How to Travel Alone This Summer

For many, summertime is the perfect opportunity to have a little get away. If you're like me, you have to actually travel to get where friends and family are and 98% of the time I'm doing it alone. This past week, I found myself flying back to my hometown of Pittsburgh to visit. I have no trouble breezing through a busy airport by myself because I've done it countless times since I was young. But it dawned on me that many young women may not have had that opportunity growing up. So if you find yourself traveling alone this summer, here are a few tips to hopefully make it run a bit smoother for you!

• Airport Size - Many airports are downright huge. It can be so stressful when you find yourself arriving at one gate and have to run to the complete opposite end of the airport, especially if you have a connecting flight. The night before you leave, get online and check out a map of the airport. You probably won't know what gate you'll be coming into, but at least get on and familiarize yourself with the airport so you don't find yourself lost and feeling stranded.
• Wear something comfortable - I always find myself opting for a comfortable pair of jeans and a letter shirt #sororitygirlproblems. But where something you'll feel comfortable in because you're probably going to find yourself just sitting around, whether it's on an airplane, waiting for your flight, or waiting in baggage claim. Wear comfortable shoes because I'd be more than willing to bet you're going to be doing some walking.
• Pack early - Don't be like me and wait until a few hours before your flight to pack. Lay everything out and figure out exactly what you're going to need. If you wait until the last minute to pack, you may get to your destination and realize you forgot to pack some essentials.
• Check into your flight within 24 hours of your flight leaving - Nowadays, you can easily check into your flight online which saves you the hassle of having to deal with checking in at the airport and adding more time to your wait. If you check in online, you can have your boarding pass emailed or text straight to your smartphone and use that to check in. This means you can head straight to security and get on your way faster. For iPhone users, if you check in online, it will give you the option to add your boarding pass to your "Passbook" app which will then give you reminders of when your flight will begin boarding. Oh Apple, how much easier you make my life.
• Bring things to keep you occupied - Again, you're going to have downtime. Don't just sit on your phone and drain the battery because you may need it later on. Bring magazines, a book, a tablet or computer to watch movies, homework, etc.
• Be aware of your surroundings - I can't stress ENOUGH how important this is! Don't be the girl walking through the airport mindlessly scrolling Twitter. If you aren't aware of what's going on around you, you could very easily have items go missing or even worse, you could go missing. Unfortunately it is a very real scenario. So PAY ATTENTION to where you are, what you're doing, and who's around you!

So tell us, what do you think? Do you have any travel tips you'd like to add? Comment below and share them with us!