They say that travel opens the mind, broadens your horizons, and opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
I’m starting to get the travel itch once again, and I’d wager good money on the fact that I’m likely not alone.
In my time, I’ve seen my fair share of sights and I’d like to think I’ve picked up a few handy tips and tricks along the way, which is what I’ll be talking to you about today.
You see because I’m such a caring and selfless individual, I’m going to share some of the best travel hacks I’ve learnt over the years, with you today. To be precise, I’ll be sharing 21 of the best travel hacks I’ve picked up over the years, along with a few I’ve found from reliable sources online.
Check them out and see what you think.
Packing hacks
First up, here are se7en packing hacks that’ll make life so much easier for your trip.
Be realistic
This is an obvious one, but you’d be surprised by just how many people get carried away when packing for a holiday.
When you pack for a breakaway, always be realistic and only pack what you know for a fact you’ll really need.
That outfit that’s been at the back of the wardrobe for the last five years gathering dust, leave it at home!
Keep shoes in a separate bag
As you know, shoes can get dirty and as you don’t wash shoes as frequently as clothes, it’s hard to keep them clean.
When packing, always keep shoes in a separate bag, otherwise, you run the risk of making your clean clothes dirty.
Don’t pack soap/shampoo
When you pack your case, there’s no need to pack soap, shampoo, or conditioner, as you can buy it at the airport once you land.
Packing them means that they could leak and ruin your clothes, which will make you stressed before your holiday’s even started.
Mark your case with something unique
If you’ve got a cheap suitcase you don’t really care about, why not spray or paint your name on it brightly, just to avoid confusion at the baggage claim area?
Roll up nicer clothing
Ironing is a chore that I hate doing.
If you’re packing nice clothing and you’re worried it will wrinkle, instead of folding it, roll it up neatly.
Stuff socks inside shoes
If you’re limited for space, use the inside of your shoes for storing a bundle or two of socks, as long as they’re clean and fresh inside.
Do your calculations
Instead of just throwing as many items into your case as possible, instead, stop and work out how many items of clothing you’ll need.
For example, you’ll need socks during the day, and clean ones in the evening for going out, so work out how many you’ll need in advance.
Flying hacks
Next up, I’ll be sharing se7en flying hacks with you.
Flying is arguably the most stressful part of a holiday, but if you follow these hacks it’ll be that little bit less stressful.
Pack battery chargers
Nowadays, people are permitted to use phones, tablets, and electronics on flights and they’re great for beating boredom.
As you know, smartphone batteries never last long, so pack at least two spare battery chargers especially if you have a long flight ahead.
Don’t use seat pockets
Seat pockets may be useful, but the problem with them is the fact that they make it easy to forget smaller items such as smartphones, which is the last thing you want to do.
Fly in the day
If you hate storms and turbulence, a daytime flight is easier because hot air rises in the air, resulting in storms and bad weather in the evening.
Flights in the day are smoother usually, so there’s less chance of motion sickness.
Bring your own tea and coffee
Tea and coffee on planes are not cheap, so why not bring your own tea bags and coffee granules and make your own drinks with hot water instead?
Arrive early
Arriving at the airport early won’t just help reduce the stress associated with missing your flight, it will also increase your chances of a free/discounted upgrade, as airlines will often announce discounted/fee upgrades early on.
Board early
This one might be a bit controversial, but hear me out. If you board early you’ll always find a spot in the overhead bins for your hand-luggage.
I know it doesn’t sound like much but it can save you lots of hustle down the line when you won’t have to frantically try to find a spot for your carry-on. If you’ve been in that position, you know it’s not fun.
Try not to drink alcohol
While on holiday the temptation is always there to get tipsy before flying, especially if you’re a nervous flyer, but alcohol makes things worse.
Alcohol dehydrates you so you’ll feel awful once you land, plus it is a diuretic so you’ll be up and down to the toilet for a pee on the flight, which is far from ideal.
Money-saving hacks when travelling
Finally, in this last section, I’ll be sharing se7en tips with you to save money while travelling.
Book flights in the afternoon
Believe it or not, but flight tickets can change throughout the day, and typically they’re more expensive in the morning, so try to book in the afternoon.
Try to access club lounges
Certain hotel chains out there have club lounges, which you can purchase a pass for, or sometimes gain access to depending on your status.
These lounges almost always have delicious food and drink available for free, which could save you a lot of money.
Ask for discounts
When booking accommodation, don’t be afraid to ask for discounts.
Hotels cannot stand empty rooms, so if they have rooms empty they’ll want to fill them, even if it means offering them at discount prices.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Shop as the locals do
When on holiday, avoid chain stores and tourist traps, and instead shop as the locals do.
Use smaller independent shops, or look for markets as they’re usually cheaper, plus you may be able to haggle and get a better price
Never change the currency at the airport
When going abroad, you’ll need to get local currency to spend, but never change your currency at the airport.
The reason for this is that you’ll get a very poor exchange rate.
Instead, change it well in advance at your local bank.
Don’t pay for WI-FI when out and about
WI-FI at your accommodation will likely be included in your package, but don’t buy WI-FI when out and about.
Instead, look for free WI-FI in cafes, restaurants, and bars and use it for free there instead.
Purchase multi-day passes
If you’re staying in the same area for a long time and plan on using public transport, instead of paying as you go, purchase a multi-day pass.
This way, you can buy the pass for a set price, and travel as much as you like.
Packed with these 21 awesome travel hacks, you are now ready to tackle your vacation! Share with us if you have more tips that we didn’t mention. With that said, happy travelling!
Until next time stay safe, stay curious and don’t stop wandering!
