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25 Brilliant Camping Hacks That’ll Turn You Into A Pro

Few experiences stack up to a great camping trip. Packing up all your stuff, taking a long journey to the outskirts of town, and setting up camp puts hair on your chest. That’s until you have to rough it.

Take advantage of some of these incredible DIY camping hacks to make “roughing it” a little easier for you.

1. Camp Hand Washing Station

Whether you’re camping with kids or with your best friends, you’ll probably need somewhere to wash your hands at some point. There’s never an abundance of places for washing hands when you’re out camping.

Using a laundry detergent container or a large jug, you can whip up a beautiful hand washing station. Diy camping ideas like this one make camping feel a little more like “glamping.” Fill the container with water, and you’re good to go.

2. Pots and Pans Strap

If you’re taking your camping game to the next level, you might want someone to hang your pots and pans. This cool camping idea takes your belt off and wraps it around. Take a few S hooks and hang them over the belt. Once you do that you’ll have a great DIY place to hang your cookware.

As you’re setting up camp, you can have all your friends and family marvel at how brilliant you are.

3. Campers Washing Machine

Washing clothes becomes a difficult task when you’re out in the woods. If you take a household plunger, cut some holes in it, and get yourself a five-gallon pail; you’ve got yourself a washing machine. This great idea makes it easy to wash your clothes by merely adding a little soap to the container.

4. Egg Carton Charcoal Burner

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get a fire going with charcoal. It seems like you try and try and try, but it never works out how you planned. A great way to get that fire burning is by inserting your pieces of charcoal into an egg carton. (take the eggs out first of course)

The carton acts as your kindling, and once you light the carton, it will start to slowly burn the charcoal turning into a fire for all your cooking needs.

5. Rosemary Seasoning

I don’t know about you, but I love food, and I love cooking great meals. One of the significant downsides of camping is the lack of variety in what you can cook.

I’ve got a suggestion for your camping trip that is easy as pie. Take a big batch of rosemary and set it on the hot coals once they are embering. This step will infuse the flavor of the rosemary in everything you cook on top of it.

6. Biodegradable Tape

Many people fear getting lost when they take a hiking trip away from their camp. Some campsites will have designated camping trails that have markers already installed, but what if your campsite doesn’t? You don’t need to sit around the camp all day; you can go out on a hike anyway.

The best way to ensure that you don’t get lost is through the use of biodegradable tape. Put the tape on tree branches and other landmarks along the way so you can find your way back. The best part is you don’t even have to take the tape off. The tape will break down naturally over time without harming the environment.

7. Camp Commode

Some people avoid camping all together because they are not comfortable with using the bathroom in the woods. Some campsites do not come with plumbing and if you’re camping in the middle of nowhere, forget about it.

In this case, you need an emergency toilet. You need a toilet that you can pick up and take with you if you change locations. By taking a milk carton, a five-gallon bucket, and a toilet seat, you can build yourself a DIY camping toilet that takes care of business when you need to take care of business.

Just don’t forget the toilet paper.

8. Kids Foam Tile Padding

If you’re looking for some cool campsite setup ideas, I love this one. No matter how young or old you are, sleeping on the hard ground is rough. You wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore even if you have an air mattress.

One way to combat this issue is by taking some foam tiles and placing them underneath the mattress wherever you are sleeping. Some tips and tricks are more important than others, and I think sleep is one of the most important parts of life. Ensure you don’t lose any on your camping trip.

9. Backpackers Checklist

Download a backpack checklist online to ensure you pack everything you need. The list will provide you with all the camping gear you need to bring, and some even tell you how much water you need to bring so you ensure that everyone has enough to drink during the trip.

10. Everyday Breakfast

We can all admit we’ve tried some crazy things when we’re out camping. I’ve tried cooking frozen pizzas on a rock, and I’ve even tried frying an egg on a hot day. The best way to make eggs out by the campsite is by scrambling them ahead of time and putting them in a plastic bottle.

Now you’ll have a delicious breakfast to go along with your morning coffee.

11. Campfire Popcorn

There are few things better than sitting around the campfire with your friends and enjoying a nice camping snack. A great snack to change things up from the tradition smores is popcorn. If you put some kernels in aluminum foil, you can throw the foil ball into the fire and wait for the popping to begin.

12. Camp Pancakes

Most people think they are incredibly limited in terms of what they can cook by the fire, but pancakes are another idea often overlooked. You could mix up all your pancake batter and insert it into a plastic bag for storage. When you’re ready to have some pancakes, cut a small slit in the side of the bag, and now you have a piping bag.

When you’re ready to cook them up, you could go for the “old school” fire-heated rock method, but I recommend bringing a pot or pan to your campsite to cook them in.

13. Beeswax Waterproofing

A big issue a lot of campers run into is staying dry. Sometimes you need to cross the water to get to your campsite and other times stepping in water is accidental. If you’re trying to keep your shoes dry, beeswax works well as a waterproofing method.

Take some of the beeswax and rub it all over your shoes and anything else you want to keep dry.

14. Shoe Rack Kitchen Organizer

One of the best camping hacks I’ve ever seen is someone taking a shoe rack and using it to organize all their kitchen utensils. This hack is one of those campsite setup ideas that is useful for all your backwoods chefs.

15. Campground Speaker

Music is an essential part of camping, and this easy DIY hack uses a cardboard toilet paper roll and two solo cups. Cut a section out in the middle and put your phone in it. Once you do that, the sound should run through the tube and out the cups, leaving you with an awesome camping speaker.

16. Dryer Lint Firestarter

Extending the use of the cardboard toilet paper roll, you can also use it to start the campfire. Insert some dryer lint into the tube and watch the fire go up like crazy.

17. Birthday Candle Stakes

If you’re looking for a little mood lighting or the glow of the campfire isn’t enough for you, why not take some birthday candles and create some ambient lighting around camp? You could even use trick birthday candles if you’re in the joking mood.

18. Mason Jar Lamps

Take a bunch of mason jars and paint the inside of them with glow in the dark paint. You can then scatter them about your campsite to light it up at night.

19. Water Jug Lamp

Taking a standard jug of water and wrapping a headlamp around it is a great way to repurpose two items to make use of them. You could even use a set of solar lights and a little duct tape if you find yourself without a headlamp.

20. To-Go Coffee Bags

If you need your coffee fix when you’re out in the woods, take some coffee, dental floss, and coffee filters. Pour the coffee into the filters and tie it shut with dental floss. You can now treat your coffee like a tea bag and put it into your hot water for some delicious backwoods instant coffee.

21. Don’t Forget to Pack Microfiber Towels

Camping or not, microfiber towels are useful for everyone. Make sure you bring plenty of these when you’re camping because they soak up a lot of water and you can use them over and over again whenever you need them.

22. Solar Lights

Placing solar lights throughout your campsite is a great safety measure to take, especially if you are camping with kids. These lights will power up during the day so they can run all night without electricity or battery power. Some do come with batteries as a backup if they do not receive enough charge at night. Make sure to pack some.

23. Nesting Ware is the Way

If you’re an RV camping enthusiast, you’ll know what I’m talking about here. Nesting ware is the type of plates and bowls that fit inside one another. You’ll need to save as much space as possible when you’re camping, so you want to have plastic nesting ware with you at all times.

24. Sticks for Tent Stakes

Tent camping hacks are useful to help you build a more secure campsite. If you break a tent stake or lose one, you could always use a stick to hold the tent up. This camping hack is a great way to ensure you always have what you need.

25. Water Purifying Kits

I always recommend bringing along a way to get reusable water. Having a purifying kit or making one yourself guarantees you always have plenty of drinking water which is one of the most important aspects of camping.

Hopefully, you will find some of these camping life hacks useful, and maybe you’ve already tried some of these. Camping is a great activity for the whole family, but it does require you to think outside of the box sometimes. Utilize some of these tips and tricks, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a camping pro!

About The Author

Ayesha Holloman

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100 Game-Changing Travel Hacks & Tricks (That Actually Work!)

Last Updated: September 20, 2024

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There was a time in my life when I was absolutely obsessed with travel life hacks.

Throwing your shoes in a shower cap while packing ? Oh yeahhh. Keeping jewelry untangled with straws? Talk to me, baby.

On a super vain level, I think it’s because knowing the best travel hacks makes me feel like an unstoppable smartass… even if I’m the kind of person that trips over nothing and manages to create chaos out of the simplest tasks.

That said, thanks to six years of frequent travel, I’ve picked up my fair share of travel life hacks, some that are a little weird but I promise do work.

This isn’t your regular list of hacks – nope. Sure, some are odd, but shhh, just embrace it.

Save this List of Travel Hacks for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

The Best Travel Hacks for Booking Flights & Accommodation

Let’s start with some of the best traveling hacks to make your life easier when you’re booking travel and accommodation. These travel life hacks have been a total lifesaver (and money saver) for me over the years, so I hope you find them helpful too.

1. Get cash back on every travel booking

Rakuten  (formerly known as Ebates) is a free cashback site that allows you to earn money back from most of your online purchases, almost like a partial instant refund.

Here’s how it works:  Rakuten is partnered with a  bunch  of popular online retailers (travel ones like Expedia, Agoda, etc. included!).

When you click through to these retailer sites via Rakuten and buy something, Rakuten earns some affiliate commission,  a portion of which they share with you as a cashback (deposited straight into your Paypal) .

In other words, you’re getting money back for shopping, which translates into instant discounts for your travel bookings.

Sign up for free here and earn cashback on your online purchases.

Canadians:   sign up for Rakuten Canada here.

Warning:  The folks at Rakuten are biiiig fans of email, so be ready for that. I like getting their emails because they advertise sales/deals, but I admit they can be a bit much. To handle it, I have my Gmail filters set up so that eBates emails go into a special folder that I browse maybe once a day. Yay to no more clutter!

2. Look into bonus shopping programs for airline loyalty points

And if you’re into hoarding points, one huge missed opportunity that many people don’t realize is that most airline loyalty programs have special shopping portals that reward you with bonus points if you shop through them.

So, for instance, because I fly to the UK a lot, my go-to loyalty program is Avios points through British Airways and through them I can actually log onto their shopping portal and earn lots of bonus Avios points for every kind of spending you can imagine, from high ticket tech items to travel bookings that you’re already making through a lot of the most popular websites like Airbnb, Booking, etc.

So just by making hotel bookings that I normally would have done anyway, I can rack up thousands of extra Avios. So this is definitely something to look into, even if you’re not big into collecting points at the moment because really you’re spending the money anyway, so you might as well get rewarded for it!

3. Consider flying on the day-of major holidays

Now, the next hack is to fly on the day of major holidays to take advantage of (potentially) cheaper prices and fewer crowds. Think on Christmas Day, on New Year’s Day, on Thanksgiving, etc.

This is because usually people don’t want to fly on the day-of since they already want to be home by then. So flights will generally be cheaper and also less crowded and stressful on those days.

4. Use Google Flights to find cheap deals to multiple destinations at the same time

And if you’re flexible on when and where you fly, then be sure to take advantage of tools like Google Flights that allow you to enter your departure airport or airports, and then find the cheapest destinations for the area you specify (e.g. Europe, Asia, or even ‘Everywhere’).

This is really handy for finding cheap flight deals if you’re not too picky about where you’re going to go. 

NOTE: You can also use this trick to find cheaper flights by DIYing your own stopover. So sometimes if you’re trying to find a direct flight from your departure point to your destination, flights will be really expensive, but you can often save hundreds of dollars just by flying from a different airport or flying into a different airport, and then making your own connecting journey on the other side or at the beginning. I’ve used this trick many times to save hundreds, so definitely look into it.

5. Look into airlines that offer a free stopover program  to maximize value for money

If you’re open to having a long stopover somewhere, there are actually quite a few airlines that will allow you to add a free stopover to your flight, meaning you can spend a few days in a different destination at no extra cost.

So it’s basically like two flights for the price of one!

6. Use Honey to find coupon codes automatically

By far THE easiest way to save on all your travel bookings (and any online shopping really).

This ridiculously simple Google Chrome extension automatically searches through the Interwebs to locate relevant coupon codes and then applies them for you when you’re shopping online!

This means you no longer need to search around for deals and codes that may or may not work.

As all the reviews say, “it’s literally free money”. You can also earn Honey points that you can redeem for things like train trips in Europe.

Click here to download Honey for Google Chrome.

BONUS TIP: For further discounts/deals, keep an eye on websites like  Groupon and Travelzoo , which often have crazy discounts on vacations, hotels and activities all over the world, from Germany to Indonesia. I love these websites because they consolidate great deals in one spot, which makes finding the perfect deal pretty effortless.

7. Search YouTube for coupon codes

Another handy trick for finding discount codes to many products and services is to go on YouTube and search “[product name] + code”.

Often by doing this, you can find YouTubers that have been paid to talk about the product, and usually sponsors will give them a discount code to share with their audience in the description.

By using this trick, you can usually find a discount code for pretty much anything you’ve seen advertised before on social media (as this indicates they have a marketing budget to spend on social media ads, and therefore often social media partnerships with YouTubers as well!)

NOTE: You can often find similar codes through Instagram or TikTok but I think YouTube has the best search functions.

8. Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights

Incognito browsing (AKA private browsing) is a mode available on most internet browsers that allows you to browse without storing any data on your computer or tracking your history from that session.

This can be VERY helpful when booking flights because as rumour has it, many sites use a dynamic pricing system that will sometimes increase prices when they know you’ve been looking at a particular route constantly (sneaky, I know).

NOTE: While some experts claim this is false , I always do it just in case because it takes zero extra effort.

For more tips on airfare, check my full guide to finding cheap flights to Europe.

9. Call the hotel for a better rate by booking directly

This is a tip that most websites do not give because they rely on affiliate income from your hotel bookings… I mean, my site does too, but hey, if you’re reading this, I want to let you in on an excellent secret: literally 99% of the time, you can score some kind of perk or discount by booking with a hotel directly vs. booking through an aggregator like Booking.com.

Well, these aggregators usually take a cut of any bookings, so hotels prefer when you book directly, and will often offer incentives to do so, whether that’s in the form of a discount, a free upgrade, or a free perk like breakfast. I’ve noticed this is especially common with booking hostels in Europe.

This is one of the best travel hacks that nobody talks about, so be sure to remember it!

10. Always take advantage of the special requests box at hotels

When booking hotels, you’ll often find they have a special box where you can state the purpose of travel and input any extra requests. This is definitely something to take advantage of!

For instance, I do find that if you put business travel and you say, “Hey, I’m traveling for business, could you put me on a higher floor? Maybe somewhere that’s a bit more quiet?”, oftentimes they will oblige this request.

So, go for it! If you want a specific type of room, view, etc. – it definitely doesn’t hurt to ask.

11. Hop on Google Street View to get a feel for the  neighbourhood before you book

Google Street View can be an incredible travel tool these days, especially for figuring out the “vibe” of a neighbourhood before you book your accommodation.

This type of thing can be hard to gauge based on the usual accommodation photos, so I’d suggest hopping on Google Street View, taking a look at the surrounding area, walking around a little bit, seeing if you like the vibe, and then making your decision from there.

12. Look into day rate hotels for long layovers, etc.

Now, if you have a long layover or you need to kill some time before a flight, then one really cool thing that a lot of people don’t know is that some hotels actually offer a discounted day rate, meaning you can pay to use the hotel from a set period of time, usually from the morning to the late afternoon.

This way, you have access to a shower and a proper bed… without paying the full nightly fee! So that’s definitely a great way to refresh before a flight or during a long layover.

Day Use is a great website that allows you to search up the hotels that offer this kind of thing.

13. Use day passes for luxury hotel amenities (without staying overnight!)

On a similar note, if you want to make use of luxury hotel amenities without paying the luxury hotel price tag, then there actually is a website called Resort Pass where you can book day passes to make use of nice hotel pools, spas and different amenities without needing to pay to stay there overnight.

This is definitely a great travel hack if you want to laze around a pool/spa for the day without paying full price to sleep there, so definitely keep this one in mind!

14. Download Google Translate languages for offline use

Now, if you’re traveling somewhere where you don’t speak the language, a very handy trick is downloading languages for offline translation by using the Google Translate app.

You can easily do this by clicking the Profile icon in the upper right hand corner, then going down to ‘Downloaded Languages’. You can then choose which languages to download from there.

That way, you can still translate things as you go without needing internet!

Bonus tip: if you want to translate signs, menus, etc. quickly, tap the camera button on your Google Translate app to translate images in real time.

The first time I saw this feature in action, I realized we are (indeed) living in the future.

15. Use an eSIM for instant data access without a physical SIM card

That said, of course internet is very important these days, but rather than use an old school physical SIM card, a great trick I can recommend is using an eSIM instead.

Long story short, eSIM stands for embedded SIM. This means it’s pre-installed on your device and works 100% digitally to connect you with local telecom networks, eliminating the need to switch physical SIM cards in and out.

Best of all, you can set it all up before you leave. My go-to is the Airalo app, where you can easily browse and buy eSIMs for over 200 countries and regions around the world.

You can use the code CHRIST99027 for $3 off here. I also have a step by step video tutorial on how to set it all up!

