10 Travel Hacks

Simple and smart ideas to make travelling more enjoyable

We all know that travelling can be quite stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. All it takes is a little planning, some smart travel tools and information. Below I’ve gathered 10 travel hacks to help you make travelling a little easier.

Keep your toiletry bag packed

This may sound silly, especially if you’re not a frequent traveler. However, think about how easy it would be to pack your bags for a trip when you know you already have a toiletry bag set aside for travelling. Instead of packing the things you have in your bathroom, keep a special bag with personal care items ready to go.

Purchase travel-sized items, or buy the empty containers and fill them with your preferred shampoo, body wash, etc. Have an extra deodorant, razor and toothbrush that are only for travelling.

This travelling hack will come in handy when you arrive home and want to take a shower. You don’t have to shuffle through your bags for the toiletries you packed. All of your things are still where they were before you left. You can take a shower and leave your bags to unpack in the morning.

Keep offline copies of important documents

A very important travel hack is to have offline copies of your passport, airline tickets, hotel reservations and other travel documents. You should save them on your phone so they can be accessed offline and/or have physical copies with you in a safe place. In the event you lose your passport or other information, you have the copies. In addition, email the documents to yourself before you leave for your trip in case your phone is also lost.

Invest in a travel steamer

Read any travel packing advice and the first thing you will hear is to roll your clothes rather than fold them to save space. This method supposedly cuts down on wrinkles. However, I’ve never had a garment come out of my stuffed suitcase, rolled or folded, that does not have wrinkles. This is why I got a travel steamer.

The one I use is compact for easy packing. It does a great job at de-wrinkling even the most crumpled of garments. I love it so much that I use it at home as well. My iron has been collecting dust ever since I got my travel steamer.

Buy a digital luggage scale

It’s no fun to arrive at the airport only to have your luggage come up overweight at check-in. You have two choices in that situation; pay the extra fees for overweight luggage or start digging through your bags and pulling your heaviest items out. If you can make your luggage underweight by doing that, great! Now you’ve got to figure out how to carry the extra items on the plane with you.

I’ve been there before, chosen option two and then berated myself for bringing hardcover books onto a plane. What was I thinking?? A luggage scale will save you in that situation. You can look up your airline’s baggage limit rules online, hook the luggage up to your handy luggage scale and you’re all set! Be warned that scales are calibrated differently and if you’re very close to the limit, it may be a problem. Give yourself a few pounds leeway in case of differences with the airport scale.

Pack the digital scale in your suitcase and you will have it to weigh the luggage for the trip home. When you unpack at home, store your luggage scale with your luggage so you always know where to find it.

Put a tracker in your luggage

We all know that losing your luggage is a risk we take when checking bags at the airport. If you have thought ahead and put a tracker into your luggage, you will be able to track it from your phone in the event this happens to you. This would be especially helpful if you’ve packed any valuables or in the case of the airline not being able to find your luggage.

There are many options to choose from. This article from Travel & Leisure will help you sort out some good ones.

Purchase an airplane footrest

If you’re short like me and your feet don’t rest properly on the ground when on an airplane, this is the solution for you. Airplane footrests work as a sort of hammock for your legs/feet. Most hook around the tray table and help to elevate your legs allowing you get comfortable and avoid the aches and pains that come from sitting for a long flight.

Prepare for lost luggage

As many times as I’ve mentioned lost luggage in my travel hacks, you’d think my bags have gotten lost multiple times. The truth is, I’ve never had a problem with the airline losing my luggage! It is one of my top vacation worries, nonetheless. I always plan for lost baggage by making sure I travel with a complete change of clothes in my carry on. I also like to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste to use to freshen up after the flight. If you are heading right to the beach or pool, it can’t hurt to throw in a swimsuit and some sunscreen as well.

Download Google Maps offline

If you download Google Maps offline, you don’t have to worry about finding a Wi-Fi signal on your phone to access the map of your vacation destination. Before you leave, search the town you are visiting then swipe left and click the download button.

Learn as much as you can

It helps to do a little research before you go to a new place for the first time. I personally feel much more comfortable if I know what to expect when I arrive at a new destination. If another language is spoken, learn a few basic phrases & download Google Translate. If different currency is used, get some from the ATM using your bank card. Figure out the customs, dress codes, weather, and public transport. Learning about all of these things can save you time, money and maybe even some embarrassment down the road.

Pack a First Aid Kit

When you experience an upset stomach, headache, cut or allergic reaction on vacation, the last thing you need is to try to locate and navigate a pharmacy in an unfamiliar area. Especially if its late at night, your location is remote or foreign or kids are involved. Take with you some of your usual remedies and you will be prepared if a minor health issue arises. Keep it packed for travel just like your toiletry bag.

I hope those were some helpful travel hacks for you to use on your next trip! Jump on over to my Pack Like a Pro blog post for some more in-depth packing tips or Vacation Spotlight – Costa Rica for some vacation inspiration. As always, drop a comment below if these tips helped you or let us know your favorite travel hacks!

Shopping List

I have this cute pink toiletry bag for my travels. I like that it hangs up so you can easily see what’s inside and it won’t clutter up counter space.

I used these travel bottles for toiletries when I went to Costa Rica. It’s much easier to put shampoo and conditioner in these and secure them in your pink toiletry bag than to bring the large bottles with you.

The travel steamer I have is no longer available, but this one is quite similar. It has great reviews, small size and reasonable price. You can’t go wrong!

There are a ton of digital luggage scales on the market. They all seem to have the same features. You don’t need anything fancy to weigh your bags so don’t spend more than you need to.

This airplane footrest is something I have not purchased YET. We are going to France next year, so I am going to get one for that flight. I am pretty short, and my legs don’t comfortably reach the ground on flights. This ends up hurting my back. I am also worried about circulation so I think this will help to solve my problems and maybe yours, too!