7 Great Tips in Observing Shabbos on a Trip
Shabbos is a day of great joy and happiness. However, as we all know, traveling on Shabbos can be very challenging, especially aboard a glatt kosher tour. To help you out of this concern, here are some tips and things to keep in mind when traveling on Shabbos so that you can focus on the most important part of Shabbos — keeping it holy.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead really contributes to a higher chance of a successful trip. Everywhere you travel, there are kosher restaurants, hotels and stores. Research the area you will be staying in before your trip to make sure that it is not only shomer shabbos, but also has the amenities you need such as a kosher restaurant or a store with a wide selection of kosher food items.
Charge Up Before You Leave
Before flying out on Friday afternoon, charge up your electronics so that once you land you’ll be able to use them as soon as possible. Charge your phone for extra time in case you need to contact someone about any mishaps that might take place during travel. If there is an outage in the airport and you’re unable to charge your phone, have a plan B and make sure that someone knows where you are at all times. Don’t forget to bring a travel adapter for your electronics!
Flying on Shabbos
Airlines have special arrangements for flights that cannot be completed before Shabbos. In most cases, the plane departs after sunset, while the travelers fly to their destination on Shabbos. The travelers are then transported by bus to the airport, where they board a plane after Shabbos begins, which enables them to arrive at their final destination before sunset.
If you have a layover on the way to your final destination, it’s best to book a flight that will not require a change of planes. This prevents you from having to run through the airport to catch a connecting flight while carrying baggage and wearing Shabbos clothing. If you must make a connection, however, it’s permitted if running isn’t an option because of weather or distance.
Know What Your Hotel Can Offer You for Shabbos
Most hotels offer Kosher items for sale. Even if they don’t offer prepared meals, it’s likely that the hotel can provide you with hot water for preparing your own food. If you have special requests, it’s best to make sure ahead of time, so don’t be shy about calling and asking!
Bring Your Own Utensils
If the hotel offers you a choice between plastic or metal utensils, bring your own plastic utensils with you. This will ensure that your Shabbos needs will be met without having to rely on the hotel to supply these items.
Keep Moving From Place to Place
Keep walking from your hotel to the shul or mikvah. A Mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath used as part of the process of converting to Judaism, as well as by some observant Jews prior to Sabbath and Yom Kippur observance and for various medical purposes.
Some hotels have them nearby, but not all do. It’s always worth checking out before booking your trip! If you have to take a bus, subway, train, taxi, or drive a car, do so while Shabbos is still in effect but stay just on the safe side of twilight. This way you can avoid most of the issues that arise when traveling on Shabbos. It is generally better not to stop in between places; it leaves too much room for doubt and potential problems.
Foods
Bring foods that don’t require heating up or cooking such as sandwiches, fruits and salads. Eat before Shabbos so that you don’t get hungry during the fast. Some hotels and kosher riverboat cruises may have foods available that were prepared before Shabbos and kept refrigerated (such as pre-made sandwiches). Ask them what is available for you to eat before Shabbos starts and make sure there is enough to last your entire stay.