The Best Travel Hacks for Packing

Next up: cool travel hacks that help you pack like a pro. Want more packing tips? Be sure to read my full guide featuring 30+ suitcase packing tips & hacks.

16. Do a pre-trip trial with your suitcase

One very underrated travel trick (especially if you’re packing light and not sure if you’ve packed properly) is to pack your suitcase a week or two in advance and then do a test run where you live out of that suitcase for the same length of time as your trip!

This is a really good way to kind of test trial your packing list if you haven’t already, and help you identify what you really need.

17. Pack a power bar

So everybody knows to bring an adapter when you travel overseas, but a very underrated tool to bring is a power bar as well!

This will allow you to plug multiple electronics into one socket, which is especially handy if you’re traveling as a group because then you don’t need to fight over power outlets or adapters.

18. Prioritize travel-friendly fabrics to save space

I used to think that all fabrics were made equal, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Especially in situations like travel where you’ll be moving around a lot, it’s very important to understand the difference between various fabrics/what they’re well suite for.

With travel for instance, the closest I’ve found to a miracle fabric is merino wool.

If you haven’t heard of it before, merino wool is a miracle fabric that’s naturally resistant to wrinkles and odour, but also wicks moisture and regulates temperature while remaining thin and breathable, making it ideal for transitioning from long flights and sweaty public transport to windy walks and unexpected stairs and climbs.

It also needs to be washed much less often, which is ideal if you’re packing light.

So, remember: fabrics matter! I’m a huge fan of Unbound Merino products – they’re a Canadian company with really versatile styles!

19. Use packing cubes

Now another miracle product for travel are… packing cubes! If you’ve been on my site or YouTube channel before, you’ll know I swear by them.

Long story short, packing cubes are re-usable fabric cubes that you can stack/place in your suitcase when you travel. They’re very affordable and a good set will last you for years – definitely one of the most worthwhile purchases for any frequent traveler.

In a pinch, Ziplock bags could also be used to organize your clothes in a similar way.

If you want to know which packing cubes to buy, check out my  full guide to packing cubes  or watch my video showdown  here.

20. Use compression packing cubes to save space

If you’re packing for a bag without any weight restrictions, then another handy travel hack is using compression packing cubes.

These cubes differ from regular packing cubes in that they have two layers of zippers, which allow you to compress the air out a bit better and bundle your clothes into a tighter brick, which fits a lot easier into small bags.

These are my go-to at the moment!

21. Roll your clothes

I’m full of funny travel tips, but whenever I suggest this to newbie travelers, I get SO many weird looks…

Trust me though, rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a great way to keep them organized and wrinkle free in your packing cubes. Try it out and I promise you won’t go back!

22. Pack light by using one colour palette

When it comes to packing light, one of my favourite tricks is simply packing with one colour palette in mind and making sure all your tops match all your bottoms.

That way, you know everything is going to match everything else and you can get away with packing fewer items while creating plenty of unique outfits.

23. Save outfit ideas in your Notes

Now if you’re big into planning your outfits and you want to keep track of which ones you have at your disposal for your trip, you can easily plan your outfits in advance and save copies of them in your Notes for future reference.

To do this (on an iPhone), simply take photos of your outfits, go to your Photos, highlight yourself/your outfit, then Copy and Paste that directly into your Notes app.

That way you have a copy of all the different outfits that you’re able to make. You can also plan your outfits in advance based on where you’re going, what occasion it is, etc.

24. Always bring a tote or extra bag

I’ve had great uses for totes all through my travels before that really small, so I always think it’s a good idea to have one, especially if you’re going to be doing any kind of shopping.

25. Nest a duffel or smaller bag in your suitcase

If you’re going to be buying a lot of souvenirs or you think you’re going to be coming home with more bags than you left with, it might be smart to simply bring a smaller (empty) duffel or bag and nest it within your larger suitcase.

So that way you only need to check that extra bag on the way back!

26. Bring a pillowcase

Now, if you don’t think you have space for a travel pillow, one easy trick is to just bring a pillowcase instead, so if you’re ever in an emergency situation where you need a comfy pillow, just stuff some soft clothes in that case and go to town.

Likewise, you can use the pillowcase to compress clothes like a puffy jacket in order to save space in your luggage.

27. Pack a dryer sheet

By packing a dryer sheet o two, your clothes will smell extra nice for those long haul trips!

BONUS TIP: Keep an extra handy for your “dirty laundry” bag so that your whole suitcase doesn’t start smelling like dirty clothes. Ick.

Alternatively, just throw a bar of soap in (mini hotel ones work great).

Stock up on cheap dryer sheets here.

28. Pack a clothespin to prop up your toothbrush

One of my favourite travel packing hacks!

Whether you’re staying in an AirBNB , hostel or hotel, sometimes you want to make sure your toothbrush doesn’t touch anything… after all, sinks can be notoriously germy.

If a holding cup isn’t available, just throw a clothespin on it to prop it up. Pure germaphobe genius.

29. Only pack one colour of socks

That way, you don’t need to ever search for matching ones!

30. Get creative with your storage containers

I’m a big fan of re-purposing old junk, and luckily, you can repurpose a lot when it comes to packing!

Here are some ideas:

• Using a Tic Tac case for bobby pins
• Using a carabiner for hair ties
• Storing Q-Tips in an old pill bottle

31. Keep jewelry organized with common household items

For instance, you can use a button to put your earrings in and you can also pack your necklaces with a straw so that they don’t get tangled!

32. Pack a pen in every bag

There’s a lot of situations where you might end up needing a pen, so it’s good to make sure you have one in every possible pocket. That way you never go without.

33. Always bring a bit of duct tape

I honestly feel like duct tape is a lifesaver for a lot of different situations, especially if you’re backpacking or doing active things, so it never hurts to pack a little bit. If you don’t want to carry an entire roll (who would?) just wrap a small portion around a pen for instance!

34. Bring a few big binder clips

You can find lots of different uses for this, but commonly people will use them to seal curtains shut in a hotel if they don’t close completely, or possibly for propping your toothbrush up.

35. Bring extra Ziploc bags

These can come in handy for all sorts of situations (pre-sorting liquids for the airport, packing a to-go lunch for a hike, etc. so be sure to bring a few in your suitcase – they weigh almost nothing and can be super useful.

36. Don’t forget a laundry bag

A lot of people often forget that they do need somewhere to put their dirty clothes, so don’t forget to bring a dedicated laundry bag to separate your clean and dirty items!

37. Wear older clothes then donate them abroad

Now, if you’re not particularly sentimental, another idea might be to just consider wearing older clothes, then donating these clothes abroad to make room in your suitcase.

This will allow you to have more space for new purchases and souvenirs. 

38. Use solid toiletries to get around liquid allowances

They actually make lots of solid versions of common toiletries these days, whether it’s shampoo, conditioner, or even toothpaste.

So that’s definitely a great way to save some space and weight.

39. Seal your liquid bottles before packing them

Now if you do plan to pack liquids, then be sure to seal them beforehand with a bit of plastic wrap or foil under the lid to prevent leakages.

40. Buy a spare for items you always forget

Now if there are certain items that you always forget to bring with you when you pack, then a handy hack is to simply buy a second one that is dedicated to travel!

So if you always forget your toothbrush, why not just buy a second toothbrush and dave that be your travel toothbrush that permanently lives in your toiletry bag? Same thing for a razor. That way you’ll always have a backup.

41. Put an Airtag or location tracker in each bag for ease

This allows you to have precious ease of mind whenever you’re checking bags.

42. Buy a digital luggage scale to weigh your bags on-the-go 

This is a really handy and inexpensive trick to help you avoid surprises at the airport! With a small digital luggage scale, you can weigh your bags before your leave so you can adjust accordingly rather than find out at check-in and panic.

43. Bring a wireless phone charger for more humid destinations

Oftentimes, phones actually have a moisture detector and won’t charge if they detect any moisture in their charging port. This can be problematic in more humid destinations as the moisture may prevent regular phone chargers from working properly.

This is why I’d recommend bringing a wireless charger instead in these types of climates.

Top Travel Hacks for the Airport/Flying

Dread flying? There are lots of great travel tips and tricks to make this part of travel a lot more bearable. Here are some helpful traveling life hacks that will make your airport and flight experience a breeze.

44. Put a unique identifier on your suitcase

This will prevent anyone from accidentally taking it on the other side when it comes to baggage claim. I’ve had this happen to me once, so definitely better safe than sorry.

45. Always photograph your suitcase before you check it

That way, if it gets lost, you have an easy photo to show staff and they can help you locate the bag a lot more easily. And also, if the bag gets damaged in transit, then you have proof of what it looked like literally right before the airline handled it. So that’s going to help you claim any damage back!

46. Keep your passport in a Ziploc bag to protect it

This is a new hack I recently learned from a friend.

Since passports are so precious, it makes sense to work extra hard to protect them!

While having a regular passport cover is great, they don’t necessarily protect your passports from water damage, so keeping yours in a Ziploc bag as well can be a great way to avoid any extra damage from liquids.

47. Avoid drop-off fees at the airport by going to long-term parking

Now, if your local airport has started enforcing a drop off charge, which I know lots of airports have started doing, an easy hack is t o avoid drop-off fees b y getting dropped off at long term parking, then taking the free shuttle to the airport.

NOTE: This is a general tip – not all airports have drop off fees or free shuttles from long term parking, so be sure to double check for your specific airport.

48. Pack an empty water bottle to the airport

That way you can fill up after you pass security.

No more $4 bottles of water! Woo!

Alternatively, some experts swear by freezing their water so it’s not technically a liquid.

I guess that could work, but then you’re kind of awkwardly just waiting for your water to melt? Just bring an empty bottle, folks.

49. Freeze your water bottle to bypass liquid restrictions

If you want to get a water bottle past security, many swear by this hack as then your water is no longer considered a liquid (assuming it is fully frozen). As a bonus, you then have extra cold water for the plane!

50. Freeze a sponge as a DIY ice pack

On a related note, you can also consider freezing a sponge to use as a DIY ice pack!

This is one of my favourite travel tips and tricks that I learned from a flight attendant friend.

Have snacks you want to bring on the plane and hoping to keep them cool? A frozen sponge will do the trick!

51. Always join the line-up with more business travellers

Because usually these are the people who go through airports all the time, so they tend to be much quicker at getting through security, which will help you get through quicker as well.

52. Look up the seating plan for your plane in advance

This is an amazing international travel hack if you have a long haul flight to book.

With tools like Aerolopa, you can look up seating charts for your plane before you choose seats. That way, you know where the more desirable seats are going to be in time for your seat selection at check-in.

53. Avoid choosing the first and last  rows on the plane

First row is often where a lot of babies will be sitting because they have those fold-down tables for them.

As for last row, that’s often closest to the toilets and many of the seats in these rows don’t recline as well.

54. Reserve the aisle and window seats

If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, no need to fight to the death re: who must take the dreaded middle seat.

Just reserve both the aisle and window in hopes that nobody wants the middle seat… if they do though, just ask to switch!

Super simple travel hack that works well 🙂

55. Put small items at security into a pocket/bag

Unfortunately, you hear a lot of stories these days about people who are getting items stolen at airport security – specifically smaller items like AirPods or cash, so to prevent this from happening, make sure anything easily ‘liftable’ is inside a pocket or bag rather than loose in the tray.

56. Wear compression socks to make your flights more bearable

Many people swear by this travel hack as compression socks mean less swelling and better circulation!

57. Get luxe samples at Duty Free

If you’re wanting a mini-pamper before your flight, then head to Duty Free and take advantage of all the free samples! Usually there’s samples for things like hand cream that you can use to make sure you’re fully moisturized for the flight.

After all, when you’re on a plane, your skin can get really dry. So you might as well moisturize with some nice samples from pricey brands.

58. Call or message customer service online if the lines are too long

Another pro travel hack if you’re left needing customer support at the airport is to join the lineup at the airport, but at the same time, also hop on the phone and try to chat with customer service either through their social media or through the phone.

Sometimes, because there’s so many people waiting in person, you might be able to get help quicker if you approach someone online.

59. Use X (formerly Twitter) for quicker customer service

Another fun travel hack that I’ve discovered is if you ever want customer service for anything, whether that’s a flight, any form of transport, or even just purchases from your day to day life, one of the best ways to get an instant response is by using Twitter or as it’s known these days: X.

So of course, this is contingent on it being a big company that has a dedicated team on X, but any time I’ve needed to speak to someone, it has been SO much faster for me to just send them a tweet because a lot of people don’t think to do that. So definitely take advantage!

NOTE: The best way to know if you’re going to get customer service on X is by looking at the official account and looking at their replies. If you see that they actively reply to people, then there’s a good chance that they’ll also be replying to you. 

60. Change your time zone to your destination’s as soon as you board

This is something that I do on every flight, and it really helps me with jet lag because then I can tailor my sleeping and eating schedule to what it’s going to be in my destination.

61. Hydrate on planes w/ water that has more minerals and electrolytes 

A lot people swear by drinking water with lots of minerals (e.g. Fiji Water) on planes because with these extra minerals, you stay hydrated for longer and that’s going to help you minimize your bathroom breaks.

Some others also swear by just adding electrolyte packets into their water.

62. Have entertainment loaded  f or offline use on your devices

This can be handy just in case you don’t like anything on the entertainment system or in a worst case scenario, if the entertainment system doesn’t work.

I always recommend downloading some movies or TV shows for offline viewing through Netflix and other streaming services.

63. Learn how to DIY your own phone stand

Now, for a fun travel hack on flights/transport. If you don’t want to be holding your phone the entire time is there’s tons of different ways that you can DIY your own phone stand!

For instance, I’ve seen some people use a claw clip to prop up their phone, or I’ve seen people use cardboard to create a DIY phone stand.

BUT the most genius one I’ve seen recently is if you take one of the airplane sick bags and you kind of clip it into your phone case, then you can clip it up with the tray table, fold it down, and you have your phone screen right in front of you.

64. Send flight details easily w/ this travel hack

To send your flight details to anyone quickly and easily, all you need to do is text the flight number and then on their side, they can just click it which will open up a window that shows them where you are in your journey.

The Best Travel Life Hacks for When You’re on the Road

These hacks for traveling will make your life infinitely easier once you’re actually out and about. Here are my favourite international travel hacks you need to know:

65. Download Google Maps for use offline by typing in “OK Map”

One of my favourite new travel hacks – this is SUCH a lifesaver.

If you have sufficient space on your phone, you can easily download Google Maps to browse offline on mobile, even when you don’t have Internet connection.

All you need to do is go on the map to the area you want to save, then type “ok map” into the search and press Download.

66. Get a business card for your hotel as soon as you check in

This is especially handy if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language. That way, if you’re trying to get a taxi home, you can just hand over the business card and then they’ll know where to take you rather than trying to navigate the language barrier.

67. Look for local ride share apps (and their discounts)

While taxis can be expensive, one really underrated travel hack is that a lot of different destinations out there have their own local versions of ride share apps (like Uber or Lyft).

So if you travel somewhere that has their own ride share app, then oftentimes these apps will have special first timer discounts and offers. And so if you’re able to find these discounts, then you can sign up and get significantly discounted rates!

68. Always have a USB-A compatible charger

While many new electronic devices rely on USB-C chargers these days, many charging hubs (especially on transport like planes or buses) will still use the old USB-A chargers.

This is why it’s helpful to make sure you always have a USB-A compatible cable at hand, or, even better – an adapter!

69. DIY your own steamer for wrinkled clothes

Now, if your clothes get wrinkly after a long journey, then a really handy way to de-wrinkle them is to just hang them up in the bathroom while you’re having a really hot shower. That way, the steam is going to get the wrinkles out (stretching them out as they steam can help this process further)

In a pinch, I’ve had good luck using the steam from the hotel room kettle as well!

NOTE: If this is very important to you, they also make special de-wrinkle sprays for this.

70. Use baby powder to freshen up your shoes

So I know this sounds weird, but if you are traveling in the summer and your feet are prone to getting really smelly and sweaty, baby powder can really freshen them up thanks to their ability to absorb odours so well!

Another trick that people swear by is freshening your clothes by spritzing vodka on them. I don’t usually travel with the spritz bottle, but definitely something to keep in mind if you want to make sure your clothes stay fresh.

71. Enable Google timeline tracking to keep track of your travels

So if you’re like me and you are really forgetful, you can never remember where you’ve been on a trip, then turning on the Google Timeline is going to help you organize all that data and help you keep track of your travels in a really convenient way.

To turn this on, go to your Google Maps app, click your profile photo in the upper right hand corner and go to ‘Your Timeline’,

72. Use Google Street View to help plan your navigation routes

If for instance, I’m not 100% sure how to get from, let’s say, the train station to my hotel, it’s always nice to hop on Street View to preview the journey, see what it’s like and determine if maybe it’s better to just take a taxi instead.

73. Make use of local grocery stores/supermarkets

One of my favourite hacks for traveling on a budget is to simply hit local supermarkets.

No, you don’t need to cook your own meals necessarily, but all the time I see budget travellers sprinting for vending machines/little kiosks when there are supermarkets literally within eyesight selling the exact same stuff for a fraction of the price.

Supermarkets are great for stocking up on snacks, water, drinks, etc.

