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It never hurts to get some travel advice, but the internet is absolutely littered with tips so common sense as to not be useful at all. So it can be quite useful to get in touch with people who have actually seen and done enough for proper ideas.
Someone asked “What’s your best obscure travel hack?” and people shared their tips and tricks. We also got in touch with seasoned traveler Victoria from Bridges and Balloons and she was kind enough to share some of her experiences with us. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
More info: Bridgesandballoons.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If you're not sure of the neighborhood you're booking your hotel or rental stay in, go to Google Street View and "walk around" in the neighborhood. You can see if it looks pleasant, has nearby cafes or local grocery stores, etc etc.
linda harbin 1 year ago
This is a REALLY good tip. I’ve been in the travel industry for 43 years and this truly is a great idea. Trip Advisor can be misleading since it’s difficult to separate out the fake or incentivized posts so “visiting the neighborhood prior to booking” is a great way of bringing the property to light.
Lynn Dolderer 1 year ago
Just make sure to check when the street view was last done. Some may be 4-5 years old.
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Jas Warner 1 year ago (edited)
Those arnt really reliable. I've visited places that some didn't have good reviews for. They wernt the same as said reviews.
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RELATED:
#2
One of my favorite obscure travel hacks is to use Google Maps offline. Before my trip, I download the maps of the areas I’ll be visiting. This way, I can navigate, find attractions, and even search for restaurants without needing an internet connection. It’s especially useful in places with spotty Wi-Fi or when I want to save on data usage. Plus, it saves a ton of stress and helps me feel more confident exploring new places.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
I only have 2gb data as I don't use my phone much and have WiFi at home.
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Jack Burton 1 year ago
You can also just travel and try to discover without googling everything. I remember not so far ago when we just traveled without internet in our pocket.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
I tend to print maps of places I will be so I'm not constantly on phone and becoming vulnerable to muggers
#3
I always keep a safety pin pinned inside my backpack; this was originally for changing SIM cards, but it turns out to be quite handy while traveling. I also take one of my pens and wrap/roll a bunch of masking tape around it, so I always have a little supply of tape; again, constantly useful, mostly for covering up bright LED lights inside the hotel room.
madeleine f 1 year ago
A young guy at a flight once asked me if I had a pin to change his sim. I took one look at him and said 'no, but you can use your ear ring hook'. 😃
Cydney Golden 1 year ago
I bring large alligator clips to keep drapes closed so not awakened by early morning light or bright city lights.
Bored Panda got in touch with seasoned traveler Victoria from Bridges and Balloons to hear more about her experiences and ideas. Firstly, we wanted to hear what advice she would give her younger self.
“When I was younger, I seemed to think time was endless and I’d definitely return to the places I loved. As it is, I still haven’t made it back to some of them. The lesson from this is to make sure you see the things you want to see wherever you go and savor every moment. You don’t know if you’ll ever be back there. That said, I don’t believe in “ticking off all the must-sees” and doing things because that’s what you think you should. Everyone’s “must-sees” are different, so do what you like rather than what you think you should.”
#4
Always carry a sarong with you when travelling. It’s basically an all in one lightweight tool. You can use it as clothes, raincoat, a rope, a bandage, a beach towel/picnic rug, a bag or a blanket.
ZGutr 1 year ago
he wants a pangalactic gargleblaster too, yet here we are .....
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#5
If flying between the US and Canada, ALWAYS look at buying separate one-way tickets each direction. More often than not, you'll save $100+ due to their strange exchange rate and tax calculations. It doesn't work on every single route, but is always worth a check, and I've been amazed how often it's been much cheaper.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
My wife and I took a train trip while vacationing in Canada. She was just over the senior citizen mark, and I was just under. My fare was completely free because I was "escorting a senior citizen". I try not to remind my wife of this more than weekly.
linda harbin 1 year ago
Yes, this may certainly be true but the hassle you’ll get at the counter when presenting a one way ticket entering a “foreign country “ Canada included, can turn in to a nightmare.
Diolla 1 year ago
Maybe this can be prevented by buying teh return ticket at the same time? That's what I usually do. Buy the two tickets together.
Load More Replies... ucp 1 year ago
I live about 90 minutes from London. It’s cheaper to buy train tickets to a station halfway, then tickets from there to London. Just stay in the seat, and your whole journey is covered. Also, back in the 90s, it was reported that a return ticket on one line was actually cheaper than a single, so you would buy a return even if travelling just one way.
Pandemonium 1 year ago
For the benefit of my fellow 'merikins a return ticket is what we call a round-trip ticket
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Ernie S Smith 6 months ago
I do that when I am using Travel credits, much easier to rebook the return flight if plans change.
Katherine Forrestall 1 year ago
We are NOT " strange" . We are far too American influenced to be called "strange" by an American.
#6
If you have to cancel a hotel less than 24 hours in advance, call and tell them you need to bump the reservation back a week. Then call the next day and cancel it penalty free because it’s 6 days prior to the reservation.
Lubica Acker 1 year ago
Doesn't work in Australia. If you move the booking in less than 24 hours, the staff will add a note to your booking - cancellation refund not allowed. I worked for hotel reservations 18 years ago, and already then, it was a common practice to deter people from looking for loopholes.
linda harbin 1 year ago
Just keep in mind, the hotel may not allow changes within 24 hours. ESPECIALLY if you’ve booked it with a 3rd party like Expedia, Travelocity etc. The hotel will rarely allow you to cancel or change and make you go back to that 3rd party and follow their rules and restrictions.
