8 Amazing Travel Hacks

Travel can be a fun experience. However, if you do not prepare, it can be taxing and stressful. Exploring the unknown is more fun if you can just make the necessary preparations that will make your travel smoother and better. You will definitely benefit if you have prepared and ironed out everything, even before you board your plane.

There are a million things that could go wrong when you travel. Even seasoned travelers make mistakes too. Why endure making mistakes when you can prevent and avoid them in just a few easy steps?

Travel hackers are the people constantly chasing miles, rewards, points, and elite status. Do you think that you are a good travel hacker? Here are some tips that could help you.

Travel Hacks for Packing Your Things

Packing things can be such a chore. If you don’t pack your things well, you might end up with excess baggage or you might forget something essential for your trip. Here are a few things that could make packing more convenient for you.

Make a checklist. Don’t forget to pack everything that you need. If you are under any kind of medication, you must remember to pack enough medicines for your trip. You wouldn’t want to go running around pharmacies, especially in a foreign country. It can be difficult to explain what you need, and dosages of their tablets might be different. Also, try to pack basic medicines for headaches, fever, and colds.

When you pack your clothes, you need to maximize space so that you won’t have bulky luggage. Instead of folding your clothes, try rolling them, as this technique has proven to be very effective in saving space. Bring classic pieces and just mix and match when you are at your destination. Even if you are going to a tropical island for vacation, it is always a good idea to bring a nice dress or a smart casual outfit just in case something comes up.

A great tip is to take a photo of each suitcase while it’s open so that you have an image of what’s in each suitcase. That way, when you land you won’t be searching for which suitcase has diapers—this is a great tip for traveling with kids!

If you are going for a short trip, you can use straws as containers for creams and liquids. Just make sure to seal them well and to put them in a zip lock to avoid making a mess in your luggage.

Travel Hacks before You Leave for a trip

Hotels are often pricey. If you are looking for something more affordable, try looking for a house for rent (if you are traveling with family) or a room for rent (if you are travelling alone).

Ever go on a long trip and come back and can’t remember where the heck you parked your car? Take a quick photo with your smartphone BEFORE you leave the parking garage of which level and parking spot you used.

Make sure that you scan your passport, visa, and ticket, and e-mail them to yourself. You can also memorize your passport number and flight details if possible. This small step can save you from stress in case you lose these very important travel documents.

If you are going to a foreign-speaking country, search for apps that could help you to communicate with the locals. You don’t need to learn the entire language. Choose apps wisely, and you will not have trouble conversing with locals about your basic needs.

When you plan to bring your camera, do not forget to take a picture of yourself first. It will prove that the camera is yours in case you lose it.

Travel Hacks during your trip

Train passes usually come cheaper if you book in advance. If you want, you can book everything in advance. Imagine the money you will save if you efficiently plan your itinerary ahead. All you have to do is to check the website of the train companies in the country you’re visiting.

Take advantage of breakfast buffets. Fill up your tummy so that you won’t spend much on food. Some food establishments even allow tourists to bring food when they leave. Take advantage of their generosity. More often than not, locals are more than happy to help tourists enjoy their trip.

Always remember the address of where you are staying. It is wise to bring a card of the hotel with you in case you get lost. You can always just show the card to someone, and it will be easier for you to find your way home.

While some countries often give tax rebates or discounts to tourists, there are vendors and sellers who will take advantage of tourists who are not informed of the proper pricing. Ask around and don’t look like you will believe everything. As a traveler, you must always use caution to avoid scams and other sorts of trouble. Conversely, in Europe, be sure to look for a blue VAT FREE symbol in a shop—depending on the country and what you’re buying, you could save 19% off the purchase price!

When you travel around tourist spots, one of the easiest ways to save money is to bring bottled water. You are bound to get thirsty often if you are always walking. Just refill your bottle whenever you get a chance.