Take advantage of them!

74. Use TooGoodToGo for cheap meals

This is an app that basically sells you food that places are going to be throwing out later that day.

Typically, these will be packaged items like pastries from Starbucks or sandwiches from 7-Eleven, which you can buy ‘magic bags’ of for a fraction of their regular price… meaning a good feed for usually less than five bucks! Not bad if you’re travelling on a budget.

75. Take advantage of lunch specials 

Generally, if you’re trying to save money on your trip, it makes sense to fill fill up more on lunch vs dinner, as this will often be cheaper… especially if you look out for lunch specials!

Many destinations also offer express lunch options that are meant for people who are working and need their food to come quickly. I think this makes a lot of sense for tourists as well, because the last thing you want to do is waste hours in a restaurant when you could be sightseeing.

76. Take a photo of your car whenever you park

By doing this, you always a) have a visual of where you left your car and b) always have a way of locating where you parked, thanks to the meta-data on your phone that will take the location of where the photo was taken.

The same goes for any other locations that you want to keep track of. Let’s say there’s a really cool cafe you went to that you can’t find on Google Maps. When looking at photos from the cafe, you can check the metadata to see where exactly that place was. 

77. DIY your own lantern w/ your phone flashlight and a water bottle

Now, if you need an emergency flashlight for whatever reason, do know that if you hold your phone flashlight up to a bottle filled with clear liquid, you can create a DIY lantern for yourself to use!

78. Protect fragile items w/ socks and soft clothes

So for me, if I ever buy a mug for instance, I’ll take a big sock and wrap it with socks and layers of my clothing to protect it. I’ve found this works much better than the usual paper-protection they wrap items in at gift shops.

79. Save money on Christmas ornaments by buying keychains instead

If you’re someone that likes buying Christmas ornaments as souvenirs, oftentimes these special Christmas ornaments can be really expensive, but a really nice budget friendly hack is to just buy keychains that you like Instead.

Keychains are cheaper than ornaments 99% of the time, and then when you get home, you can just take off the keyring, add some ribbon, and you have your own cute little Christmas decorations.

80. Find free toilets in malls, museums and libraries

Now to find free toilets, no matter where you are, I highly recommend looking out for shopping malls, museums and libraries.

Most of the time there will be free public restrooms there, as well as in transport hubs.

NOTE: Depending on the country, sometimes they do charge you for toilets in transport hubs like in Germany and Italy, for instance. So I’d say the library or museum is usually a safer bet.

81. Use a TV to charge your electronics

One of the the things I forget most often is the little USB adapter that comes with my phone charger.

If you’re forgetful like that too, don’t worry – there’s several easy travel hacks to help you out of that situation.

I usually then just plug my cable into my laptop to charge, BUT if you don’t usually pack a laptop, know that most TVs have a USB port around the back and you can easily use that to charge all your electronics 😉

You’re welcome!

82. Get a charger or umbrella from hotel reception

Now if you ever forget a common item like a charger or umbrella, then a handy trick might be to ask hotel reception for one.

Oftentimes, hotels will have a really big stash of chargers, umbrellas and other common in their lost and found.

So if you’re feeling bold, you can go down to reception and say “hey, I lost my charger, any chance you have it?”, and then they might be able to provide you with one.

I’ve never tried this, but I do think confidence is key!

83. Copy text directly from signs you want to remember

If you ever find yourself wanting to copy/paste a specific piece of information, whether that’s a sign, plaque, leaflet or whatever, then a really great trick is to just take a photo. That way, you can actually copy text directly from the photo for pasting wherever you need it.

84. Stock your day bag with surprising essentials

For me, I find it’s smart to pack small essentials like toilet paper, wet wipes, safety pins and cutlery .

You never know when you might need these things and they don’t take up a lot of space, so definitely make sure you have them!

85. Dry clothes quickly with this hack

Now if you’re doing laundry during your trip, but your clothes aren’t drying quickly enough, then I have found the quickest way to dry my clothes is to simply put them on and use my body heat to speed up the process.

So let’s say you are moving on to your next hotel and you don’t want to pack the shirt that you launder just because it’s still wet and you don’t want to get that weird mildew smell. Once you put it on your body, it’ll dry so much faster from your body heat.

I know this sounds dumb, but it works!! It’s definitely not the most comfortable, but it’s probably the quickest way I found to dry something, so keep that in mind.

86. Beware of the position of the sun when choosing seats

Whether on a bus or train (especially long ones), you want to make sure you consider the position of the sun, especially for long journeys, because if that sun shines on you for the entire journey, it definitely won’t be a comfortable ride.

87. Hide your cash by using decoys

There are many ways to outsmart pickpockets, but one especially handy trick is to hide emergency cash in discrete places like a hollowed out chapstick tube!

They also make fun things called diversion safes that you can buy, but honestly, a hollow chapstick is very discreet and odds are people aren’t going to want to steal that from you. Some people also choose to hide their cash in a menstrual pad package.

88. Flip a coin for tough decisions

The hack here isn’t necessarily to just do whatever the coin says, but usually when you flip a coin, your gut will reveal what you really wanted all along, i.e. if you’re disappointed in the result, then you’ll know you actually wanted the other option.

So this is a really good way to clarify what you actually want.

89. Always carry a small microfibre cloth

This way, you can wipe off the lens on your phone before you take photos, which can make a huge difference.

90. Activate Live Photo for video clips in addition to photos

I think this is a super underrated hack for taking photos/videos, if you activate Live Photo mode on your iPhone, you capture a bit of video along with every photo, which you can then save as a video for later use. Perfecti f you’re indecisive!

91. Time your public plops with a flush

Now, this next one is kind of TMI, but honestly, I wanted to make this the most helpful travel post possible, so here we go with another tip!

If you’re in a public space and you need to do a number two the most discreet way to do it is to simply time the plop with the flush. This will minimize any odours as well as noise… ideal if you’re easily embarrassed!

92. Use Google Maps Walking Directions to plan an itinerary

This is one of my favourite Google Maps tricks! if you want to plan your daily travel itinerary with ease (especially on foot), then I love going to Google Maps, using the Walking Directions and then doing ‘Add Stop’ for each place I plan to visit.

That way, if you type in all the different places you want to visit that day, it’ll give you a rough ballpark of not just the route that you should take, but also how long it’s going to be. You can even share these routes with others by copying the link!

93. Always read Google Reviews for restaurants

This is especially true in touristy areas. Trust me, if a restaurant is terrible, someone will be warning you in the reviews, so make sure to give them a quick skim before you go.

94. Find missing menus on Google Reviews

Next, if you can’t find the menu for a restaurant you want to visit, look through their photos on Google Reviews.

Odds are, some hero has taken photos of the menu recently, so you can usually find one there.

95. Enable one-handed keyboards on your phone

Now, when you travel, often you’ll have something in your hand, whether it’s a boarding pass, a ticket, a coffee, a treat, etc. so it is helpful to know that you can actually make one-handed typing easier on your phone by enabling certain keyboards/modes.

So on the iPhone for instance, you can enable a mode that lets you just kind of glide your fingers across without needing to kind of tap on each button, which I find is way easier for typing one handed.

96. Look into free museum days 

Another money-saving hack is that if there’s a museum you want to go to, be sure to research whether or not they have a free admission day while you’re there. And if you’re part of a group that often gets age based discounts, like if you are a young person or a senior, then

 always ask if they have those discounts because it never hurts to ask.

Travel Tricks for When You Return Home

Finally, let’s tackle travel hacks and tips to make your adjustment back to real life easier after your trip is over!

97. Fully clean your home before you leave

I know it sounds like such a drag, but a really underrated travel tip is to simply make sure you clean your house, change the sheets, do everything you need to do before your trip, because trust me, the last thing you want to do after a long travel day when you get home is putting sheets on the bed.

So make sure your house is clean and you will thank your past self so much for that.

98. Freeze a nourishing meal before you go

On a similar note, you should also consider freezing a good meal for yourself before you leave, because trust me – you’ll be craving nourishing food when you get home… and you definitely won’t want to be cooking!

So for me, my go-to is a nice chilli. It defrosts perfectly and is super easy to whip up.

99. Use the search functions  on your phone to easily locate specific photos

These days, the search functions on your phone’s Photo app are really good, so if you want to find that specific spaghetti carbonara that you had, you just type in spaghetti and it’ll pull it up. Magic!

100. DIY a beautiful travel journal by writing yourself a postcard  every day

That way when you get home, you have a stack of postcards that’s like a journal.

You can put a keyring through it, bind it however you want, and you have a beautiful way of preserving those memories!

Did I miss any of your favourite travel hacks?

So, it seems like you’re well on your way to becoming a travel ninja. I hope you enjoyed that article about unconventional travel life hacks. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have more to share! 

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

103 thoughts on “100 Game-Changing Travel Hacks & Tricks (That Actually Work!)”

18. leave your kids at home 😀

hahahah the ultimate life hack 😉 thanks for the laugh, Alex.

These are great tips because they are different. I especially like the pillowcase tip and marking your luggage fragile. Well done!

thanks for reading, Dorothy! <3

Really great tips! Very helpful and not weird at all!

Hahaha thank you for not thinking I’m a total weirdo <3

Charging using a TV is GENIUS!!! Wow never thought of that! Also love packing a dryer sheet. Definitely doing that next trip. I also always travel with powder in my bag. My go-to is Lush Silky Underwear Powder – it doubles as a deodorant and smells lovely!!

Woah underwear powder?! That sounds amazing. Definitely going to look into it. I used to use baby powder for everything but never realized there might be powders for special purposes hahah. Thanks for sharing, Meaghan!! <3

I’m still on the edge about compression socks. My mum has tried those and I dunno, the results aren’t great? Or maybe she got the cheaper ones? Haha! – Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

weird! I have loads of friends who swear by them. I guess it depends on the person!

Great tips! I never thought of using the tv to charge my electronics.

so genius hey?! Thanks for reading, Meera 🙂

My husband loves the aisle/window trick – esp when we flew as two adults with a lap infant. I hadnt thought about the TV charger one! Some hotels have like one outlet!

Yes! Another good tip (if you’re travelling as a big group or family) is to bring your own power strip so you can charge more than one thing in those pesky hotel rooms with limited outlets 🙂 Thanks for reading, Harmony!

I honestly didn’t even consider half of these! Great read, thank you! I’ll be sure to get some fragile stickers next time I’m out. I always seem to have some sort of issue with baggage.

so happy you found it helpful, Jessica!! <3 Thanks for reading.

OK, this list is great! There are so many ideas on here that I have never heard of. I’ll be saving this for later, thank you very much!

no problem, Michelle! Thanks so much for reading <3

These are the BEST tips! Especially love the ones about the pillow case and the tv charging. Another good one in the vein of offline google maps is that even if you don’t download a map, if you open your map while you’re on wifi before leaving a wifi area, you’ll still be able to follow the blue dot and see all the streets on the map – even without data. It even works in places that aren’t so keen on google maps like South Korea.

YES! So true. That has totally saved my butt a million times. Thanks for the awesome comment, Sarah <3

At first, I wanted to do a virtual hi-five, thinking the pillowcase is for germophobes like me who wanna feel more at ease resting our faces on pillows overseas, until I realized yours is for a different purpose, lol! Great list, Christina! I need to check out the TV USB especially 😉

ahaha well, I guess the pillowcase is multi-purpose then 😉 thanks for reading, Kristine!

Such good tips! I got into Edinburgh yesterday and the first thing I did was go to the local grocery store and stock up on ready made (healthy!) meals that were like 2 pounds instead of always having to eat out at 12-20 pounds for the same portion size! Love it girl!

<3 Thanks for reading, Kashlee!

I love the “Ok Map” function. I thought I knew everything! Thanks for the tip 😀

Hahah right? I only recently discovered it and my mind was blown! Thanks for reading 🙂

These are awesome, Christina! I’m pretty proud that I actually do a couple of them 😉 haha. The pillowcase and dryer sheet hacks are super smart! I’ll definitely be using those for my upcoming trip in November. BRB while I try and hunt down a spare pillowcase…

Hahah thanks for reading, Kay <3 I hope you get to bust some of these out on your next trip!

Love these tips – especially the clothes pin for my toothbrush! And duh that I’ve never checked the TV to use as a charger. Thanks!

No problem, Jamie! Hope these tips come in handy for you soon! 🙂

Thanks for these! Really useful tips =) An offline map called Here we go saved my trip in Kuala Lumpur just a few days ago.

Ooh I haven’t heard of that one. Will look into it. Thanks for the comment! <3

Oh man. Those are some great tips! Thanks for sharing, i’m gonna use a lot of them!

woohoo! Awesome. Thanks for reading 🙂

We seem to travel with so much electronic gear. When we went to Europe we actually to a multi plug board to plug everything into and then one adaptor rather than one for each devie we needed to charge. Laptop, cellphones and cameras.

These tips are excellent.

That’s super smart! Especially for those travelling as a family/in a big group, bringing a multi-plug can be a huge lifesaver. Thanks for reading and for the bonus tip. It’s much appreciated! <3

Being a traveler I liked all the tips and getting Wifi password is one of the best suggestion so far.

Glad you found the article helpful! 🙂

These are some azaming tips, being from Europe I always have to carry an adaptor with me wherever I go. I use to be an window seat girl but now I will take an asile anyday as I can get and go to the bathroom as many times as I like

Hahaha I always avoid aisle because I literally pass out whenever I get on a plane, so people always feel awkward waking me up.

I honestly thought I probably won’t know anything I haven’t heard before but these are great tips! Definitely learned a couple news ones! Thanks for sharing! <3

No problemo. Thanks for reading!! <3

I do most of these already but number 15 made me laugh out loud. That is me every time lol

hahaha okay honestly, same. even though I swear I keep a pen in every bag, somehow I’m always left scrambling. You’re not alone!

These are awesome! I’ve never thought of the pillowcase trick before, which is ridiculous as I’m always using clothes as a makeshift pillow and then wondering how I can keep them together rather than smushing my head into them awkwardly LOL. I always try and keep some pens handy, and oh my word, supermarkets! Apart from anything else I think it’s a good way to travel “like a local” and yet so many people shy away from them because convenience. Also with the TV charging – I’ve seen people do that at airports! Haha!

Omg at the airport? That’s genius and hilarious hahaha. Thanks for reading, Clazz! Glad I could enlighten you about the pillowcase trick haha.

Hi Christina,

These are some amazing giveaways. I wonder why I haven’t thought of charging my phone with TV before. Thanks for the tip girl.

no problem, Gloria. Thanks for reading!

Nice hacks Christina Guan… For the baby powder in the shoes, i only know the tea bag in shoe one not the baby powder… Did you come up with these yourself? Anyway Love You has XXOO

Very good suggestion is very helpful in traveling Thanks for sharing.

SeatGuru is a nifty little tool most of the travellers miss out on. Also, one must not forget to ask for seat upgrades. You won’t necessarily get it, but ASKING doesn’t cost 🙂 I have been successful in getting upgrades 30% of the time (except Singapore Airlines, they just won’t!) I have also practiced the art of carrying just 2 pair of clothes when going to a country that has cheaper clothes than the home country. Then, I buy my entire trip’s clothes from that country. Saves money and also saves weight while travelling to the destination!

I always love to be with friends and family. I used to travel around time for many problems. Your post really helped me thank you so much, sir

It is really a very helpful blog for all the budget travelers. Every point in this blog is valid and helpful. Thank you for such an information.

Such amazing tips! Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for reading, Lieze 🙂

Great content! learned so much specially from #16 . I didn’t even consider cooking on site. Was really afraid to be swindled .

Just wanted to share another Life hack on getting good Air tickets ! Follow this link! : https://bit.ly/31QEOlh

Great list of travel hacks. The clothesline is new to me. Reserving the middle and aisle seats are also a very good idea.

Here are some travel hacks that have worked well for me: 1. Airlines usually assign seats from front to back. So if you reserve one of the last rows on a plane (especially the back middle row on wide body planes), you are significantly more likely to get a row to yourself

2. Some airline apps let you view the seat map even after you checked in. I often will view the seat map and ask gate agents to change me if I find an empty row.

3. Free upgrades almost never happen. It’s usually not worth asking. But sometimes you can get a very cheap upgrade to business class when you check in.

The last one often helps i remember when i was struggling to charge my laptop while i was traveling then later realized there was tv in the room and i looked for port where i can put the cable guess what, found one charged it …was such awesome feeling Then i calmly texted my mom…

haha awesome. glad to hear you’ve been using these hacks! 😀

Some great tricks & hacks…makes a change to see a few different ones! I am with you 100% when it comes to pens & I have no idea what I would do without Google & all its ‘bits’! Cheers! – Nigel

Thanks for your awesome guide on traveling. I am a passionate traveler and your guide inspired me to travel more.

Great info, good thanks .

