Ilona Maher Shares Her Travel Needs – and Admits She’s an Airport Dad

Ilona Maher is the travel buddy we want to have. For one, she looks like she’ll keep us laughing through plane delays, lost luggage, and other travel mishaps. But also, the Olympic rugby player, viral TikTok sensation, and active “Dancing With the Stars” contestant is a bonafide travel pro, with her packed schedule taking her everywhere from South Africa to the Olympic Village in Paris .

PS had a chance to talk to Maher about her on-the-go lifestyle, and in true Olympian fashion, her travel plans include careful preparation, teamwork, and a healthy dose of overpacking. Ahead, she shares some of her favorite tips and must-haves—along with a few potentially off-putting travel opinions—to help you travel like another Olympian.

Ilona Maher’s Best Travel Tips

Perfect the Prep

The first rule of traveling like a champion is to set yourself up for success. For Maher, that means getting to the airport early to reduce the stress of a day of travel. Yes, she is an Airport Dad. “I don’t like to chance it,” she tells PS. ” If you’re worried about a flyer, it’s okay to get there early. Most of us are just on our phone hanging out, and you can do that at the airport and feel safer. Yes It’s okay to put your mind at ease.” (Even if that means just hanging out in the Delta lounge.)

She has a similar mindset when it comes to packing, saying that she often packs a few days in advance, or even packs and repacks her suitcase a few times to see what fits. “I don’t like to leave it for the day,” she says. “Just pack it a day or two before, leave it, and then you can go about your day and wonder if you missed anything.”

Love your Baggage

When it comes to luggage, Maher isn’t picky — her main requirement is that it has four wheels. “I love the four-wheeled luggage, I think it makes traveling a lot easier,” says Maher. Her current favorite is always very popular Beis baggage ($308). She usually flies with one smaller piece of luggage, one larger roller bag, and hand carry-on. And when it comes to luggage, she has another travel idea that might be off-putting. “I’m a checked bag person,” she admits, adding that the amount of rugby gear often makes it easier.

Comfort Above All

Maher knows that some people on social media love to dress up for the airport. . . but you won’t see Maher jumping on the bandwagon anytime soon. “It’s about comfort, especially on those long flights,” she says. “Even if it’s summer, I wear leggings or long pants.” The rest of her airport outfit is planned with logistics in mind, from sandals she can easily take off and go through security, to a sweater she packs in her carry-on in case the plane gets cold.

To relax

Beyond an extra layer, Maher also brings a few other travel essentials to help her relax and pass the time on long flights. “I always bring a neck pillow and an eye mask,” she says. “The biggest thing for me is knowing that you’re not going to be 100 percent comfortable. It’s not like you’re laying down in your bed, and you have to get used to that.”

Maher also has some other tips for sleeping more soundly on planes – some of which she passed on to her family on their 16-hour flight to South Africa. “If it’s an overnight flight, don’t try to overstimulate yourself by watching a movie,” she advises, adding that she often starts immediately after dinner with an audiobook or music – just in case you think, she is currently listening to a lot of Olivia Dean and reading “Not in love” by Ali Hazelwood ($11, originally $19). “To go to sleep, I put my hands in my seat belt and my jacket almost straight myself in a way,” she says, adding, “Even if you are not asleep, at least go into a state of rest .” Staying hydrated on the plane is also important, and for that, Maher is a big fan Owala water bottle ($29, originally $33) – which is also a favorite PS.

Weak Jet Forecast

After landing, Maher says the jet reading is usually her toughest opponent. “Whenever I go to Dubai, it’s like a 12-hour time difference, so it’s difficult,” she says. “I just try to keep to a normal sleep schedule.” That means if she lands at 8:00 am and there is still an eight-hour time difference, she will try her best to stay up. “Maybe I’ll take a little nap, but the main thing is to try to stay up as late as possible,” she explains.

What’s On Ilona Maher’s Travel Destinations Bucket List

As for where she is already, it’s hard to beat her flight to Paris for the summer Olympics. “Paris was amazing. It was so cool to be a Delta partner and fly with them [again],” says Maher. “My whole team was watching the little flying fun I was having and they were all sending me pictures. “She also loved Cape Town, South Africa, where she played in the 2022 Rugby World Cup, and a trip to Laos to promote the non-profit organization ChildFund Rugby with her sister.

How Ilona Maher Stays Busy Between Tours

Until then, Maher is staying busy with opportunities like “Dancing With the Stars” and social media. “‘Dancing with the Stars’ is really cool. It’s a strike while the iron is hot and [I’m] but trying to do as much as I can now,” she says. But while we often think of athletes in terms of physical prowess, Maher has also shown a certain level of mental resilience, becoming particularly vulnerable in recent episodes of “DWTS. “Still, learning to put herself first is a work in progress.

“I think that’s something I’m always learning,” she says, referring to her mental strength, adding that her support system, such as her manager sister, plays a big role. “I try to take those moments for myself, whether it’s being able to sit down, read my book, go for a walk – whenever I can find those moments, [I] try to take them.”

Whether it’s travel or television, Maher is looking forward to what’s to come, knowing she has plenty of support on her side. “I’m so excited, I’m blessed to be doing this, and even though I don’t get a lot of free time, it’s really fun and I’m doing something that so many people dream of doing.”

Chandler Plante is an assistant health and wellness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.