Exploring parts unknown, whether domestically or
internationally, is a pastime that hundreds of millions of individuals embark
on each year.
1. Follow these
travel tips for cheap flights
A budget-friendly flight isn’t impossible to find, you just
need to know how to go about booking it. These tips for cheap flights can help
you get to your destination with a little extra cash in your pocket:
·
Book at least three weeks in advance. Ticket prices
tend to increase a few weeks before your departure date.
·
Be flexible with your travel dates. The cheapest
day to fly domestically can vary by airport, so check your local carriers for
the lowest rates. If you’re traveling internationally, Thursday and Friday
flights usually offer the best deals.
·
Consider flying on a budget airline. Be wary of
additional fees for carry ons and don’t plan on getting any free snacks or
drinks
·
Keep an eye out for last-minute getaways and
all-inclusive trips
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2. Stash a mini duffle bag in your
suitcase
Let’s be honest—everyone needs a souvenir (or many
souvenirs) from their travels, but figuring out how to bring them all home can
be a challenge. Pro tip: Instead of trying to fit them all in with your
luggage, just bring a separate bag to pack them in. Consider a duffle bag
that’s small enough to be used as a carry on (and just make sure you aren’t
putting anything in it that might be flagged by security).
3. Get to know your destination on a
food tour
This travel hack is one of our top international travel
tips. No matter where you go, there is no better way to get to know your
destination than with a local food tour. You can learn a lot about the people
and culture of a city through what they eat.
4. Call your cell phone provider for
international options
If you’re traveling to another country, you don’t want to
get there and realize your cell phone doesn’t work—or worse, come home to a
massive bill due to roaming charges. Many providers have plans that allow you
to use your domestic call, text, and data plan for a set daily fee, but check
to make sure your plan is supported in the country you’re traveling to.
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5. Plan ahead with skip-the-line tickets from PlacePass
If you’re traveling somewhere new, you don’t want to show up
to your destination with nothing planned and nowhere to go. Skip-the-line
tickets can get you easy access to some of the world’s top destinations and
will save you a ton of time from having to stand in long, tourist-filled
lines.
6. Get yourself the
perfect suitcase
An essential on our list of travel hacks is to get yourself a suitcase that
meets your travel needs. An organized suitcase can help keep your stress levels
low, your packing game on point, and leave plenty of room for souvenirs. Which
suitcase you choose depends on your own personal taste and style.
7. Invest in packing cubes
It’s not what you pack, it’s how you pack, and our travel
hacks would be incomplete if we didn’t mention packing cubes. Packing cubes let
you separate your stuff into different categories, like airplane essentials,
toiletries, hotel necessities, and clothes, so you can find what your need
quickly and easily.
8. Use toiletry bags and small containers for liquids
Every list of travel hacks has this oldie but goodie on
it—pack your bathroom essentials, like makeup, deodorant, Q-tips, and cotton
balls, in a toiletry bag for easy access and put your liquids in small,
easy-to-pack containers. Your toiletries might come in handy if you want to
freshen up on a long flight or have an activity planned as soon as you land.
And don’t be that person in the airport frantically rifling through their
suitcase at security—if you’re only planning to use a carry on, pack your
liquids on top so you can easily take them out for inspection.
9. Save a custom map of your destination
and itinerary
If you’re going to a previously unexplored country or
destination where you don’t know your way around, Google Maps lets
you create a map with your hotel and key points and save it offline for easy
access. First, make your own map and pin all the places you’ll need
to get to. Google maps lets you:
·
Personalize your map with icons, colors, photos,
and videos
·
Add points or draw shapes
·
Import maps from spreadsheets
·
Search, find, and save places
10. Don’t forget a
power adapter and converter
This is another one of those travel tips that is so simple
but so important to remember if you’re traveling abroad. Do not, we repeat do
not, forget a power adapter. If you’ve traveled internationally before, you
know that different countries have different electrical outlets. In fact, there
are at least 15 different types around the world. A power adapter works as a
go-between—one side plugs fits into the prongs of the outlet and your devices
plug into the other side.
11. Pack a water bottle with a filter
If you’re worried about drinking the water when you reach
your destination, or you’re heading out on an adventure where there will be no
running water and only streams to drink from, a water bottle with a built-in
filter will be your best friend. Not only will it give you peace of mind as you
quench your thirst, but it will also reduce the amount of plastic bottles you
use.
12. Ensure a good night’s sleep with
melatonin
Ah, melatonin—the natural sleep aid. Our list of travel tips
wouldn’t be complete with a travel hack on how to combat jet lag and different
time zones. This hormone is naturally produced in the body and is responsible
for regulating your circadian rhythm and natural sleep cycle. In pill form,
it’s widely available in the U.S. as an over-the-counter medication, but some
areas of the world require a prescription. Studies have shown it’s a safe and
non-addictive option to help you sleep.
If you’re taking an overnight flight, take a pill about 30 minutes
before you want to catch some shut eye. It can help you fall asleep (and stay
asleep) so you feel rested when you land. Stick to the recommended dosage
listed on the bottle to avoid any potential adverse effects.
13. Bring a
cross-body bag for everyday use
The last thing you want when you’re traveling is to have
your hands and pockets bogged down with everyday accessories like your
sunglasses, camera, wallet, phone, and lip balm. Throw a cross-body bag into
your suitcase as you’re packing to use for day trips and daily activities. It
can hold everything you need so you’re hands are free to eat, drink, and
explore.
14. Remember to pack a power bank
Picture this: You’re in the most scenic place you’ve ever
seen and are about to snap the most insta-worthy pic of all time. You grab your
phone—only to realize the battery is dead.
This doesn’t need to be a travel catastrophe if you one of
our most important travel hacks—pack a power bank. These nifty portable batteries
can be used to charge your mobile devices when you don’t have access to an
outlet and charger. They range in size and capabilities, and what you get
depends on your needs. Look for features like fast charging, input and output
ports for device compatibility, and wireless charging.
15. Utilize Google
Translate
Finally, this travel tip comes in handy when you travel to a
country where you don’t know a lick of their language. Google Translate lets
you translate any word or phrase right from your phone. You can even download a
language onto your Google Translate app to use as reference without utilizing
any data. Follow these steps to use it:
·
Download the free app to your iPhone or Android
·
At the top of the screen, set your native
language as the language you’re going to translate from
·
Choose the language you want to translate to
from the drop-down menu
·
Tap “Touch to Type”
·
Type in the word or phrase you want to translate
and tap the blue arrow
·
The translation will appear in the blue box
The best laid travel plans involve plenty of planning and
organization. These travel hacks and packing tips can help your next trip go
smoothly, so you can spend more time enjoying your destination.