We were curious to hear her thoughts on saving money versus paying a premium for convenience. “I definitely value time over money and will often pay extra for convenience or comfort. But that’s a luxury and a privilege. When I was younger, I didn’t always have that option, and to be honest some of those adventures were the most memorable. For example, I once traveled 48 hours on a bus to go whale watching in Patagonia. If I’d had the money, I’d have certainly flown, but the effort made it extra special. When you have a choice, it’s hard to pick the days-long bus trip!”
#7
Use the bathrooms by the baggage claim. They’re always clean and empty.
Gourdeous 1 year ago
This commenter has clearly never flown to Manchester UK. Uuurgh those loos are dreadful.
cerinamroth 1 year ago (edited)
All of Manchester Airport was pretty bad. I hated travelling through there - as I do with any airport that forces you to walk through a warren of heavily perfume-scented paths to get to your gate. I don't want any effing duty free shite, I just need to get home and not be half-suffocated in an airless, windowless stinky maze. My mum flew out to see us recently (from MAN) and said they had done the place up and it was much better. I hope that's the case for the loos, too!
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Pitbull Dad 1 year ago
I'm the plumber of a local airport and trust me those are NOT the cleanest bathrooms.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Gee, you've just been confined for hours in an airplane seat, and now you've got time to kill waiting for the luggage to come out. Yeah, who would use that as a opportunity to go to the bathroom?
#8
If you’re flying internationally into the US and are a US citizen, do the mobile passport option if the airport has it. It’s an app and takes 30 seconds to do. It’s just as fast as global entry. I’ve passed 100s of people waiting at passport control.
E Weisenfeld 1 year ago
This. Downloaded it an registers in the regular line and got hop into the shorter one.
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
I'm a US citizen, and I flew into Atlanta from Beijing in December. I didn't use any app at all. To my utter amazement, when it was my turn at immigration, the officer didn't even ask for my passport. He asked me like two questions and waved me on. The whole process took about 10 seconds.
#9
There's a London night bus which goes to Heathrow and back. I say this one in particular because it's quite a long route. If you arrive late in the evening and need somewhere to just exist, you can ride it back and forth and sightsee or snooze a little. I discovered this when I arrived via bus from France in the middle of the night but my next bus up to Edinburgh didn't leave for like 6 hours. Seemed pointless to get a hotel room.
https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/n9/
Changi airport in Singapore has something similar, but it's an actual tour bus you can take for free during a layover.
https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/facilities-and-services/free-singapore-tour.html.
Dianellian 1 year ago (edited)
We’re heading to Singapore soon so was happy to hear this but it does come with conditions. This link works better than above. https://www.changiairport.com/en/discover/tours-and-learning.html
Lame Llama 1 year ago
You could also just hang put at Jewel. There's so much to do.
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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
For 13, you get a hot chocolate and a toof' brush.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
N97. Fallen asleep a couple of times and had quite the night time tour.
Simon Chen 1 year ago
For singapore the tour needs quite a long layover, plan at least 8 hours. The tour is free and really nice. The places they go depend on the time, there are different tours. But for less then 8 hours layover i would just stay in the airport, there is plenty to see. In transit you can not visit the jewel, you have to go trough immigration wich is fast and easy but little bit annoykng of you have luggage
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
If I only had a six hour layover in Changi, I would probably just hang out at the airport
“I’ve always been a complete geek when it comes to planning. I love to do my research and make a rough list/itinerary of everything I want to do. But I’m not a slave to that plan. In a way it’s a back-up in case we don’t find things naturally while there. I much prefer to find things spontaneously, but sometimes, without that research and list of back-ups, you find yourself in tourist traps or crappy restaurants (and that’s my travel nightmare!).”
#10
Always pack a power board when I go overseas, only need one converting plug and you are good to go with all devices. Especially helps with my CPAP and being able to charge devices.
whineygingercat 1 year ago
I had a power strip with me on my last trip. Long layover in Norfolk, I was charging my phone and 5 other people's.
Lili Octopus 1 year ago
I read that was Norfolk UK. A layover there is a most peculiar concept.
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#11
I always pack a mini LED flashlight. They're a few bucks on Amazon and eBay. It was quite useful recently when I visited a Belizean island with no street lights. Got jump scared by a few land crabs, too.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Less dangerous than Land Sharks but Land Crabs should still be respected
Tanda spitz 1 year ago
Sounds like Caye Caulker. The VRBO owner provided headlamps for the dark nights
Monika Monz Johnson 1 year ago
Phones have flashlights built in - just make sure you have a power bank with you too
Stan Chung 1 year ago (edited)
Phone has light at the very minimum if you've forgotten to buy a flashlight
#12
In my luggage I always pack an empty 30 gallon trash bag, for my dirty clothes. I tend to sweat a lot in hotter climates, and having my dirty clothes in a trash bag (which is often lined with an odor eliminator) and separate from my clean clothes keeps my suitcase from becoming smelly. And it makes unpacking at the end of the trip dirt-simple: the trash bag full of clothes goes into the laundry. My wife and I always pack large binder clips (such as for holding large documents together) to close window shades, and we always pack a titanium hiking spork or plastic utensils for leftovers. And always have a pen with you. It’s surprising the number of places, especially when traveling internationally, when having a pen with you is useful. Finally, if you’re out shopping for clothes, shop in hiking sections of stores like REI for *light-weight* clothing; that is, clothing intended for packing during hiking. I managed to bring the weight of my check-on luggage from 45 pounds to around 28 pounds by mindfully thinking about the weight of the articles of clothing I was packing; hiking pants instead of jeans, for example. Three pair of jeans weighing 2 pounds each verses 3 pairs of hiking pants weighing around 8 ounces each makes a difference, and 8 shirts made with lightweight materials intended for hiking is a lot lighter than 8 ‘cheap’ t-shirts.
