Hassle-Free Tips for Early Morning Travel

Take the stress out of early morning travel with these fail-proof travel tips!

"So wait a second, what you're saying is I need to set my alarm for WHAT TIME tomorrow?!" 

Yeah, I've been there. Many, many times in fact. Getting up at an indecent hour is just not okay and should be some form of punishment for those who have wronged you. But sometimes it is absolutely necessary for travel and we just have to deal with it.

Traveling itself can be stressful, but adding in the factor of having to do it very early in the morning can be downright cruel. Today, I'm sharing some of my personal, fail-proof tips to help you crush it at your early morning travel!

Stop Drinking Caffeine 24 Hours Before Departure

Asking someone to put down their coffee is just mean and uncalled for. I totally get it! 

But listen, if you stop drinking caffeine at least 24 hours before you have to travel, it can really give you a lot of benefits! Doing so will let your body tire out so that you can get some true rest the night before, and that first sip of coffee in the morning before you leave will really get you up and out of the door!

Check Packed Suitcases/Luggage and Checklists the Night Before

If you are like me and using a packing checklist to ensure you have everything you need for your trip, try to save yourself some time (and stress) in the morning and do it the night before. Checking on my packed luggage to ensure I have all I need is the last thing I do before I go to sleep before I travel--it helps set my mind at ease and helps me rest better.

Set an Alarm, then Set a Backup Alarm

Only once have I had my cell phone die on me in the middle of the night--but when that happened, my alarm did not go off and I was late getting up in the morning.

Don't hesitate to set a few alarms to ensure you wake up on time, and then do yourself a favor and grab a second device and set a backup alarm (for those 'oh crap' moments!) 

Have the "Day of Travel" Outfit Set Aside

I remember one time when I was flying from Boston to San Diego that I packed all of my clothes and then the morning I had to get ready for my flight I realized I had packed the clothes I wanted to wear that day, too! It took me an extra half hour going through my packed suitcase sorting through my clothes to find my outfit and get ready.

Fold, hang, or set your clothes aside that you are going to wear the night before somewhere away from your packed luggage. Make it easy in the morning to get dressed (and don't forget your shoes!) 

Ask a Friend to Check on You in the Morning

We all have that friend who gets up early every morning (and sometimes that friend who never seems to go to bed). If you are worried about not waking up on time, ask a buddy to check up on you to make sure you are on schedule. One of my long-time college friends has to work at a coffee shop at 3am every day--if I am worried about not waking up in time, I may ask her to text or call me to make sure I am awake and headed out the door. 

If you are truly worried about waking up (or even staying awake for a red-eye), it could be a nice added piece of mind if you have someone who is happy to look after you and ensure you don't mess up your travel plans.

Skip the Drive-Thru, Brew Your Coffee at Home

Whenever I have an early morning trip, the first thing I do when I wake up is head to the kitchen to start my coffee pot. That way, I can let me coffee brew while I am getting ready! 

Once I am ready to leave, I'll grab a Dixie® To Go cup and my luggage and confidently head out the door. I always prefer a disposable coffee cup when I am traveling, since I can toss it once I am done and there is no effort involved with any clean up or having to carry it around with me all day. The Dixie® To Go cups have always been reliable and I haven't ever had any issues with them leaking and ruining my clothes.

Bring Something to Pass the Time 

You get to the airport or bus station before dawn and you find yourself sitting and waiting. It happens. 

Some people may tell you to give yourself less time in the morning before early travel, but I've done that before, and when I did I nearly missed my flight due to an unexpected delay at the security gate. So unless you would rather risk the chance of missing your flight entirely and then being stuck at the airport until who knows how long until you can catch your next departure, plan like you will sit and have to wait and bring something to keep yourself entertained (e.g. a book, magazine, crossword or puzzle book, tablet, laptop with headphones, etc).

Give Yourself Extra Time (Even if You Think You Don't Need It)

When traveling in the early hours of the morning, I always try to give myself some extra time just in case there is some sort of hiccup either on the way to where I am going or before I even leave the house. 

If I am driving myself in my own vehicle, I try to aim for allotting an extra 15 minutes. If I am relying on public transportation to get to where I am going (i.e. a light rail, train, bus, taxi, etc), I aim for 30 minutes. Trust me, you don't want to miss that early morning ride to get where you are going and risk running late!

Listen to Your Favorite Music to Get Your Mind Right

Hey listen, most of us do not like having to get up and be productive before the sun is out! But I've found that listening to my favorite playlist helps keep me positive and puts an extra pep in my step to get me going for my day of travel!

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I was selected for this paid opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.