#1
If you've been fortunate enough to venture to foreign lands, you'll know that things don't always go as planned. You could get lost, lose something, miss a bus, train or plane, or not know where to find the nearest bathroom... Traveling can be daring and daunting experience, especially if you're unprepared.
Thankfully, these netizens were willing to spill their secrets when it comes to making your travel adventures smoother, so you can save yourself some time, money and stress. As a bonus, we've gathered some extra tips from seasoned travelers and experts. You'll find them further down between the images.
#2
My “hack” is that I go into the airport with the mindset that my only goal is to eventually arrive at my destination. In the meantime, it will be easier if I check my ego at the door until I get off the plane.
That means understanding that I am not important. My needs and desires are irrelevant. I am little more than a sheep or cattle being shuffled to and fro until I grab my bags and get off the plane at my destination. I paid for this and the airline and whatever s****y circumstances I’m exposed to do not require me to respond with aggravation.
Basically, just shut off your ego and let what happens, happen. Screaming, whining, and getting irate aren’t going to solve much at all.
#3
The team at Lonely Planet are experts when it comes to traveling. That's what the site is about after all... They recently put together their favorite hacks in an extensive post and these are the ones that stood out for us:
Don't throw away your near-empty products, advised Lonely Planet's Destination Editor for Northeast Asia, Selena Takigawa Hoy. "If I have anything at the end of its life – such as cosmetics or undershirts – I like to bring it with me, use it up and replace it on the trip," the frequent flyer revealed. "I get a practical souvenir that's a bit more special than what I can get at home, and it doesn't take up any more space in my luggage."
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Destination Editor for Western USA and Canada, Melissa Yeager had similar advice. She says she packs beauty samples when she's about to jet off. "I have a drawer where I stockpile all the free samples of skincare, shampoo and makeup I receive. When I’m packing, I throw some of the samples in my toiletry bag in place of my normal larger bottles," said Yeager.
She adds that she gets to revel in the small joy of sampling a new product while also staying under the carry-on liquid regulations. "On one girls' trip, we all brought our unused samples and traded them around," Yeager revealed. "We all enjoyed testing new things but then had a little extra space in our carry-ons when we returned."
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The team also shared how they use AI and technology to make traveling easier. "Recently, I've been using Chat GPT to organize my itinerary," revealed Photo Editor, Katelyn Perry. "I enter in all the locations I want to visit, experiences, recommendations from my LP Guidebooks, from friends, etc, and ask it to order them in a way that makes sense for slow-paced travel."
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Another Lonely Planet staff member said he uses one of the tips on this list... And that's making Google Maps offline before he heads out. "I always download maps of the cities or regions I'm visiting, typically while on the flight or at the airport before departure," Craig Zapatka shared.
Ann Douglas Lott revealed that Google Maps can organize your screenshots into a map. "Give the app access to your camera roll, and it will identify places you’ve screenshotted that you want to visit and organize them into a map, which you can then review and approve," they suggested.
#10
Delicious.
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#12
This worked great when I had to sit next to someone through an 8 hour flight. Every time they laughed their whole body would shake and release what can only be described as sewer.
#13
Hotel employees are so knowledgeable, and often have access to maps and google and can help you with directions, where to eat, etc.
#14
Your feet will hurt much less and will recover faster.
I can recommend this brand.
There are also cheap versions on Amazon, but those feel just like tight socks and even hurt my feet.
#15
-make a paper copy of your passport and pack that too, in case your passport gets stolen.
-If you struggle with packing, make + keep a default list of items you’d normally pack so you don’t forget anything.
-If you have multiple bags/suitcases, bungee cords are an easy and compact way to bundle bags on top a wheeled suitcase.
-Zip up your suitcase and keep it closed if you’re not actively using items. I had a terrifying spider crawl out of my suitcase once bc I used to just keep it open.
-obtain foreign currency before you travel, at a legitimate foreign currency exchange.
#16
Also, not sure if this is a travel hack, but I always do a deep clean of my house and put fresh, pressed sheets on my bed before I leave. That way, when I get back, all I have to do is throw my clothes in the laundry and not stress about cleaning. It’s such a nice way to come home to a clean space!
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Whenever I mention them, the recipient seems to say “yeah, I use those!“. But I don’t see anybody else actually using them.
#19
Carry more than one credit card just in case fraudulent charges show up on one while you're traveling and you need to cancel it.
I've had both situations happen to me. Having multiple cards saved me a lot of time and hassle.
#20
