Traveling internationally can be scary, especially if it is your first time or you are alone. CIMBA was my first time flying by myself, and I was super nervous! These are the tips and tricks that I used to ease my anxiety.
Write Up an Itinerary
One of the best things I did was create an itinerary of where I had to go and when. Having a schedule that you can check back on every once in a while, is a great way to calm your nerves when you do not have anyone to talk it out with. I decided to type mine out and take a picture of it. It may seem redundant, but a little reassurance goes a long way when you are doing something big for the first time.
Some of the things I would recommend including in your itinerary:
1. The details and times of your flight/flights.
Include all the information you were given about your flights. That way, all the information you could ever need when finding your plane or even your seat is in one spot. You may have to add your gate information closer to your flight time, but make sure to pay attention to any gate changes! They may announce them over the loudspeakers and have where you should go on the previous gate’s information screen.
2. Information on what to do when your plane lands.
This seems a little silly, especially if you have flown before, but sometimes a simple reminder of the next steps can be super helpful. Most of the time you just have to follow the signs to your next destination. I also included what bus I should take to Venice, how to get a ticket, where to validate the ticket, and when the bus runs. This portion gave me a great understanding of my next steps, so much so that I was helping other tourists validate their tickets and get on the bus!
3. Your hotel information if you are flying into Italy early.
This was a lifesaver for me. Once I was off the plane and on the island, I made sure to have the coordinates of my hotel, a map that showed how close the bus station was to where I was staying, and the codes I needed to get into the building. Without this information easily accessible, I would have gotten lost, but I had an awesome game plan that made navigating this new city a piece of cake.
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Airports can be incredibly busy. This makes it easy to get lost or go in the wrong direction. When you are entering the airport, pay attention to the signs. If you are checking your bag, you have to go to your airline’s desk. You will go through TSA before you can find your gate; read the signs in line. They will most likely tell you to take your shoes off, take electronics bigger than your phone out of your bag, and empty your pockets. These rules sometimes vary, so it is good practice to check the signs and listen to what the TSA officers are saying to the people ahead of you.
Once you are in the terminal, take a second to look for your gate. Mistakes are most often made when you rush. Then follow the signs to your gate and check the information screen to double-check that you are in the right place. Always listen to the announcements in case they are talking about your flight.
When you land at your layover or destination, once again, it is as easy as following the signs. Even if you are in a country that speaks a language you do not understand, most of the time they will have the instructions in English as well.
Ask For Help
Airport workers are often very willing to help you. If you need help finding your gate or customs, just ask. I had to ask for help twice when I was flying to Venice. Once, when I was not sure what TSA line I was supposed to go to (it did not matter), and when I was not sure where the bus that was going to take me to Venice was (just outside the airport). Both times, the employees were happy to help.
Lastly, take a breather when you need to. Do not be afraid to pause when you are feeling anxious or scared to ground yourself before you continue on. And, of course, text your loved ones before you take off and when you land!
Safe travels, ciao!
Sophia