Nice Article.These are Great Tips. Thank You

Travel hack Ideas I use: * Always carry a flashlight and put on nightstand in case you have a hotel fire/ emergency so you won’t be I n total darkness. * Buy a Passport neck case from Wilson’s Leather Outlet. $15.-small but conveniently made .You can keep everything you need in it- cash, passport, cards, packet of medicine dose- I put it under my shirt. It drops down to my waist, so I can access it at the bottom of my shirt. In known thief places, I also poke the purse in the top of my shorts, so if they find a way to cut the straps it is still with me. It has gotten us through many trips to France. * Foldable bags ( Walmart, Dollar store) for souvenirs or in case we decide to do a picnic lunch on vacation. In Europe with small rooms and no storage, I use them them as dresser drawers to find things quickly for longer stays. * Use a foldable backpack(tennis ball size) in a bag (Lewis and Clark-not meant to be durable, basically a snack bag) we call it our “Disney bag”. We add snacks, wipes, paper maps, first aid bag with OTC meds for headache, stomach, water bottle, jacket in a bag, light shoulder wrap for church visits, my old small IPAD for grandchildren. To make it work, I put urgent needs( kids’ snacks, meds) in ziploc bags. I also add a ziploc gallon bag to cover the backpack in case of rain. If we only have snacks and maps, I carry it on my back, if it has my old IPAD or SLR, my husband carries it over 1 shoulder and up under his arm so if the strap is cut, he still has it. * A colorful small coin purse to store my phone charger (and a long cord) so when cramped into a plane seat, I can find it quickly to use. * Bread ties to organize all of those crazy charging cords. You will always need a long cord when u don’t have it. They now make bendable ties for that use. * Download Dolly Parton’s “ I Will Always Love You” if you travel with small children. We have used it with my 2 year grandson for over a year. If he is tired or upset, we can play Dolly and watch him just melt and smile as he says “ My Dollwy”. When he couldn’t sleep through the night, my son set Alexa to that song (very softly) at his awake times. At 5:30 AM they started hearing him sing along with Dolly on his baby monitor .If he is really upset, I turn it very low and put it close to his ear. If using around others, you may need headphones . * Passport- after airport security, I only carry a paper passport copy on me. * NEVER email passports to anyone unless it is a dire situation when a family member must email it to you, then pray a lot.We make paper copies of our passport/ drivers license to carry with us and give a copy to a family member. * * if going overseas, join STEP, so you will be notified of terror levels plus your embassy will know where you are if there is a blackout or terror attack. * Always put liquids in a freezer ziplock bag for your checked bag. Those bags are thrown all over the place. * Plan on 2 Quart Bags for airport Security: #1 Bag-for liquids as required by airlines * #2 Bag- watch , wallet, necklace , phone at the last minute- anything that comes off at airport. Finish dressing after airport security. * I pick up hotel cards to give to cab drivers in case they can’t understand my accent. * Pack an extra pair of shoes. If it rains a lot, you will need them.

The OK Maps blew my little mind. Cool trick. Also, the pillowcase is genius! I plan to repurpose mine as a dirty laundry bag too (obviously throwing it in the wash too!) Fun article 🙂

Really great and awesome tips, these tips are really uncommon but very useful. sticking a fragile sticker is really a genius idea. So many times i have had damaged stuff because of luggage handling. Thank you very much for these and have a awesome day.

This is great tips for a traveller. If traveller follow the tips, he will pass very good tour.

Wow! Such amazing hacks for travel lovers. I am definitely going to follow all of these hacks in my upcoming adventure. Thanks a lot for sharing these surprising travel hacks.

You’re welcome! Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂

A very good and helpful suggestion. It will help travelers. Thanks for sharing. Keep Going.

thank you for the informative post, will definitely comeback for more

Thank you for the great informative post, will definitely comeback for more.

These 20 are unbelievable hacks that will definitely make my traveling easy. Hack which I liked the most is “Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights”. Thank you for this wonderful content, it was really helpful.

These 20 are unbelievable hacks that will definitely make my traveling easy. Hack which I liked the most is “Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights”. Thank you for this wonderful content.

Travelers can use these tips to make their journey more enjoyable. Thanks for your ideas and information.

It is really helpful for everyone else.

thank you for the informative post, will definitely come back for more.

Thank you for the informative post, will definitely come back for more.

Wow!!! Really great and awesome tips, these tips are really uncommon but very useful. Sticking a fragile sticker is really a genius idea. So many times I have had damaged stuff because of luggage handling. Thank you very much for these and have an awesome day. Greetings from Nepal.

An amazing list of travel life hacks. it’s really really useful info for all travelers. thank you.

Good trick. I plan to repurpose mine as a dirty laundry bag too (obviously throwing it in the wash too!) Fun post

Great tips and informative article. great tricks and hacks. Thank you so much for giving us the travelling hacks.

nice tips, helpfull

Very interesting, Please share more.

Thanks for the amazing Travel Hacks. Highly recommend all travelers follow this post. We are already sharing this post on our social media profiles so that our followers can read this AMAZING post.

A very beautifully crafted article.

thank you for the informative post, will love to come back for more.

such an incredible blog, Great tip, as always. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. keep sharing, your positivity is infectious.

its very useful article, Thank you for sharing here.

very interesting blog. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for the great travel blog. Please write more.

Thank you so much for your information. I think it will help me for my next trip…

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to creating such a valuable resource for travelers, Really helpful content.

I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating such a valuable resource for travelers like me.

Very useful travel hacks. I definitely apply these tips. Thank you for sharing.

I super-duper loved reading your post, thank you sooo muchy-wuchy! I always love to be with my buddies and fam-bam. I used to zoom around time like a speedy snail to fix lotsa problems, whoosh!

Wow, great article and thank you for sharing.

Landed on this blog randomly and got know so many amazing tavel hacks. I am gonna use these hacks on my next travel.

Thank you for sharing a wonderful article, waiting for another article

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to creating such a valuable resource for travelers.

Great List of travel hacks. Thank for sharing amazing content on travel.

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70 Travel Hacks That Will Change Your Travel Game Forever

With 57 countries under my belt and more than a decade of traveling regularly, I think it’s safe to say that I’m an expert in the field. I’ve made every mistake you could imagine—missed flights, lost baggage, exploding hair irons—but with each disastrous experience, I’ve grown a little bit wiser, and a LOT savvier when it comes to traveling like a seasoned pro.

These travel hacks for flying, packing, saving money, getting hotel upgrades and more are the secrets I swear by. I hope they’ll help make your next trip pleasurable, memorable, and stress-free.

70 Travel Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

1. use my “contact lens case” hack for makeup and skincare products ..

This is one of my best space saving packing hacks. People tend to take up unnecessary room in their toiletry bags by bringing full-sized products.

Here’s the trick: put your foundation, moisturizer, eye cream , and any other liquid products into contact lens cases. Every inch counts!

2. Be strategic in your seat selection when booking a flight.  

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a seat that doesn’t recline, or ending up in a row next to the lavatory with people hovering over you for the entire flight. I avoid these kind of mishaps by checking SeatGuru before I choose my seat on flights.

Occasionally, I’ll even choose a flight based on the type of plane that SeatGuru tells me I’ll be flying on. The website and app shows you photos of the plane’s interior so you’ll know in advance whether you’re booking an outdated 747, or a brand spanking new plane.

Plus, it gives you warnings about seats that have potential issues, like limited recline or a misaligned window.

3. Pack your own DIY amenity kit for long-haul flights.

I loooove the amenity kits that you get when you fly First or Business, but since I don’t always have that luxury, I decided to start making my own. My “DIY kit” stays in my carry-on bag at all times, and includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, sheet masks, moisturizer, hand cream, eye masks , lip balm, and socks.

4. Avoid cankles by wearing compression socks.

They’re basically Spanx for your calves and feet, because feeling swollen after a long-haul flight is the WORST.

5. Consider choosing an “alternate destination” when you search.

If the city you’re flying in or out of isn’t a main hub, consider flying into a bigger city and connecting or finding a flight (or other mode of transportation) out of that city.

Not only will you save money, but you have the potential to earn more mileage points.

6. Download the Google Translate app to help with language barriers.

You can use it to take photos of text in another language, and it will translate the words in real time. (I have a separate blog post featuring the best travel apps for savvy jetsetters , which you should check out as well!)

7. Use packing cubes.

Another space saving packing hack that I swear by? Packing cubes! I truthfully thought these were a scam until I tried them out for myself.

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.

8. Look out for price errors.

Often times, there will be glitches on airline or third party sites that offer a ridiculous low fare. Sign up to these sites to keep an eye on them. But know that you will have to act quick, as these companies will typically fix the fare as soon as they catch it. Here are some great resources to keep an eye on for low fare deals.

• Scott’s Cheap Flights (or Jack’s Flight Club for UK-based people)
• The Flight Deal
• Secret Flying (if you’re based out of Europe)
• Holiday Pirates
• Airfarewatchdog.com 
• FlyerTalk Mileage Run (discussion board)

* Bonus Tip: Fill your social media with these sleuths by following them on Instagram and Twitter!

9. Take advantage of generous credit card offers.

The greatest travel hack of all time? Credit cards and points. Open up a credit card that has a sign-up bonus (assuming you can be responsible enough to pay your bills!), and transfer the points to an airline for a pricey international flight.

Check out my full step-by-step guide to using points and miles for free travel if you haven’t already!

10. Be strategic with flight cancellations.

If you book a nonrefundable ticket and your plans change or you know you won’t be traveling on that flight—do not cancel the ticket until the last possible moment.

Or…just don’t show up. Here’s why: in the rare case that there’s a flight cancellation or schedule change, your nonrefundable ticket could entitle you to a credit or refund. Had you cancelled the ticket, you wouldn’t be entitled to anything.

11. Learn how to avoid long airport security lines.

TSA-precheck, Global Traveler, and Clear have been an absolute gamechanger for me, and if you travel more than a few times a year, they are absolutely something worth investing in. If you’re not familiar:

• TSA Precheck enables you to use a separate line for domestic (US) flights, and you won’t be required to take off your shoes or take out your laptop.
• Global Traveler is for international flights and (as far as I know) is for the US only. When you’re returning to the US, you use a machine that scans your passport rather than having to wait in line at customs.
• Clear lets you scan your fingertips at security and then get escorted to the front of line at airports where it is offered.

12. Take a hydration multiplier for long flights.

While everyone will tell you to “drink as much water as possible” and “try to stay hydrated” on a long-haul flights, the reality is that if you’re drinking a liter of water on a plane, you’re going to find yourself getting up to go to the bathroom repeatedly.

My hack for this is to use Liquid IV. It’s a “hydration multiplier” that hydrates you 2-3 times faster than water alone. You pour the little packet of powder into your water bottle, shake it up, and then drink.

It tastes pretty similar to Gatorade (the lemon/lime is my preferred flavor) and will keep you hydrated without sending you to use the restroom every 30 seconds.

13. Keep track of itinerary ideas in Google Docs.

I use Google Docs for all of my itineraries—especially when I’m planning a girls trip and there are multiple people involved. I’ll share the link with everyone I’m traveling with to make it more collaborative. It’s also where I keep a running list of recommendations from people for the destination that I’m visiting.

14. Challenge yourself not to check a bag.

Avoid lost baggage nightmares by packing carry-on only for trips under a week. In need of luggage that actually fits a lot of stuff? Here’s a list of the best carry-on bags that help save space with packing.

15. Order a “special meal” in advance of a long-haul flight.

Most major airlines will offer the option to order a special meal when you book your flight—these include vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher, vegan, low fat, and sometimes even low sodium options.

People who place orders for “special meals” will always get served first, so if you’re hoping to catch some z’s on the flight, you’ll have more time to sleep while everyone else is waiting for their food to arrive.

16. Save local currency from the country you’re visiting as a souvenir.

My husband and I started doing this many years ago, and now we have what we jokingly call a “world bank” at home. It’s a cool alternative to buying a dumb keychain or t-shirt you’ll never wear.

17. Create a framed collage of foreign currency from your trips after you get home.

I often find foreign currency to be incredibly beautiful. We’ve taken some of the best-looking bills from various places we’ve visited, and framed them.

18. Do the same with hotel room keys, airline tickets, and baggage tags.

You can use a place like Framebridge to arrange and frame them for you—they’ll even send you a pre-paid envelope to mail in your items.

19. Talk to taxi drivers.

Often, a simple taxi ride from the airport to your hotel will turn into an impromptu city tour if you ask the right questions.

20. Build your itinerary using Go ogle Maps Trip Planner.

This might be the greatest travel hack of all time. Did you know that there’s a FREE tool within Google Maps that you can use to create an entire itinerary for your next trip? It’s called Google Maps Trip Planner and it’s incredible.  

21. Don’t exchange money at the airport.

Wait and go to an ATM near your hotel for better exchange rates.

22. Take advantage of layovers as often as possible.

Sometimes, I’ll even choose flights with 12+ hour layovers as a way to see another city for a day.

23. Never miss another photo opp.

Take photos in “burst” mode so you don’t need to worry about missing the shot.

24. Carry a photocopy of your passport in your wallet.

Just in case.

25. Speaking of wallets… invest in a good travel wallet.

Trying to keep track of boarding passes, passport photocopies, foreign currency, and receipts can get a bit messy if you’re trying to stuff everything into your regular, everyday wallet.

The best way to stay organized while you’re heading out of town is to use an inexpensive but chic travel wallet that has additional compartments for travel-related items. 

26. Use a travel agent or tour operator for special trips or multi-city itineraries.

They can often get you better rates and preferential treatment at hotels.

27. Become a points and miles pro.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I’ve learned everything I know about points, miles, and travel hacks from my friend Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy . Browse through his site for all the secrets.

28. Easily share photos with friends/family.

Start a shared album with your the people you’re traveling with at the beginning of a trip, so you’re able to easily exchange photos.

29. Get the experience of a luxury hotel without staying at one.

Dying to stay at a fancy hotel but can’t afford the nightly rate? Pop in to the lobby bar for drinks instead.

30. Plan your trip during “shoulder season” to take advantage of better hotel rates and less crowds.

Shoulder season = the period between high and low season, when the weather is still great but the destination is less busy. In places like Positano , Santorini , and Mykonos for example, shoulder season is generally April through the middle of June, and September through October.

31. 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 jet lag when you arrive.

32. Hire a local guide during the first day of your trip in a foreign city.

It’ll help you get the lay of the land. Then ask your guide for non-touristy recommendations to hit up during the rest of your trip. Also: if you’re traveling with a big group, DEFINITELY hire a guide. It takes the pressure off of one person being put in charge of the itinerary.

One of the best things I’ve ever done was hire a guide for my five-day trip to Tokyo since I wanted to see as many things as I could in a short period of time.

33. Use a sheet mask on long flights to replenish the moisture back into your skin.

I love using these sheet masks on the plane. Instead of looking haggard when you land, your skin looks super glowy and fresh.

34. Hire a passport/visa expediting service if you’re in a pinch.

I used a company called “It’s Easy” to renew my passport when I was super tight on time, and they were able to get it to me within a few days.

35. Keep a “packing checklist” in your phone.

You can refer back to it every time you’re heading out of town. I have an example of my travel packing checklist here .

36. Always keep your boarding pass.

I usually keep mine until I see that my miles have posted on my frequent flyer account—if you end up having to claim missing miles from your airline, you’ll need to have your ticket number and confirmation number as a reference. Which leads me to my next point…

37. Create a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with.

There’s no reason not to. If you don’t you’ll be missing out on valuable miles that could potentially be put toward your next trip. I personally have FF account with: American, Delta, JetBlue, United, Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles, British Airways/Avios.

38. Keep your iPhone photos organized.

Save all of your favorite trip photos into an album in iPhoto so that you can find them quickly.

39. Turn your travel photos into cool animations using free apps.

One of my favorite ways to jazz up my photos following a trip is by using apps like KiraKira and Enlight Pixeloop. (For example, I have a little tutorial that shows you how to add falling snow to your photos in 30 seconds.)

40. Use a pants hanger to ensure blinds stay closed over night.

There’s nothing worse than waking up at the crack of dawn on vacation because of a small gap in the hotel drapes. I avoid this by using a hanger with trouser clips to secure the two window shades together.

41. To find cheap flights, consider looking beyond the obvious sites like Kayak and Expedia.

If you set the tab or filter to “everywhere” or “anywhere” and are flexible with your dates and travel time, you can find really inexpensive flights and even earn extra miles if you fly an extra leg.

A few of the best “deals” sites are:

• Sky Scanner

42. Always ask for an upgrade.

Unless you’re on an unlimited budget or celebrating a special occasion, never book the best room at a hotel—but always ask for an upgrade. I did this on a recent trip to Maui , as well as in the Maldives and St Barths , and totally lucked out!

Make sure to join the hotel’s loyalty program before arriving (they’re free), since they usually honor those requests for members as long as a higher room category is available.

43. Sometimes, the budget airlines have even cheaper flights on their sites.

Also, if you sign up for their newsletter and loyalty clubs, you get added perks and insider info. A few that comes to mind are Norwegian, Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit.

44. Be a “country counter.”

Download the “Been” app to keep track of the countries and states you’ve visited.

45. Get a more authentic “local” experience with your accommodation.

Using sites like Air BnB, VRBO, Booking and others gives you the opportunity to live more locally and at a significantly discounted rate. In fact, sometimes the house share experience is more personalized and luxurious.

