, 2010
Sandra Haynes
The travel tips are great, Chris.
I concur with Susan above, standing around with map in hand always produced help in Europe at least. Or approaching college aged kids or much older well dressed gentlemen worked, they nearly always spoke English. The kids especially had a great time with giving directions and we usually ended up teaching each other new words in our respective languages. Great fun!
February 21, 2010
fetu
The most important thing to take on a trip is a money belt which lies flat under your clothes. Passport, plane tickets, large amounts of money should be kept there. Also a list of important document and phone numbers. Wear the moneybelt 24 hours a day…..do not put it in your handbag! Do not carry a wallet…..put the days money in your front pockets. Not only are their pick pockets out there, it is easy to leave wallets and purses somewhere in the stress of traveling to a new place. With a moneybelt….you do not have to think about it…….you always have your important stuff safe with you.
February 21, 2010
Becky
I find that just being out of the US makes traveling less stressful! In other countries you can buy a one way plane ticket, with cash, the day before your flight and not be flagged as a terrorist!
Going through airport security is also much less stressful in other countries even though they seem just as secure. (In Chengdu China my husband had a lighter and a pocket knife confiscated that made it through US airport security multiple times!) Every time I go through US airport security I basically feel like a criminal and get really nervous for no reason.
February 21, 2010
Ekua
Great tips! Although I think if you’re going to try “looking dumb” you need to be careful depending on where you are. There are a lot of places where looking like you don’t know what you’re doing can make you an easy target for robbery and scams. I like the ten dollar rule. I think that it’s so easy to get caught up with getting the best deal that you forget that it’s not really all that much money you’re fussing about.
February 21, 2010
Erica Douglass
Good post! I would add: Make a travel list and run through it before you leave. Before I did this, I was always forgetting something. Now my travel list (as a memo on my phone) helps to ensure I don’t forget anything…and don’t have to spend money on stuff once I get to my new location!
-Erica
February 21, 2010
Andi
I couldn’t agree more with the comment above saying problems = oppurtunities. On my last trip to Brasil I promised myself that I would not stress when any problems occured. And it was amazing, because by not stressing I was able to think clearly and see how to either fix the problem OR how the problem was an oppurtunity. It was fantastic!!!
February 21, 2010
ian anderson
I always feel a little ‘stressed’ until I have my boarding card in my hand then I am home free and also love kickin about in airports.
My tip with your passport is to tuck a credit card in it and keep it in a “Velcroed” pocket. This then becomes your ‘escape’ pack, lets face it if some mongrel grabs your bag and gets away, there is not much you can’t do with a credit card and a passport.
After living in various countries in Africa, I sewed Velcro into all my trousers! Pickpockets HATE it!
It has saved my stuff many times in crowds, dubious night spots, dancefloors etc. It makes a hand on your bottom on a dance floor a much more pleasant experience!
February 21, 2010
brigide
Ugh! I am so annoyed that I didn’t read your blog last week like I regularly do! – I just missed your talk in NZ by a day and got back to BKK where I recently relocated to – would have been wonderful to meet you and other like minded people in this fantastic city.
From 5 years traveling around Asia – My other tips would be;
For women take a couple of nice silk scarves/pashminas – not only can they dress up an out fit when needed but can keep you warm in air conditioned environments and act as a blanket on planes Also they are very handy when your style of dress may be considered immodest by local standards (showing shoulders etc)
I also find silk scarves very useful when walking around congested areas when the pollution is too much – I wrap them around my mouth and nose.
The other thing I usually do when traveling is take some of my own muesli and coffee – I find the option of starting the day with some quick no fuss familiar food easier, healthier and less stressful option.
February 22, 2010
CHris
hi chris,
funny to see you writing about that 10$ rule and how long it took you to establish that
it also took me several years to find out how much easier and stress-free travel can get when I don’t turn around every cent all the time.
cheers from the Tyrol,
CHris
March 5, 2010
Richard
I love to tyravel but obviously want to avoid as much stress as possible and for me that means planning ahead. While many people like to figure things out on the fly, I like a broad plan in action. This means having a hotel booked when I arrive in a foreign country with a cab waiting at the airport to take me there. It means having a plastic folder with all my paperwork in – maps, passport, tickets etc so I know I can easily access any information I need. I probably won’t actually decide what I’m going to do until I get to the hotel, but knowing I can get there, unpack and unwind makes a huge difference to me. After a long flight, the last thing I want to do is to trawl round a foreign city looking for digs or asking for directions.
March 30, 2010
Adam Williamson
It’s interesting that this guide is fairly plane-centric, because my personal #1 for stress-free travel is avoid planes wherever possible. This differs by personality, of course, but it’s worth trying at least once using a slower but less…intense…method of transport and seeing if you like it. I’m far happier taking an 8-hour, slow train ride to Portland than a ’2 hour’ (plus encumbrances) plane flight. You get far more legroom, the scenery’s better, the security and border control are far, far, far less of a hassle (apparently terrorists don’t use trains…) and train stations tend to be far better situated than airports. People on trains are generally a lot more relaxed and pleasant to talk to (due to all of the above) than people on planes. There’s more space for the people with screaming babies to spread out a bit. It all adds up.
And that’s in North America where the trains are antiquated. I’d never fly _anywhere_ in Europe. Take the train! I’d even prefer a decent coach to a plane, in most cases. I only fly when there really isn’t a practical alternative.
February 5, 2011
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Wonderful tips to get us all right on track on our travels. Of course we all agree about the $10.00 rule. I wanted to remind everyone that they can custom the amount for themselves. For moms they might want to also have an amount that they will just hand their kids when they ask for something (especially teenagers) and not even think about getting the change back! These tips will help our travel refresh us for those days we must spend at home!
March 5, 2011
Bette
There is only one thing better than shopping in Hong Kong, and that’s eating. From small noodle joints to upscale French restaurant, you will locate all sorts of restaurant, eating hall and snack stall on earth in Hong Kong. Here I found small amount of Hong-Kong-styled snacks online (yummiexpress.freetzi.com). This is definitely a good choice before I have $ for another trip.