26 Travel Hacks That Will Save You Time, Hassle and Money

Traveling is all about escaping from work, stress and the responsibilities that weigh us down.  It’s about finding new experiences and accepting new challenges. It’s about immersing ourselves in new cultures, trying new foods, getting ourselves into uncomfortable situations, and discovering things about ourselves that we may find surprising.

Traveling can be expensive and stressful but getting away from it all, does not have to be hard. Paying the right amount of attention to the little things can make a big difference. 

Whether you’re flying around the world or packing your car for a road trip, here are twenty-six (26) essential travel hacks that’ll help you get the most out of your next getaway by saving you time, hassle, and money.  

1.        Pack Efficiently

Purchase packing cubes. They not only compress your items to give you additional space, but they also help keep you organized. I use a small one for socks and underwear, a medium-sized one for tops, another medium-sized one for comfortable walking shoes and sneakers, and a large one for jeans, pants, and dresses.

Think about what you really need: The ultimate travel hack is also one of the oldest. “If you're not going to wear it more than three times, don't pack it.”

Keep a “packing checklist” in your phone. That way every time you head out of town you can refer to the list. This will save you time and you will not forget the essentials.

2.        Improve Your Airport Experience

Download the airline’s app before departure. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to be notified of any changes to your flight, whether it be a gate change or a delay.

You can often download your boarding pass straight from the app, which will save you time at the kiosks.

Pay to avoid long lines: TSA Precheck has significantly faster lines and only requires a straightforward registration process. If you are an international traveler, Global Entry is a must. Even though your photo, retina scan and fingerprints are on file, it’s worth being tracked just to skip the customs lines. Plus, it includes TSA Precheck and lasts five years. Both Precheck and Global Entry come with a onetime application fee—$85 for Precheck and $100 for Global Entry. There is also Clear, which lets you scan your fingertips at security and then get escorted to the front of line at airports where it is offered.

3.        Stay Hydrated for Free

Bring your own water bottle to fill at the airport and use when you are at your destination. The bottle can be plastic or metal. By doing this you will avoid purchasing the expensive water at the airport. It is also a good idea to pack sensible snacks like fruit, pretzels, and nuts.

4.        Improve Your In-flight Experience

There’s no guarantee that once you’ve boarded the plane your flight will problem-free. Some potential problems are -- the TV’s not working; your seatmate is an armrest hog; babies are crying; and the bathroom line never ends. Flights can be filled with potential perils. So here are a few workarounds.

Are you stuck in the middle? Ask if there are any empty rows in the back. Having a row to yourself near the back of the plane is worth getting your dinner late. 

Purchase noise-canceling headphones to drown out the noise around you. Earplugs could work in a pinch, but then you can’t hear your music or movies.

If you have a hard time falling asleep on a plane, and do not want to take medication, use an app like Calm which uses soothing nature noises to lull users into a peaceful sleep. 

Have diversions ready in case the entertainment on the flight is not interesting, non-existent, or not working properly. Prepare yourself by downloading your favorite shows and eBooks. 

If you are stuck on a long flight, say “hello” to your seatmate. You may find yourself having an enriching conversation with the person next to you.  If things go south, you always have your headphones.

5.        Once You Arrive at Your Destination

Check your hotel room before you unpack to make sure everything is working. Check for the following: Are the sheets clean? Is the bathroom stocked?  Does the TV work? Does the water in the tub go down properly? Does the safe work? Is there a minibar? If anything seems out of place, alert the hotel concierge right away.

Download the hotel app upon arrival. Often, it'll include discounts or freebies as a thank-you for downloading. It may also allow you to check-in.

Does the hotel have a free shuttle? Why Uber when you can shuttle to your hotel for free? If you’re traveling only a short distance from the hotel (i.e., 5 miles or less), many hotels have a free shuttle service.  Also, check to see if the hotel offers free rides around the neighborhood to shopping malls and restaurants. 

Get to know the locals. Look around and seek out people who looks like they know their way around the area. It doesn’t have to be the concierge. What about a waiter or the barista at the corner café? Ask them, “What’s good around here?” You’d be shocked at the hidden gems awaiting you. 

Did you take a taxi or uber to the hotel? Talk to the driver. Often, a simple taxi ride from the airport to your hotel will turn into an impromptu city tour if you ask the right questions.

6.        How to Avoid Cankles

Are you taking a long flight? Avoid cankles by wearing compression socks. They’re basically Spanx for your calves and feet. This will help you avoid the uncomfortable feeling of being swollen after a long-haul flight.

