GENERAL TRAVEL HACKS YOU CAN'T GO WITHOUT
You're not so experienced with traveling and often face inconveniences because you're not prepared well? Maybe you just never heard of the most important tips and hacks for traveling!
But don't worry, you're exactly in the right place to never feel like you're missing some useful tips again - here are 30 travel hacks you’ll wonder how you ever did without.
Just thank us later 😉
1. Never pay for water at the airport
Things have gotten rather strict with bottles of liquid recently. Doesn’t matter whether it looks as if the seal been tampered with or not, a bottle with liquid in it is a no go. So, instead of bringing a full bottle, bring an empty bottle to the airport and refill it after you’ve passed through security. This definitely saves a lot of money and allows you to stay hydrated through the entire flight.
2. Bring warm clothes
Even when traveling to warm destinations it is still wise to bring a waterproof jacket for layering. Weather can be unpredicatable and many indoor places such as malls and cinemas are chilly from air conditioning. You might also already need it for inside the plane.
3. Roll your clothes for more space
One of the most simple but effective travel hacks there is. Rather than folding your clothes, roll them up into a little tube. This will save a ton of space and stop creases and wrinkles – all in all, pretty sweet! It even works for dresses! TIP: roll your tees and heaver shirts together, lay the tee on top and roll it inside the heavier shirt.
4. No expensive jewelry
Leave expensive jewelry at home - this also includes expensive-looking jewelry. You don't want to make yourself a target. And let's be honest - you won't need it anyway.
5. Charge your electronics through a TV
You've lost or forgotten your wall plug for your charger? No need to panic, most modern TVs have a USB connector on the back or side. Just plug in your electronical device and be happy again ;)
6. Buy a portable phone charger
Yes this might seem too simple, but it really could save you one time and it's so useful. Essentially these act as an external battery you can charge separately using a USB connector or even replenish with a store bought battery. Worth having one of these in reserve in case an emergency arises while your phone is out of juice.
7. Don't forget your back up
If travelling with a laptop be sure to back it up before you leave home. The travels can be hard on a computer and you're more likely to have something go wrong while traveling.
8. Email yourself a scan of your passport
You’ll thank yourself if you’re ever a victim of theft or loss. It’s also worth taking a screenshot of any journey confirmations. If you’ve booked any flights, buses or trains, whether you’re on your phone, laptop or tablet, make sure you screenshot them while you have Wi-Fi or internet access so you can access them when you’re no longer connected. So much easier than lugging around printouts. As travel hacks go, this is one you don’t want to ignore in case anything goes wrong.
9. 20% more
Take 20% more money than you think you'll need. Also, keep your money with you at all times, but not in the same pocket or money belt. Use for example an extra ankle bag.
10. Mark your baggage as fragile
Not only does this mean your bag is more likely to be handled correctly, but it’ll also find itself at the top of pile in the storage compartment of the plane. The result? Why, you’ll get your bag back first, of course. Jackpot.
11. Wash instead of pack
When packing for long trips, plan on washing clothes instead of packing more. Bring with you individual packs of Woolite for washing. In the end, you always wear and need way less than you thought you will.
12. Only unpack what you really need
If you’re backpacking your way across the universe, then it’s likely you won’t be staying in one place for too long. To save on packing time, only take out what you’ll definitely need in each hostel. This will leave you free for a quick and easy escape when you’re next on the verge of missing that bus.
13. Breakables
Wrap breakables in socks and tuck inside the shoes in your luggage - this offers great protection and is a handy space saver.
14. Make real travel friends using your phone
There are a whole load of apps out there that can help you make friends out on the road without going through the anxiety of having to approach groups in person. TravelBuddies and Backpackr can help you find travellers nearby and check out their itineraries. You can even match up your personalities by checking out their public profiles.
15. Go local
Sick of hanging around with other backpackers? Well why not get a local to show you all the best places in town to get your groove on, using the Party with a Local app. Get a real feel for life in the town you’re in, or the nightlife at least, avoid all the tourist traps and make a new friend, all through downloading this free app.
