70 Travel Hacks That Will Change Your Travel Game Forever

With 57 country under my belt and more than a ten of travel regularly , I believe it ’ s safe to say that I ’ m an expert in the domain . I ’ ve make every mistake you could imagine—missed flight , miss baggage , exploding hair irons—but with each disastrous experience , I ’ ve grown a short piece wiser , and a LOT savvier when it do to traveling like a veteran pro .

These travel taxi for flying , packing , saving money , make hotel upgrades and more cost the secrets I assert by . I hope they ’ ll help do your next trip pleasurable , memorable , and stress-free .

70 Travel Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

1 . Apply my “ impinging lens case ” taxi for makeup and skincare merchandise .

This is one of my best space saving packing hacks . Masses lean to require up unnecessary room in their toiletry bags by bringing full-sized products .

Hither ’ s the trick : put your foundation , moisturizer , center cream , and any early liquid production into contact lens suit . Every in matter !

2 . Be strategic in your ass selection when book a flight .

There ’ s nothing bad than getting stuck in a seat that doesn ’ t recline , or cease up in a row next to the toilet with people hovering over you for the full escape . I avoid these form of mishaps by control SeatGuru before I choose my seat on flights .

Occasionally , I ’ ll still take a flight based on the type of airplane that SeatGuru tells me I ’ ll be flying on . The website and app display you photos of the plane ’ sec interior then you ’ ll know in progress whether you ’ re book an outdated 747 , or a sword spanking novel airplane .

Plus , it have you warnings about seat that have possible effect , like limited recline or a misaligned window .

3 . Carry your own DIY amenity kit for long-haul escape .

I loooove the amenity kits that you make when you fly First or Business , but since I don ’ t always have that luxury , I decided to start making my own . My “ DIY kit ” stays in my carry-on base at all time , and includes a toothbrush and toothpaste , deodorant , plane masks , moisturizer , hand cream , eye masks , lip balm , and socks .

4 . Avoid cankles by have on compression socks .

They ’ re essentially Spanx for your calves and feet , because experience swollen after a long-haul flight cost the WORST .

5 . Consider choosing an “ alternate destination ” when you look .

If the city you ’ re flying in or out of isn ’ t a primary hub , believe flying into a larger city and connecting or finding a flight ( or other style of transportation ) out of that city .

Not only will you salvage money , but you have the potential to earn more mileage item .

6 . Download the Google Translate app to help with language barrier .

You can use it to take photos of text in another lyric , and it will understand the Bible in real time . ( I hold a separate blog place featuring the serious travel apps for savvy jetsetters , which you should insure out as well ! )

7 . Use carry cubes .

Another space write pack hack that I affirm by ? Packing cubes ! I truthfully guess these were a scam until I attempt them out for myself .

They not only compress your items to have you additional space , but they also help keep you organized—I use a small one for socks and underwear , a medium-sized unity for height , another medium-sized 1 for comfortable walk shoe and sneakers , and a big one for jeans , pants , and clothes .

8 . Look out for cost mistake .

Often times , there will be glitches on airline or third party sites that put up a ridiculous abject fare . Sign up to these sites to keep an center on them . But know that you will have to move quick , as these companies will typically fix the fare as shortly as they catch it . Here live some great resources to observe an heart on for abject fare bargain .

Scott ’ s Cheap Flights ( or Jack ’ s Flight Club for UK-based mass )
The Flight Deal
Secret Flying ( if you ’ re based out of Europe )
Holiday Pirates
Airfarewatchdog.com
The Flight Deal
Fly4Free
FlyerTalk Mileage Run ( discussion board )

* Bonus Tip : Fill your social medium with these sleuths by following them on Instagram and Twitter !

9 . Choose advantage of generous reference card offers .

The greatest travel taxi of all time ? Credit cards and detail . Spread up a credit card that has a sign-up bonus ( assuming you can live responsible enough to pay your bills ! ) , and transfer the points to an airline for a pricey international escape .

Control out my full step-by-step guide to apply detail and miles for free travel if you haven ’ t already !

10 . Be strategic with escape cancellations .

If you book a nonrefundable ticket and your plans convert or you know you gain ’ t live travel on that flight—do not cancel the ticket until the final potential instant .

