Travel icon Judith Chalmers shares the best stress-free tips for traveling with a smile

Her advice also includes booking things early, always have a backup of printed tickets — and bring a comfortable scarf.

She has also landed a new and unusual role as “Chief Smile Officer” at Heathrow Express – appointed to keep rail passengers happy and help them get a smiley start.

It comes after research shows that the average adult goes into a cranky mood five times a week, and it takes 20 minutes to get out.

But half of the 2,000 adults surveyed are happy when they wake up on the day of a vacation, and 23 percent feel like an adventure.

Nearly a third (31 percent) said booking a vacation always puts them in a good mood, and 25 percent like the last day at work before a trip.

Another one in three (32 percent) enjoy nothing more than feeling the sun on their faces when they finally get off the plane and go on vacation.

Judith Chalmers said: “There are so many stories of delayed travel and delays – but let’s face it, we all still want to leave.

“There are a number of things you can do to give yourself the best chance of a smooth and stress-free journey, which is why I’ve partnered with Heathrow Express to help everyone travel with a smile.

“Follow these tips and you’ll give yourself the best chance of having a great trip from start to finish.”

Mark Eastwood, Head of Commercial Strategy at Heathrow Expresssaid: “We are delighted to welcome Judith Chalmers OBE to the Heathrow Express team.

“Judith was already on board to share her tips and her smile, and we hope they will spread to all passengers boarding.”

JUDITH CHALMERS’ 12 TOP TIPS FOR A HAPPY TRAVEL:

1. Book early – Keep it calm and worry-free by booking your train, transfers and trips nice and early so that there is no rush or panic on the day of travel. You’ll have more choice, a better price, and you might even get some perks.
2. Print it out – Most tickets have now gone digital, but this often brings with it a concern that the phone’s battery will run out or you won’t be able to find where you saved the documents. Some of us don’t have a smartphone either, so bring a piece of paper. Print your tickets and let go of the stress, and take a photo of your passport too – just in case!
3. Group Leader – When traveling with friends and family, often one person becomes the designated leader and retains the tickets and boarding passes. It is wise to double down and keep copies of each other’s vital signs. Set up a group chat and share everyone’s boarding passes, passports, accommodation details, booking references and the itinerary – then there are no worries or hassles.
4. Be comfortable – You’ll be sitting and walking no matter how long it takes to get to your destination, so you don’t want to do that in tight jeans. Loose, comfortable clothes will help you keep that beautiful smile!
5. Wrap up – And by this I don’t mean you’re wearing a big coat! I mean, bring a pashmina shawl or a comfortable scarf for the road as it will hold back the draft and double as a pillow. And of course as a fashion accessory.
6. Be safe – While most countries no longer have Covid procedures, you may want to keep hand sanitizer and a mask handy just in case.
7. Stay connected – Keep your charger in your carry-on bag. Cell phones weren’t even a thing when I started traveling, but they’re definitely an absolute necessity now, with the built-in camera and maps. And if your battery is low, you don’t want to dig too deep to find the charger.
8. Pack light, use wheels – We’ve all seen the images of suitcases waiting or their owners in airports, and we’ve all heard stories of missing suitcases. If possible, travel with hand luggage only and keep it with you. On the other hand, you also sail through the airport.
9. A little jargon goes a long way – Before you arrive at your destination, you should at least learn how to say hello, goodbye and thank you in the local language. Not only will you feel good talking to the locals or ordering at the bar, but you’ll spread a smile – and there’s nothing more fun than that.
10. Keep Little Minds Busy – When traveling with kids, the best way to keep them calm is to keep them entertained. A book or tablet to read or play games, an activity pack, even their favorite snacks in small containers. Anything to keep them happy will make your journey more smiley.
11. Touristy or not touristy – Yes, we are all tourists. But that doesn’t mean we should limit ourselves to touristy restaurants. Take a side street, get off the main strip and sample food where the locals eat. You generally eat better, cheaper and more authentic.
12. Travel More – The best way to travel with a smile is to TRAVEL MORE. There’s a great and wonderful world out there, and each destination is a different reason to smile.