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Here are a few things that I think of, when I am prepping to travel and packing for a trip. These are some smart tips I want to share because I either didn’t do them and learned my lesson, or I greatly benefited because I did do them. So here are my smart travel tips.
1. Create a Packing List
If you travel frequently, you should have packing list on standby. It can be a pre-filled list that you check off, or an app on your phone. If you have a digital copy, you can revise it after the trip, so that the next trip it will be even more precise.
2. Get Spinner Wheel Luggage
Spinner wheels are just easier for checked and carry-on luggage. Dragging luggage can be a drag. It is just so much easier if both checked and carry-on have spinners. I personally like to check my luggage and then just walk through the airport with myself and a backpack or shoulder bag, but this varies by destination. So if I must bring a larger carry on bag, it has spinner wheels.
Get a suitcase with spinner wheels. Is this really a hack? I think it’s more of a necessity. To me, spinner wheels are like the backup camera on cars. Everyone should have one, but not everyone does. Invest in some good luggage.
3. Use Packing Cubes
These are game changes when it comes to packing. Everything is organized making it easier to find what you are looking for quickly. For example, I will put all of my dresses in one cube, then swim suites in another. That way, when I need to pull something out to say, it’s all together in one place.
4. Take Photo of Your Passport
Take a photo of your passport photo page. Print out one copy and keep a copy on your phone. Make a travel album on your phone and put in there for quick access. As a matter of fact, take pics of all your important documents.
5. Bring A Mix of Credit Cards & Currency
I was in a situation where I’m in another country and they didn’t take anything but MasterCard at one of the places. I was in shock, but I was lucky that I had MasterCard on me, even though my American Express card was the one I planned to use. So be sure to carry a mix of cash, debit, and credit cards.
6. Read Reviews
Not only do reviews tell you the good and the bad, but they also will tell you little secret tips. A lot of people don’t bother to read reviews, but I do. And I have been rewarded by just knowing what to say or do when I interact with an agent just from reading reviews.
7. Learn About the Culture
Whenever I go somewhere new, I try to learn something about the culture, the lingo, and customs. The locals appreciate when you take time to learn and it can also get you some perks by just being nice and taking the time to understand the new environment. Learning a few key phrases in the local language can go a long way when getting around and connecting with locals.
8. Split Your Stuff
If you are traveling with your family, split your clothes into different luggage. So if one bag is lost, you will still have something in the other bag(s). If you are traveling solo, bring a change of clothes into your carry-on luggage.
9. Carry On the Important Stuff
Anything that you know you need….needs to be with you in your carry-on bag. I’m talking All IDs, travel documents, valuable jewelry, medications, or anything that is of value to you. Unfortunately, luggage does get lost, and it isn’t always found, so just play if safe and keep these thing with you when flying. Keep important documents (passports, tickets, insurance) in a secure, easily accessible location.
10. Bring a Snack
Even a protein bar is good enough to get you through in case of on on-board delay and the plane snacks just aren’t cutting it. I was on a plane that didn’t move for two hours after we boarded with barely a reason to why and those dry pretzels was not cutting it. So, I was so glad I had my snacks because I became so hangry. My honey roasted almonds and protein bar saved me!
11. Bring Extra Trash Bags
I am not sure what has been going lately, but I have found that having an extra trash bag has saved my trip. I just put in my checked luggage. You can put dirty clothes in them or whatever else. But on family trips with my toddler, it’s a no-brainer, because extra trash accumulates for no reason, but on a recent girls’ trip, I found myself pulling out my trash bags every other day. I’m not sure what was going on, but trust me, it comes in clutch.
Let me know if you have any smart travel tips because we are all here just to help each other out.
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