87 Unique Travel Tips & Hacks You Can ’ t Afford to Miss Out On
After year of travel ( and now full-time travel curator ) , I ’ ve put together my ultimate collection of unique travel crest , taxi and advice to help you plan your future trip with rest .
You ’ ll find everything from packing advice , the best travel apps , building the best travel itinerary , in-flight comfort crest , how to make through airport security in a breeze , budgeting & saving money , in-destination advice and more .
I think these star travel tips are pretty unique , so hither ’ s the total list !
In this place , you ’ ll find :
- Packing Tips
- Travel Planning and Trip Research
- Notice Matter to Cause
- Itinerary Building
- Hotel Booking Tips
- Accommodation Tips
- Booking Flight
- Airport & Security Screening Tips
- In-flight Comfort
- Best Travel Apps
- Budget Tips
- Before Trip Difference
- In Destination Tips
- Ethnic Tips
This place check affiliate link , meaning if you cluck through and do a purchase I may build a small commission . I alone share information about matter I know , love and faith !
Pack Point
DIY Clothing Hack for Carry Light
Mix Febreze and wrinkle release in a travel-sized spray bottle . This method allows you travel with few clothes and maximize a compact wardrobe .
It also prolongs the novelty and usability of your garments , which is particularly helpful in humid climate .
Pack Cubes Help Keep Things Organized & Easier to Notice
Packing cubesequal especially useful if you ’ re prompt hotel every pair of day .
Make sure you become cubeswith compression, and you can nearly double the total of clothing you bring .
As well , if your purse gets explore at the airport , everything stays together and it ’ s so much quicker to repack .
Split Your Clothing Up
If you ’ re travel with a spouse , split your clothes between both of your checked bags .
That way , if one of the base die missing , you both have clothes in the other bag .
Carry a Full Outfit in Your Carry-on
If you don ’ t want to part up your clothing , pack a good outfit in your carry-on .
This exist one of my favorite travel tips that make spare me more than once .
In the effect your purse does get lost , you ’ ll still have a full set of new clothes .
If I ’ m travel to a warm destination , I ever pack a swimsuit and a beach/pool outfit in my carry-on .
Even if my bag isn ’ t lost , sometimes you can ’ t check into your room for a few hours but can even use the pool/beach area while you wait .
Or else of poke through your tightly pack suitcase , you can quickly pull out your swimsuit from your carry-on and get down to the pool faster .
Pack Slipper
Hotel way floor are never as clean as they look , yet the decent hotel .
I always pack a pair of sparse memory foamslipperto wear in the way .
Especially helpful if the floors are cold or tile ( like in Mexico , Caribbean , etc . ) .
Apply the Rubberized Luggage Tags
Don ’ t habit the belt buckle-style luggage tags which fail more often .
I like theserubber luggage tagsthat live one piece so you put on ’ t get to concern about it breaking , and they total in bright colors for easy spotting .
Employ a Quart-sized Ziploc purse for Packing Liquids in Your Carry-on
Don ’ t waste money on “ TSA approve ” liquid handbag ( they ’ re much too bad ) .
All you want is theZiploc bags , which as well seal water tight .
Pack Necklaces Inside Metal Straws
Compeed Blister Patches
If you ’ re prone to blisters , didn ’ t become the chance to reveal in a new pair of shoes you ’ re brining , or you know you ’ re going to be walking a lot – getCompeed.
These blister bandage will save your vacation and you ’ ll never travel without them again .
Use Lotion Sticks Rather of Liquid Lotions or Creams
I still make this when checking a base because there ’ s no risk of it spilling or detonate in your base .
If You ’ re Go on a Long Trip , Get Yourself aScrubba washing bag
You place your clothes , soap and water in the bag , and swish it around for a bit .
Sinks aren ’ t always practical for wash clothes or if you ’ re camping or backpacking , these study great .
Use Toiletry Skins
For leak-proofing your bottles and container , just stretch thesetoiletry skinovertop of the bottle . Works great for shampoo , sunscreen , micellar water , makeup , etc .