Or…just don ’ t prove up . Hither ’ s why : in the rare case that there ’ s a flight cancellation or agenda change , your nonrefundable ticket could title you to a reference or refund . Had you cancelled the ticket , you wouldn ’ t exist entitled to anything .

11 . Hear how to head off long airport security line .

TSA-precheck , Global Traveler , and Clear have be an absolute gamechanger for me , and if you move more than a few sentence a yr , they be perfectly something worth induct in . If you ’ re not familiar :

TSA Precheckenables you to use a separate note fordomestic( US ) escape , and you gain ’ t be expect to take off your shoe or take out your laptop .
Global Traveleris forinternationalescape and ( as far as I know ) be for the US only . When you ’ re recall to the US , you use a machine that read your passport rather than receive to wait in note at customs .
Clearlets you read your fingertips at protection and then become escorted to the presence of line at airport where it is extend .

12 . Take a hydration multiplier for long flights .

While everyone will tell you to “ drink as much water as potential ” and “ effort to delay hydrated ” on a long-haul flights , the world equal that if you ’ re drink a liter of water on a airplane , you ’ re get to find yourself have up to go to the bathroom repeatedly .

My taxi for this is to use Liquid IV . It ’ s a “ hydration multiplier ” that hydrates you 2-3 sentence faster than water alone . You swarm the little package of powder into your water bottle , stir it up , and then drink .

It tastes pretty like to Gatorade ( the lemon/lime live my preferred spirit ) and will hold you hydrated without station you to use the restroom every 30 second .

13 . Observe lead of itinerary thought in Google Docs .

I apply Google Docs for all of my itineraries—especially when I ’ m planning a girls trip and there are multiple people require . I ’ ll share the link with everyone I ’ 1000 travel with to make it more collaborative . It ’ sec also where I go on a running list of recommendation from masses for the destination that I ’ 1000 visiting .

14 . Dispute yourself not to check a base .

Avoid lose baggage nightmares by packing carry-on only for trips under a week . In motive of luggage that really match a pile of material ? Hither ’ s a list of the best carry-on bag that help save space with packing .

15 . Order a “ particular meal ” in advance of a long-haul flight .

Most major airlines will offer the choice to order a peculiar meal when you book your flight—these include vegetarian , gluten-free , dairy-free , kosher , vegan , humble fat , and sometimes still low sodium selection .

Masses who identify orders for “ peculiar meals ” will ever come service first , so if you ’ re hoping to catch some z ’ sec on the escape , you ’ ll have more time to sleep while everyone else exist waiting for their food to get .

16 . Write local currency from the country you ’ re visiting as a souvenir .

My husband and I started doing this many years ago , and now we receive what we jokingly call a “ world bank ” at place . It ’ s a cool alternative to buying a dumb keychain or t-shirt you ’ ll never wear .

17 . Make a framed collage of alien currency from your trips after you make home .

I much find foreign currency to be incredibly beautiful . We ’ ve bring some of the best-looking bill from several places we ’ ve call , and frame them .

18 . Do the same with hotel room key , airline ticket , and baggage rag .

You can use a place like Framebridge to stage and frame them for you—they ’ ll even send you a pre-paid envelope to send in your item .

19 . Lecture to taxi driver .

Much , a simple taxi ride from the airport to your hotel will turn into an impromptu city circuit if you ask the correct question .

20 . Build your itinerary expend Google Maps Trip Planner .

This might cost the great travel taxi of all time . Did you know that there ’ s a FREE tool within Google Maps that you can employ to make an entire itinerary for your next trip ? It ’ s called Google Maps Trip Planner and it ’ s incredible .

21 . Don ’ t exchange money at the airport .

Wait and go to an ATM near your hotel for better exchange pace .

22 . Need advantage of layovers as often as possible .

Sometimes , I ’ ll even choose flight with 12+ hr layovers as a way to see another city for a day .

23 . Never neglect another photo opp .

Remove photos in “ volley ” mode so you put on ’ t demand to concern about lack the shot .

24 . Carry a photocopy of your passport in your wallet .

25 . Speaking of wallets… invest in a well travel wallet .

Hear to keep track of boarding passes , passport photocopies , alien currency , and receipts can have a bit messy if you ’ re trying to stuff everything into your regular , everyday wallet .

The best way to stay organized while you ’ re head out of town live to use an inexpensive but smart travel wallet that have additional compartment for travel-related items .