Mary Gillis 1 year ago
a grocery store plastic bags (depending on your country) is also good for dirty clothes and takes up very little space.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
Me. That way I know which socks and undies are clean.
Load More Replies... Janet C 1 year ago
I've packed a 50 liter (kitchen-size) garbage bag in my suitcase for years for the same reason. As the days pass, I shift clean clothes to one side of my suitcase and use the garbage bag on the other to hold dirty clothes. It also makes it easy when we do stop at a laundromat along our travels -- I just carry the bag instead of an armload of dirty clothes.
Cecilia Matthews 1 year ago
I also carry a nylon duffle in my suitcase (packs flat, lightweight). If I need room in the suitcase (souvenirs?) when going home, the laundry bag goes in the duffle (already has a luggage tag) which can be squashed during transit with no harm.
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Buttrnutsquash 1 year ago
I use ziplocs for dirty laundry. Contains the smell, the bags can be sealed & compressed. Win win.
linda harbin 1 year ago
We sell compression bags in our Travel store. You fill it up, then seal, roll and squeeze. All the air comes out and you have a nice compact package of dirties that don’t smell. Voila!
Ruth F 1 year ago
I find it better to pack several smaller carrier bags. You can carry a change of clothes during the day, have a few for dirty washing, even carry snacks - you never know what you'll use them for. I also always keep a couple of nicer plastic bags in my handbag/waist pack, which have been a boon when spontaneously collecting berries, decorative rocks, or controlling a spill etc., etc.
Ruth F 1 year ago
Oh, and smaller bags of washing or whatever can be crammed into little nooks in your luggage more easily.
Load More Replies... White Sauce Hot Sauce 1 year ago
I use dog poop bags (unused). They have the deodorizer built in and are small enough where you can take a 30-count roll the size of your finger. The small bags can help separate certain items and make it easier to pack, instead of just having one giant garbage bag in your suitcase.
Danielle Kichler 1 year ago
My boyfriend does the garbage bag thing all the time. I carry a small plastic grocery bag for my underwear and find a way to separate dirty from clean clothes in my suitcase.
Hetal Vyas 1 year ago
I always have a spare carrier bag for dirty clothes, even if I'm going for a night.
Louby Of Morrowind 1 year ago
I do my washing on the last day after check out, while waiting for transfers I will hang around the launderette get everyone's clothes clean, then when we are home it can be put away without having to stress about the mountain of dirty clothes.
Ruth F 1 year ago
I would never do that, in case a machine went wrong and I ended up with everything wet, or locked in the machine as I was about to leave. If you can afford to travel, you can afford to have a change of clothes waiting at home.
Load More Replies...“I used to use guidebooks, but nowadays I turn to travel blogs. I always recommend finding a blogger you relate to and using their guides - it’s like having a really knowledgeable friend with great recommendations. But remember not all blogs are created equal - many are vacuous SEO machines. You just need to find one you can trust,” she shared.
#13
We once racked up over 20,000 capital one points in an unconventional way.
We were in Paris and we'd rent the Velib bikes to get around the city. The catch is that everytime we'd rent a bike out, a hold was put on our credit card in case of damage to the bike. The hold was close to $400 each bike, I believe, and It would take a couple days for the hold to be lifted.
For some reason the hold would go through as a purchase on our card, and with the travel multiplier, we were getting about 1,600 points every time we'd rent a bike.
The best part was that, if you rented the bike for less than 30 minutes the rental was free. So we'd just rent 2 bikes, ride to the next station in less than 30 minutes, drop them off and rent 2 more bikes. We did this an absurd amount of times and got rewarded handsomely. .
Kalikima 1 year ago
With my credit card it would give me $2000 back.. pretty sweet deal actually..
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Danielle Kichler 1 year ago
But wouldn't the credit card company subtract the points after the credit card hold was lifted?
#14
I fly long haul flights that are 14+, and so compression socks are a must. If I take my shoes off to put on my sling, I’ll also bring fuzzy socks so my feet don’t get cold. Have a small baggie of hydrating powder for water, Advil, ear plugs, Imodium. I have a headband that hooks onto my mask so I don’t have to have my mask behind my ears, which can sometimes make them sore.
cerinamroth 1 year ago
Indeed - as someone who has had DVT a couple of times and lost a previous healthy friend to a pulmonary embolism, I can't recommend this enough. I now have to inject blood thinners before and after every long flight for a few weeks (or any time I am immobile, as well as from the second trimester of pregnancy and 6 months afterwards).
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Jo Davies 1 year ago
I fly from South Africa to UK at least once a year, using (cheaper) connectung flights in Dubai and similar. My advice is to check the bottom of your feet/socks if you take off your shoes. Last year I was chosen for random search in Dubai and had a small piece of paper sstuck to my sock from the plane. It is very embarrassing to stand there while it and a few other items such as phone were shipped and d**g tested!