46. Book a private room at a hostel to save money.

If hostels are an option (check HostelWorld.com), you can book private rooms for a really cheap rate. This is a great way to 1) save money 2) meet new people (perhaps people you could room with in another country on future trips.)

47. Always have a back-up power source.

Charge an external battery before you travel, and have it with you on the plane in case the seats don’t have outlets.

48. Compare flight prices using Airfare Matrix.

AirFare Matrix is something travel agents use. It is a Google tool and allows you to do some great price comparison without the third party interjection (that can sometimes cause you to pay more if you’re not searching in an incognito browser).

You can’t book directly from the site, but can use the codes as a source to get the cheapest price when you call an agent, or even the airline.

49. Try toggling to a different “home” country when searching for flights to get cheaper rates.

If you’re looking to fly a specific airline, set your country (usually in the top right hand corner or in the website’s footer) to one that has a good FX rate (of the countries available, of course).

This will allow you to view and purchase the flights in another currency, and potentially save big! It will take some time and some trial and error, but if you have the time, it’s worth it!

50. Mark your bag fragile.

It’ll be handled properly and make it to the top of the pile, ensuring your luggage comes out in the first batch!

51. Before you pay for an upgraded cabin, see if the flight is full.

If not, put yourself on the upgrade list as soon as you can. Also, offering to get bumped from a flight and wait for the next flight could give you leverage to negotiate a better seat (and maybe even money or points).

52. Use FourSquare for Wifi.

You can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants, cafes and other places (just be careful, obviously, as not all of these are secure.)

53. Turn on “Private Browser” when searching for flights. 

Prices do, in fact, fluctuate based on the cookies in your web browser and how many searches you’ve performed for a specific destination. Which is why searching for flights in a private browser (also known as “incognito mode”) is an absolute must.

If you’re using Google Chrome, you can enable Incognito mode by hitting Command + SHIFT + N.

If you’re using Firefox or IE, you can enable a private browser by hitting COMMAND + SHIFT + P.

54. Bring an oversize scarf on the plane that doubles as a blanket.

Then wear it as a chic cape during your trip.

55. Save on parking by pairing up with a local.

Garage Pointer is a website that connects you with people who own parking spaces and are willing to rent them (temporarily) to visitors. As of now Garage Pointer is only available in the U.S.

56. Rent a car…from a local.

Ready for the best car travel hack? Look into whether or not Turo is available in your destination. The app and website connects you with people who own cars and are willing to rent them out for a fee that is (usually) much less than traditional car rental.

57. Overwhelmed with what to pack? There’s an app for that.

PackPoint helps you determine what to pack based on where you are going and the length of your trip. It checks the weather in your upcoming destination and then provides a detailed packing list for you. (I would also recommend using my “what to wear” guide if you’re packing for trip to Europe in the winter .)

58. Use a service to ship your clothes ahead of your trip.

Sure, this might not be for everyone, but did you know there was a service that stores, packs, ships and cleans your clothes prior to trips? It’s a company called DUFL . While it’s definitely targeted to a very specific market, DUFL is an incredible concept.

You send them a capsule wardrobe (consisting of clothes you need for every trip, like business travel), and they’ll store the clothes in a “virtual closet,” which you can access through the app prior to your departure. They then send the clothes to your hotel ahead of your arrival, and collect them to dry clean and store when you leave.

59. Use FlightAware to track your flights.

The website and app allows you to track your flight (or the flights of loved ones) in real time. It’ll also keep you up to date on important info, like whether the incoming flight is delayed, or if the flight had to be rerouted for any reason.

60. Invest in a good adapter/plug converter.

I like this one because it works in all countries, and also has USB ports.

61. Book tours and experiences through AirBnB.

Did you know that Airbnb can be a great resource for things other than accommodations? Over the past few years, the company has expanded to include incredible local experiences and tours.

62. Wear a travel outfit that looks super chic—but it secretly comfortable.

I have an entire blog post dedicated to this (linked above!) but in a nutshell, I’m a big fan of looking put together when I travel. However, I also wouldn’t be caught dead wearing jeans on a long flight.

There are a few little tricks I use to turn otherwise sloppy outfits into something that you’d be confident walking into a luxury hotel wearing.

The most important thing? A lightweight fringed scarf (which doubles as a blanket mid-flight) and a leather or denim jacket. 

63. Invest in a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

We’ve all been stuck next to a screaming child or chronic sniffler on long flights, and the experience can truly get your trip started off on the wrong foot.

I truly can not tell you how much of a game-changer noise-cancelling headphones are. While everyone else around you is having a meltdown over not being able to sleep or concentrate, you’ll be in your own little zen world.

Pro tip : if you don’t want to spring for the fanciest new technology, buy older or discontinued models of Bose headphones on Amazon for a fraction of the price for latest models.

64. Leverage special occasions for perks.

Celebrating a big anniversary or planning a trip for your honeymoon ? Be sure to let the hotel know in advance. When my husband and I went to Thailand and the Maldives for our honeymoon, we mentioned it to each property that we booked, and ended up with upgrades, bottles of champagne sent to the room, and other extra special perks from hotel staff.

65. Use your h otel’s shower cap to protect your toiletries from exploding.

Nervous about your liquids exploding in your toiletry bag on the flight home? Wrap them in the shower cap provided to you in the room. And if you don’t have a shower cap: use the plastic liner that comes with your ice bucket. 

66. Download the Revolut app.

The popular European banking app recently launched in the U.S., and it allows users to exchange currencies from 55,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. 

67. Seek itinerary inspiration through social media.

Use Instagram to inspire your itinerary. Browse through hashtags and geotags to see where people took gorgeous photos—and then go to those places! Alternatively, you can google things like “ The Best Instagram Spots in NYC ” or “ The Most Instagrammable Places in London ” for fun ideas.

68. Use AirHelp to get compensated for flight delays or cancelled flights.

We’ve all been there: you miss a connection because of a delayed flight, or your flight get inexplicably cancelled, and you know that the airline has to owe you some kind of compensation.

The problem is that actually getting what you’re owed can be a logistical nightmare that involves long wait times, endless phone calls, and unanswered emails. AirHelp essentially plays the middleman by acting on your behalf.

They do charge a fee (which is a percentage of what you’re ultimately compensated) but as someone who has used the service successfully, I can say that it is VERY much worth saving you the headache.

Plus, Airhelp knows exactly what you’re entitled to based on their expertise, so you’ll often end up getting more than you would have received on your own.

69. Do your souvenir research ahead of a trip.

One thing I always do before I travel is a bit of research about the most unique gifts and souvenirs to buy in the destination I’m heading to. Looking this up ahead of time might top you off to some really cool new boutiques, and it will also guarantee that you don’t end up at an airport gift shop wasting your money on a meaningless memento.

For example, this list of the best things to buy in Paris contains a ton of “hidden gems” within the city you might never have known about otherwise. There’s also something extremely satisfying about going on the hunt for a specific unique item—and then finding it! 

70. Keep a note in your phone filled with travel quotes .

For those times that you desperately want to post an Instagram photo, but you’re at a loss for a caption.

Did you find this list helpful? Are there any travel hacks you love that I didn’t include? Drop them in the comments below!

Thank you to nicole cueto aka @thecubancarrie for her contributions to this piece.

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If you’re traveling with an infant/toddler; bookmark, screenshot AND print the rules for taking things like breastmilk/formula/snacks through security as well as the policy about early boarding for families. It helps to be prepared for any hiccups. And even if you just fly once or twice a year with a child, get TSA Precheck. Your child under 12 can go through the line with you, which makes things SO much faster.

Lindsay Silberman

this is SUCH a good tip (and one i would never have thought of!) thanks for sharing!

I always get a seat on the plane forward of the wings. Any turbulence the plane encounters dieting the flight is less bumpy in the front half.

Charles Loes

these hacks help me a lot thanks for such guidance.

I always get a seat on the plane forward of the wings. Any turbulence the plane encounters during the flight is less bumpy in the front half.

Helen Gaskin

Really a complete guide has never seen such stuff there. I am all the way from Pinterest and your pin is best to attract anyone. And guide too.

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24 Camping Hacks That’ll Make Your Next Trip Better

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24 Epic Camping Hacks You HAVE To Try On Your Next Adventure!

Because we all want our camping to be more enjoyable, right?

That’s why we’re always on the look out for any new techniques, ideas, and  hacks that come our way.

So today I’m going to share the best camping hacks I’ve come across over the years:

Want a free camping essentials checklist?

1. water jug lantern.

When cooking dinner in the dark or getting ready for bed, a lantern is better than a survival flashlight .

Lanterns create broad, even lighting.

So for specific tasks, full illumination is more helpful than a focused beam.

Any clear or translucent bottle, even a milk jug, will work.

These makeshift lanterns work great anywhere you need ambient light.

And you don’t have to carry any extra gear!

↓How To Make A Water Bottle Lantern

2. Rock Grommets Camping Hack

High-Quality Aqua-Defender Tarp

Some tarps come without grommets built it.

These make it nearly impossible to attach a guy line when setting up a tarp tent.

This won’t happen with a survival tarp like the Aqua Defender , but you never know…

Sometimes grommets can wear out, leaving you no way to secure your shelter.

That is, until now.

With this hack, you can add tie points anywhere you’d like.

Find a small round stone and place it where you want to attach a line.

Gather the tarp around the stone and tie your line around it.

This will capture the stone inside the “pocket” you’ve formed.

Creating an instant “grommet”!

Also, the line strain is more evenly distributed than a metal grommet.

So the makeshift stone grommet ends up lasting longer.

↓How I Attach Straps Without Grommets To Cordage

3. Water Bottle Cooler Ice

When packing a cooler for camping, running out of space is inevitable.

Often there’s barely any room for ice once you add all your food and beverages.

The slowly melting bottles will leave you with cold, fresh water and a much cleaner cooler as they melt.

This is one of my favorite hacks because gross coolers are the worst!

Not to mention it will significantly reduce your risk of food contamination.

So save cooler space with this ingenious hack.

↓How To Avoid Paying For Ice To Keep Your Cooler Cold!

4. Doritos Fire Starter Camping Hack

I’ve been to many campgrounds where finding good kindling is nearly impossible.

Before spending hours splitting firewood into matchsticks, use a common campground snack instead!

A handful of Doritos makes a surprisingly good firestarter.

And makes for an “impress-your-friends” hack.

The corn oil in tortilla chips burns easily, while the chip structure acts as a wick to draw fuel into the flame.

Leave some for eating, or your camping friends will burn you at the stake!

This isn’t just a camping hack; it’s also a survival hack as well.

↓Fire Starting Hack: A Doritos Fire

Note: Dryer lint can also start a fire – especially if you soak it in some nail polish beforehand.

5. Plastic Straw Spice Storage

Sometimes camping meals can get boring or “bland.”

Most campsites are lucky to have salt, pepper, let alone a vast array of spices.

Why? Because finding containers small enough for spices is nearly impossible.

All you need are some plastic straws and a heat sealer .

You can make single-serving packs of any spices or flavoring you want!

More curry for the noodles? Easy.

Some extra cajun seasoning for that freeze-dried jambalaya? No problem.

↓Camp Hack: Spice It Up With A Straw

6. Packing Eggs For Camping

While my daily camp breakfast is a cup of coffee and a granola bar, sometimes I need more.

Eggs always please a crowd, but bringing them on a camping trip is asking for trouble.

If they’re not protected in the cooler, they can crack – leaving you with a mess and no breakfast.

Instead, do a little prep at home and crack them into a plastic water bottle.

This lets you pour out as much as you need, cap the rest, and toss it back in the cooler.

No mess, no risk, and a faster breakfast.

Now that’s a great camping hack!

↓How To Pack Eggs For Camping

Easy Sleeping Bag Warmer

Even in the summer, your feet can turn into frozen blocks and take forever to warm up.

Wrap the bottle in a spare shirt and shove it between your sleeping pad and sleeping bag.

Now you’ve got warm toes til morning.

Don’t forget to secure the lid – a wet sleeping bag quickly becomes cold!

↓Hack: Heating Your Sleeping Bag

8. Hot Rocks For Dry Boots

Wet shoes on a hike can be more than just uncomfortable.

They can leave your feet blistered and torn up, making it hard to keep pace.

Drying them out in rainy or humid conditions can be a real chore.

Instead, here’s a great camping idea…

Remove the insoles from your shoes/boots and set them aside.

Then fill the shoes/boots with rocks heated in boiling water.

Rocks can retain heat, allowing you to dry out fast.

↓Wet Boots? Try This Hack!

9. Match Holder With Sandpaper Striker

Even if you’ve got a survival lighter , there are situations where a match is best.

Lighting candles, a kerosene lantern, or a portable stove are far easier tasks with a survival match .

But most matches are fragile.

Then add a bit of sandpaper to the inside lid of the tin.

↓Make An Altoids Matchbox N Striker

10. DIY Waterproof Backpack

It’s one thing to call a car camping trip quits early and head home…

But this isn’t an option if you’re backpacking, and keeping your camping gear dry can be a lifesaver.

Do this before loading all your clothes, sleeping bag, and survival tent .

It’s a simple insurance policy against a cold , wet night that could end in hypothermia!

↓Backpacking For Beginners: Waterproofing Your Backpack

11. Stuff Sack + Clothes = Pillow

I have a great pillow at home, but it’s too heavy and bulky to take on the trail.

I’ve tried several inflatable camp pillows over the years.

A good drybag-style stuff sack will keep your clothes dry inside your pack all day.

Then convert to a pillow at night, serving double duty with no extra weight!

↓ZPacks Pillow Dry Bag…Is It The Right Solution For You?

12. Magic Biscuit Firestarters

Try this project if you’ve got a few extra candles lying around.

One that will leave you with all the fire starters you’ll need!

Seriously, that’s it!

They’ll be nearly waterproof and light easily.

This gives you a clean, dependable flame to start your campfires!

If you want to make it even easier, pick up an inexpensive slow cooker to make melting the wax foolproof.

I got mine for $5 at a garage sale and tossed all our candle scraps in, so they’re ready to melt when I need more magic biscuits.

↓The Ultimate Firestarter?

13. DIY Toilet Paper Dispenser

When it’s time to go, it’s time to go!

But taking care of business in the great outdoors takes more planning than a quick trip to the restroom.

Too often, you’ll find yourself with damp or squished rolls of TP or missing hand sanitizer.

It’ll make EVERYTHING much easier!

↓Camper’s Toilet Paper Dispenser

14. Cooking With Foil

My first attempts leaked juices and became a burned, sticky mess.

There are some tricks to making “hobo meals” and preparing a feast over open coals.

If you can master these, dinner can be something to look forward to – WITH NO DISHES TO WASH!

↓6 Tips To Master Foil Packet Cooking

15. Hang A Bear Bag PCT-Style

I recently learned about hanging a bear bag in the PCT style – and it’s a lot easier!

With my camping partner, every second counts when we start the coffee in the morning.

So I enjoy the speed of getting this bag both up and down from the tree.

↓How To Hang Your Food Bag PTC Style

16. Duct Tape Lighter

I’ve even seen a boat made entirely of duct tape.

But packing an entire roll of heavy-duty tape is too bulky to pack.

Wrap a couple of feet of tape around your lighter, and you will always have a bit in a pinch.

I wrap some around my water bottle, too, just in case!

↓Camping Trick: EDC Lighter Upgrade

17. Fix A Sticky Zipper

After a while, it seems like every zipper catches a little.

Cold-weather tent doors are the worst offenders!

But it turns out that candle wax makes an excellent zipper lubricant.

Rub on a little wax, gently heat it with a hairdryer and run the zipper back and forth.

It works like a charm!

↓How To Fix a Zipper With Paraffin Wax Candle

18. Keep Down Jackets & Sleeping Bags Fluffy

There comes a time when you have to wash that down jacket.

You can do it on the gentle cycle in a front-loading washing machine, but drying it is the trick.

They’ll bang around and make a lot of noise.

But the constant agitation will help the down feathers separate and fluff back up!

This works great with sleeping bags too.

↓How To Wash Your Down Jacket

19. DIY Coffee Bags

The faster we get coffee handed out in the morning, the safer our camp will be.

This usually means anyone NOT drinking coffee has to wait for hot water .

This way, you can boil water in a big pot for coffee, tea, and oatmeal without delay!

↓Cheap & Easy Single Serve Coffee Packs – “Quick Trick”

20. Pool Noodles Camping Hacks

What can’t a good pool noodle accomplish?

These devices are just asking to be used creatively.

And if your camping includes an RV or a travel trailer, pool noodles can be used in an incredible number of ways.

↓RV Pool Noodle Hacks

21. Mason Jar Meals

Cooking and camping can either be a delight or a chore.

What’s the difference?

The tools, and the hacks you employ.

Mason jar meals are a perfect way to bring along complex, tasty food, that’s easy to cook and makes nearly zero mess.

Simply genius!

↓3 Mason Jar Camping Meals | Travel Channel

22. Tic Tac Case Toothpick Holder

Never throw away a tic tac case.

Those things are the perfect size and design to hold ( and dispense ) toothpicks.

↓Best Camping Life Hack For Tic Tac Container

23. Add Mustard and Foil To Your First Aid Kit

Mustard and Foil?

Mustard has been used since ancient times for burns.