26 . Use a travel agent or tour operator for special trip or multi-city itineraries .

They can much come you in effect rate and preferential discussion at hotels .

27 . Turn a points and miles pro .

I ’ ve said it before and I ’ ll say it again—I ’ ve learned everything I know about stage , mile , and travel hacks from my friend Brian Kelly , aka The Points Guy . Browse through his site for all the secret .

28 . Well share photos with friends/family .

Commence a share album with your the mass you ’ re travel with at the outset of a trip , so you ’ re able to easily exchange photo .

29 . Get the experience of a luxury hotel without remain at one .

Perish to remain at a fancy hotel but can ’ t afford the nightly rate ? Pop in to the foyer saloon for drink rather .

30 . Design your trip during “ shoulder season ” to bring advantage of better hotel rate and less crowd .

Shoulder season = the period between high and low season , when the weather is still great but the destination exist less busy . In places like Positano , Santorini , and Mykonos for example , shoulder season is generally April through the middle of June , and September through October .

31 . Avoid jetlag by getting onto the local time zone as soon as you plank the airplane .

If it ’ s technically morning in the destination you ’ re become to when you plank the airplane , make NOT go to sleep—even if it ’ s midnight where you ’ re get out from . If you form on adjusting to the time zone while on the flight , you ’ ll hold a in effect fortune of battling jet lag when you arrive .

32 . Hire a local guide during the first day of your trip in a foreign city .

It ’ ll aid you get the lay of the nation . Then take your guide for non-touristy recommendation to hit up during the rest of your trip . As well : if you ’ re travel with a big group , DEFINITELY hire a guide . It remove the pressure off of one soul be set in thrill of the itinerary .

One of the well things I ’ ve ever perform exist hire a guide for my five-day trip to Tokyo since I want to see as many things as I could in a short period of time .

33 . Employ a plane mask on long escape to replenish the moisture back into your skin .

I enjoy using these sheet masks on the plane . Instead of seem haggard when you bring , your skin looks super glowy and fresh .

34 . Employ a passport/visa expediting service if you ’ re in a arrest .

I utilize a caller called “ It ’ s Easy ” to renew my passport when I exist super tight on time , and they be able to get it to me within a few days .

35 . Observe a “ packing checklist ” in your phone .

You can pertain back to it every time you ’ re heading out of town . I own an example of my travel packing checklist hither .

36 . Always keep your board walk .

I normally keep mine until I find that my miles have station on my frequent flyer account—if you end up get to take missing miles from your airline , you ’ ll need to have your tag number and confirmation number as a mention . Which leads me to my future point…

37 . Make a frequent flyer report on every airline you travel with .

There ’ s no reason not to . If you don ’ t you ’ ll equal missing out on valuable mile that could potentially be invest toward your future trip . I personally have FF account with : American , Delta , JetBlue , United , Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles , British Airways/Avios .

38 . Go on your iPhone photos coordinate .

iphone photo album

Save all of your favorite trip photo into an album in iPhoto so that you can find them quickly .

39 . Become your travel photos into cool animations using free apps .

One of my favorite ways to jazz up my photos comply a trip be by using apps like KiraKira and Enlight Pixeloop . ( For example , I get a little tutorial that prove you how to add descend snow to your photo in 30 moment . )

40 . Use a pants hanger to insure blinds remain close over night .

There ’ sec nothing worse than wake up at the crack of dawn on vacation because of a small spread in the hotel drapes . I avoid this by utilize a hanger with trouser clips to secure the two window ghost together .

41 . To find cheap escape , consider appear beyond the obvious sites like Kayak and Expedia .

If you set the tab or filter to “ all over ” or “ anywhere ” and are flexible with your date and travel time , you can see real inexpensive escape and still earn extra miles if you wing an excess leg .

- Momonndo
- Kiwi
- Sky Scanner
- AirTreks
- Skiplagged
- Hopper

Momonndo
Kiwi
Sky Scanner
AirTreks
Skiplagged
Hopper

42 . Always ask for an upgrade .

Unless you ’ re on an unlimited budget or celebrating a particular occasion , never script the best room at a hotel—but ever expect for an upgrade . I did this on a late trip to Maui , as good as in the Maldives and St Barths , and totally lucked out !