Mama Penguin 1 year ago
For a 7 - 14 hours flight, I carry medium tote bag that I put under the seat in front of me which is filled with snacks, a pack of wet wipes and a baggie of lip balm, eye drops, Dramamine, Advil, hand sanitizers. I also put my noise canceling headphones (inside its own case) in the bag for easy access.
#15
Merino wool clothes keep you smelling fresh so you can pack less. Never thought I would be wearing a wool Tshirt, but it works! Pricey though.
Ripley 1 year ago
Seconded! Ultra-fine merino is very soft and can be work against the skin for most people. It dried fast so can be washed in the sink if you need to. Depending on where you are Aldi sometimes sell merino base layers, and they're very well priced.
Kombatbunni 1 year ago (edited)
Wish I could but I’m allergic to pure wool :( found that out the hard way once on holiday wearing a wool jumper my mum had bought for me..
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
This is a GREAT tip for someone like me who travels to Southeast Asia a lot and always sweats profusely.
The Queen Of France 1 year ago
Also check out Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) if you’re in Canada. Merino layers at really good prices.
David 1 year ago
Leggings (32 degree thermal layer) and a long sleeve t-shirt. Traveled to Philippines, very hot - shorts whole time. But Korea (layover) and Seattle were cold. Easily fit in my carry on bag - pop into bathroom put thermal layer under my shorts and put the long sleeve tshirt over my short sleeve shirt. Kept me warm enough for the bus ride home from Seattle without having to pack a coat or jeans.
“For me, travel has always been about perspective. I love to get outside of my bubble and see other cultures and ways of life. It’s a type of therapy for me, and one I think everyone could benefit from. It’s the antidote to getting stuck in your ways. And while I am willing to pay more for convenience and luxury, I don’t think expensive always equals better. We always seek out places that have character and creativity, and that could just as easily be a budget guest house as a luxury retreat. For us, it’s the experience that matters most.”
#16
When going through security, put all of your pocket belongings into your backpack.
Then, you don’t have to worry about using the small trays, or gathering up important things from the conveyor belt :).
Rafael 1 year ago
I'm always offer my extra pockets to my wife, since even when her clothes have pockets, they're decorative. The downside is that if we get separated and I need to call her, I end up ringing my own butt...
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Andreas Amrhein 1 year ago
Don't know how it is in other countries but in germany f.e. tablets and laptops have to be taken out of the backpack to ber scanned seperately
Ann Majeske 1 year ago
So I put all my pocket stuff, purse stuff, and random junk in one bag, so they pull me over because all that junk in one bag looks "suspicious" make me pull half of the stuff out at random into a second tray so they can run it through again. I still don't know if I got all that stuff back because they distracted me by losing one of my shoes from another tray. I always wear my t-shirts untucked. I usually have another shirt over, but they require me to take that one off. They always pull me over because the untucked t-shirt is "too baggy" so return trip I tied a piece of paracord around the t-shirt like a belt and they pulled me over because they thought that was "suspicious". Next time I'm just going to strip naked and dance through. Ugly fat old lady. Serve them right.
#17
Most flights won't give you a refund on basic tickets. Upgrade them to a higher class ticket then cancel for a full refund.
EDIT: I've done this with United/JetBlue I can't speak for other airlines.
Michael Largey 1 year ago (edited)
Sorry. Initial comment was meant for a different airplane item. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks to those who downvoted me because that called my mistake to my attention.
#18
Don't wear tight shoes on a plane. Due to the pressure change your feet swell on the flight.
Mama Penguin 1 year ago (edited)
Sneakers with light, flexible upper fabric and flexible soles.
Ruth F 1 year ago
Don't ever wear tight shoes. When flying, wear your sturdiest shoes and don't take them off in-flight. Remember all those plane-crash films. The last thing you want if you're stranded is to be without good shoes.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
More likely to be eaten by a shark than plane crash and even thats incredibly rare.
Load More Replies... Duckie Love 1 year ago
Just take slip ons, you can wear them as slippers, shower or beach shoes too.
Zaach 1 year ago
I pack slippers on local flights - lightweight slip-ons for international
Load More Replies... KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
I have stokies slippers (Saffa) they are incredibly light and thin, fabulous for long haul
Ann Hoskins 1 year ago
Compression socks are a must. Especially on the long flights. Not moving around much combined with pressure changes/swelling increases risk for blood clots that can break away from deep veins in the legs and go to heart, lungs, brain. Not so good.
#19
Might not be obscure to some, but was new to me last month.
Esims are a godsend.
You can shop around online before starting your trip for the best deal on a temporary esim. I paid 30 cad for a 1 month 12 gig unlimited everything else plan, good for all of Europe. Installed the esim before heading to the airport. As soon as the plane landed, I was able to fire up my esim without any of the hassle of finding a physical sim card. Was in my Uber 10 minutes after leaving customs, it was great.
Not all phones support it, but for those that do, they are extremely convenient and cheap.
David 1 year ago
Well, TIL. Didn't know that was a thing. I got a different physical SIM in PI. Not really a hassle since they are very common but more hassle than an esim would have been.
Graham Berry 1 year ago
Okay a few things to add. 1: burner/prepaid phones are usually cheap and easy to pick up in most countries 2: don't want to pay for new service use wifi, it's usually free and can often alow for contact through messaging and net calls. 3: and even if you don't have a phone active on a service as long as it has power it should still be able to make emergency calls like 911 in the United States.
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2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
Wow, I will definitely use this on my next trip. I'd never even heard of an eSim before.
Adrian 1 year ago
They're relatively new. The latest Google Pixels support them. I assume the latest iPhones, too.