It is a wise idea to use the internet for your own safety. Make sure that you search for any possible scams. Do your research. Blogs are very useful because they will tell you about the experiences. Read up before you leave. You never know when random information would come in handy. One great tip is to use the app CityMaps2Go—it’s free and you can download a Google-based city map of most major cities. You don’t need a data plan to run the app and it works as a GPS too! Plus, you’ll have Wikipedia articles at your fingertips in the app so that you can do your own walking tour of the city.

Travelling can be very stressful if you are not prepared. However, if you efficiently plan out everything, you will likely minimize trouble.

Don’t forget to have fun when you travel! Make friends and a lot of memories.

As a frequent adventure seeker, I’m always looking for the best price, most memorable experiences and how to travel with the least amount of stress as possible.  Over the years, I have uncovered tips and tricks the travel industry doesn’t want you to know.

 I’ve condensed the best tips that will save you money and time, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.

1. Get the Best Price on Airfare.

The best time to purchase airline tickets is between six to eight weeks from your departure date.  The only time you want to purchase tickets well in advance is if you will be traveling around or during major holidays.

 Airfare rates can change up to three times a day.  The best time to buy tickets is on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  If you have some flexibility when you can travel, that will help keep the costs down.  Generally speaking, Sunday is the most expensive day to travel.  The least expensive days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

2. Find the Best Deal Possible by Becoming an Internet Ninja.

Always enable private browsing when you are researching flights and hotels.  Some websites will track your visit and raise the price slightly when they know you have visited before.

3. Roll Rather Than Fold.  

You can pack significantly more items in your suitcase by laying your clothes onto a flat surface and tightly rolling them up.  This technique will also prevent wrinkling. 

 Stack as many as four of a like item (shirts, sweaters or pants, jeans) and roll them up.  Stack heavier or harder items that have been rolled on the bottom part of your suitcase, towards the bottom part where the wheels are.  Add the lighter items on top. 

 Shoes and wrinkle resistant items should go along the edges of the suitcase, creating a border of the rolled items.  Cushion toiletries in a case or small bag on the top part of the suitcase with the softer rolls of clothes.  Throw in a dryer sheet to keep your clothes smelling fresh while in transit.

 4. Shoes Can Hold Items, Too.

 If you are pressed for space, pack your socks and undergarments into your shoes you will be carrying in your suitcase.  I’ve also packed wine I’ve purchased at vineyards while on vacation into boots and slippers on my return flight home.  They make for excellent cushioning!

 5. Be Creative with Packing Small Items.  

Every time I am traveling and want to bring jewelry, I get pretty creative with how I pack them.  Purchase a plastic weekly pill box and pack your earrings and rings in them for easy organization.  For transporting necklaces hassle free, loop each chain on the necklace through a straw and make sure the clasp is closed.  This will prevent tangling.  Use disposable plastic contact lens holders to pack creams, liquid makeup and chapstick.

 6. Create Instant Speakers in Your Hotel Room.

 You can easily turn up the volume of music, your alarm or a speakerphone by placing your phone into a ceramic mug (most hotel rooms have them available) in an upright position. 

 7. Know Your Options for Alternate Sources of Power.

More than once I have forgotten my wall plug for my cell phone charger while traveling.  And of course I didn’t have my laptop with me, either.  So I had to get clever.  As long as you have the USB cable, you can charge it by plugging it into the USB slot of the television in your hotel room.  This outlet will be located on the side of the screen or on the back.

 8. Eat on the Cheap.

If you are staying in a hotel that doesn’t offer a free breakfast and you want to save on expenses, you can utilize some hotel room equipment to make food.  Use the iron in your room to make paninis or grilled cheese.  Build your sandwich of choice, wrap in foil and iron your sandwich on high for a couple minutes on each side or until your sandwich is golden brown and delicious. 

You can also make instant oatmeal in your coffee pot.  Simply add the instant oatmeal to the pot and allow the hot water to drip into the pot.  Mix together well, add some nuts and berries and enjoy.