And as for the foil…watch this video, as it explains it all…

↓First Aid Trick No One Knows!

24. Super Easy S’mores

Quote from Skilled Survival’s Expert –

“It’s faster, easier, less messy, and in my opinion, tastes better.” – “Just In Case” Jack

Camping Hacks Wrap Up

Before I head out, I always look for new camping hacks to make my life easier.

Every small advantage, from camp to cooking meals or staying dry and warm in bad weather, adds up.

Whenever I overcome some challenges, I win a lighter pack, better food, and more time to relax at the campsite.

Some of these camping hacks could also be a lifesaver for you someday!

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30 Best Travel Hacks From An Expert Globetrotter

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Written by Amanda Finn

Frequent travelers know that adventuring the world comes with its fair share of planning or shortcuts. Travel hacks are trendy to talk about on social media; however, it can take some time and experience to learn which ones are worth using on your next trip.

A few of these tips may seem obvious to seasoned travelers. It may be a no-brainer to download Google Maps to some, though others may not know how intuitive the app is–even from abroad.

So, even if you think you’ve heard it all, I implore you to read on. I’ve been to 18 countries and visited 27 states – and I’m still learning new things! You may learn a trick you’ve never heard of before.

These hacks can come in handy when you want to save money or space. You could score some free food, learn to kick jet lag in the butt, or save a few extra bucks along the way. In any case, here are my favorite travel hacks for your consideration!

The Best Travel Hacks I’ve Found

1. always protect your trip (and yourself).

What every traveler needs, especially if you’re planning a complicated itinerary with international flights, is travel insurance . These trip-protecting and asset-protecting plans ensure that you don’t lose out on any money if things go awry, you get hurt, or you lose something valuable.

Keep in mind that travel insurance is not an all-size-fits-all solution. There are a few things to consider for your next trip, from destination to how many people you’re bringing along .

For health coverage , you’ll want to look into our favorite digital nomad-friendly insurance option: SafetyWing . Not only can you get travel health insurance with SafetyWing, but you can also use it if you are a remote worker living abroad.

VisitorsCoverage is another one of our favorites, and you can find many more trusted firms on insurance comparison sites like TravelInsurance.com .

But if you want to save yourself some trouble, here are some of our top travel insurance resources:

• AIG Travel Guard
• AXA Travel Insurance
• Insured Nomads Travel Health Insurance
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• World Nomads
• World Trips – Atlas Travel Insurance

See Related: Important Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance

2. Let cheap flight alerts come to you!

Scoring flight deals isn’t always about being savvy with internet searching . Sometimes, these magical flight prices can come right to you. With sites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) , you can set your email notifications to ping you whenever a surprise flight deal is found. I even scored a $250 roundtrip flight with American Airlines to Japan once–though lockdowns got in the way.

Flight cancellations and flight delays are possible with some of these incredible deals. Saving money sometimes comes at a cost. Even so, long-haul flight options are frequently hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars cheaper, thanks to sites like Going or Skyscanner .

See Related: Best Skyscanner Alternatives to Book Travel

3. Pack your own amenity kit for long-haul flights

This is one of my most indispensable travel hacks for a long flight. I pride myself in packing light, but bringing my amenity kit saves my sanity onboard. Although I love a freebie like inflight comfort kits, nothing beats having your own set of travel-related items to keep you cozy in the air for hours on end.

Here is what I always bring with me for long-haul flights:

• Separate zip pouch for seat back pocket for easy access to my essentials
• External battery pack for my electronic devices (and charging cables)
• A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
• Moldable travel pillow for ultimate comfort
• Compression socks to fight swelling
• Light blanket scarf
• Pack of jet lag prevention pills
• Headphones or earbuds
• Hand sanitizer
• Silk eye mask

See Related: Ways to Book the Cheapest First-Class Flights

4. Use packing cubes

I’ll sound like a broken record here, but packing cubes was an absolute game-changer to save space in luggage. It took me a year of using packing cubes to learn that the best packing hack with these bad boys is to roll your clothes in them rather than laying them flat inside the cubes and then pack any remaining things around them in the suitcase.

Using these cubes may make your carry-on luggage a bit heavier and sometimes lopsided, though they’re well worth it. For an added bonus, you can add fabric softener sheets or reusable cotton pads dabbed with essential oil into your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Then, as you wear clothes, pack the dirty clothes into the packing cubes to keep them separate in your luggage.

We know a thing or two about packing cubes. See for yourself:

• Best Packing Cubes for Travel
• Best Packing Cubes on Amazon Right Now!
• Sea to Summit Packing Cubes Review: Are They Worth It?

5. Bring hand soap

This is one of those travel hacks I needed for one particular trip that has stuck with me a lot ever since. Hand soap, particularly easy-to-pack soap sheets , is a terrific addition to your carry-on bag no matter where you go.

Particularly when visiting a foreign country or a foreign city, you’ll be glad you brought soap along. Not every bathroom you encounter will have soap, for example, even in very touristy places .

Heck, being a very touristy place might be the reason there isn’t any soap if it all got used up. Just a word of advice: make sure your hands are dry when you grab a sheet, or you’ll accidentally use the whole pack at once.

Another favorite way to carry soap around is the Matador Flatpak Bar Soap Case , pictured above with handmade soap from the Farson Merc in Wyoming. The Matador case is about a thousand times less messy than a plastic bag and it helps dry your bar soap and keep it slime-free.

See Related: Ways to Luggage-Free Travel

6. Take advantage of credit card offers

A travel hack used by frequent flyer folks everywhere is taking advantage of the perks of a travel credit card. Mainly if you are loyal to one specific airline, a sound companion credit card could save you so much money when planning your trips. Every card will have its own set of advantages, whether that’s earning cashback in restaurants or booking travel, and some even have other perks like access to an airport lounge.

Do be careful when dealing with credit cards , though, since the perks aren’t worth it if you can’t pay them off monthly. Credit card companies make their money back in spades when folks overspend to try and access those great perks. So use these strategically.

See Related: Best Credit Cards for Rewards Points

7. Learn to avoid long airport security lines

Although this hack won’t help you save money, it will save you a lot of time at the airport. I cannot emphasize enough how game-changing TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are in my travel game. Not having to take my shoes off or unpack my stuff at security and breezing through customs when I get back into the country is well worth the small fee associated with signing up with these programs.

As a matter of fact, some credit cards even include reimbursement for the signup fee for Pre-Check and Global Entry as part of their perks package. In which case, you’d ultimately be paying nothing to join these programs that will make airports a lot less stressful.

See Related: Essential Packing Tips for Travel

8. Use a pillow as an extra carry-on bag

This tip is a little bit on the controversial side if you ask social media. Anytime I see this brought up on TikTok, the comments are filled with people arguing about the morality of doing this. I will admit that I haven’t packed my travel pillow completely full of extra stuff, though I do tuck a few things in the case here and there if I need the space in my personal bag or carry-on.

In this case, you are using the case around your pillow (or instead of a pillow in the case of the Tube Travel Pillow ) to lug anything that didn’t fit into your bag to avoid paying extra baggage fees. Since pillows aren’t considered carry-on items, using all the space you have makes sense.

If you’re not sure where you stand on the morality of gaming the luggage allowance rules, pick up the Rumpl Stuffable Pillowcase . It’s meant to be stuffed with clothing to create the pillow itself, and it’s the perfect size for travel. Do note that you’ll need the window seat for this type of pillow.

See Related: Best Gadgets for Long Flights

9. Join a group tour

One of the best travel hacks for scoring free meals and free wifi with activities you wanted to do anyway is by booking a group tour. These tours can be for a few hours, a day, or for the duration of your trip.

Regardless of the tour length, you’ll be paired with like-minded group members and a guide who will give you more insight than you’d get venturing alone. That in itself makes the experience worth it.

A group tour also tends to give you more bang for your buck. Not only will it often include the cost of your activities, but it also includes amenities like travel to different places, food, accommodations, and additional perks. You might also make a few friends along the way, and you can’t put a price on that.

Some of our favorite tour and ticket resources include:

• GetYourGuide
• TripAdvisor

See Related: Thrifty Traveler Review: Is Premium Worth It?

10. Create your own airline TV

Okay, so a lot of planes have built-in televisions. But, let’s be honest, most of them are frustrating to use.

Not only that, but you can’t watch all that you have thanks to downloadable content from streaming services. That said, there are a few ways to turn your handheld device into a seatback mini television.

The easiest way to make this happen is to get a phone holder that attaches to the seat tray when it’s closed. I have one of these, and, for the most part, it’s an excellent travel accessory .

Or, if you’d rather not spend money on this, you can also take the paper barf bag to make a quick and easy phone holder. Place the bag between your phone and the phone case, and then use the tray lock to hold the bag and phone contraption in place.

See Related: The Best Travel Movies to Inspire You To Explore

11. Save money on your accommodations

There’s no doubt that accommodations will easily eat a lot of your travel budget. Even so, you can save a lot of money by utilizing deals, particularly through online travel agencies (or OTAs as they’re starting to be called) or third-party booking sites. These websites will organize the best deals for you, saving you so much time from searching the web to save some money.

Sometimes these OTAs will have incredible last-minute deals , which is also perfect for all those procrastinators out there. You could end up at a much nicer hotel than you otherwise would have, so it’s always worth a look.

Our favorite sites that will save you the most money on accommodations include:

• HotelTonight
• EcoHotels.com

See Related: Best Tools & Travel Resources

12. Utilize Google Translate

Translation apps have gone a long way in just the last few years. If you aren’t making high marks with Duolingo or aren’t fluent in the language of your destination, I highly recommend using the Google Translate app. Granted, you’ll need an internet connection to use it, but so long as you aren’t blowing your whole budget on data use, this app will make your trip so much better.

Should you plan on using this app extensively, be sure it’s up to date on all of your electronic devices and that you have a portable charger along. You don’t want your translator to die while you’re in the middle of a conversation.

If you know you’ll be spending some time abroad, it’s a good idea to learn a little of the language. Babbel is easy to use and offers live online classes, podcasts, and plenty of other resources.

See Related: Best Travel Apps for Europe

13. Earn free hotel stays

There’s no such thing as a free lunch… said no travel hacker ever. It may seem silly, but I highly recommend signing up for a loyalty program anytime you stay with a hotel. This is not only the easiest way to earn free nights, but it’s also an excellent way to get free upgrades or other bonuses like free beverages or snacks when you stay.

Staying at the hotel isn’t the only way to earn points either. A lot of hotels have partner programs. If you could earn points for every time you used DoorDash or Grubhub , wouldn’t you?

ViaTravelers writer Woodrow Matthews is an expert at what he calls “upgrade engineering” – that is, maneuvering his way from basic rooms to luxury stays. Take a peek at some of his best travel tips and soon you’ll be working from a private pool, too.

See Related: Cheap Places to Travel

14. Download an offline version of local Google Maps

Anytime you travel, particularly internationally, being aware of the need for an internet connection to use apps is crucial. Luckily you can avoid that by downloading the offline version of Google Maps for wherever you’re going. That way, internet access or not, you won’t get lost.

Not only can you use Google Maps all over the world (for the most part), but it also updates public transit information so you can utilize trains, buses, and even ferries. Keep in mind that some countries block Google Maps, so you’ll need a local equivalent or an app like OkMap instead.

Countries that have banned Google Maps include:

• North Korea

See Related: Best Hiking Apps

15. Save a bundle on local transportation

Once you get to your destination, you’re still going to need to get around. Even in the most walking-friendly city, you’ll want ways to save money on transportation.

If you’re game to drive around yourself, sometimes renting a car is the easiest way to save money on cab rides. However, that isn’t always the cheapest way to do things.

In Europe, sometimes a Eurail Pass can save you tons of money on trains. The passes are valid in dozens of countries and are the perfect way to hop around the Continent.

Booking things like ferries ahead of time can save you money too, so consider how your day-to-day itinerary might look before heading to the airport and choose the best mode of transport for your wallet.

Some of our favorite transportation partners include:

• Thrifty And, of course,
• FerryHopper

See Related: Cheapest Way to Travel Around the U.S.

16. Bring an extension cable or power strip

Even the best hotels can suffer from a lack of outlets. A travel hack I wish I had known sooner is to bring a portable power strip along, so your whole travel party can charge up every day without having to leave their electronics in the bathroom or a closet. Just be sure you have an outlet converter if you need one to avoid picking one up from the hotel or airport gift shop at double the price.

Hostels to five-star hotels can lack useable outlets. So it doesn’t really matter how much you spend on your accommodations, you could end up with just one well-placed outlet. Thank us later for not having to groggily run to the bathroom to turn off an alarm clock.

See Related: How to Pack for a Month-Long Trip

17. For solo travelers – dress like a local

When it comes to traveling solo , how you dress almost becomes more important. A lot of folks are afraid to travel by themselves because they don’t want to be a target for salespeople or thieves, which is a reasonable concern. One way to waylay this is by dressing as If you live there.

Let’s be honest; a lot of tourists look like tourists . If you show up in Barcelona wearing an I Love NYC shirt; people are going to know you aren’t from there.

We aren’t suggesting that you wear another culture’s attire like a costume; what we’re saying is to recognize the cultural differences ahead of time and try to reflect that into your clothing. Or, keep it simple and don’t wear logo shirts, shorts, and baseball caps.

See Related: Solo Travel Luggage and Accessories

18. If you’re backpacking, ditch the liquids and single-use items

Folks who have backpacked around countries know that even one extra item makes that pack a little more difficult to carry. I learned firsthand on my six-week European backpacking trip that one of the easiest ways to lessen your load is by swapping out your liquid toiletries for solid ones and reusable items.

Not only will this change make your backpack less heavy, but it’s also a more sustainable swap. Plus, it’s so much nicer to have just a few bars of soap or a reusable ear swab to bring into the bathroom.

Items I loved for my backpacking journey:

• Toothpaste tabs
• Shampoo bars
• Perfume bar (my personal favorite from TonyMoly)
• Reusable not-cotton swab
• Handkerchief instead of kleenex

If there’s one liquid to NEVER ditch while backpacking, it’s water. So get yourself a decent water bottle or a gravity water filter and stay hydrated!

See Related: How to Pack For a Camping Trip

19. Keep the kids entertained

Listen up, parents of little kids, this travel hack is for you! If you’re dreading bringing your little ones on the plane or a road trip for fear of their boredom getting the better of them, I recommend bringing a busy bag or five along to keep them occupied. These kid-friendly kits can be made easily by you or purchased in the form of busy books often attached to the Montessori teaching method.

We recommend creating a few busy bags for different legs of the journey. These activity kits can be tailored to kid’s interests, or even the trip itself.

Maybe include a set of airplane stickers with a sticker book to stick and unstick to their hearts’ content, or perhaps even themed coloring pages . Here are some other ideas for how to fill a busy bag:

• Travel-friendly felt board
• A quiet activities book
• Sensory squares for quiet enrichment
• Silent fidget toys
• Mini Voyager Travel Activity Kit

You might also want to pack some games for things to do at your destination. And for parents of little kids and babies, don’t forget the diaper bag !

See Related: Best Family Travel Hacks

20. Plan your trip during shoulder season

One of the most underrated travel hacks is doing your traveling during the shoulder season. Also known as the off-season, traveling to certain places when other tourists are not is a terrific way to save money on airfare, hotel accommodations, and even tours. While the weather might not be as ideal during this period, it can still be perfect for your adventure.

Take for example the first time I went to Ireland and the UK – it was at the beginning of December. Although the Christmas markets were magnificent and busy, the cities were generally far less crowded. Not to mention the weather was so dreamy, the perfect sweater weather… and who doesn’t love an Irish holiday in a good sweater?

This goes for National Parks, too – take a look at how empty the Old Faithful boardwalk is above, just because it’s the “wrong” time of year to visit. Avoid summertime at major landmarks and you’ll save time and money.

See Related: Best Travel Tips And Hacks From Our Readers

21. For campers or hikers, waterproof those shoes!

I won’t lie; one of my least favorite parts of camping or hiking is the notion that my shoes will get wet. “Wet” + “socks” is a texture combination I can’t stand. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune on waterproof shoes to enjoy the outdoors.

You can waterproof, or at least water repel, your shoes at home. Rubbing beeswax, Dubbin, or clear candle wax against the fabric of your shoes will help keep your feet nice and dry. Or you could buy some spray-on waterproofer for your shoes instead, though the beeswax/Dubbin method is more fun and more environmentally friendly.

Don’t forget to waterproof your winter shoes, too. Nothing is worse than snow soaking through your boots.

See Related: Tripped Travel Gear Review: Accessories for Your Next Trip

22. Mark your bag as fragile

If you are a frequent bag checker, this is one of the travel hacks that can be exploited in the industry. Though we don’t recommend doing this every time you check a bag, it’s worth reminding travelers that you can mark your bag(s) as fragile if it makes sense.

On your own or with the check-in desk folks, labeling your bags with a fragile sticker or bag tag can help keep your belongings safe in storage. This can’t guarantee that your bags will be handled more safely, though it might make all the difference to the baggage handler having a bad day.

The few times I have done this to get something flown safely to its destination, my belongings have arrived entirely unscathed. Either way, remember to pack carefully, even if you label the bags, to give yourself some cushion for mishandling.