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Lydia Elliott 1 year ago
most new model iphones /smart devices have eSim now its REALLY nice when traveling :)
georgios pahatouridis 1 year ago
cheap?¿ no, not that cheap, usually is around 5 times higher than a local sim card.
Lyn Moffett 1 year ago
Can someone tell what Cad are please? Is this a form of payment to do with all this crypto
#20
Traveling International? Bring a pen with you. The longest lines you wait for at customs is for the damn pen.
Pack a plastic fork and spoon with you. I hate showing up to my hotel with some instant noodles and then having to use the coffee stirring sticks like chopsticks to eat it.
If you’re tall, mention you have problems with your knees at the check in counter. Sometimes they’ll find you a seat with more leg room.
Traveling for a short period? Use a garment bag instead of a suitcase. I find I can fit 3 outfits, my laptop and other essentials in one garment bag comfortably and it still fit as a carry on. .
Dianellian 1 year ago
If you’re tall or have bung knees, pay extra for a seat with more leg space guaranteed instead of expecting it for free.
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
A thousand times, yes! I always keep a pen in my backpack, it's very handy.
#21
Random one but saline spray in the carry on! I feel that spritzing my nose a few times every flight helps prevent me from getting sick (I used to ALWAYS get sick on flights)!
megasmacky 1 year ago
Contrary to popular belief, planes are one of the least likely places you'll ever pick up a bug or virus. The engines are bringing in massive amounts of air and some of that gets diverted to the cabin. That means there's a constant flow of fresh air and then it's also heavily filtered. So no, you probably weren't getting sick on flights. More likely, you caught something from someone in the terminal.
Uncle Schmickle 1 year ago
A very important tip. Air gets stale on planes and dries out your mucous membranes, such as nose, throat and eyes. Regular applications os saline spray may also help to flush out pollutants, viruses and bacteria in the nasal passages.
Bartlet for World Domination 1 year ago
Make it a carrageenan spray and it will actually work.
#22
I always create a Google map list and save items to populate my map. It makes it easy to plan out your days and see what sites/restaurants/attractions you are near in a new city.
2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
I have so many saved lists on Google Maps, every time I see a place I'd love to visit, I add it. Then, when I'm traveling to that area I already have some spots that I know I want to see.
#23
Fannypack when going through airports for my passport, phone charger + foreign wall adaptor, two power banks for unpredictable situations, the little pocket is for coins for the bathrooms, and for security I'll also stuff my wallet in there to minimize the amount of stuff I have out.
Upstaged75 1 year ago
In case you're wondering why that word is censored - it's because it means vagina in the UK. In the US f@nny just means your butt.
linda harbin 1 year ago
NOPE. F***y packs are a pickpocket’s dream. SO easy to get robbed. Purchase an undergarment security wallet. They come in all shapes and sizes. Around the neck, around the waist, thru a beltloop then tucked under trousers. Theft is much too prevalent to wear a f***y pack that screams “rob me”
Duckie Love 1 year ago
Wear it in front, same as a small backpack in a place you aren't sure of.
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Teresa Spanics 1 year ago
I do the same even for going shopping. I also have neck and back injuries and was told by a chiropractor not to use purses as they pull on my back unlike f***y packs.
#24
I always bring baby shampoo and an entire unopened box of ziploc bags.
The baby shampoo is great for washing yourself (obviously) but is also perfect for washing things like lightweight shirts, underwear, and socks in the sink. I’ve also put on my flight suit inside out and washed it in the shower. If you don’t get all of the baby shampoo rinsed out, your skin won’t be irritated like it would be if you had used regular soap.
2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
Sea to Summit and other brands make little detergent sheets which work fantastic when you're washing clothes in the sink. I always bring a pack of those along with enough of the larger sheets made for washing machines. Baby shampoo isn't less irritating to your skin, it just has a ph level hat doesn't irritate the eyes.
Kel_how 1 year ago
I think even Tide has those sheets now. Really great option when you don't have laundry facilities.
Load More Replies... Duckie Love 1 year ago
Bring a bar of shampoo soap, you can use it like soap, shampoo, washing detergent and to get stains off clothes. Lasts months.
Ace 1 year ago
You've never heard of Travel Wash? Designed for hand washing, much better and cheaper than baby shampoo. And I don't know what you're going to do with all those plastic bags. One or two, sure, but a whole box?
Jo Davies 1 year ago
A lot of airports/countries tell you to put all of your liquids in a Ziploc bag for carry on. Even mascara! I started buying boxes of 10/15 when a realised why. A hand cream that was in my checked in luggage split from the pressure change and over everything in my toiletry bag. So now I just pack anything with the potential to do that in a ziplock bag. It wasn't the last time, but at least I had fewer things to clean up when hair gel did the same inside a bag.
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#25
I always try to have an extended layover (like 10 hours or more) so I can visit the layover city. This way I've been able to visit Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Singapore without going on a specific trip to those destinations. It takes a bit of fiddling around to book those flights (airlines present you with the 'most convenient' flight) but it's worth it.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 1 year ago
Before booking for this, double check which places require a tourist visa for layovers, how long it takes getting to and from the airport with traffic when youre there, how long security and customs takes, and if its a day and time when a lot of things will be closed. Especially nowadays when airports are so inefficient, you may not have the time you think you do.
Kel_how 1 year ago
Exactly. I had an 8 hour layover at Heathrow, but couldn't leave and sightsee because security was extra tight that day and wouldn't have made it back in time.