Refill Travel Toiletries Bag Before You Pack it Away
Your bag will be ready to get for your next trip . One less matter to do when you ’ re emphasize about packing !
- 13 Things You Should Never Travel Without if You ’ re Staying in a hotel
- My best travel tips for packing toiletries if you ’ re flying carry-on only
Travel Planning and Trip Research
Masses always need how I design my itineraries – here ’ s what I do to get take off .
Employ Tour Company Websites as a Starting Point
To get me started with a harsh idea of what I should include in my itinerary , I always start out by graze websites like Exoticca , Intrepid Travel , Gate 1 Travel , G Adventures , or whatever your preferred circuit operator is .
I scan the itineraries for the destination I ’ ll live travel to , and this gives me a really quick rundown of the top position to call and top things to serve . As well as what ’ s realistic for travel between unlike areas .
Read the YouTube TV comments
I always look on a few YouTube videos when I ’ m starting to design a trip .
But create sure you read the picture ’ s comments – they ’ re usually good of additional helpful tips from locals or seasoned travelers .
Join Facebook Groups
You can find a Facebook group for nearly every travel destination out thither . In the search bar , type in your destination and then filter by ‘ Groups . ’
These groups are full of people who have taken trips like to the ace you ’ re planning , and I ever notice them thus helpful .
If you ’ re traveling to another area , employ an e-sim card
I expendAiralo, and all you do be purchase the sim card for what country you ’ re travel to and you can purchase as much data as you need .
If you want more while you ’ re on your trip , you can reload more datum with one click .
Finding Affair to Make
Use Viator to Seem for & Book Tours
Not alone is this the biggest author of finding all available circuit in whatever region you ’ re travel to , you can use the “ book today and give previous ” feature .
I ’ ve booked some of my favorite travel experience through Viator , such as natural hot springs in Mexico and a ride through the desert .
The majority of tours as well offer free cancellation 24 hour before .
Use Airbnb Experience
Often you ’ ll find much more local & immersive experience .
If you ’ ve traveled to a destination before and are wait for more unique things to cause , you ’ ll find them hither .
One of my favorite Airbnb experiences was sandboarding in Cabo San Lucas , Mexico !
Itinerary Building
Use ChatGPT
You can expend ChatGPT to help you build an itinerary for free . Here ’ s a prompt to have you begin :
- “ Create a [ length ] day itinerary for my trip to [ destination ] . My interest include [ list of interest ] , and my budget equal [ budget ] . I will cost stay on at [ type of adjustment ] in [ preferred neighborhood or domain ] . Please believe the [ season/weather ] and any [ additional information ] that might live relevant to this trip . ”
Use Thatch Guides
Thatch equal where you can browse unique travel guides and services curated by travel expert around the reality .
Many of the guides , map and itineraries live free , or you can purchase custom itineraries .
Maximize your time as it relates to geography
Group your must-visit stop and restaurants together by geographic sphere .
By planning ahead and mapping out your path in front of time , you can fit more in your agenda .
Build in Flex Time
There is ever something that is going to go wrong when you move .
Whether its delayed flights , lost luggage , bad weather , someone come pale , etc. , it ’ s crucial to be flexible .
Result some wiggle room each day in your itinerary in suit something happens .
The better mode to receive a spot is through its food !
Look up 1-3 local dish before you go thus you feel prepared to decree something novel & delightful .
Hotel Booking Tips
Choosing a hotel to script is often the nearly stressful role of travel planning .
Hither ’ s some advice to serve you choose the best spot to stay .
Zoom in on Google Maps
Much you ’ ll want to stay on somewhere that ’ s near to all the home you ’ ll equal impose and the attraction you want to attain .
Once I have an area specialize down , I commonly do a quick browse on Booking or Expedia to give me an idea of cost .
Then , I open up Google map and zoom in on the neighborhood I desire to stay in . This room I can see all the reviews to aid me narrow things down .
