Spring break in many parts of the country means warmer weather and a much-needed escape from winter. In other parts of the country, spring break gives an opportunity to escape a still chilly environment in favor of a vacation to warmer climates. While vacations and breaks are certainly great, travel can be a bit cumbersome.

In light of the coming virtually-nationwide “holiday” week, we’ve put together a few spring break travel hacks to help make your trip easier and more enjoyable.

Be Prepared for the Delays

If you’re traveling by air, plan on checking a bag, and know that you’ll be separated from the majority of your luggage for a period of time and be prepared for possible delays or minor mishaps. If you’re making an international flight, overnight flight, or taking a red-eye flight to or from a destination, this is doubly important!
Keep some basic toiletries in your carry-on bag such as a toothbrush and deodorant. You may also consider bringing a change of clothes in case your baggage gets lost or you encounter an unintended delay in your travels necessitating an overnight stay.

Carry Physical Documents

Increasingly, airports and airlines are adapting to the digital world. Airports have more chargers, planes have USB ports for charging, and all of our ticketing information is available on our smartphones. If you know the feeling of helplessness of a dead cell phone with no way of charging it, then you’ll understand this travel hack.

Save yourself some headache and have physical copies of flight confirmations, boarding passes, hotel reservations, and even maps to get to your initial destination. In the event that you’re without your digital assistant, these physical copies will keep you sane during your travels.

Get Security Ready

If you’re traveling through airports, make sure your carry-on items are ready for security. Take a few extra minutes during your packing time to get all of your liquids in a bag, have electronics easy to access, and take off all jewelry and store them in a small bag or specific pocket in your carry-on bag. Keeping your items organized, easy to access, and easy to remove if necessary will make your time going through security much more fluid.

Avoid Unnecessary Expenses

Let’s face it, spring break travel can sometimes be spontaneous and planning can come at a premium. In all of your excitement and desire for sun and warm weather, you can forget some simple, yet necessary essentials that can cost you during your trip.

Airports are notoriously overpriced for toiletries, beverages, and food. Bringing all of your necessities will save you some cash during your travels and unneeded trips to grocery stores. Bring an empty water bottle to fill at the airport or terminal and do your research on your destination (especially if it’s international) for local costs and expenses.

Spring Break Shopping

Spring break is a great time for house shopping as well. Spring break, at least in the southern United States, is the beginning of the summer sales season and lends itself to a great opportunity to shop for a home whether in your community or one far away.

Get ready for that spring break shopping binge with the home financing you need from Tidewater Mortgage Services. Tidewater’s 20 years of experience can get you pre-qualified for the mortgage loan you need for a new home before you begin shopping. One call can get you pre-qualified the same day.