Load More Replies... Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
Absolutely. I've done the same thing and have enjoyed day trips in international cities as a result.
Betty Stephan 1 year ago
Check the airport for "layover tours." I took one at Narita (Tokyo). It was great! I had three guides meet me at the airport, take me sightseeing, and bring me back to the airport in plenty of time for my next flight.
Danielle Kichler 1 year ago
Yeah but then you have to go through security twice, which is a pain.
#26
Probably obvious, but put airtags in your checked luggage.
René Sauer 1 year ago
Hm... Does anybody know if there is an alternative to airtags? Something that doesn´t involve apple?
Mike Goslin 1 year ago
I assume you are looking for the Android equivalent. In that case Chipolo and Pebblebee make air-tag like devices that work with the Google "find my device" network (which is MUCH larker than Apple's or Tile's network). the "Find my Device" network is also open to other bluetooth devices (Headphones, laptops, etc) but software support varies by manufacturer.
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Warren Cancilla 1 year ago
An air tag has one benefit over the pink strip... it helps with lost luggage
Load More Replies... #27
I travel with wrinkle resist clothing only. Still gets wrinkled. So I carry a small sprayer bottle. Spritz down clothes night before with water and hang to dry, wrinkles gone in the AM. Haven't ironed in years.
Russell Rieckenberg 1 year ago
I'm trying to make wrinkled clothing fashionable.
Load More Replies... cerinamroth 1 year ago
Hang the item up in the bathroom with you while you shower. The steam will pull the wrinkles out.
Upstaged75 1 year ago
I have a travel sized bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release. Also Static Guard - it sucks to have your skirt sticking to your butt when you're at a work meeting. :)
Nadine Debard 1 year ago
I keep wrinkled clothes if travelling for holidays and if I need something ironed I just borrow one at the front desk.
#28
We book one way flights sometimes on different airlines and have saved compared to booking a round trip.
#29
Southwest starts drink service at rows 1,8,15,22. If you have a choice of row 9 or 15, go to 15. You get your drink first and have a better chance at getting more than one.
JL 1 year ago
Yeah, if you need to coordinate your travel plans around speedier access to alcohol, you've got bigger problems.
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cerinamroth 1 year ago
When I was young, footloose and fancy-free, my then boyf now husb and I travelled to Japan. It was just after the Great Tohoku Earthquake and the mood was rather sombre. We were sat in the last row, which was fine. We're not particularly choosy and very easy-going travellers in general. It turned out to be a great choice because whenever the cabin crew were finishing the drinks service they asked us if we fancied another, so we kept ending up with two G&Ts each instead of one. Little bit tipsy by the time we arrived but it was all good. We stayed overnight in Narita town when we arrived and it happened to be the same hotel as the crew, who said at breakfast that it was really nice to fly with such friendly, polite and fun folk :)
#30
This is probably outdated these days, but I used to exchange cash with travelers going the opposite direction when I landed. .
#31
This is niche to Sydney International airport, but never get a customs ticket at the first station. Keep walking there are empty ones right before you go through customs / e passport check.
#32
Carry nail clippers.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
Accidentally took a Miss Army kit to Barcelona. How it wasn't caught worries me.
Mike Goslin 1 year ago
TSA allows nail clippers https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/nail-clippers
#33
The (almost) cure for jetlat is staying up to a decent bed time and then taking a melatonin. Keep a pair of chord headphones in your travel bag at all times for the inflight entertainment. Always bring a swimsuit just incase LAX terminals sometimes have alternative security areas. These are also manned and sometimes empty.
wowbagger 1 year ago
Everybody probably already knows this, but when you get to your new location, spend as much time outside in the sunshine as you can. It helps your body adjust to the new time zone. Also, lightboxes made for seasonal affective disorder are small and lightweight these days, so you could bring one of those along to help you wake up in the morning in the new place.
#34
A lot of flights are not allowing carry-ons these days with a basic ticket purchase (JetBlue 🤨), so I've been using my fishing vest I got from Japan to carry all of my clothes I can't fit into my personal items. Styled right, it looks super cool with my outfit, AND I can fit eight shirts, five pairs of socks, and an entire laptop (storage on the back) in it—and snacks and water. When traveling to places where it's inconvenient to bring my fishing vest, I'll bring my jacket with deep pockets and my Costco dad cargo pants. I can fit 2-3 shirts per pocket. And before anyone complains about the extra weight I'm bringing into the plane, I can promise you my extra clothes and snacks weigh less than 5 pounds.
2WheelTravlr 1 year ago
I'm imagining this bulgy guy pulling half a ham sandwich and soda out of his left pocket, then reaching behind him like some samurai and whipping out his laptop before sitting down in his seat.
Janice 1 year ago
I thought they had run out of ways to add charges. No carry on is a new one to me. I'm afraid to see what's next.
Zephyr343 1 year ago
Spirit airline does this too now. Pretty soon they are going to start charging to get off the plane.
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Upstaged75 1 year ago
Does he have to ask for a seatbelt extender?? I just imagine him looking like the Michelin Man.
KatSaidWhat 1 year ago
RyanMare, SleazyJet. Also, get a big duty free bag, nothing they could do about that recently in overzealous Greece.
Ghostshaper 1 year ago
There are neck pillows consisting of a rolled blanket inside. Replace the blanket w clothes, and it doesn't count as a carry on.