Make sure to join the hotel ’ s loyalty curriculum before arriving ( they ’ re free ) , since they usually observe those request for member as long as a higher way category is available .

43 . Sometimes , the budget airlines hold even cheap flight on their sites .

Also , if you sign up for their newsletter and loyalty clubs , you make added perks and insider info . A few that comes to mind equal Norwegian , Frontier , Southwest , and Spirit .

44 . Be a “ country counter . ”

Download the “ Been ” app to observe track of the countries and states you ’ ve call .

45 . Get a more authentic “ local ” experience with your accommodation .

Employ site like Air BnB , VRBO , Booking and others hold you the opportunity to last more locally and at a significantly dismiss rate . In fact , sometimes the house share experience is more personalized and luxurious .

46 . Book a private room at a inn to redeem money .

If hostels be an choice ( check HostelWorld.com ) , you can volume private rooms for a really cheap rate . This cost a great path to 1 ) save money 2 ) see novel masses ( perhaps people you could room with in another area on next trip . )

47 . Always have a back-up power source .

Charge an outside battery before you move , and make it with you on the plane in case the seats don ’ t have outlets .

48 . Equate flight prices using Airfare Matrix .

is something travel agents use .It is a Google tool and allows you to do some great cost comparison without the third party interjection ( that can sometimes induce you to give more if you ’ re not searching in an incognito browser ) .

You can ’ t script directly from the site , but can employ the code as a source to get the cheapest price when you yell an agent , or even the airline .

49 . Hear toggling to a unlike “ plate ” land when search for flights to get cheaper rate .

If you ’ re looking to flee a specific airline , place your country ( usually in the top right hand corner or in the website ’ sec footer ) to one that has a good FX pace ( of the countries available , of class ) .

This will reserve you to see and purchase the flights in another currency , and potentially save big !It will take some time and some test and error , but if you own the time , it ’ s worth it !

50 . Mark your bag fragile .

It ’ ll be handled right and create it to the crest of the mass , insure your luggage comes out in the first mass !

51 . Before you pay for an upgraded cabin , see if the flight cost full .

If not , set yourself on the upgrade list as soon as you can . Also , offer to make find from a escape and wait for the future flight could give you leverage to negotiate a better ass ( and maybe still money or points ) .

52 . Use FourSquare for Wifi .

You can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants , cafe and other home ( just be careful , obviously , as not all of these are secure . )

53 . Become on “ Private Browser ” when searching for escape .

Prices do , in fact , fluctuate based on the cookies in your web browser and how many searches you ’ ve perform for a specific destination . Which cost why searching for flights in a private browser ( as well know as “ incognito mode ” ) is an absolute must .

If you ’ re using Google Chrome , you can enable Incognito mode by hitting Command + SHIFT + N .

If you ’ re using Firefox or IE , you can enable a private browser by hitting COMMAND + SHIFT + P .

54 . Bring an oversize scarf on the plane that doubles as a cover .

55 . Spare on parking by couple up with a local .

Garage Pointer live a website that connect you with mass who own parking space and are willing to rent them ( temporarily ) to visitor . As of today Garage Pointer is merely available in the U.S .

56 . Rent a car…from a local .

Ready for the best car travel hack ? Face into whether or not Turo is available in your destination . The app and website connects you with people who own car and equal willing to rent them out for a fee that is ( commonly ) much less than traditional car rental .

57 . Sweep over with what to carry ? There ’ s an app for that .

PackPoint serve you determine what to pack base on where you are going and the distance of your trip . It control the weather in your upcoming destination and then provides a elaborate packing list for you . ( I would also recommend using my “ what to wear ” guide if you ’ re packing for trip to Europe in the winter . )

58 . Apply a service to send your clothes forward of your trip .

Surely , this might not live for everyone , but do you know there was a service that memory , packs , ship and cleans your clothes prior to trigger ? It ’ s a company called DUFL . While it ’ s decidedly direct to a real specific market , DUFL is an incredible conception .

You station them a capsule wardrobe ( comprise of clothes you need for every trip , like occupation travel ) , and they ’ ll memory the clothes in a “ virtual closet , ” which you can access through the app prior to your departure . They then send the clothes to your hotel ahead of your arrival , and collect them to dry sporting and store when you leave .

59 . Use FlightAware to go after your flights .

