5 Hacks Athletes Need When Traveling

Whether they’re traveling for fall football games or gearing up for hockey season, fall is a busy travel season for athletes of all ages. Discover our five hacks athlete travelers can use to make travel easier, whether it’s packing up a uniform or using Today’s Best Western amenities to stay clean and connected while away.

1. Stick to Your Routine

Many athletes maintain a strict nutrition plan, and when a game takes them across the country, a strict diet can be especially important. Before you leave for your trip, make a plan of what type of food you need to perform best on game day. Then, research local grocery stores and even farmers markets near your destination that will help you stick to your routine. For a healthy start to the day, rise and shine with a Best Western build your own breakfast, available at most locations.

2. Boost Circulation

Long flights and drives are common for many athletes. Wear compression socks or tights while you travel to boost circulation, prevent swelling and support your leg muscles. This will help make sure travel fatigue won’t impact your performance.

3. Get a Good Night’s Rest

Speaking of travel time, many sports teams and athletes utilize night travel as a way to save time and get to a destination quickly. You can get a better night’s rest on an airplane or vehicle (as long as you’re not driving, of course) by packing a pair of dark sunglasses, a cozy hoodie and a chamomile tea packet. While these may seem like an odd pairing, all three of these items serve a unique purpose. Dark sunglasses will prevent early morning light from waking you up, letting you rest for a few more hours. A cozy hoodie doubles as a blanket and can easily be tied around your waist, saving vital suitcase space. Lastly, a chamomile tea packet can easily be placed in a thermos of warm water, available at a gas station or from a flight attendant, to help you sleep.

4. Get Your Muscles Moving

Use your surroundings. Many Best Western Hotels & Resorts locations offer an in-hotel gym for you to warm up or cool down. Don’t want to head to the gym? Explore your destination by foot with a brisk walk or jog, or workout right in your hotel room.

5. Pack with Purpose

Make the most of your suitcase space. With heavy equipment and uniforms to pack, it can be hard to make room for comforts like cozy sweatpants and a good book. By utilizing packing cubes, you can compress items like clothing and organize the cubes by day, making laundry even easier. For instance, after you wear your “Monday clothes,” you can place them back in the same cube to easily keep track of what’s dirty and what is not.

Every athlete has a journey at Today’s Best Western. You can make the most of your sports travel with Best Western Rewards. This award-winning rewards program offers exciting perks, point redemptions and promotions. The best part? It’s free to sign up! Register for Best Western Rewards before your next sports trip to earn points on your next stay.