#35
It's easy to find good/safe areas to stay in using Google Maps. Just search for Starbucks and you'll notice there are certain areas with clusters of Starbucks. 90% chance these are safe areas. But if you want to be 100% sure, take note of those areas and search for "yoga". If you see a bunch of yoga studios overlapping, you're golden. This takes about 10 seconds to do. ** This method may not be effective is some places, for various reasons. I can only say this method served me very well while traveling in Mexico for 9 months. *** For the "live like a local" types who dislike gentrification and relish the thought of getting mugged day one this method also works because it'll let them know exactly where *not* to stay. Happy travels!
Angelshark 1 year ago
Translation: "Poor people will always rob you, and local people are always poor. But poor people never drink starbucks or do yoga, so those places are okay."
#36
Mini spray bottle with alcohol (vodka or isopropyl) for deodorizing clothes. Edit: diluted hand sanitizer works too.
Upstaged75 1 year ago (edited)
I have a travel sized bottle of Febreze. Not sure I'd want alcohol on my clothes.
AlexJ 1 year ago (edited)
Vodka kills the bacteria on your clothes and won't leave a smell. You could add a few drops of essential oils if you want a bit of fragrance. (You can use the cheapest one.)
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ILoveMySon 1 year ago
I live in an area that gets quite humid so I carry deodorant in my car. If I am with others, hand sanitizer works.
#37
For work: always carry a Sharpie. I write the expense category/type and date at the top of each one. When I upload them in I can read them easily and I don’t have to worry about which country or language it was. Bandana- use as a hand towel, neck cover, head cover, etc Snow Peak sporks- lightweight with excellent forking action ;) Google Keep Master Packing List- unique sections for electronics, dry toiletries, liquid toiletries, electronics, work, creative, seasonal needs, etc. copy a new one for each trip and click/check things off as I pack. I keep a short list of morning-of to-do’s at the top as needed (fill cat feeders, pack toothbrush, etc).
Stan Chung 1 year ago
Great. Take a picture of the receipt also in case you lose the receipt or you accidentally wet it. Some receipts fade badly.
#38
Use the hangers in the hotel room to clip the curtains together to blackout the room.
Kel_how 1 year ago
Probably depends on the quality of the hotel. I've stayed at a nice place where they were real hangers that were removable.
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#39
Requesting a special meal (i.e. vegetarian) on an international flight will ensure you get served first.
I love ice in my water bottle so I always get a grande ice water at the airport Starbucks once past security to fill it up with.
Brier Random 1 year ago
Of course, that’s only if being served before everyone else is really that important to you.
Verena 1 year ago
I do that, too. Reason: Empty bathrooms for 30 minutes, enough time to get refreshed without causing inconvenience to others. Usually I take the fish menu
Load More Replies... Jus 1 year ago
Are you really that hungry on a plane? Also, what is a grande ice water, how do you even buy ice water in a coffee shop?
Jo Davies 1 year ago
It depends. I often travel for more than 24 hours and on connecting flights. Airport food can be really expensive and sometimes there isn't enough time to get one. I always get a lactose free meal due to my intolerance and airlines love to serve cheese on planes. Sometimes being served first when you are that hungry is a blessing.
Load More Replies... FreeTheUnicorn 1 year ago
Most airports you can just ask at any food stall for ice and they'll put it in your water bottle, if you don't want to get a disposable cup.
madbakes 1 year ago
Starbucks will also just fill your water bottle as long as it's clean
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ElfVibratorGlitter 1 year ago
I request a vegan meal on the plane because, get this, I follow a vegan diet. :)
Mary Kelly 1 year ago
never order the veg option on a train in india...get your omelet and be happy with it...b/c you won't be with the veg option...trust me on this
#40
If you travel to Hawaii, rent a jeep. They will give you a list of all the places you are not allowed to take the jeep. Now you have your itenerarry.
Mistletoe 1 year ago
Do you mean you go to the places they say you're not allowed to take the jeep? If so, I think maybe your insurance will not cover any accident you might have in those places.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 1 year ago
Not to mention you're an AH for not following the rules, you're going in places where there's probably a good reason not to allow vehicles? Like it's an environmentally sensitive area??
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Michael Largey 1 year ago
And when you go to the zoo, always climb into the tiger cage. Borrow Lady GaGa's meat dress for your visit.
Mark Hastings 1 year ago
My brother did this in Arizona when he rented a Jeep. The Jeep broke down in the middle of a known off road area that was specifically banned on the rental agreement. His cheap Jeep rental ended up costing him over $3500. My Jeep rental for the same period cost me $170.
Ronna Black 1 year ago
I got no list when I rented my jeep in Maui. I just kept in mind it was not my vehicle, I was borrowing it for a weekend at a cost. I off road at home with my 24 year old jeep, but it’s mine, so anything that happens is on me.
Poultry Geist 1 year ago
I actually hate people that drive where they aren’t supposed to ! There’s so much concrete in the world, can’t you just stay in it? “No! I must destroy everything! I am human and every ecosystem on earth will fear me “ I really hate people sometimes
What do you think ?
Noproblem 1 year ago
My travel tips would be: don’t bother with voltage adapters for things like electric shavers or hair dryers if you’re traveling to a place you can easily buy those little appliances locally. You’ll know they’ll work & it’s generally cheaper than the adapter. Or, to use a specific example (Paris), don’t pack anything you can pick up at Monoprix. For extended budget hotel stays, I’ll pick up flatware/dishware at a charity shop to use during my stay. Cheaper than disposable, less wasteful, then I just re-donate them on the way out.
