How To Survive Long Travel Days

Ok, take a deep breath… 🧘🏻‍♀️ I know long travel days can be exhausting.

Trust me, after 4+ years of full-time carry-on travel, I’ve lived through more of them than I can count. The longest? 50 hours. Yes, FIFTY HOURS 😳

I’ve made every mistake in the book—and seen plenty of others do the same. From sore backs to missed connections to regretting that third airport cinnamon roll… I’ve been there.

But the good news? It gets easier. And you don’t have to learn the hard way like I did.

If you’re wondering how to survive long travel days without arriving completely wiped out, today’s blog post has you covered.

I’m sharing my best travel day tips, what to pack, what to skip, and a few things I wish someone had told me before my first 30+ hour travel marathon.

Ready To Learn How To Survive Long Travel Days?

How To Survive Long Travel Days Like A Full Time Traveler!

✈️ Let’s Start With What to Wear on Long Travel Days:

One of the easiest ways to set yourself up for success on a long travel day? Wear the right outfit.

What you wear can seriously impact how you feel, especially when you’re navigating security lines, chilly airplanes, and hours of sitting.

If you’re wondering how to survive long travel days without feeling like a wrinkled mess by the time you land, start here—with clothes that are comfy, functional, and re-wearable once you arrive ⬇️

Comfortable Clothes: The key here is comfort. Avoid tight and non-stretchy clothes as you will likely be bloated during your flight. I usually opt for black joggers, comfy sneakers or flat shoes, and a super soft crewneck sweater. Other good and comfortable options include midi/maxi dresses or skirts.

⭐️ Pro tip: Remember you don’t want to pack things you will only wear on your travel day. Create your travel day outfits with pieces you’re going to be styling during your vacation as well ⭐️

Layering Pieces: Temperatures on airplanes and airports can be all over the place. That’s why it’s important to bring a pashmina, a denim jacket (or similar), and of course, a cami underneath your crewneck sweater. It can also get hot, so layering is key! (make these decisions depending on how cold/hot you usually get)

Comfortable Shoes or Sandals: Your feet will swell during the flight, so avoid heels or shoes that are too tight. And always remember to bring socks if you’re wearing sandals. I mostly travel with my comfy sneakers or the trusty Birkenstocks.

Recent Travel Day Outfit Examples:

🚫 What NOT to Wear on Long Travel Days…

The main things to consider here are: airport security, having to carry everything with you at all times and of course, airport and airplane bathrooms.

Wide Leg Pants: Avoid pants that can touch the bathroom floor. The last thing you want is for your hems to get wet in there 🤮 If you do bring wide leg pants because they’re the most comfortable thing in your suitcase, then roll them up to your thighs when using the restroom. Hope this makes sense lol.

Jumpsuits: I’ve made this mistake before. My black jumpsuit is so freaking comfortable BUT going to the bathroom is very uncomfortable (especially inside the plane). Also, it’s kind of annoying/terrifying if it touches the bathroom floor when you pull it down! 😬

Shorts, Mini Skirts, Short Dresses: Airplane seats are SO GROSS. Don’t touch them with your skin. Chances are someone else already sweat on them, put their feet on them, and all kinds of gross things we’ve witnessed. Avoid at all costs!

Light Colors, Especially White Pants: You can get away with a white t-shirt, but please don’t wear white pants. You’re just asking for a stain.

Makeup: I wear a little bit of makeup if we’re filming our Youtube videos. But I keep it really simple with some concealer, blush, and a lip balm. No mascara because it can get messy over time, especially if you forget you’re wearing it and you rub your eyes 😖 I don’t wear foundation just so I can moisturize mid-flight.

Too Many Accessories: This is annoying for the security line. The airport security area is not exactly a zen environment, so make things easier on yourself by keeping things simple.

👉🏻 I wrote a blog post with comfy and stylish airport outfit ideas. Check it out here!

Do you need help packing for your trip?

Simply answer these 2 questions about your trip and I’ll send you a customized packing list! It’s that easy. The best part? I’ve tried and tested these packing lists 👇🏼

How To Survive Long Travel Days – Tips for Inside the Plane:

✅ Moisturize: Have a face moisturizer handy to apply mid-flight. I always have my toiletries with me because I usually don’t check in my carry-on, but I intentionally have handy this antioxidant balm and this everything spray to apply mid flight. Game changer for my skin! (you can use code WAYSOFSTYLE10 for 10% off)

This will not only help your skin during the travel day, but also for the rest of your trip. You want to keep your skin balanced as much as possible.

