First thing, you have to book the flights!! There are some cheap flights if you search for it or even contact a travel agent. My ticket from Minnesota to South Korea to Japan was about $1600.00 (rounding up because I can’t really remember). After booking the flight, I read over the baggage information so I knew what to expect. Domestic and International baggage sizes are different (for carry-ons). There is also baggage fees depending on how many bags you are going to check in or not. Keep your eyes out on emails because sometimes there may be time changes, gate changes and things like that so you would want to be prepared for it.
Dress comfortable!! When I travel, I try to dress as comfortable as possible but still have a little airport fashion. Trust me, you do not want to not pass the security screening and get a body pat down! LOL…I’ve seen my friend go through it, and it doesn’t look like fun. Tennies, tanktop, hoodie and jeans…that’s my airport fashion!
The final piece, and I cannot stress this one enough…ALLOW YOURSELF TIME at the airport. For Domestic travel, I always give myself 2 hours. If my flight is to depart at 4pm, I am at the airport by 1:30- 2pm. You never know how long the lines will be and you don’t know how far you have to travel to your gate. Don’t want to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off at the airport you know J For International travel, I allow myself 3 hours minimum. Again, can never be too careful on lines. And it doesn’t hurt to be early…you can kill time by shopping around at the airport. There are a lot of stores and restaurants there for you.
Now the most difficult part I encountered while flying…the travel time! LOL…depending on where you are traveling from, the flight hours may vary. To fly to South Korea from Minnesota (where I am currently located) is a 14 hour flight. Yes, 14 hours up in the sky. When you hear it, it doesn’t sound too bad, but to go through it, it is tiring. You also have to think of the time difference and jetlag!!
14 hours on a plane is more tiring than it sounds. To keep my blood flowing through my legs (sitting down for 14 hours sucks), I walked around the airplane. I stood at my seat for a few hours and stretched!! I also brought a portable charger so I can watch movies on my phone (I didn’t really like some of the movies that were being offered on the plane) and listened to music. I also slept!! Yes, sleep…try to get your body use to the time change so you aren’t so jetlag when you arrive. If you suffer motion sickness, take some meds and sleep it off.
For long flights like this, they also offer meals so please remember to eat and do not skip meals. There are also bathrooms but sometimes there is a long wait, especially after eating time. Blankets and pillows are offered even though there isn’t much leg room (unless you are flying first class or higher and if you are like me, I can’t afford that I suffered no leg room).
There you go…some of my tips for you. If you have any comments, questions or anything like that, feel free to drop me a note. Safe travels…xoxo