Group Travel Tips

1. Colored Duct Tape

Pick out a crazy color or pattern of duct tape. Put a large strip across each suitcase that is traveling with your team. At the airport, they will be easy to spot and your team can help lift luggage off the carousel for one another.

2. Count Off!

It can help to assign each person a number so they can “count off” when you get ready to depart anywhere. Rather than having one leader count each person on the bus, simply have your loudest team member start with “one!” and the rest will follow. Clever variations on this have been to give each team member a couple words or a phrase of a well known song. The challenge is to sing the tune as seamlessly as possible as each person chimes in at the correct moment.

3. News Source

We’ll share photos and stories of what is happening to provide peace of mind for family to keep them up to date. There’s a link specific for your team that can be found at ppm.org. Share that link on social media before you take off so your loved ones can stay in the loop!

4. Travel Coordinator

Is there a really travel savvy person on your team? Assign them to be the travel day coordinator! Maybe that’s organizing and keeping track of all the passport copies, luggage slips, and flight information. Then, you have a go to person when it comes to any and all travel logistics!

5. Booking Transportation

When booking transportation for your team it’s important to think about each phase of your trip. Do you need flights? How is your team getting to and from the airport? Are you driving to your location? Each phase of the trip will have transportation needs that must be planned and budgeted for - if you need help, talk with your PPM consultant.

6. Booking Flights

If you are a Praying Pelican team, we have simplified the travel booking process for you. With our travel partnerships and resources, you will have access to all of the best travel solutions available. Our partners are committed to saving you money on airfare while providing around-the-clock service, access to deals not available to the public, and the best options for group travel needs.

7. Ground Transportation

Each location will have different ground transportation needs. You will need to contact your PPM Missions Coordinator to fully assess your transportation needs. A common thing people overlooking when booking ground transportation is room for luggage and ministry supplies. Rather than cramming everyone into a small space, creating a miserable experience, it’s best to plan for extra room.

8. Passports (for international trips):

Everyone traveling internationally is required to have a passport and a round-trip airline ticket. Passport cards are not sufficient for international travel. Visit travel.state.gov/passport for information on requirements for obtaining a US Passport.

Obtaining a passport is an investment in your future travel. The U.S. government is now requiring passports to visit Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as almost all other countries around the globe. One of the benefits of having a U.S. passport is that it now becomes your most official form of identification and is accepted worldwide.

Immigration and Customs:

If you are traveling internationally, the fastest way to get through immigration is for each member of the team to know basic details of the trip. This includes:

• How long they will be in country?
• What they will be doing (basic; volunteering with a local church)?
• Where they will be staying (the name of the church and the town it’s in).
• If you need any of these details, don’t hesitate to ask your PPM consultant as your trip date approaches.

Customs can either breeze by or you could be asked a few more questions. We recommend for leaders to split up; have one take the lead and be the first out of the airport (PPM staff will be waiting to greet them and get everyone organized) and the other to be the last one out. The leader in back can be the go to person for any questions customs agents may have for your team.