TOP TIPS: How to Travel Long Haul Like a PRO!

So travelling by plane is an almost certainty if you are going abroad; the days of long boat trips and cross country trains are all but over and cheap airlines rule the travel world. But it's not exactly the most comfortable experience (especially if you can't afford those pricey upgrades and you're flying *insert budget airline here*). And if you are stuck on a train/boat or even a bus for 100 hours it's not much more fun! So here's a couple top tips for surviving those long haul flights, country hops and overnights!

Firstly, BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING. Now I know the last thing you need is a duvet and pillow strapped to your already 8 kg over the limit carry-on bag but hear me out. Those little blankets and pillows you get given to you on most long haul flights are almost useless if you actually want to be comfy and get some rest (I find it notoriously hard to sleep on a plane anyway and I'm always cold!) and you don't even get that luxury on other public transport! So buy yourself a half decent neck pillow, or even better, one of those new fancy ones that you can use to support your head from the front and sleep like you're on a massage table! I bet they work a treat! And make sure you have a warmish cardigan or something so you can snuggle up and get some of those allusive Z's!

My next tip is all about moisture! As you probably know being in an aeroplane is basically the same as you sitting in a sealed box breathing in gross recycled air for hours on end. This dries your skin, hair, throat and basically mummifies you if you don't keep hydrated! Take full advantage of any free drinks on the plane (and don't be shy about calling a steward over to ask for some water!). Going by train or bus? That probably means your stuck under an air-con or heater which (while less icky then aeroplane air) will still suck the moisture right out of you! Wonderful. So again grab yourself some drinks before you prune up!

And for those of you who want to stop your skin drying out bring a small bottle or sample pack of moisturiser, a face pack, or some water spray with you. Using something like this half way through a journey can really help to rejuvenate your skin. It will also help perk you up as you sit through your 10th hour of B rated free films! Even for those of you that couldn't give two hoots about supple skin it's best to bring a pot of Vaseline or a lip balm with you or by the end you won't be able to speak without cracking your lips! I personally end up like 'The Mouth of Sauron' otherwise, which isn't so pretty (here's a nice GIF for reference).

Anyway, moving on!

Perhaps my most valuable advice is bring your own snacks. Make sure you follow the rules (obviously don't try and get a bag of fruit through customs) but bringing some dry snacks like biscuits with you is a great way to make sure you don't starve. After all, what if you don't like the plane food? What if you get hungry hours before (or after) they decide to feed you? The consequences are unthinkable! So grab a pack of bickies before you hop on, your stomach will thank me!

The last tip I can give you is just to plan your journey well and organise yourself so it all runs smoothly. Make sure anything you might want during the flight is in your carry-on luggage and make sure it's easy to access. In other words, don't put that book you’ve been dying to read at the bottom of a suitcase! Also, if you get travel sick make sure you bring medicine or something to distract you, basically you want to make your journey feel as close to staying at home as possible! After all, travelling can be stressful and boring but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, so get prepping!

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