See Related: Ways to Make Travel Easier for Your Next Trip

23. Use AirHelp to get compensated for delayed or canceled flights

When we got stuck on the runway in an airplane for over three hours for a 45-minute flight from Germany to Czechia , AirHelp was a huge help. Not only did they fight for us to receive the monetary compensation we were entitled to because of the European flight delay/cancellation compensation system, but they even took it a step further and took the airline to court for us when they refused to pay.

AirHelp isn’t free; they take a portion of your compensation as a fee. Although we got about half of what we should have received if we had fought the airline ourselves, AirHelp saved us a lot of time from fighting alone. To us, that was worth the fee.

24. For road trippers, use seat organizers to maximize space

Road trips are an excellent way to see the world without having to negotiate rest stops or deal with airplane delays. But keeping everyone happy and comfy on the road trip is a whole other story. One way to deal with this and maximize space at the same time is to utilize a seatback organizer.

These organizers can keep snacks within arm’s reach for passengers, hold onto beloved stuffies so the littles aren’t wriggling out of their seats, and even serve as a way to motivate passengers through the trip. Each section could even be designated for a certain leg of the trip to give them something to look forward to.

See Related: Road Trip Games For Couples

25. Use a pants hanger to keep blinds closed

This is a niche hack specifically for hotels that have pants hangers in the closet. Not all hotels will have this , but for the ones that do, the clips on clothes hangers will keep your blinds or curtains fully closed.

With how difficult it is to keep these window covers closed without intervention, this trick always makes me feel better, especially when I am traveling solo. No more worrying the AC blowing your blinds open while you sleep.

If you want to come prepared and not take up too much luggage space, you could always bring a chip clip or two along. A sturdy clip will keep the shades closed regardless of whether the hotel room has pants hangers or not for you to use.

See Related: Best Travel Safety Tips

26. Keep track of itinerary ideas in Google Docs

Planning group travel is the bane of my existence. Why? Because no matter how hard you try, it can be a pain to keep everyone on the same page at all times. So the next time you get a group travel itinerary inspiration (or a very organized small trip), I highly recommend using Google Docs to keep track of everything.

With a program like Google Docs, you have the ability to share up-to-the-minute itinerary changes. Anyone can make changes to the documents (unless you restrict editing access), and no one has to worry about being left in the dark about changes in plans.

Editor’s Note: Yes, that’s a real screenshot from my Google Drive folder, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg Any time I see a good flight deal come in from Going.com or Thrifty Traveler , I put together a quick spreadsheet to see if the trip is plausible at that time. If it’s not, I save everything anyway and wait for the right time to go.

See Related: Best Vacation Planners

27. Use your hotel’s shower cap to protect your stuff

The complimentary shower cap in your hotel bathroom is useful even if you don’t use it for your hair. I use the cap to pack my shoes in my luggage if they’ve gotten dirty or to keep my toiletries from leaking everywhere. Honestly, these are the most versatile hotel freebies.

One smart way to use these is to pack all of your liquid toiletries in one before placing them in your toiletry bag . That way, if your bottles leak, the mess is mainly contained with the other liquid bottles in the shower cap. Another way to keep your toiletries from leaking is to invest in some quality refillable bottles that are leakproof or resistant.

See Related: Hotel vs. Motel vs. Inn: What’s the Difference?

28. Create a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with

Regardless of how often you fly, creating a loyalty account whenever you fly with an airline is a good idea. Not all airlines keep your miles in perpetuity, though a few domestic airlines like Delta , Southwest , and United do. Even if you don’t plan on collecting miles or points for free travel with each individual airline, sometimes these loyalty programs have perks.

For instance, some programs allow members early boarding, free bags, changes on an otherwise nonrefundable ticket, and ways to earn miles outside of air travel . Plus, there are ways to exchange points across different programs, like with hotels, so you could potentially rack up a ton of miles if you have applicable partner programs.

See Related: Proven Ways to Save Money for Travel

29. Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones

As much as I love to fly, I have never become accustomed to the constant humming in the cabin. Honestly, it bothers me.

For other travelers, it’s the constant din of other passengers constantly chatting, coughing, chewing, etc. No matter what kind of traveler you are, noise-canceling headphones will improve your air travel.

Comfortable headphones won’t interfere with your nap, and they won’t irritate your ears the way that earbuds can. Plus, when you aren’t wearing them, they can rest around your neck, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping an earbud or fiddling around trying to get the earbud case out of your bag.

See Related: Best Travel Gifts for Him

30. Beat conversion fees by paying by card in local currency

While it’s always a good idea to exchange money in a foreign country so you have a little cash on hand, generally, I wouldn’t say I like paying with cash anywhere unless I have to. One way to avoid pesky conversion fees when paying by card is always to have the card charged in the local currency.

That means when the screen pops up asking if you want to charge in USD or the local equivalent, you always want to choose the local option. This won’t protect you from foreign transaction fees, though.

Your best bet to avoid those is to bring a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees anytime you travel abroad. There aren’t a ton of those credit cards on the market, though quite a few cards do offer that perk .

See Related: German Currency

How can I make travel fun?

Stress can kill even the most exciting vacation. Travel can be so much fun, though, especially if you have an organized planning system to keep track of your plans without adding stress to the experience. Starting your planning well ahead of time will leave room for more fun during the actual travel, and you’ll save money by booking things well in advance.

How can I improve my flight?

I recommend making your amenity kit for air travel . Especially if you’re planning on a long-haul flight, bringing some comforts tailored to yourself will make the experience more enjoyable. A few things I usually include are jet lag prevention pills, my moldable travel pillow, a silk eye mask, and compression socks.

How can I make travel more efficient?

A few ways I have streamlined my travel are included in this travel hacks list. These steps include having a digital boarding pass, enrolling in TSA-Precheck, using Google Translate, and organizing plans with Google Docs across the travel party.

Related Resources

• Must-Know Pieces of Advice for Booking Flights Online
• How to Find Cheap Business Class Flights [Step-by-Step]
• How To Book Flights With Longer Layovers

Seriously Brilliant Road Trip Hacks for Your Next Family Vacation

This post may contain affiliate links and ads. Read our disclosure policy here .

Before you load up the family truckster for your next family vacation, you absolutely MUST take a look at these brilliant road trip hacks.  From activities to organization to snack time, these road trip hacks will make your life on the road oh-so-much easier!  Whether your travels take you nearby or far far from home, a little pre-planning and prep will go a long way.

Best Family Road Trip Hacks

Great food road trip hacks.

1. Throw a cooler in the back of the car and fill it with juice boxes, water bottles, soda, whatever your family prefers to drink.  Use the ice machine at your hotel to fill the cooler with fresh ice every morning before you hit the road.  Stay hydrated and save money and time by not having to stop for drinks! We usually pick up a case or two of bottled water before we leave home. I always feel physically better when I keep up with water consumption when we are traveling.

2. Family favorite: packing cold cuts and fixins for sandwiches!  When we stop for lunch, we make up hoagies and sandwiches. I usually pick up a Walmart grocery order the day before we head out of town and load up on cold cuts, cheese, condiments, etc. When we travel in our camper, these items go in the fridge and/or cabinets. When we are driving without the camper, we use a big cooler with plenty of ice to carry the food.

3. Use old coffee creamer bottles to hold snacks like this example from Stockpiling Moms !  The flip-top lid makes the snacks easy to dispense and helps prevent some mess from spills.

4. Self-serve snacks: We have also had a lot of luck using these small plastic organizers to create snack boxes for the kids on road trips. You can fill them with any snacks you’d like and the kids get a variety of food in small portion sizes.

Kid Activity Road Trip Hacks!

1. Bring a hula hoop , jump rope or bubbles to give kids a quick and easy way to let off some steam!   When you give kids a chance to burn off some of that pent up energy that comes from hours in a car, everyone is much happier when it’s time to get back on the road. Utilize bathroom and gas station stops to give the kids a few minutes to move around. My kids love challenges so something like “How many jumps can you do in a row with the jump rope?” always get them moving!

2. Make a travel coloring kit like this example from Living Well Mom. Toss some crayons and a few small coloring pages into a container and you’re set.

3.   A bag of pipe cleaners will result in long periods of happy kids!   (Got a toddler?  Toss them an empty water bottle to put the pipe cleaners in over and over and over again!) See how we put together a few toddler friendly road trip activities for Landon when he was younger.  They kept him occupied for hours!

4. Collect old thank you cards and envelopes in a ziploc bag with a pen for an instant “post office” letter writing station.

5. My kids would LOVE a portable lego kit like the one that Mama Papa Bubba made!

6. Hand toddlers a deck of cards .   You won’t believe how long they can play with this one!

7.  Magnets on a metal cookie sheet or cake pan are also wonderful boredom busters!

8. Make up some Road Trip Goodie Bags .   These are great ways to reward good behavior! Check out our post for tips on what to fill them with and grab our free printable bag tags!

9. Make a printable road trip journal .  Put that printable in a binder with other free road trip printables and you will have a great activity book for the kids to work their way through as you drive.

10. Stock a dollar store treasure box full of prizes.  Let the kids earn Adventure Bucks for good behavior that they can redeem for prizes!

Best Car Organization Road Trip Hacks

1. Use silicone cupcake liners in your cup holders to keep them clean.   There’s nothing ickier than trying to clean out sticky dirty cup holders in a car.  Avoid the situation entirely simply by placing a silicone cupcake holder in each cup holder.

2.  I really love this car trunk organization idea using regular old shower caddies .   This example is from The Castro Family Happynings.

3. Turn a cereal container into a car trash can.   This example is from Better Homes and Gardens.

4.  Use suction cup shower caddies to hold snacks and art supplies like this example from Grey House Harbor .   (Just make sure to lock the windows or else you might have a big mess on your hands!)

5. These multi-device USB car chargers are absolute SANITY SAVERS in our car!   Whether we’re road tripping near or far, we always have umpteen devices that need to be charged.

6. Not an IN-car hack, but when you park, drop a pin on your phone map.   This will help you to remember in what garage or parking lot you left your car!  That’s a handy tip when you’re in an unfamiliar city.

7.  Use cheap plastic glasses cases from the dollar store to store various chargers and other cords. This is example is from our camping site, Glamper Life .

8.  Keep a claw grabber in the car.   Oh how I wish I had discovered this idea sooner!  If I only had a nickel for every time the kids dropped a blankie or pacifier or snack on the floor and no matter how I contorted my body, I could not reach it!

9. Another parking lot tip – take a picture of where you parked so you can locate your car!

10.  Keep a first aid kit in your car for any bumps and bruises that may occur.   Other great items to toss in this kit include bug spray, sunscreen, ponchos and wipes.

We made up dollar store first aid kits and mini first aid kits on the super cheap.  It’s so nice knowing that we have these supplies in the car wherever we road trip to!

What are YOUR best road trip hacks for families?  I would love to hear them!

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4 thoughts on “Seriously Brilliant Road Trip Hacks for Your Next Family Vacation”

What a brilliant ideaCan’t wait for another trip❤️ Thank you for sharing

Glad they were helpful!

My kids are all grown but when we would travel would wrap their happy meal little toys from before the trip in old wrapping paper. I would give them a new “gift” everytime they were bored with the toys they were playing with.

When we are traveling for our summer vacation, we make each of our kids(pre-teens 10,11 &12) take their lunch boxes from school. We pack light snacks, drinks and junk food of course that are all right out of dollar tree). The front pocket holds their devices and side pouch holds their headphones and chargers or visa versa. its like an all in one deal. No ones asking who took who’s charger and they can eat when they’re ready while on the road. So no random stops outside of gas stops or stretching.

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50 travel hacks that will change the way you travel forever

Travel Travel Inspiration Travel Tips & Hacks 50 Ultimate Travel Hacks

Travelling like a seasoned pro is not an overnight miracle. It comes with definite hardships and the trickiest of situations. Want an easy way out? Simple. To save the day from many likely travel disasters, you will need this list of handy travel hacks. That's right, there exists a bunch of secret tips and tricks that will change the way you travel forever! Whether it be never missing a flight again, or hacks to pack better or saving a few extra bucks, these 50 pro-tips and travel hacks will make the journey less stressful and your vacation a whole lot peaceful.

Below are the tips and hacks you're here for. Read on and thank me later!

#1 Email yourself a scan of your passport

Carrying a hardcopy of your passport is important, but forgetfulness or theft and loss can always hit you at the wrong time. By emailing yourself a scan of your passport, you ensure that in case of an unfortunate event, your passport is only a click away. This also goes for any other type of journey confirmations (tickets, etc.), either scan or screenshot the same and save yourself a buttload of trouble in the future.

#2 Roll your clothes for more space

Packing smart does not take too much effort. One of the easiest and most effective travel hacks related to packing is to roll your clothes rather than fold. Not only does this method save you a lot of space, it also keeps your clothes wrinkle-free. Plus, little rolled tubes means you can easily see what you have packed.

#3 Sign up for last-minute deals on Headout

Planned a spontaneous trip and are looking for killer last-minute deals? Sign up on Headout and land great discounts on the top experiences in the city. Remember that great deals don't last too long, and by signing up on Headout you can make sure to grab a few before they disappear.

#4 If you’re jetlagged, run it off

Jet lag can be a real killjoy but there is a way to combat its depressing effects - exercise! It is advised to head out for a run or engage in light exercises like yoga or resistance band training to help ward off jet lag. It is also best not to fall asleep after boarding a flight or after reaching the destination.

#5 Make friends on the road using Travel Buddies and Backpackr

Finding real people to connect with on your trips or making new friends won't have to be a worry anymore. There are apps specifically for that. Download Backpackr or Travel Buddies and you won't ever have to experience the anxiety of approaching groups in person. The app instead will hook you up with travellers nearby based on a personality match. You can also check out each other's itineraries and sync up hangouts.

#6 Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge

Running out of juice on your rechargeable batteries quicker than you thought can be a real bummer. Well, there is a pretty cool travel hack to help keep your batteries fresher and full of charge for longer - just stash them in the fridge! As strange as it may sound, most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures.

#7 Follow a pub crawl party for the best nightlife in town

To experience the nightlife of any destination you don't need to pay extra bucks and sign up for a pub crawl package. Instead, try this foolproof travel hack and locate the most popular pub crawl routes. Here, you are bound to find several fellow tourists and travellers or even one of the organised groups. You then just have to tag along, for free!

#8 Be strategic with flight cancellations

Booking a nonrefundable ticket can be a gamble but there is a silver lining. In the off chance that you change plans or don't travel on that flight, keep this pro tip in mind - do not cancel the ticket or just don't show up. Do this because in the rare case of the flight's cancellation or schedule change, you could be entitled to a credit or refund. Had you cancelled the ticket, you wouldn’t be entitled to anything.

17 Golden Hacks To Snagging Cheap Flight Tickets

#9 carry a handy extension cable, especially if you’re staying in hostels.

Your electronic devices are your BFFs throughout your travelling journey and they need to be looked after, which means constant recharges. Therefore, the biggest travel hacks of them all is to make sure you have an extension cable or a power strip for the same, especially if you're living in a hostel where everyone fights for plug time. An extension cable will also make you the star of the room, without doubt!

#10 Download Google Maps offline

Using an actual map today is obsolete but many think Google Maps without an internet connection is just as useless. But you must know that no access to WiFi, patchy network or throwing away money on data shouldn't be a reason to lose your way because you can go off grid and still use Google Maps! Just download Google Maps - go on the map to the area you want to save, type ‘ok map’ into the search option and then press ‘download’ - you can now use it even when on airplane mode.

#11 Google Translate is god sent in a foreign country. Download it.

A language barrier can put a damper on the best of spirits, so if you know the international country you're traveling to uses a foreign language to communicate, do yourself a favour and download Google Translate . It lets you take photos of text in a different language and translate what it means in real time. Just like Google Maps, Google Translate works in airplane mode too.

#12 WiFi access is a right, not a privilege. Steal away!

WiFi at this point is everybody's birthright and so you deserve access to it, no matter where you are. Like at the airports, find the first class lounge, sign in to the free WiFi and browse to your heart's content. Similarly, if you're on the streets, backup to a fancy restaurant and log into their WiFi without a thought. Some places may use password protection, in that case, you can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants, cafes and other places.

#13 Purchase skip-the-line tickets beforehand to avoid spending your holiday in queues

Waiting in long lines is a real bummer and you don't want to be that tourist that spends more time queuing than exploring. This can be totally avoided by pre-purchasing skip-the-line-tickets for tours and other activities. Headout has a great selection of skip-the-line tickets and tours in 50+ cities across the world.

#14 Add-ons are cheaper when purchased while booking the flight

A great way to save more than just a few bucks would be to figure out the add-ons you may require - like extra luggage, priority boarding, airport lounges, seat reservation or travel insurance - and customise your package to suit your needs and comfort while booking your flight tickets and not after. Adding add-ons later only means a higher, easily avoidable cost.

#15 Don’t EVER exchange money for local currency at the airport

When ATMs and cash machines exist, you don't have to ever exchange money at the airport or the local currency exchange. Not only do these money converters charge a fee of their own, they also rip-off exchange rates, usually amounts that are highly inflated, worse than your regular bank.