7.        Download a Translation App

Are you traveling to another country where you do not know the language? Download the Google Translate app or other translation app to help with language barriers.

8.        Save the Local Currency as a Souvenir

Save local currency from the country you’re visiting as a souvenir. You can think of it as “world bank” and it’s a better alternative to buying a magnet, keychain, or t-shirt you’ll never wear.

9.        Don’t Exchange Money at the Airport. 

Wait until you get out of the airport to exchange your money. Find an ATM near your hotel for better exchange rates.

10.      Look for Flights with Long Layovers

Take advantage of layovers as often as possible. If you choose a flight with a 12+ hour layover you can take a tour and see another city for a day.

11.      Make Copies of Important Documents

Make a photocopy of your passport and visa and carry the documents with you. You can also take a picture of your passport so that you have it in your phone. 

12.      Get a Good Travel Wallet

Invest in a good travel wallet to keep track of boarding passes, passport photocopies, foreign currency, and receipts. It can be difficult trying to stuff everything into your regular, everyday wallet.

13.      Start a Shared Album

Start a shared album with the people you’re traveling with at the beginning of a trip, so you’re able to easily exchange photos. You will also be able to easily share pictures with friends and family when you return home. 

14.      Experience a Luxury Hotel

Want to get the experience of a luxury hotel without staying at one? Stop by the lobby bar for drinks and appetizers. Look for the restaurants and hotels that offer “happy hours.”

15.      Travel Shoulder Season

Are you flexible with your travel plans? Why not travel during “shoulder season” to take advantage of better hotel rates and less crowds? Shoulder season is the period between high and low season, when the weather is still great, but the destination is less busy. Ask your travel advisor for information on the shoulder season in your preferred destination.

16.      Avoid Jetlag

Avoid jetlag by getting onto the local time zone as soon as you board the plane. If it’s technically morning in the destination you’re going to when you board the plane, do not go to sleep—even if it’s midnight where you’re leaving from. If you work on adjusting to the time zone while on the flight, you’ll have a better chance of battling jetlag when you arrive.

17.      Use a Passport/Visa Service

If you need your passport or visa in a hurry, contact a passport/visa expediting service. It may be well worth the money, time, and stress. They will have your documents on time, with no hassle.

18.      Arrive Refreshed

Do you want to arrive at your destination glowing and looking super fresh, instead of looking haggard and tired? Use a sheet mask on long flights to replenish the moisture back into your skin.

19.      Keep Your Boarding Pass

Do not throw out your boarding pass. You may need it to post or claim miles on your frequent flyer account. On your boarding pass you will find your ticket number and confirmation number. Also, if your bag is lost, you will have your info readily available.

20.      Create Frequent Flyer Accounts

Create a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with and don’t forget to claim your miles. If you do, you may be missing valuable miles that could potentially add up and be used toward your next trip.  You can also become part of Star Alliance. 

21.      Travel with a Back-up Power Source

Always have a back-up power source. Charge an external battery before you travel and carry it with you. This is helpful if the plane or tour bus does not have outlets and your battery runs low. This frequently happens if you are taking a lot of pictures and video. 

22.      Mark your Bag Fragile

Your bag will be handled properly and make it to the top of the pile, ensuring your luggage comes out in the first batch.

23.      Travel with a Large Scarf

Bring an oversize scarf on the plane that doubles as a blanket. You can also wear it to jazz up your outfits during your trip or in the evening.

24.      Purchase an Adapter/Plug Converter

Invest in a good adapter/plug converter. Purchase one that works in all countries and has USB ports.

25.      Research the Best Souvenirs

Research the best souvenirs to buy before your trip. This way you will return home with special and unique gifts and souvenirs found only in that destination. Looking this up ahead of time might point you to some great boutiques, and it will also guarantee that you don’t end up at an airport gift shop wasting your money on meaningless souvenirs and things that you could easily purchase at home for less money. 

26.      Use a Travel Advisor

Use a travel advisor to book your trip. Due to Covid-19, travel is more complicated than ever. Travel advisors educate themselves and stay up to date with all the new rules and regulations. They will save you time, money and add value to your trip. They will also make sure that your vacation goes smoothly. 

Things can and do go wrong on vacations, and there are no do-overs. Travel advisors are invested in their clients' happiness and satisfaction and want to make sure each trip is packed full of positive lifelong memories.

So, when you are ready to travel, contact Colesville Travel to book your next trip.

Did you find this list helpful? Are there any travel hacks you love that I didn’t include?

Cynthia Amin- Hall

Colesville Travel

Phone: 301-989-1654

Website: https://www.colesvilletravel.com

Email: [email protected]