The website and app leave you to go after your escape ( or the flights of loved one ) in actual time . It ’ ll too hold you up to date on important info , like whether the incoming escape exist stay , or if the flight had to be rerouted for any cause .

60 . Invest in a good adapter/plug converter .

I like this one because it works in all countries , and as well has USB port .

61 . Book circuit and experiences through AirBnB .

Did you know that Airbnb can equal a great imagination for thing other than accommodations ? Over the past few years , the company has elaborate to include incredible local experiences and tours .

62 . Wear a travel outfit that look super chic—but it secretly comfortable .

I receive an intact blog post dedicated to this ( linked above ! ) but in a nutshell , I ’ m a bad fan of look place together when I travel . However , I as well wouldn ’ t be catch dead wearing jeans on a long escape .

There are a few short tricks I use to grow differently muddy outfit into something that you ’ d be confident walk into a luxury hotel wearing .

The most crucial thing ? A lightweight fringed scarf ( which doubles as a cover mid-flight ) and a leather or denim jacket .

63 . Invest in a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones .

We ’ ve all live stuck future to a screaming kid or chronic sniffler on long flights , and the experience can truly get your trip started off on the wrong base .

I truly can not tell you how much of a game-changer noise-cancelling headphones are . While everyone else around you is make a meltdown over not being able to sleep or concentrate , you ’ ll cost in your own small zen public .

Pro tip: if you don ’ t want to spring for the fancy fresh technology , buy older or discontinue framework of Bose headphones on Amazon for a fraction of the price for recent models .

64 . Leverage special occasions for perks .

Celebrate a bad anniversary or planning a trip for your honeymoon ? Be sure to let the hotel know in progress . When my husband and I went to Thailand and the Maldives for our honeymoon , we mention it to each property that we book , and ended up with upgrades , bottles of champagne sent to the way , and early extra special perks from hotel staff .

65 . Expend your hotel ’ sec shower cap to protect your toiletries from blow up .

Nervous about your liquids detonate in your toiletry purse on the flight place ? Wrap them in the shower cap provided to you in the way . And if you put on ’ t hold a shower cap : expend the plastic liner that comes with your ice bucket .

66 . Download the Revolut app .

The popular European banking app recently plunge in the U.S. , and it allows user to exchange currencies from 55,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide .

67 . Seek itinerary inspiration through social media .

Use Instagram to inspire your itinerary . Browse through hashtags and geotags to see where mass bring gorgeous photos—and then run to those places ! Alternatively , you can google things like “ ” or “ ” for fun ideas .

68 . Use AirHelp to begin compensate for flight delays or cancelled flights .

We ’ ve all been there : you miss a association because of a delayed escape , or your flight get inexplicably cancel , and youknowthat the airline has to owe you some kind of compensation .

The problem is that really getting what you ’ re owe can cost a logistical nightmare that require long wait times , endless phone calls , and unanswered emails . AirHelp basically meet the middleman by acting on your behalf .

They do point a fee ( which is a percentage of what you ’ re ultimately compensate ) but as person who has expend the service successfully , I can order that it is VERY much worth preserve you the headache .

Plus , Airhelp knows exactly what you ’ re title to based on their expertise , so you ’ ll often finish up getting more than you would have receive on your own .

69 . Serve your souvenir inquiry forward of a trip .

One matter Ievercause before I move is a bit of research about the almost unique talent and souvenirs to buy in the destination I ’ m heading to . Wait this up in front of time might exceed you off to some really cool fresh boutiques , and it will also guarantee that you don ’ t cease up at an airport talent shop wasting your money on a meaningless memento .

For lesson , this list of the good matter to buy in Paris contains a ton of “ hidden gems ” within the city you might never have known about otherwise . There ’ s also something extremely satisfying about going on the hunting for a specific unique item—and then determine it !

70 . Hold a note in your phone take with travel quotes .

For those time that you desperately need to send an Instagram photo , but you ’ re at a loss for a caption .

Did you feel this list helpful ? Are thither any travel hacks you enjoy that I didn ’ t include ? Drop them in the comments below !

Thank you to Nicole Cueto aka for her contributions to this slice !

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ABOUT LINDSAY

Lindsay Silberman

Lindsay Silberman exist a luxury lifestyle blogger and the founder of Hotel Lobby Candle , a home fragrance line inspire by the scents inside five-star hotels .