The ultimate travel cheat sheet

Living in Australia, almost all of my international flights are a 7+ hour commitment... in fact in most cases they're 15-24 hours.

I'm lucky enough to do a lot of business and personal travel. I'm unlucky enough to find airports incredibly anxiety inducing (ask me sometime about my 5 minute layover in Arizona).

Over the past few years I've been carefully curating my ultimate travel list; a guide to planning, packing and being comfortable on planes. Knowing so many of us are kicking off the new financial year with travel, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my cheat sheet - enjoy!

Apps to download:

• Timeshifter?for avoiding jetlag
• Google Maps offline download map of country
• Wanderlog for solo trip planning
• Google Lens for translating signs in other languages
• Globe Tips (or similar?app) for calculating?tips?
• Local rideshare app - recommend setting up a profile ahead of time incase you need to verify details
• Airalo or your favourite E-sim for overseas internet and phone use

Bonus: don't forget to download a selection of audiobooks, podcasts and movies via your favourite streaming platform.

Carry on bag contents:

Try to separate these items for ease of access. Keep items at the top of each list in easy to reach place to ensure quick access when going through security.

Section 1 - heavy used items (keep in highly accessible place)

• Passport wallet with passport, ID, cards, local cash, pen
• Phone?
• Sunglasses
• Any daily medication?

Section 2: in-flight or airport waiting items

• Laptop
• Overhead noise-cancelling headphones with jack adapter
• Empty water bottle (fill up once you're through security)
• Glasses
• In-ear buds for sleeping (I recommend Loop)
• Portable charger with phone cable attached
• Eye mask (I recommend flyypod - it's $$ but worth it, usually can get on sale/from airport shops)
• Neck pillow (invest in a good one ie. memory foam)
• Compression socks

Section 3: Layover/refresh items (noting some of these may not be necessary for you so pick and choose what's relevant)

• Clear pouch of toiletries - make sure everything is under 100ml. My list includes: roll on deodorant, basic makeup, travel size moisturizer, moisture?heavy face serum or mask (I highly recommend picking up Mecca's overnight mask next time you're in AU), hand cream, 2-3 spare clear zip lock bags, travel perfume (transfer your usual into portable bottle), travel toothbrush/toothpaste, hand sanitizer.
• Make up remover wipes/face wipes
• Spare sanitary items
• Face mask
• Comb or brush
• Tissues
• Hair clip or spare hair tie
• Small notebook?+ pen
• Small first aid pouch - (small box of ibuprofen, band aids, anti bacterial wipes)
• Small pouch of electronics, adapters and other chargers (to keep cables neat and accessible)
• Change of clothes in a bag (undies, shirt, pants, socks - pack your lightest items in a small tote bag so you have another bag if needed)
• Small wet bag (incase you need to store any clothes)

This is the best carry on travel bag I've found. Incredible for long haul - all of above easily fits in.?

Plane uniform:

This is another list to adapt to your personal needs. I always wear a version of the same clothes on every long haul plane ride - usually in black because I know I'll probably get something spilt on me at some point.

• Sneakers/loose boots that can easily be taken off
• Socks (to be swapped with compression socks once on plane)
• Singlet/tshirt with wire-free undergarments
• Loose jacket that doubles as overshirt (ladies inspo here)
• Long dark pants with elastic waist (I recommend Uniqlo, they do great durable and cheap options)
• 1x pair of earrings or accessory of choice (I'll sometimes pack instead of wear - this provides an option to dress up an outfit incase luggage gets lost)

Happy travelling! Let me know your tips in the comments.