Preparing well for your flight

Copyright Photo: Gordon Bell / Shutterstock.com

At Quotatrip, we love distant destinations. And even though France is full of sublime landscapes and grand vacation spots, the desire for adventure and cultural change is often what drives long-haul travelers. The first essential step to a successful trip is to properly prepare for your flight! This can feel like an epic journey for many travelers, especially when you have to endure 22 hours of flying before you can relax on an Australian beach. In short, preparing for your flight is crucial and we give you all the right tips for a successful vacation.

Choosing the destination

The first step to a successful trip, choosing the destination alone can determine the success or failure of your vacation. First, think about defining your budget as well as the length of your stay. Indeed, traveling to the other side of the world for just a few days potentially means risking spending a third of your vacation either on the plane or suffering from jet lag. Same goes for finances: make sure to budget your stay carefully, taking all extras into account. Destinations like New York, for example, combine relatively expensive plane tickets (although things are improving a bit) and a high cost of living, and require you to watch your wallet so you don't blow your vacation budget in three days – especially if you plan to stay for two weeks. Finally, the last important point when choosing your destination: think about what you are looking for during your vacation. Relaxation, family holidays, backpacking adventure, or sightseeing trip: never forget that the activities on offer are not quite the same, whether you go on a trip to the Seychelles or to Nepal.

Check the weather before leaving

Are you planning to visit Tokyo during your vacation in July, but can't stand the heat and humidity? Bad luck: that's when the Japanese capital experiences its worst heatwaves and the humidity is worthy of a tropical forest. Are you thinking of perfecting your tan in August on a dream beach in Thailand? It's monsoon season and, depending on the place you choose, it rains there 20 days a month during this period. When preparing your trip, finding out about the weather conditions at your holiday destination is therefore essential and you should not hesitate to consult travel blogs which are often valuable sources of information, with articles, photos, and videos. One last thing not to forget: in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Good to know before flying to Argentina, in the middle of January, in a down jacket and snow boots.

Think about important documents

Nothing is worse, when leaving for a distant destination for a long period, than being stuck at the airport for administrative reasons. Forgotten ID papers, an expired passport, or a missing visa are all events that can ruin your vacation. Remember that while you will always be asked for a valid passport, some countries will require that it be valid for 3 to 6 months after your return date. This is the case, for example, with Thailand, a very popular country among globe-trotters. If you are flying to the United States, you will also need a visa in proper form or an entry authorization such as the ESTA. If in doubt, never hesitate to contact the relevant embassies, as each country has its own protocols. Finally, know that while you can drive with your French driver's license in most foreign countries, destinations like New Zealand will require you to have an International Driving Permit.

Being well equipped for a long flight

Preparing for your flight also means making sure you have everything in your bag to spend the next hours of flight as comfortably as possible. And often, that's not easy on a plane… Here are the essentials to take with you: a mask, earplugs, a neck pillow, a water bottle that you have filled beforehand (a small gesture for the planet, the carbon footprint of a long-haul flight is already significant enough…). You should also slip a scarf or a shawl into your bag to cope with the air conditioning for 8 hours or more.

A long trip is also an opportunity to dive into books you've never had time to start. Think about stopping by your local bookstore before you get to the airport! If you have one, an e-reader takes up less space… Bringing your tablet is also a good option. You will have previously loaded it with your favorite games or series.

Don't forget to bring some snacks as well. The food served on board is generally not the healthiest, as it is often too salty or too fatty. Take fruit, dried fruit, or a nut mix like walnuts or almonds.

Leaving with peace of mind

A trip to the other side of the world often means several days, or even several weeks, away from your country, your home, but also your car. How can you be sure to find it intact – or even find it at all – when you decide to use it to get to the airport parking or the train station on the day of departure? To avoid worrying throughout your stay, there are solutions. Ector, for example, is a valet service at train stations and airports that offers to park your vehicle during your absence. Drop-off is at the drop-off point, in an instant, the parking lots are secure and the valets are punctual. The icing on the cake, the service is cheaper than a taxi or a regular parking lot and can be easily booked on their website or mobile app.