How to Survive Travel Day on the Race

When I signed up for the World Race, I was excited about two things: making disciples and traveling. It’s a blessing that in this case, the two work together so well. While I can’t imagine going on the Race when it was 11 countries in 11 months (11n11), our 6 countries have proven to be quite the traveling experience. Every two months or less, we pack our packs and hit the road (or the air) and head to our next country. We’ve learned a lot during these travel days, and here’s a link to a reel we made to give you a glimpse of the experience! So, whether you’re a future Racer, a parent preparing for PVT, or a travel junkie, here are some of my tips and tricks to survive a travel day on the World Race!

BEFORE YOU GO:

Make sure your Passport will be valid thru your return date to the US (ideally with a couple months of wiggle room)
Check to see if the country you are entering will require a Visa.
Don’t pack your Passport. Keep it in your Day pack!

BY AIR: (step-by-step recommendations)

ALWAYS keep your Passport on you.
We travel with a pack (typically 45-65L), a day pack (think Patagonia Refugio 28L), and the occasional guitar. Pro Tip: Keep your toiletries in your day pack, and maybe an extra pair of undies & a T Shirt for those long travel days and surprise delays.
An Airporter will come in handy when traveling with a pack. They don’t want items hanging off of your pack by carabiners, so an airporter eliminates that issue. Pro Tip: Buy an Airporter 10L bigger than your pack…this leaves extra room for that last minute sweatshirt you want to stash away before the flight!
Most flights have a 50lb weight limit for your pack. Many International airports use kg instead of lbs, so keep an eye on your pack’s weight! Pro Tip: Make sure you or someone in your group has a travel scale so that you’re not unpacking in the check in line!
When travelling in large groups, arrange smaller travel groups, based on last name or how the tickets were purchased. This way 26 people don’t approach the airline employee all at once and you’ll make sure everyone gets the boarding passes they need. Pro Tip: On the Race, we plan to begin check-in at the airport 4 hours before the departure time of our flight. Eliminates stress of missing flights anddd conveniently leaves time for a coffee run at the terminal, you’ll need it.
Remove any old flight information from your luggage to make room for the new ones and clear up any confusion. Pro Tip: Label your pack with your name and contact information!
Once you’re through the check-in line, head to security. You know what to do! Pro Tip: For ease, leave all toiletries in one bag in your day pack to remove at security if needed.
When travelling with a large group, first find the terminal and gate, then find the coffee.
Airport food is expensive! Pack snacks ahead of time: granola bars, nuts, bagels, fruit, crackers, etc. You’ll want food that feels light and fresh when your travel day is 12-24+ hours long! Pro Tip: After flying Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant in the States, it was a surprise and delight to find out that international flights typically provide snacks and a meal for free—and they are delicious. Don’t buy that $25 subway sandwich in the Istanbul Airport, it won’t be worth it.
Bring something you enjoy on the plane. Hot take, if you don’t read in real life, you’re not going to want to read on the plane! Download music, movies, and podcasts before the flight (and keep earbuds easily accessible!). Pro Tip: While you still have phone service, or airport Wi-Fi, download the language of your destination on Google Translate. This will be so useful upon arrival!
Encourage your group to use the restroom before getting off the plane. We’ve had a squadmate nearly miss a connection because of an emergency bathroom stop!
When going through customs, don’t worry. The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind! He wants us to bring the gospel to the world, and he’ll help us do that. So… smile kindly, ask their name, say you’re a tourist, and be on your way!
You’re through customs, you’ve claimed your baggage, you’ve taken a bathroom break, and now all 26 of you are hungry and eager to travel to your final destination. Be patient as this last leg of land transportation can be challenging to navigate in a new country! Pro Tip: This is where an internationally accepted Credit Card and brother Google Translate will come in clutch.
And always, Ask the Lord who he wants you to interact with during your travel day. You’re bringing the light and hope of Jesus to the nations, and it starts now! Airports and planes are prime ATL locations.

BY LAND: (bullet-pointed tips as this travel varies!)

ALWAYS keep your Passport on you.
When traveling by bus, at border crossings, they may ask you to remove all your belongings from the vehicle. Pro Tip: Keep all your belongings organized in one bag for quick removal at borders.
Bring toilet paper. Many of the gas stations will not provide it!
Bring food. You’ll be grateful to have light and fresh snacks when all of the rest stops offer chips, cookies, and the occasional Börek. Pro Tip: Make overnight oats the night before you travel. It doesn’t spoil quickly if you’re using an alternative milk, and it serves as a good meal when you’d typically eat only snacks during the 14+ hour bus/train ride. Make it in an empty peanut butter jar for easy disposal!
When travelling by train, make sure to use the bathroom beforehand and bring hand sanitizer. Train bathrooms are alarming.
When travelling by train, make sure to double check that you board the correct one. There may be multiple with the same destination and the same departure time. They won’t check your ticket when you board, and they don’t usually walk through until you’re 15 minutes deep into this train ride and you’ll have to purchase a new ticket for their train…am I speaking from experience? maybe…
When travelling by train, keep an eye on the map as you approach your destination because they don’t typically announce the names of each stop. Pro Tip: Make friends with a native who speaks the language and knows the area, they’ll likely be excited to help you find your stop and help you get off successfully.
And always, Ask the Lord who he wants you to interact with during your travel day. You’re bringing the light and hope of Jesus to the nations, and it starts now! Buses and trains are prime ATL locations.

Hopefully these lend themselves helpful to you! Drop any Travel Tips & Tricks of your own in the comments below!! Here are some of my favorite travel day memories for your enjoyment 🙂 Happy Travels!