#16 Opt for long layovers to explore a city

Picking a flight with long layovers simply means buying youry more time to explore another city. Best to take advantage of this, most even choose flights with 12+ hour layovers to enjoy a whole day in a new city.

12 Creative Ways To Make The Most Of Your Airport Layover

#17 invest in a good travel wallet.

A good wallet is a lifesaver when travelling. It helps keep you organised - for once you will find all your bills, receipts, boarding passes, passport photocopies and foreign currency in one place. Investing in a good wallet doesn't necessarily mean expensive, there are several budget options of chic travel wallets that come with additional compartments for travel-related items.

#18 Mark your bag fragile (even if nothing’s fragile in there)

By doing this you ensure that your belongings are given the VIP treatment and you won't have to wait for long to collect your luggage - anything marked fragile gets to the top of the pile in storage and sent out in the first batch! To process this, just request for a ‘fragile’ sticker at the counter without paying a penny more.

#19 Shoulder season travel > everything else

Timing is everything when planning a trip and one sure shot way of saving money is to travel during 'shoulder season' aka the period between high and low travel season. The weather is still great but the destination is less crowded this time, plus hotels offer better rates too. In many destinations the shoulder seasons are September-November and March-May. Absolutely avoid picking peak periods like school breaks and holidays.

#20 Make a frequent flyer account on every airline you travel with

This is the wisest thing to do if not you will miss out on valuable miles that could potentially be put toward your next trip, thereby saving you money! Also, always keep your boarding pass until you see that your miles have been posted on your frequent flier account.

#21 Private rooms at hostels are a steal deal

#22 Toggle to a different “home” country when searching for flights to get cheaper rates

One of the more smart travel hacks, whenever looking to fly a specific airline, pick a country that offers a good foreign exchange rate as compared to other countries. This way you can view and purchase your tickets in another currency, and save big bucks! This is an extra, potentially time-consuming step but for what it's worth, you must give it a go.

#23 Invest in travel insurance

Most people do not purchase travel insurance because their credit card perks cover most of it, but it's always wiser to have insurance than not. This is even more important if you're travelling with valuables or changing your plans on-the-go most days.

The Ultimate Guide To Buying Your First Travel Insurance In The Post COVID World

#24 use a shower cap to protect your toiletries from exploding during flights.

Yes, shower caps have more than one use. They will keep the toiletry liquids from exploding and spilling all over your bag on the flight back home. Make sure to wrap the bottles well. In case of no shower cap, you can also use the plastic liner that comes in an ice bucket.

#25 Seek itinerary inspiration through social media

#26 Book overnight flights and buses to save on lodging

The best way to kill two birds with one stone - you get to sleep for free and stay on the move to your destination while sleeping! Essentially booking an overnight flight or bus is a night of free lodging. Make sure to make yourself comfortable with a cosy sweatshirt, good earplugs and an eye mask.

#27 Earn money in exchange for trip research/beta tests

Don't expect big money, but you can earn a little bit of pocket money by taking travel surveys online and testing new products and keeping all the freebies (free meals, films, drinks and more). Make sure to find legit websites that will pay. This travel hack of signing up to be a market researcher hardly takes a lot of time and effort, plus it helps you make a few bucks on the go.

Official Headout Deals, Offers & Promo Codes

#28 make sure to have a card that gives you airport lounge access.

By signing up for at least one travel credit card that includes a 'priority pass' or 'lounge access' you can cut your airport bill in half. The free food and drinks save you so much money and bad food! Additionally, you make your wait more enjoyable and get to relax in an airport lounge.

#29 Tweet your travel troubles. It gets solved quicker

#30 Visit destinations that don’t have a large tourism board. They tend to be cheaper

Locations that do not have a promotional budget or large tourism board tend to be cheaper and as a result less crowded. This means as a traveller you get to explore so much more without going broke. You also get to gloat about going to a lesser known country!

#31 Call the hotel for a better rate and do away with online taxes

Do not waste time browsing a million sites or call multiple reservation numbers. Just call the hotel directly instead, not only will they offer you a better rate devoid of online taxes, they also hold the power to an upgrade! If you're a regular traveller, it’s best to keep cordial relationships with the hotel staff and increase your perks.

#32 Pack a universal adapter that works across nations

If you do not want to end up at a spot with plug points that aren't compatible with your electronic devices, invest in a good universal adapter or plug converter with USB ports that works in all countries.

#33 Inform your credit card company before traveling abroad, so they don’t lock down your account due to suspicious activity

Together with informing your friends, family and employers about your trip, get on a call with your credit card company too. It is important to notify them about when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you plan on arriving home. This ensures they don't freeze your cards while you are traveling due to suspicious activity.

#34 Avoid the city center for staying. It’s always expensive

Travelling is already an expensive affair and where you stay determines where most of your money is spent. Picking prime locations like hotels in the city center is always expensive. It is best to find smaller hotels around or close to the city center, these are comparatively cheaper and not too further away from the hub either. This is also the wise thing to do if you won't be staying in one place for too long.

#35 Opt for hotels with free meals

This travel hack is a no-brainer. It helps save you loads of money. Complimentary breakfast is a common hotel perk, but always call ahead to check so you at least have one meal covered. Some hotels do offer free meals for more than just one meal, so dig deeper!

#36 To keep the money coming while you travel, go on a workation

Workation is the newest way of travelling, especially after spending forever working from home during the pandemic. Portable working or workation allows you to enjoy a whole new destination while you work and make yourself money! This way you get an opportunity to experience travel in a way most others won’t and you won’t have to worry about spending your savings.

Best Workation Destinations – The Digital Nomads Roundup

#37 grab a city travel card for the best bundled deals.

#38 Buy a transport pass (tube, train, metro, bus) and use unlimited public transport to get around the city

This travel hack allows you to travel seamlessly across all modes of transport (tube, train, metro, bus) using the same ticket/pass. A travel pass also means you won't have to wait in long lines to buy a ticket. Sightseeing on a local transport has a different charm, especially when it comes cheap!

#39 Read up about the free museum and tourist-attraction days

It's always best to look up if the destination you are visiting has free museums to visit, this will give you something to look forward to without having to spend a time. Also read up on tourist attraction days and best times to visit, this way you can steer clear of crowds and enjoy a peaceful day exploring.

#40 Try getting yourself open jaw flight tickets

One travel hack that nobody wants to let you in on is the open-jaw tickets frenzy. Open-jaw tickets are flexible and in most cases an inexpensive way of flying. They are priced as round-trip fares, and almost always less expensive than purchasing two one-way flights between the destinations visited. Basically, you book with one airline, into a city and out of another. This hack also allows you to travel in between two amazing cities and still get home/to the main destination!

#41 The right credit card makes or breaks your holiday budget. Choose it wisely

#42 Dinner during happy hours = drinks + cheaper food

Dinners on vacation can set you back a few hundreds of dollars. Thank god for happy hours though! You can take advantage of all the specials on the happy hour menus (most at half the price) plus enjoy drinks. Make sure you head to dinner early and land a win-win, all around including a discounted cheque!

#43 Anti-theft purse/backpack is a clever investment

Whoever decided that money belts are the best to carry cash as a tourist was wrong. It makes you stick out like a sore thumb and susceptible to attack and robbery. Your best bet is to use an anti-theft purse or backpack. These look like normal bags and help you blend with the crowd, thereby keeping you safe from pickpockets. These anti-theft purses not only look cute but also has cool features like like waterproof lining and RFID blocking material protects that IDs and credit cards from hacker scanning

#44 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries are a good bet for quick getaways

Visa processes (never-ending paperwork and long queues) are time and most importantly, money consuming. This is where countries that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel snoop in as saviours. There are over 50 countries that offer visa-on-arrival and so many that don't even need a travel visa. Now you can always make impromptu plans and quick getaways whenever the travel bug bites.

#45 Sustainable travel is the way to go (if you still want to travel 10 years down the line)

The world is moving towards sustainable practices in all spheres and travel is joining the bandwagon because if not, you may never get to travel a few years down the line. Sustainable travel takes into account current and future environmental, social and economic impact and imbibes practices that help reduce carbon footprint. So things like bike or walking tours, sailing instead of riding an engine boat, carsharing, public transport or indulging in activities that combine the travel experience and environmental benefits like beach clean-ups.

A Beginner’s Guide To Sustainable Traveling

#46 reserve the aisle and window seats.

Nothing eases a flight journey like strategically reserving a seat based on your preference. If you are one to use the restroom a lot, reserve the aisle seats for easy access. Aisle seats also offer extra legroom (exit row seats room) and are the first to exit. Similarly, if a view and a fuselage to sleep against is what makes it for you, reserve the window seats. Be strategic in your seat selection when booking a flight.

#47 Book with websites that offer cashbacks

If, like us all, money-saving on international trips comes first, make sure to book on websites like Headout, Book It or Make My Trip to find all-inclusive bundles to destinations all over the world or to land exclusive cashbacks. There are quite a few websites like this, make sure to check the one best suited to you before booking anything because you never know what deals you’ll find!

#48 Sign up for airline mailing lists to learn of flight deals

Even before you plan your next trip or start looking for flights make sure you've signed up for a few newsletters. Airlines mailing lists give you access to the absolute best deals when you need it most. Always keep tabs on your email and check these newsletters right away so you don't miss an opportunity. Additionally, airline mailing lists usually offer frequent flier bonuses. If you’re a travel hacker, those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades.

#49 Pay the extra amount for refundable bookings

Cancellations can hit at any moment, so to take the pain out of cancelling any ticket, especially a high-priced one, is to pay the extra amount for a refund when first booking. This way all is not lost and you will be able to save your money in case of flight cancellations after 24-hours of booking.

#50 Hide cash in empty lip balm tubes

When travelling, a simple and easy way to hide a stash of emergency cash is in empty lip balm tubes. It's weather-resistant and nondescript, so nobody will know or try to steal it. All you need to do is just roll your cash so that it could fit inside the narrow container.

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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7 Road Trip Hacks Every Traveler Should Know

A bumper-to-bumper guide to your next summer adventure.

There's nothing worse than setting off for a road trip and then realizing you've left something at home or discovering that your key fob battery has died while halfway to your destination. To avoid unnecessary pit stops and headaches, check this list of road trip hacks before getting behind the wheel.

Prepare your vehicle for long-distance travel.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), most breakdowns can be prevented by having your car serviced before your journey. Head to a mechanic at least a week in advance of your road trip to have the oil and tire pressure checked and ensure that the battery, brakes, and engine are working properly.

While a growing number of new cars come with inflation kits, most still don't have spare tires, including rental cars . If you have a run-flat or doughnut tire, remember that those are intended for short-term use until the flat tire can be fully repaired or replaced. Consider investing in a spare-tire kit, which includes a tire, jack, and lug wrench, for $150 to $300.

You should also consider bringing an extra battery for your key fob. "You'd be surprised at how many car keys die when people are on the road, leaving them locked out of their cars," says an AAA spokesperson.

Before hitting the road, pack an emergency kit that has distilled water, a battery charger, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, and flares or reflectors. Learn how to use the jumper cables (there are YouTube tutorials ) before getting on the road.

Pack strategically.

Packing and repacking your car can be time-consuming. Road trip expert Tamela Rich , the author of three books, advises loading nonessential items first, such as anything you won't need until you reach your final destination, and then putting in the items that you'll rely on throughout the drive, such as a camera or a purse — a trunk organizer can help keep your car tidy. Finally, you can secure rooftop cargo with a storage box. Packasport makes a variety of sizes and can also customize a hard-shell case for your vehicle.

For multi-city road trips , pack a weekender bag that's separate from your luggage and fill it with daily essentials, such as pajamas and toiletries. "This saves you from dragging bulky luggage in and out of the car every time you check in to a hotel," says Rich.

Use apps to plan your stops.

If you're traveling on a major interstate highway, use the iExit app to get the lowdown on amenities at upcoming exits, including gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and hospitals, as well as local attractions.

Clean bathrooms definitely make your pit stops more pleasant. For restrooms on your route that you can use without fear, check out diaroogle.com , or the Where is Public Toilet app.

Sort out your devices.

Don't have any place in your car to put your cell phone to view your maps app? Use a binder clip and a rubber band to make your own phone holder that clips onto air vents. Not enough outlets to charge devices for all passengers? Get a multi-outlet adapter, such as the Anker USB C Car Charger .

Bring cash.

Be prepared for unexpected tolls by bringing extra $1 and $5 bills for booths that don't have electronic toll collection, or in case E-ZPass or FasTrak doesn't work on your route. Also, fill old pill bottles with quarters for easy counting at tollbooths or for parking meters. The Parkmobile app , which helps make parking fee payments simpler, is available in over 400 U.S. cities.

Have essentials on hand.

Since dehydration can lead to headaches and crankiness, make sure to have a reusable glass or stainless-steel water bottle for each person in the car that can be refilled along the way. It's also a good idea to pack a bag with wet wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and trash bags to deal with accidents or messes.

Even if you plan to stop for meals, pack a portable cooler with non-messy, healthy snacks such as baby carrots, apples, grapes, boiled eggs, and nuts. The protein and fiber in foods like these help stabilize blood-sugar levels and digestion, which can be thrown off during travel, Rich says.

Take frequent breaks.

Kendra Thornton, president of Royal Travel & Tours travel agency, advises breaking up long car drives by stopping every two to three hours, whether for a meal, to check out an attraction, or at a rest stop to stretch your legs. "When you take frequent breaks, the trip feels like a series of manageable drives instead of one interminable one," she says.

Don't miss out on popular culinary hot spots along your route. TVFoodMaps.com has curated a list of more than 4,000 restaurants that have been featured on popular television shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives . Roadfood.com lists hundreds of authentic, locally owned restaurants, which are usually a better option than fast-food chains. Farmers' markets are also gold mines for picking up prepared regional specialties, Rich says, such as Native American fry bread in New Mexico or barbecued pork in the Carolinas .

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Driver reveals easy hack he used to avoid £450 airport parking charge

How to avoid paying for a huge parking charge when you've made an honest mistake.

Tom Earnshaw

One motorist has revealed the simple hack he used to get out of a £450 airport parking ticket after making a costly mistake before his holiday.

The jetsetter parked up their car at London Stansted Airport only to realise too late that he'd left the motor in the wrong car park .

Flying off on holiday for nine days, the traveller only realised the car was in the wrong location part way through the trip. And with him hundreds of miles overseas, there was very little he could do to fix the error.

Initially thinking he had paid £95 for the nine days, it quickly dawned on him that he'd be left paying that initial £95 as well as a premium 'on the door' rate for the other car park.

Arriving back in the capital, he revealed he had racked up a staggering bill across the nine days. An extra £450 to pay, in fact. Eeesh.

But a bit of quick thinking from the driver saw the fee waived.

Taking to Reddit to explain what happened he posted in the BritishSuccess subreddit.

"Recently returned from a nine day holiday. I'd booked parking in advance as usual, and thought I'd selected the mid-stay car park, as I have done all my previous trips. Cost of around £95," he said under his @Angry_Cornflake account.

"Realised around half way through the holiday I'd actually booked in the long stay for some reason. So now I'm convinced I've just shelled out £95 for a space I'm not using, and will be charged 'on the door' rates for the mid-stay when I get back.

"Leaving mid-stay I get to the barrier... £450! F**k me! But I pressed the 'call for assistance' button and just told the guy I had booked ahead and wasn't sure what the charge was for.

"He took my name and vehicle registration and then by some divine miracle - or perhaps the guy was feeling sorry for me, or had had a long day - he just says 'sorry about that sir, the barrier should be open now'.

"You better believe I floored it out of there before he changed his mind. Lesson learned, double and triple check which car park you booked before you arrive."

Responding to his success in avoiding the fee, being up front about the issue at the barrier seems to be a successful tactic for countless other motorists who have experienced similar situations.

Another Redditor wrote: "Similar situation here. I was ill on holiday and ended up staying and extra three days. I didn't realise there would be an inflated daily price.

"The barrier wanted something like £120. I pressed the buzzer and explained to the woman and then suddenly they opened the barrier for me."

A user posted: "My friends recently done similar coming back from Ibiza. Got to the gate and realised they owed £450. They explained they had no money left whatsoever and the lady on the other end asked if they would write a good review on their Google page and once that's done she will lift the barrier."

And a third added: "Husband booked under his car reg rather than mine at Gatwick. Tried to get my car out, and the barrier did not open and said we owned £300. Confidently told the guy our booking reference and he opened it - but I strongly suspect he was doing us a favour."

Others said it was a strong indicator that those working on the airport car parks are just ordinary folk and that by not arguing and speaking to them normally instead, you are much more likely to get a positive response.

"It probably happens all the time that people park in the wrong car park," one user wrote. "So rather than arguing with tired travellers and trying to make them pay it's likely they just search for your details and raised the barrier."

And another said: "Believe it or not most parking attendants aren't d*cks, they are normal people doing a job, usually on minimum wage. I have found that if you're honest and polite, they will help if they can."

Topics:  Driving , Hacks , UK News , Holiday , Money , Viral , Reddit , Travel

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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