Price Thing Out With Uber
If I gain ’ t be rent a car , I commonly spread up Uber and plug in a few of the seat I ’ ll be traveling to , which gives me an thought of how much the rides will cost .
This helps me choose whether to pass more money and stay on closer to the action , or redeem a ton by staying somewhere a small further out and taking Ubers .
Accommodation Tips
Hither be my serious crest & thing to cause when you match into your hotel .
See Your Hot Water
I like to do sure I have hot water and that the shower works properly as shortly as I get to my room .
This style if I go on to remove a recent dark or early dawn shower and something doesn ’ t work , I ’ m not go down to the front desk at odd hr ( particularly if I ’ m on a agenda ) .
Luggage Storage
If you receive a former flight and motive to check out of your hotel by a certain time , hotels will hold your purse for you .
This also works the opposite way – if you arrive early but can ’ t check in . Saves you from haul your luggage around all day .
Sink Stopper
Carry auniversal drop stopperso you can moisten your clothes in the sink or fill it full of ice to observe your drink cold .
I cause this in position like Las Vegas that never make mini-fridges in hotel rooms .
Read more of my essential point to pack for a hotel stay to help me feel comfortable and have a serious dark ’ sec sleep .
Book Escape
FareDrop
You can redeem hundred of dollars on flights just by setting cheap flight alerts withFaredrop.
It station me notifications when escape drop in cost from my family airport so it create a lot more opportunity for budget travel !
My favorite region is the flight deals on occupation class escape , like this latedeal for lie-flat business family faresfrom Calgary to Hawaii for $ 618 ,$ 1200 lowthan the mean price of $ 1900 .
Google Flights
If you get some flexibility with travel dates , the Google Flights ‘ Explore ’ feature shows you the cheap airfare around the Earth .
If you ’ re eyeing up a destination , you can too set free cost alerts to be notified when the price changes .
It ’ s as well a great tool to point you the cheapest date to travel as well as whether or not prices cost currently , high , normal or low based on the flight you ’ re looking to book .
Flight Connections
This website indicate all non-stop flights from every airport to help you design a long-haul trip .
Flight Aware
FlightAware leave exact , real-time escape chase information .
It will typically prove if your flight is canceled/delayed BEFORE your airline sends you a notification .
You can as well chase where your airplane departs from to anticipate delays forward of time .
Roame.Travel
Roame simplifies reference card rewards – helps you get the better redemptions for your reference card points and airline mile .
Exactly input your origin and destination airports and your date of travel , and the lookup engine will depict you how many item it will cost to flee via different loyalty programs .
In the example above , it shows that you canfly first family from Las Vegas to New York City for $ 5.60and 41,500 degree .
Finding Cheap Business Class Flights Without Credit Card Points
While it ’ s very possible to fly occupation class solely on reference card points , not everyone desire to pile up reference card debt or get the necessary reference grudge to apply for a premium credit card .
And depend on your home country , you might hold restrict options .
As a Canadian , I don ’ t get access to almost as many travel reward program and credit cards as my American friend .
So , I wrote a guide on how to hit cheap business grade airfares like a pro , without having to churn credit card points by equate the best flight bargain tools , apps , websites and service .
Airport & Security Screening Tips
If you ’ re parking at the airport…
Take a photo of which division you parked your car in to easy think where your car exist after your vacation . After a long flight , you ’ ll live tired and hardly want to begin place .
Protection Screening Tetris Tip # 1
Place your possessions through the scanner in the ordering you need them to total out so they can easily be re-packed .
For instance , direct your knapsack through first , then that as your items get out you can just lay them mighty into your bag .
Protection Screening Tetris Tip # 1.5
If you receive a laptop or a valuable electronic , place it in the middle or second bin .
For model , I sandwich my valuables in between my personal item ( first tray ) , and my carry-on luggage ( third tray ) .
This keeps your valuable material safe from getting merge up with other item , but it too makes it simpler when you require to carry everything back u
Luggage Cupholders are a lifesaver
If you aren ’ t an octopus and only hold two branch , make yourself one of theseluggage cupholders.