✅ Hydrate. Drink tons of water. Yes, especially if you’re drinking alcohol, and even if it means you’ll have to use the airplane bathroom.

✅ Bring Socks OR Compression Socks: If you’re traveling with sandals, don’t forget your socks. And if you have an irrational fear of blood clots (like my husband), bring compression socks.

✅ Order Special Meals: When booking your tickets, pre-order your food! You know that ‘dietary restrictions’ section? You’ll have vegetarian options, Halal, Kosher, vegan, gluten-free, etc. You’ll get your food before everyone else’s, the food is way better, AND you’ll avoid being served something like this:

thank God for Prosecco 😂

✅ Pack Noise-Canceling Headphones: We’ve had screaming babies for HOURS. And while I do feel terrible for the parents, I don’t feel bad about putting my headphones in and listening to music or a podcast.

✅ Bring Pleasant Smelling Items: Oil, moisturizer, etc. Ok, this is actually gross, but it can happen… airplanes can get stinky.

People fart and take their shoes off even though they have cheese-smelling feet (recent true story 🧀), so it’s nice to put something that smells nice almost inside your nose if this happens. (this is also when my antioxidant balm has come in handy!)

Mistakes to Avoid During Long Travel Days:

🚫 Don’t Bring Too Many Things: A carry-on, a backpack, a tote bag, a water bottle, extra layers, neck pillow, a bag from the duty-free shop, a coffee, lunch… seriously. This is a recipe to make your travel day exhausting. Keep it simple!

🚫 Having All Your Important Stuff Inside Your Backpack: It’s annoying to take things out of a backpack. That’s why I have all our documents inside a travel document pouch and I wear this crossbody bag for my travel wallet, sunnies, chapstick, gum, etc. Think about the things you will use often and keep them handy.

🚫 Don’t Forget Your Adapter! If you have an international layover, the plugs at the airport can look different than in the US. So if you need to charge your phone, laptop, etc. it won’t be possible. We have traveled with this adapter since September 2021, and it’s still with us!

PS: when shopping for one of these, make sure you get one that’s also a converter. You will need it for your curling/flat iron, etc. Otherwise, you may cause a power outage in your building 😅

General Travel Day Tips Worth Mentioning:

These tips are a must if you’re looking how to survive long travel days – I know they’re helped me survive. So read carefully!

‼️ Bring an Emergency Packing Cube: If you have a tote bag or a backpack and you check your bags, pack an emergency packing cube! This little compressible packing cube holds my emergency clothing. Again, this only makes sense if you check your bags.

I pack a couple of emergency pieces just in case my bag doesn’t arrive to my final destination… which has only happened once and it was back ‘home’ in Florida. (I got the bag back 2 days later)

I pick these emergency pieces based on my destination and based on what I’m wearing for the travel day. I want to make sure I can create the maximum amount of outfits in case something happens to my bag. So, here’s an example of how that looks like ⬇️

Here’s what’s inside:

My husband has my deodorant and our toiletries in his backpack.

Also, these are the compressible packing cubes I swear by. Not only because they are great quality, but this company is owned by fellow travelers! We’ve followed their journey since they were broke backpackers, and now they have this multi-million dollar business, which I find so inspiring 💫 If you need packing cubes, these are the ones.

💄Use A Clear Bag for Toiletries: Anything that’s creamy or liquid (make-up too) needs to be packed in a clear bag and taken out of your suitcase in order to go through security at some of the major European airports. Be a pro traveler and do this in advance so you don’t become part of the madness. Increase your chances of flying through security!

👚Use a Stuffable Neck Pillow: If you can’t give up your neck pillow, consider getting one that you can stuff with your own things. This is a great hack to clear some space out of your suitcase for souvenirs on the way back home.

🧈 When the food comes, place your butter on top of the closed food tray to soften it a bit, this way you can actually spread it over your cold bread roll!

My Biggest Lessons About How To Survive Long Travel Days:

Travel days are only scary the day before. Like with everything else that life throws at you, you manage.

And I rarely think about the travel day after I arrive at a new destination. It’s all over before you know it. You’re lucky to get to experience long travel days. We all are. Embrace the journey, and remember that these experiences make great stories and memories ✨.

Long travel days are challenging, but applying these tips can make a huge difference in how you experience them.

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope this was useful. Remember you can always leave a comment below if you have any specific questions.

XO,

Aimara

PS: remember I can help you pack light! Just answer these 2 questions about your trip and I’ll send you a customized packing list!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.

I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.

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