I love to travel. Like it's definitely in my top 5 favorite things only behind my son, my dog, and my husband. I am super jealous of those people that get to travel for a living. Ah! So fun! Well, I may not be able to make a living by travelling, but I do my best to get in as many trips as possible. If I'm not travelling, I'm planning some trip we're taking in the future so I've looked at quite a few travel hacks. Here, I have compiled my favorite hacks and my least favorite hacks (sorry!):
Packing
Favorite: Pack some ziploc bags.
I like to bring gallon bags for wet swimsuits. Quart bags for keeping my liquids together. Sandwich bags for snacks and leftovers. Snack bags to hold small things like pressed pennies, jewelry, or smaller snacks.
Favorite: Pack a day bag.
Sometimes, you just need to bring more than you can fit in your purse. Especially if you're going to be out and about all day.
Least Favorite: Shirts and Underwear can be rolled and stuffed into socks.
This is way too much trouble. I like to keep all of my shirts together and all of my underwear together.
Favorite: Invest in some packing cubes.
I would much rather organize my clothes with packing cubes. It helps keep things together in a much more organized way while still giving you the option of looking at all your clothes to see what you want that day. And for the record, I still roll my clothes, even in the packing cubes.
Favorite: Necklaces can be kept in straws.
I love this hack. I don't have to spend time untangling my necklaces anymore!
Least Favorite: Put jewelry in a pill case.
It just looks like you're wasting so much room to me. And there are so many better ways to organize your jewelry.
Favorite: Keep your earrings together by putting them through button holes.
Favorite: Keep samples for when you travel.
They take up way less room. Plus, you can just throw them away when you're done with them.
Least Favorite: Put lotions, creams, foundation, etc. in contact cases
This is never enough for me. I need more! I just invest in some travel-size dispensers and use those over and over again.
Favorite: Put plastic wrap under the lids of lotions and shampoos
This will keep them from spilling out.
Favorite: Bring a laundry bag
I like to bring one of these with me if I'm staying in the same location for my entire trip. This way, I have somewhere to put all my dirty clothes so that they don't end up on a pile on the floor or mixed with my clean clothes.
Least Favorite: Store Q-tips in an old pill bottle.
I just throw them in a snack baggie with some cotton balls and bobby pins. I feel like you have to have just the right size pill bottle. But even then, it takes up too much room.
Favorite: Use a dryer sheet to keep your bag and clothes smelling fresh
I love this! So simple. Yet it makes every difference when you get to your destination and have fresh smelling clothes.
Favorite: Bring a portable charger
I seriously bring one with me every time I travel. It's great when you're using your phone as your camera and looking at apps and using maps. Your battery is bound to die at some point.
Airport
Favorite: Bring an empty water bottle
This feels like a no-brainer to me. There are so many filling stations in airports. Plus, you'll save money by not buying drinks.
Least Favorite: Go left at security.
In theory, this makes sense. In execution, not so much. There are so many reasons this doesn't work. I've been to airports where people are directing you where to go so you don't get a choice. Other times, just use your eyes. Pick whichever line looks shortest. But even then, if the people in front of you are super slow, it's not going to matter.
Favorite: Bring your own snacks
I always pack snacks in my carry-on. Again, saving money!
Least Favorite: Every hour, get up and walk the length of the cabin to prevent swelling.
Come on, if everyone did this, the aisles would constantly be crowded with people. What about when the attendants are coming through with that massive cart? You might get stuck on the wrong side and not be able to make it back to your seat. What about the people that actually need to get up to go to the bathroom? Now, you're in the way. Also, are you on the aisle? Because if not, you're annoying the other people in your row. I say just invest in some great compression socks. This really only applies if you're travelling far distances anyway.
Favorite: Bring a scarf
It doubles as a blanket on planes.
Money Savings
Least Favorite: Learn how to haggle/negotiate
This one just doesn't work me. Not because it's not a great tip. But because I just can't do it. It makes me way too uncomfortable. Plus, I feel like this isn't a hack. Either you can haggle. Or you can't. Simple as that. Plus, this is only customary in some travel locations.
Favorite: Buy all-inclusive passes
If you're staying in a city with lots to do, odds are, there will be some kind of pass that will get you into multiple attractions. And if you're planning on visiting multiple things anyway, this is a great way to save you money.
Hotel
Least Favorite: If you forget your wall charger, use the USB plug on the back of a TV to charge your phone.
Okay, so first of all, you can't always get to the USB plug. Second, the amount of power that you get from these plug ins, is usually so little, you can barely get your phone to 100% by charging over night. So while this may be an emergency hack, it's not my favorite travel hack.
Favorite: Attach your car's air vent clip to the A/C unit if your room smells funky
I love this hack! Almost everyone has an air vent clip in their car. And if you don't, go buy a cheap one from the dollar store to bring with you. And even if your room doesn't smell, sometimes it's nice to have a scent that reminds you of your travels.
Favorite: Use the appliances in your room to make some cheap food.
That's right, I have used tin foil and an iron to make quesadillas and grilled cheese. And while I haven't used a coffee maker to make an instant cup of noodles, I would! This is only for people on a budget that can't afford to eat out for every meal.
At Your Destination
Favorite: Research public transportation
I was totally nervous about this at first because the town I grew up in didn't even have public transportation. And even now, I just drive everywhere. But sometimes, in large cities, it just makes more sense to use the buses and trams and subways to get around. No one enjoys paying for parking or navigating traffic. I'm getting more used to using public transportation now and I love that some of them even use apps that you can use to pay for your trip.
Let me know if you have any hacks to add in the comments.
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