Ruth Kraynick 1 year ago (edited)
If you are traveling to do fun wilderness hiking or visiting the local natural area, sure! check those travel blogs and vlogs for the fun secret places! But also dont have a set idea of what you will do there. Talk to the locals, maybe at the gas station in the area. They will let you know if jumping into that water is dangerous, and why, or what sections of the river to avoid. I live near some popular rivers and lakes, and there is one lake that has a high risk of thermal shock when you jump into its frigid waters, and the sides of the lake are very steep, so if you break your leg or start having issues due to the temp, its very hard for rescue teams to get to you. Same with some sections of the river. There are some rapids that claim a life each year. Also check to see if there are rentable safety gear! You might not want to pack or buy a life vest, but not having one is the leading cause of death on the river. Many places around here let you rent or borrow one for the day
Ruth F 1 year ago
Don't rely on your phone or other device when travelling abroad. Have your itinerary in full, including flight numbers, gates, connections, train and station information, important addresses and phone numbers, packing list (for re-packing), airport information, and all other essentials as a hard copy, and keep that on your body at all times, along with your ticket and passport.
Ruth F 1 year ago
If you are travelling abroad, you and anyone at home you are doing safety checks with MUST be aware that it may be impossible for you to check in with them at the times and frequency you want or expect. Other countries do not function the same as yours. It can take hours to clear customs, you may need to find food, your lift may be late or parked far away, Google may think a 5-hour trip takes 2 hours, and so on. You may not be able to make an international phone call or get a signal for many hours. Everyone involved needs to know this.
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
Here's my tip: Instead of buying currency for your destination country before you leave, simply use the ATMs at the airport when you arrive. The exchange rate is almost always better, and the ATMS generally accept all kinds of bank cards - Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, etc.
Monika Monz Johnson 1 year ago
We always carry a tennis ball, pegs & a washing line. Then we can do handwashing & hang items in bathroom overnight. We get excess moisture out of laundry items by rolling them in a dry towel first. The tennis ball we use in a laundrette in their dryer as it heavily reduces the cost & the drying time.
Stacey Chadwell 1 year ago
If you ever get stuck in the Dallas Fort Worth airport overnight due to bad weather (this has happened to me four times in as many years) and you need a place to catch some zzzzs, look for the mother's baby nursing room! Odds are that there won't be any nursing mother's in the airport in the middle of the night and there's also a very comfortable reclining lazy boy to kick back in behind closed doors!!
Noproblem 1 year ago
My travel tips would be: don’t bother with voltage adapters for things like electric shavers or hair dryers if you’re traveling to a place you can easily buy those little appliances locally. You’ll know they’ll work & it’s generally cheaper than the adapter. Or, to use a specific example (Paris), don’t pack anything you can pick up at Monoprix. For extended budget hotel stays, I’ll pick up flatware/dishware at a charity shop to use during my stay. Cheaper than disposable, less wasteful, then I just re-donate them on the way out.
Ruth Kraynick 1 year ago (edited)
If you are traveling to do fun wilderness hiking or visiting the local natural area, sure! check those travel blogs and vlogs for the fun secret places! But also dont have a set idea of what you will do there. Talk to the locals, maybe at the gas station in the area. They will let you know if jumping into that water is dangerous, and why, or what sections of the river to avoid. I live near some popular rivers and lakes, and there is one lake that has a high risk of thermal shock when you jump into its frigid waters, and the sides of the lake are very steep, so if you break your leg or start having issues due to the temp, its very hard for rescue teams to get to you. Same with some sections of the river. There are some rapids that claim a life each year. Also check to see if there are rentable safety gear! You might not want to pack or buy a life vest, but not having one is the leading cause of death on the river. Many places around here let you rent or borrow one for the day
Ruth F 1 year ago
Don't rely on your phone or other device when travelling abroad. Have your itinerary in full, including flight numbers, gates, connections, train and station information, important addresses and phone numbers, packing list (for re-packing), airport information, and all other essentials as a hard copy, and keep that on your body at all times, along with your ticket and passport.
Ruth F 1 year ago
If you are travelling abroad, you and anyone at home you are doing safety checks with MUST be aware that it may be impossible for you to check in with them at the times and frequency you want or expect. Other countries do not function the same as yours. It can take hours to clear customs, you may need to find food, your lift may be late or parked far away, Google may think a 5-hour trip takes 2 hours, and so on. You may not be able to make an international phone call or get a signal for many hours. Everyone involved needs to know this.
Wang Zhuang 1 year ago
Here's my tip: Instead of buying currency for your destination country before you leave, simply use the ATMs at the airport when you arrive. The exchange rate is almost always better, and the ATMS generally accept all kinds of bank cards - Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, etc.
Monika Monz Johnson 1 year ago
We always carry a tennis ball, pegs & a washing line. Then we can do handwashing & hang items in bathroom overnight. We get excess moisture out of laundry items by rolling them in a dry towel first. The tennis ball we use in a laundrette in their dryer as it heavily reduces the cost & the drying time.
Stacey Chadwell 1 year ago
If you ever get stuck in the Dallas Fort Worth airport overnight due to bad weather (this has happened to me four times in as many years) and you need a place to catch some zzzzs, look for the mother's baby nursing room! Odds are that there won't be any nursing mother's in the airport in the middle of the night and there's also a very comfortable reclining lazy boy to kick back in behind closed doors!!
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