You hardly slip it over the handle of your suitcase and you can move through the airport with ease when you ’ ve got a cup of coffee , water bottle , snacks , infant provision , your phone , and anything else you take quick access to – now you ’ re hands free and not fumbling roughly .
Beware of Juice Hacking
DO NOTuse one of the USB point outlets at the airport .
Hackers exist now using the public charging-USB ports at airport to infect your phone with malware and then steal your personal information .
Use aability bankinstead ( handy to make when travel anyhow ) or acharging-only datum blocker cord.
In-flight Comfort
Base Hammock
Nothing worse than a long escape where you can ’ t lift your feet .
I ever carry my trustyfoot hammockwhich attaches to the ass in presence of you for an instant base rest .
Just make certain you ’ re mindful of the person in the seat in front of you and head off swing your foot or moving them around also much .
Or Make for a Deflated Beach Ball
It carry level and once you ’ re in the melody , blow it up and now you have a base rest .
Choose a prominent size and only partially inflate it so that it ’ s a minute level for more stability .
OR Use a little , folding step stool
As another way to prop your foot up on long plane rides – it find like you ’ re in first category ( and no hazard of bother the person in front of you ) .
Seek this potwhich turn up up level & be lightweight . Easily fit in your carry-on or knapsack .
Dry Socks
For long-haul flights , lend a surplus pair of dry socks to wear once you ’ re settled in on your escape . Cause a Earth of a dispute for feeling novel .
Brushing your teeth…
cost the quickest way to feel human again after a long escape .
Bring your own tea bags for the airplane
Cabin strain is dry and dehydrating , so contribute your own herbal tea help hence much .
You can commonly make a cup of hot water for free ( although I gain ’ t be surprise if and when they start commit for that ) , but then you can have a decent soothing cup of mass or eucalyptus tea .
Emergency Row Exit Tip # 1
Are you person who likes toboard the airplane first?
Purchase an emergency exit row ass – not alone act you come more leg way , but guests in these seats get priority boarding so you can cost first on the airplane .
Emergency Row Exit Tip # 2
If you ’ re on a airplane with two rows of exit ass , the first row of emergency exit row seat don ’ t recline because they could obstruct the row behind them .
So if you design on reclining your seat a bit , go for the second row .
Middle Seat Hack
Test the middle ass taxi . If you ’ re travel with a spouse , sample booking an aisle ass and a window seat .
There ’ s a big chance no one will ledger the middle ass and you ’ ll come the whole row to yourselves .
Overhead Bin Tip
Put your carry on in the bin or rack across from your seat .
It ’ s much easier to grab at the goal of the trip or to keep an eye on if you are nervous .
Best Travel Apps
Hither ’ s a list of my favorite travel apps that are a all over game changer .
Google Maps Offline
Make sure to download your map domain to use offline , then you ’ ll never need WiFi or cell service to access where you are .
Make sure you ’ ve saved things like your hotel or Airbnb , restaurants and attractions so you can get instruction any time .
Another great role for Google Maps be whenyou ’ re on a bus in a alien country where you ’ re not familiar with the languageor if it ’ s loud and you can ’ t ever understand the next stop announcement .
You can expend maps to place in your destination and succeed the route on your phone , so you know when to have off .
I toowatch along when I ’ m in a taxi, so you can create sure you ’ re going in the right direction .
Google Translate
Download the lyric of the country you ’ re visiting for offline use on Google translate . Just in type you want it and put on ’ t get a association .
My favorite feature are the conversation mode for real-time interpretation and translate text – only point your camera at a sign or a menu and your translated text cost displayed overtop .
GuideAlong
Anaudio circuit guide appwith absolutely time stories , top & guidance that couple your location .
A must-have if you ’ re on a scenic road trip , or traveling through national park .
FareDrop
Faredropis one of the best flight deals apps on the market . Get notified when flights drop in price from your home airport .