16. Pack a (tumble) dryer sheet in your bag
Sick of your clothes picking up the faint scent of old socks? Well this little trick will keep them smelling fresh throughout your trip. If you’re going for the long haul, take a little pack with you and replace whenever the sheet seems to be losing its potency.
17. Get your own personal departures and arrivals board
Ever get sick of straining your neck or even, God forbid, having to leave the airport bar to see the departures board at the airport. Well, thankfully modern life has done away with that ridiculous inconvenience. Simply download the app FlightBoard onto your phone and experience the VIP lifestyle.
18. Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge
If you want to keep your batteries fresher and full of juice for longer, bung them in the hostel fridge with your food. This is one of the more bizarre travel hacks on the list, but most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures, meaning you don’t need to charge them as often.
19. Give up your seat for free perks and upgrades
OK, it might not look like a cool hack on the surface, giving up your seat on that flight, but it’s true what they say about karma and ‘one good turn’. Volunteer to be bumped from an over-sold flight and you could find yourself reaping all the benefits; free meals, drink and accommodation nearby, then all the comforts of business class when you finally do make it on a flight. I’m not going to complain.
20. Water bottle = lantern
Time to get all Ray Mears or Bear Grylls and stuff. Grab your head torch, strap it to the side of a big old bottle of water and, thanks to refraction, you now have a full on lantern. The apocalypse will now be a breeze for you.
21. Beeswax will waterproof all your things
That’s right, buy yourself a chunk of bees wax and get rubbing. You can coat the outside of your rucksack, your little light jacket, hell, you can even waterproof your Converse. Travel hacks don’t get much stranger than this, but don’t you just love bees?
22. Predict the sunset like a survivalist
Out on a hike? A little lost? Need to know how much sunlight you’ve got left? Well this neat little trick can help you work out how much time you have until the wolves come-a-sniffing. Simply count the finger-width between the sun and the horizon and work it out from there – each finger represents 15 minutes.
23. Bring a power strip or extension cable
Looking after your electronics is a running theme in the world of travel hacks, but this one means no more fights over the plugs in your hostel room. And because you no doubt have some space on that little bad boy for everyone else too, they all love you and will buy you beer. All good deeds deserve beer.
24. Use Google Maps offline
This one really saved my life driving through Costa Rica!
Obviously you can’t stick by a WiFi connection while exploring a city, not all that much happens in a Starbucks. Which means you’re going to find it impossible to access live Google Maps for that easy-peasy sat-nav style guidance for bi-pods. Thankfully, the latest versions of Google Maps now allows you to save map areas directly to your phone and call them up later to explore.
25. Avoid bulky clothing
One of the top travel hacks on this list by a long way. Unless you’re planning to hike Everest or trek through the Antarctic, you can probably get away without that insane puffer jacket and those three thick lamb’s wool jumpers. Instead, try layering up. Pick your fabrics wisely too. Thing like flannel are light, but great at retaining heat. You can also find lighter cardigans that will keep you snuggly, especially when combined with a lighter waterproof jacket.
26. Buy a small bottle of hand washing detergent
Probably a bit of an obvious one again, this one, but you never know how long you might go without a washing machine and you can only really turn your undies inside-out once.
27. Make your fragrances invincible
By transferring your perfume or aftershave to a smaller, plastic spray top bottle you can save space and eliminate the danger of breaking the bottle while you travel. Think something the size of a throat or antiseptic spray. Though if you go for either of those options, make sure you clean them out thoroughly first. You don’t want the original contents interfering with your aroma.
28. Protect your cables with some pen springs
A nice and simple tip, this one. If you find your cable connections keep breaking, then simply wrapping them in springs from a biro can help.
29. Cheese! Take selfies!
Whenever you start a new SD card on your camera make sure you take a bombastic and over the top selfie. This way you can prove it’s yours if you ever lose it.
30. Give your change to the homeless
And finally, make the last deed a good deed. Before leaving a country, donate all your remaining change to the homeless. You don't need it back home anyway.
