How To Make The Most Of Your Last Few Hours Of Vacation

The day you return from vacation (also known as “departure day” because you’re leaving the place you’re going) can make you feel sad or stressed.As a result, many travelers don’t make plans and don’t make the most of the last few hours before returning home.

But you don’t have to get too hung up on the fact that you have to go to the airport or train station-especially if it’s going to cause you to miss out on your last morning.Below, travel experts share advice on how to make the most of your departure day.

Packed the night before

Take some time the night before you leave to put most of your stuff back in your suitcase.This way, you won’t have to scramble to unpack before heading to the airport, and you’ll still be able to squeeze in time to relax or explore in the morning.

Book a later flight

If time is flexible, choosing an evening or late afternoon flight may be the best way to make the most of your departure day.This frees up your morning for last minute activities or walks.

Request for late check-out

If my flight is in the afternoon or evening, the first thing I do is ask for a late checkout.If that’s not possible, then I’ll make sure I can store my luggage somewhere safe and that they have bathrooms where I can change and even take a quick shower.

Alternatively, you may choose to check out early and leave your luggage at the front desk so you can free up time for your morning excursions.Whatever you decide, make sure you know when you must leave for the airport or other transportation hub.

I suggest you backtrack a bit to determine when you need to leave for the airport.Once you know how much time you have, ask the hotel if you can check out late or at least store your luggage.

Choose a relaxing activity

The rest of your day should be treated as a reward.Look for short trips or experiences that will provide you with an experience beyond what you expected or planned.This could be a food workshop or art tour, or just visiting some stores you hadn’t been to before your trip.

If you’re in the city, consider a walk, a visit to a museum or gallery, or a hearty breakfast at a local cafe.If you’re by the water, take one last swim or a slow stroll on the beach.The purpose of this is to do something relaxing with your free time.

Prepare an “emergency kit”

If you’re in a warm place and want to spend your last day walking on the beach and in the pool, it’s useful to take a change of clothes (or even deodorant and a toothbrush) with you so that you’re refreshed and to make sure you don’t get cold during the flight.The same principle applies to almost any destination.

I recommend packing a small ‘travel’ bag full of travel clothes and essentials for the day of departure.This way, you can enjoy the morning or afternoon to the fullest, and when you leave, you can change your clothes and get ready for your flight.

Even if you don’t have a small “travel bag”, you can travel more comfortably by packing your pre-flight needs in a more accessible location in your suitcase.

Visit attractions near the airport

If my flight is in the late afternoon or evening, then I like to get to the airport early, check my bags, and go somewhere nearby to explore for a few hours before returning to board.

It is advisable to look for attractions within a 30-minute train or car ride from the airport to avoid the risk of traffic jams.Try to eat something at the airport so you don’t have to pay high prices for airport food.

For example, if you take off from Tokyo’s Narita Airport and take a 30-minute train ride to the nearby Shingon temple Naritasan.If you’re at the Mexico City airport, take a 20-minute Uber ride to the Sonora Witchcraft Market.It usually makes more sense to visit these attractions on the day of departure as they are located near the airport.This saves travel time and transportation costs.

But watch the time

As you are utilizing the last few hours of your trip, make sure you allow yourself enough time to get to the airport and get through security and other lines.If you are traveling internationally, keep in mind that you will need more time.

One of the things I practice that works is to set a clear “departure time” that indicates the latest time I should leave my destination in order to have enough time to get to the airport or train station.By clearly defining “departure time” and allowing some buffer time for unforeseen circumstances, I can still plan ahead for what I want to do without feeling any stress or guilt.I’ll set an alarm on my phone to make sure I don’t leave later than planned.