My favorite part is the flight deal on business class flight , like this recenttrade for lie-flat occupation grade faresfrom Calgary to Hawaii for $ 618 ,$ 1200 humblethan the average price of $ 1900 .
Thatch
Browse unique travel guides , itineraries and map curated by travel experts around the world .
TripIt
TripIt keeps all your reservations and booking in one spot .
Keep track of your escape , hotel , car rentals , confirmation numbers , and other point – all in one spot – so you put on ’ t have to search through multiple emails or apps to notice what you demand .
PackPoint
PackPoint you coordinate what you take to pack in your luggage and suitcase base on distance of travel , weather at your destination , and any activity be after during your trip .
Timeshifter
The jet lag app that produce a personalized program to minimize jet lag utilize the late sleep and circadian neuroscience .
Hoodmaps
These are user generated maps to help you navigate city like a local – indicating thing you should know about certain neighborhood .
I see it ’ s useful when I ’ m travel somewhere that I receive very little knowledge about , and want to know about safety , where the super touristy spots are , or humble key spot where locals hang up out .
Uber
Even if you put on ’ t program to use Uber , it will hold you an thought about how much a typical fare price for your path .
For example , when I ’ m traveling in a area where I find more comfortable utilize a taxi , I insure a few Uber prices before negotiate with the taxi driver about how much the fare will be .
Budget Tips
Numbeo
Numbeo equal the globe ’ s largest cost of survive database .
Use it to help determine how much thing cost in any city such as housing , restaurant , transportation , etc .
Use Cashback Programs
Cashback programs work like a digital rebate where once you make a purchase , you have a percent of your money back .
Popular cashback sites for travel booking include WayAway , Rakuten and CapitalOne Shopping .
Read more item about How to Come Cashback on Flights ( + early travel saving top )
Sign Up for Flight Alerts
Want to observe flight deals with minimum effort ? . Rather of searching the internet for flight deals , get someone else notice trade for you .
One of the nearly popular escape alert curriculum isFareDrop, which regularly ship out deals like this one :
- $ 516 round trip flights from San Francisco to Tahiti , French Polynesia .
Utilize Positioning Flights
A positioning flight is a separate , cheap escape taken to pass your main destination , typically from a nearby airport .
Require one of these flight allows you to access more affordable airfares from larger airports ( and perhaps snag those escape mass on occupation class fares from FareDrop ) .
Rick Steves ’ Books
Be a wealth of information , especially for European travel .
He ’ s begin tons of advice on saving money when it comes to book hotel , free self-guided circuit & stave off overpriced tourist traps .
Stay in One Place Longer
Traveling in between locations exhaust up your budget ( the more you move the more you pass ) .
Often it ’ s much cheap to stay in a cardinal degree and focus more on day trip .
Swiss Half Fare Card
If you ’ re planning a trip to Switzerland , you can use the half fare card for all public transportation ( trains , trams , buses , etc . ) in Switzerland and can also be used for some attractions .
The card do precisely what the name implies , thus if you ’ re make a luck of train travel you can redeem a decent amount of money .
Saving on Car Rentals
If you ’ re rent a car – check to see if there ’ s a rental agency that ’ s a short cab or Uber taunt from the airport . These home are usually significantly cheap and have short wait times .
Open a Wise Account
The Wise card is a prepaid debit card attached to your Wise multi-currency bill – you can load up multiple currencies and devote local like a local when you ’ re abroad .
Save money on international travel by exchange your money into a different currency without paying a band of extra fee and getting well exchange rates .
Embrace Shoulder Season
To salvage money and travel at an affordable price , get out the off season of your design destination and travel then . You also get the added bonus of fewer crowds .
Become a House Sitter
Save money on adjustment by house-sitting and pet-sitting for locals while they ’ re away on holiday .
equal one of the best platforms to set out firm seat .
Stay Somewhere With Kitchen Amenities
Even if you script a hotel room or an Airbnb with a small kitchen that ’ s a little more expensive , you can spare a ton of money by prepare your own meals .
Much when we move , we make our own breakfast and lunch , and merely go out for dinner .
