We have had a fun 3 weeks here on NoRedos. Hopefully you have started your travel hacking journey. Thanks for all the replies and the encouragement. It’s never too late to start. With all this incredible travel you’re going to be doing in the near future, I wanted to give you some travel hacks while you’re actually traveling. Travel tips 101. What did I miss?
Top 3 tips for any kind of travel:
- Make a list! Here are 2 really important ones: Your list of things to do before you go. And the best packing list ever. What would you add? This will take the guessing game out of vacation/going away. Keep it in your phone or somewhere easily accessible for the future.
- Buy a couple extra phone chargers and put them in the suitcases you use most frequently. They are really cheap and worth having an abundance of them around.
- Compile a complete toiletry kit with travel toiletries. This is only for trips. It’s a grab and go. That way you’re not having to pack everytime you go away for the weekend. I actual have 2 complete toiletry kits–one that is for checked luggage and one carry-on.
5 Things to do the week before a longer trip:
- Email your itinerary and travel plans to a trusted friend. (my parents always send my sister and I this when they travel)
- Let a trusted neighbor know you will be gone and to keep an eye out.
- Put a hold on your mail and newspaper (do people still get those?). You can even get your mail delivered the day you get home. The USPS has a place to do that online HERE.
- Check any bill due dates and pay them. Getting a late fee after a great vacation is like a punch in the throat.
- I have a rule where I don’t pack the day I’m leaving. This makes me pack the night before and gives me some time to remember things that aren’t on the list.
Extra tips for while you are traveling:
- Pack an empty water bottle and a couple dryer sheets for your dirty clothes bag.
- Pack a couple trash bags to act as dirty clothes bags.
- Pack some Perfect bars (the best energy bar–thank you Rob for introducing me!) and nuts and other healthy snacks. It’s tough to eat healthy while you travel.
- Google maps and google translate both offer downloads for free for offline use. If you think you’ll have spotty service, you might want to download a map of the area that you will be.
- Always ask about upgrades. Hotels will often accommodate if they have room.
- Be nice to people. Everyone. Especially airline personnel—they get yelled at and have to deal with people’s crap all the time. Can you imagine being in customer service with an airline? You only deal with stressed out, frustrated, angry, tired people all day every day. I don’t know about you, but I have never gone up to a customer service counter at the airport and just thanked them when everything is going smoothly. I’ve never visited customer service to give them a high five when my flight is on time. It’s when the flight was cancelled after already being diverted, and on the first leg of my trip I sat next to a baby who cried and threw up all flight long. Some of it even got on my jeans. (really!)
- Beware of using public WiFi. Security on those networks can be sketchy.
- I’ve heard from a friend that bringing a sarong is a good thing to do. But I’m not sure I even know what that is. They said it’s versatile and really helpful in all kinds of weather and travel situations. How can it be “sarong” when it feels so right. #dadjoke
- Have a packing list—never forget something again. Here is the best packing list link again.
- Stay hydrated. Especially on flights. As fun as it is to have a drink or 3, staying hydrated is one of the best weapons against jet lag.
- Pack extra undies and socks. Usually you have some other clothes that can be reused from your trip but the intimates are a little harder to do over. As I like to say.. NO REDOS! (you are welcome Landon!)
- Learn common phrases in the native language of where you are going. A little please and thank you go a long way. Most of you will want to learn the word for “beer” as well.
- Keep medications, toothbrush, a swimsuit (if you’re going to the beach), and an extra pair of undies and socks in your carry on. I used to do this but stopped. And then a month ago, on a trip to the Middle East, our luggage was delayed for 24 hours. It was really fun to go to the beach in jeans. While it was 90 degrees.
- Always ask about the price of public transportation BEFORE starting the ride.
- Ask locals for recommendations. They know the best restaurants, coffee shops, etc. and often they don’t show up on google or yelp.
- Always have ear plugs and an eye mask in your carry on.
Extra tips for international trips:
- Make copies of important documents (passport if going international, or drivers license) and stash them in your carryon.
- Call your cell phone company and find out what the dealio is. (I got home from the Middle East once and had a phone bill that was 10x my monthly bill!)
- Call your credit card companies and let them know you will be traveling. Don’t want to get caught in the middle of Australia and not be able to rent a snorkel.
- Use a credit card abroad that has no foreign transaction fees. Check before you go.
- Find out what the electric setup is where you are going and get adapters. Or better yet, get a universal adapter and throw it in your big suitcase.
Thanks to my friend Tim for some additions to this list. WHAT DID I MISS? What are some of your travel hacks to help you have better, more carefree, more fulfilling trips?
OK gang, hope you can get some points and miles and see the world. Let’s get after it. Happy traveling!