The search term ‘stress free travel’ has seen a +100% increase on Google1, and with strikes2, flight- and train cancellations3 impacting Europe, holidaying abroad can seem like a daunting task to many families.

Working with travel expert and CEO of SkyParkSecure, Martin Jones and Graeme Tolchard travel expert from Hay’s Travel, insurance broker Reassured has collated the best tips to have the ultimate stress-free holiday this year!

Which stress factors should you look out for?

Interviewing people who have holidayed in the past 12 months4 to find the most common stress factors, Reassured can reveal that the components making up a stressful holiday are:

Getting sick
Flight cancellations / missing flights or other transport
Losing your belongings
Packing
Travelling
Getting lost
Experts reveal how to have the ultimate stress-free holiday

Based on the factors above, travel expert and CEO of SkyParkSecure, Martin Jones and Graeme Tolchard of Hays Travel, reveal how to have a stress-free holiday by being cautious and tactical. They offer tips on some of the stress factors below:

Getting sick

Analyse the people around you to find out where locals go for food. People won’t return to the same place if they experience getting a stomach bug from it. If you spot queues for a food stall, it’s usually a good sign!
Ask your travel guide or hotel if the water in and around the place you’re staying is safe to drink. Remember, water is an ingredient in a lot of foods and drinks, so keep this in mind when ordering your dish. Water can easily be contaminated, and unless it’s been boiled can prove to be a source of stomach bugs.
Flight cancellations/missing flight or other transport

When a flight gets cancelled, you’re entitled to compensation or possibly the airline rebooking your flight. Always check your passenger rights.
In the days leading up to your flight, you can check with the airline if there are any risks of your flight getting cancelled.
Losing your belongings

Use an air tag which you put in your suitcase before your check-in. That way should the luggage be lost; you can easily track it and alert the airline. Leave a note inside the bag with all your information on it, e.g. name, telephone number, address and email. That way, if the luggage is lost, the airport crew can easily get in touch with you.
If you lose your passport, make sure to contact your local embassy. Before you leave on holiday, make a list of important phone numbers that you can have in your suitcase in case of an emergency. It’s important to contact the embassy as quickly as possible so that they can help you with an emergency passport.
Packing

Use an old sunglasses case to store and organise your cables, chargers and earphones. This way they won’t get tangled up in your bag and you can easily find them.
Wear your heaviest clothes. It’s always useful to pack a jumper, jacket and trousers even when going to a warmer climate but why not wear these items when travelling to free up space and weight in your case?
Getting lost

Download offline maps: Before your trip, download offline maps of your destination using apps like Google Maps will allow you to navigate even without an internet connection, ensuring you have access to directions at all times.
Carry a business card of your accommodation: Take a business card or a note with the name and address of your accommodation. In case you get lost, you can show it to a taxi driver or passerby who can help you find your way back.
Commenting on the insight into having a stress-free holiday, a spokesperson at Reassured says, “Travel can be anxiety-inducing and stressful for a lot of Brits travelling this summer. Working with travel experts, we hope the tips provided can help you have a stress-free holiday and spend your time relaxing and exploring instead of worrying!”