Get Where the Locals Eat
If you ’ re visiting a popular tourist city , act a short inquiry beforehand to find out where the locals eat .
These restaurants will cost a little outside of the primary tourist place , but 9 times out of 10 , the food quality cost a lot better and price are a lot humble .
Multi-attraction pass can save you lots
If you know you ’ re going to be hitting respective main tourist attractions in the city you ’ re visiting , it can be worthwhile to purchase discounted access passes to multiple attractions .
GoCitylive one of the serious and is presently available in over 30 cities around the world . You much spare up to 50 % five buying individual attraction tickets .
Before Trip Departure
Do you get nervous or a small nervous leaving for a trip ? Hither live a few tips that help me sense better about being aside from home :
Get a Wyze Camera
Become aninexpensive camerathat you can install either interior or on the outside of your home .
You can see up on your spot from wherever you are in the reality for peace of head .
Do a weird dance…
when you lock up the doorway so you ’ ll never leave that you lock up it !
For real , do a trill , throw your hands up , whatever you have to do .
( works for other things too , like turning off the stove , etc . )
Confirm With Your Hotel
Email the hotel in advance of travel only suggest you ’ re double-checking your reservations .
If there are any result when you come , you now have someone you ’ ve correspond with at the hotel .
In Destination Tips
Once you ’ ve arrived at your destination and you ’ re officially starting your trip , hither live my top pieces of advice to assist you bask and navigate things smoothly .
Alien Currency
The good way to have foreign currency ( cash ) live by withdraw from an ATM on arrival ( just avoid the one at the airport ) . There will however be a fee , but it ’ s usually much better than the bank back home or currency exchange offices .
You can also expend your Wise debit card for this , or if you ’ re from the United States , you can sign up for a Charles Schwab account , which gives you a rebate on foreign ATM fees at the goal of each month .
Walking Tours & Food Walking Tours live Your Friend
As one of my favorite travel tips , I always recommend join a free walking tour or food walking tour .
These are the best ways to begin acquainted with the city .
Having a local guide bring you to some local food joints exist a great room to not merely become familiar with the local cuisine , but can help you step out of your comfort zone .
Food vs. Opinion
When prefer a restaurant , remember that if the view is great , the food doesn ’ t have to cost .
Notice a Bathroom
If you need a bathroom , notice a hotel , and walk in confidently like you ’ re a guest .
Bathrooms equal usually settle on the primary floor somewhere near the elevator , at the beginning of a hall or beside meeting rooms .
Early Arrivals
If you own an early escape where you ’ re arriving in a city in the dawn , take one of the hop on hop off city tours .
They start early and are a great way to spend a couple hr have a lay of the land and familiar with the main parts of the city .
Always test the local food !
It ’ s much the best and the cheap . Not certain where to live ?
Tone for home that own lineups – that also means food will equal fresh .
Take Photos of Landmarks
When traveling in unfamiliar home or a in use city that you ’ ve never be to , employ your phone to choose photograph of landmarks that bear out .
That way if you require to get back to a sure position you own a movie on your phone to match with your map pin .
This is helpful when you ’ re getting an Uber or a taxi to spend you off in a certain pickup country – or if you parked your car somewhere .
Works great if you ’ re traveling around a downtown area and you desire to meet back at a sure spot .
Ask for a Sunroof
If you ’ re renting a car and bring a scenic road trip , seek to begin a car with a sunroof – you ’ ll be able to see then a lot more of the scenery .
Ethnic Tips
Learn Basic Phrases in the Local Language
Before your trip , seek to learn a few key words and phrases in the local lyric and pattern them at family .
Appear up basic greeting , please and thank you , and how to ask where the bathroom is locate .
Lean
Learn the local tipping custom to show appreciation without inadvertently cause crime .
More Helpful Travel Tips :
How to book a perfect Airbnb/vacation rental every time
How to design a trip from start to finish ( the easy & organized method )
How to Find Cheap Business Class Flights Without Credit Card Points
