Summer Is Coming…Here’s Your Guide to Stress-Free Trip-Planning

Buckle up, summer travel could be a bumpy ride! Last year summer travel became a traveler’s worst nightmare with people experiencing long delays, lost luggage, and sky-high prices around the world.

The TSA reports that they are expecting travel levels to be “comfortably above pre-pandemic levels” this summer and Delta Airlines has had record advance bookings for summer travel. There have been conflicting reports about whether or not travel prices will shoot up again or if destinations will be well-staffed enough to handle the crowds but either way, being prepared will keep you from stressing out. 

Here are our four tips for planning a successful summer vacation: 

1. Skip the Checked Luggage

Last year, lost and misplaced luggage was a major problem affecting domestic and international airlines equally. While you can add tracking tags to your checked luggage, save yourself the trouble, and travel light. 

Bring a carry-on and a personal item that can hold your necessities and can help you get around (and bonus, these will be much easier if you are carting them around old cobblestoned European streets.) Be sure to check ahead of time if your airline has weight or size requirements for carry-on luggage so you don’t have to check anything last minute. 

2. Get Your Passport Now

If you need to renew your passport or replace a lost passport, there is no better time than the present! Seriously, we recommend that you submit your application ASAP and be sure to expedite it.  Right now the State Department says that routine processing will take up to 13 weeks and expedited processing will take up to 9 weeks. 

If you have a flight coming up and you need to renew your passport, you still have options.  The State Department has emergency services in 26 locations around the country. If you have travel within 14 days (or 21 days if the country you are traveling to requires you to have a visa), you can use the Urgent Travel service. 

Schedule your appointment with the Passport Agency by phone and be ready to provide proof of your travel. They will send you an email confirmation with details on what to bring to your appointment. This is the most expensive option (prepare to spend around $200) but it’s better than not being able to take your trip at all, right? 

3. Make Your Plans Early

We recommend booking at least three months ahead of your departure. Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) calls the time for booking the best flight deals at the lowest prices the “Goldilocks Window” and says that people should be booking their summer plans 3-7 months in advance for domestic vacations and 4-8 months in advance for international flights.

While that window may be closing, don’t fret if you miss it! There will still be deals coming up over the course of the summer, it’s just that the best deals tend to be in that timeframe. If you are still looking for summer trips, try to avoid booking around holidays such as Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or Labor Day weekend when everyone else is traveling. 

Need help finding the perfect place to stay? Submit a booking request to the Well Traveled team and rest easy knowing all the research, vetting and special requests have been done for you.

4. Pick Hidden Gem Destinations

Paris and Capri are beautiful in the summer but fighting for space among thousands of other sweaty tourists and annoyed locals definitely is not how we want to travel. Use this as an opportunity to explore second-tier cities, beautiful hidden gems, and destinations that are considered “off-season.” Try Costa Rica without the crowds or the beautiful Italian island of Ischia. There are plenty of local spots too like the Molokai Island in Hawai’i or the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. Plus you get bragging rights that come with finding and enjoying the coolest, off-the-beaten-path destinations.