Travel Tips for Teens

Summer is on its way, and that means you might end up spending long hours in a car or on a plane if you’re heading to any special destinations this summer. As a teenager with younger siblings I know it can get rather uncomfortable and boring when you’re stuck in the back of a van for 3+ hours. Here’s some of my helpful tips.

1. Do not loose patience. It is very easy to get annoyed when you are stuck in a car for several hours, especially if you have younger siblings. But try to keep your cool and remember that you will get there when you get there. 

2. Make sure you use the bathroom before you leave and at any oppurtunity you get while on the road, even if you don’t need to go. The last thing you need is to be driving down a busy highway and all of a sudden you need to pee. Also try to use the bathroom when you’re in towns where there are fast-food places, etc. It is the absolute worst when you’re driving through a pretty dead area and there are no gas stations or fast-food restaraunts to use the bathroom. My number one rule is USE THE BATHROOM. And for girls, when you’re on your period and traveling, you might want to wear the extra-thick pads or a tampon so that you don’t leak through (Traveling on your period SUCKS; also remember to take any pills for cramps BEFORE you leave so that they’re working while you’re in the car).

3. Take a drink. Do not leave this behind, because you will regret it. Luckily my Mom takes our drinks so I usually don’t have to worry about not having one, but definitely MAKE SURE you have one. It’s also handy to have a few snacks in your own carry-on bag that way you can grab as needed. 

4. Make sure all of your devices are fully charged. If you plan on being on your phone 99% of the trip you definitely need to make sure it’s charged. Also have extra chargers handy. I have an extra-long cord for my Iphone/Ipad that will be extremely helpful this summer, and I’m planning on getting one of those portable chargers so that I can still charge my device when someone is using the other plug. 

5. Bring headphones. Even if you don’t listen to music, these are GREAT for blocking out noise if you plan on catching a few ZZZ’s on the go. 

6. If you are planning on catching a few ZZZ’s, bring a pillow. If you’re only traveling for a day-trip and won’t need your pillow, or you’re going to a hotel where pillows are available, bring a small throw-pillow if you don’t want to drag your larger one along. If you don’t have access to one of these, bring a sweatshirt to roll up and lay on. I also recommend bringing a neck pillow so you don’t get a kink in your neck if you have to sit in the passenger seat or can’t fit your pillow, etc.  

7. Pack a small carry-on bag with whatever you want to bring along so you don’t get bored. Books, iPad/tablet, Ereader, iPod, etc. Will list my essential items after this list is completed. 

8. Do NOT overdress. If you plan on driving in the summer and it’s likely going to be hot, especially if you’re driving mid-morning/afternoon, don’t put on too many layers. For cooler days I recommend capris and a T-shirt, with a light-sweater. You can bring a small blanket to cover your legs/arms if you get cold, or wear a sweatshirt, etc. It is definitely warm when you’re sitting in a car for 3+ hours and you’re all cramped up, so don’t over dress. On days it’s hot, wear a T-shirt/tank top and shorts/skirt. 

9. Make sure you have deodorant. As I said, it will be hot in the car, so you will sweat, and that is yucky. Bring a small deodorant in your carry-on and apply when necessary. 

10. Bring wet wipes or a wet wash cloth. If it’s really hot and you start feeling sick, a cold cloth against your forehead always helps cool things down.

Tip 8—don’t overdress: my ideal outfit for travelling 

Things To Pack In Your Carry-On (Teen Girls)

1. Electronic devices (phone, ipod/mp3 player, ipad/tablet, e-reader, camera, etc.) 

2. Extra charger/batteries for camera, etc.

3. Book/magazines to read

4. Small binder/journal and pencil case w/pencils or markers to doodle in (I also use the binder/journal as a surface for typing on my

Ipad)

5. Refillable water bottle with favourite drink. I recommend bringing 2 water bottles. One with just plain water (you can bring packets of water flavour if you like) and one with soda etc. 

6. Snacks 

—Granola bars

—Ziploc Baggie of Favourite Chips and/or cookies, etc. 

—Fruit (apples and oranges)

—Carrots/red or green peppers/cucumbers/celery sticks, etc. with small container of dip (dip can be stored in a cooler if you have one available, or you can leave the dip behind)

—Ziploc Baggie of Popcorn 

7. Pads/Tampons (even if you’re not on you’re period, you should always have these things just in case) 

8. Extra pair of underwear (I usually don’t need them, but sometimes you can sweat down there and when you arrive at your destination it’s nice to change into a pair of non-sweaty, clean underwear) 

9. Hand sanitizer & deodorant (explained above)

10. Brush and hair elastics—if you tend to have flyway hair, you may want to brush it when you get to wherever you’re going, or even brushing it if you’ve got bedhead from sleeping in the car

11. Chapstick & handcream—these come in handy on hot summer days especially if you’ve got dry skin like I do

12. Kleenex (YOU MUST HAVE THESE)

13. Wallet (to carry any spending money and your debit card, ID, etc.)

14. Sunglasses 

Well, that’s all for now!! Here’s to a summer full of adventure!!

Ps. Special thanks to the Polyvore app, which I used to create the above photos.