Woman holds red suitcase in hands

25 Really Fun Tricks and Tips Every Traveler Needs to Know

/Updated /45 Comments/in , /by Mary Hunt

I love to travel, which is my favorite unintended consequence of becoming an author, speaker, and blogger. I’ve learned that travel always involves challenges. That’s why I have adopted an attitude that no matter how well I’ve planned, it probably will if something can go wrong. And if it doesn’t? There’s my travel bonus.

 

Female traveler in blue jeans lifting beautiful red suitcase

Over the years I’ve collected a bunch of great travel tips—some fun, some crazy, but all of them very useful if only to avoid a headache or two. Some of my favorites:

Backup critical info

Before you leave, scan the front and back of every item in your wallet, including your passport, and keep these files safe.

As an iPhone user, I email the document to myself, then open it in my phone, save it to iBooks, and immediately delete the email. This provides me with an offline record.

Should you suffer a loss while traveling, this will not substitute for your passport, ID, or credit card, but you’ll have all of the pertinent information you need to keep going.

Carry a duplicate photo

When traveling abroad, take the time to get a passport photo that meets all of the required criteria. Keep it with you in a secure place.

Should your passport be lost or stolen, you can go to the nearest U.S., Canadian or your applicable embassy to get a new passport. While they will be able to issue a new passport, don’t assume they will have a photography department. Without that proper photo, it could take a couple of weeks to finally get your passport replaced.

Make a list

Sounds so elementary. Mental lists are great, but a written list is there to keep things together when stress sets in the way it does right before it’s time to leave. I make a list of items I don’t want to forget—which I know from experience that I WILL forget if I don’t write them down. When I think of something, I add it to the list.

But wait, there’s more: Once you arrive safely back home and unpack, leave your list in your suitcase. It will help you so much as you prepare for your next trip.

Pre-plan outfits

Take the time to plan what you’ll wear then pack in outfits—specifically. Write it down! You’ll be so glad you have this wardrobe plan in writing once you get to your destination or move from one accommodation to the next. You won’t be happy when you discover you brought 4 pairs of black pants but only two tops. What were you thinking?

Ditto above for recycling that list for your next trip.

Roll it

Instead of creating a folded pile clothes to stack in your suitcase, roll everything tightly. You can even roll underwear and socks for optimal organization. Your clothes will take up less space in your luggage, which can prevent extra baggage fees. Watch this video.

Bring it empty

Bring along an empty water bottle. Once you clear airport security, fill it up and you won’t have to pay $4.95 for a bottle of water. Refill as necessary during your trip. Just make sure it’s empty before you pass through security on your return trip.

Turn left

When deciding which security line to get in, keep this in mind: Most people, without thinking, tend to always turn to the right when there is an option. That makes those lines to the right longer. Don’t follow the crowd, don’t go with your natural instinct. Consciously choose to go to the left.

Mark it FRAGILE

This is a tip I learned a while ago from a friend who found it to be a great way to ensure that your baggage is handled correctly. Most likely, your luggage is kept at the top of the piles because of this, which will make it one of the first bags to be released.

BYO disinfecting wipes

Regardless of anything to the contrary, believe that airplanes are not clean. Assume (and rightly so in my opinion) all they do between fights to clean the restrooms is restock toilet tissue and spritz into the air with Lysol. That tray table? The armrests? Rarely, if ever, are they cleaned after every flight. I’ve calculated the time between passengers are de-planed, and a new batch sent onboard. It can be as little as 10 minutes. Think about it.

You might not believe what passengers before you have done on that tray table and stuffed into the seatback pocket. It may have been emptied, but that’s about it. Bring your own fresh disinfecting wipes. Clean your space first thing once you sit down.

Fanny pack, baby

Never underestimate the value of a fanny pack. Yes, they can be embarrassing and seemingly out of the mid-to-late 1980s, but trust me—it will ensure that your valuables are safe. It expedites security checks, too.

Don’t get in line

Stuff happens, flights get canceled. And when they do, most travelers get in line en masse to get rebooked. But not you. Don’t follow the herd. Turn the other way. Find a seat, pull out your phone and call the airline. The phone agent can do everything the gate agent can, probably much sooner than for everyone standing in line. Or double-dip and call while in line.

Secret USB port

If you should happen to forget (or lose) the wall plug adapter for your phone charger, check the back of the TV in your hotel room. Nearly every hotel TV these days has a USB port where you can recharge your phone or other devices.

First thing, first

Make this the first thing you do when you walk in your room: Take a hand towel from the bathroom and spread it out on the desk or other countertop in the room. This becomes the de-facto place for all of the things that you have a place for at home. Put your room key on the towel, your car key, sunglasses, rechargers, wallet—everything. Now everything is visible and in one spot, rather than scattered about the room. As you come and go, return these items to their place on the towel. When you’re ready to check out, no searching, nothing left behind.

Make a note

Put your hotel address and room number on your phone. Am I the only one who can’t remember my room number? Or where I’m staying when the Uber driver inquires where I’m going? I think not.

Spare chargers galore

If you lost or forgot your computer or phone charger, go to the front desk. They will have a huge assortment that others have left behind. You should be able to borrow the one you need.

Double-duty shampoo

Need to wash out underwear or other clothing items? Shampoo is the perfect substitute for hand wash detergent. It’s great for getting out a grease spot, too. After all, that’s what shampoo is made to do—remove grease (from hair).

Handy safe

A travel mug makes a great travel “safe.” If you must leave small valuables in your hotel room and the room does not have a safe for your personal use, pop those small valuables into the mug then apply the lid. It will be fairly inconspicuous and an unlikely target for thieves.

Pack an extension cord

Keep an extension cord in your suitcase, and leave it there so you never forget. It always comes in handy because outlets seem to be fewer and farther away than convenient.

Carry a pen

Ensure that you have a pen before leaving home so you can complete customs forms. Flight attendants rarely have them. Fill the forms out when you get them, and make sure that your family members have theirs filled as well.

I’m in here

When you leave your hotel room, even if for only a few minutes, place the Do Not Disturb sign on the door. Now it appears to housekeeping and others that you are in the room for as long as the sign remains. This adds a layer of security should you have to leave your computer or other valuables in the room for a short time. Should you leave that sign in place for the entire day, drop by the front desk and ask for clean towels to be delivered to your room. Easy.

Clear your history

Have you ever noticed that every time you go back to check the price of a flight, the price has gone up? That’s because your Internet history is traced. When the website you’re checking realizes you want that flight they start upping the price—especially if it’s the tenth time this week you’ve checked.

Sneaky, I know. The solution is to clear your cookies and Internet browsing history for that website so you’re essentially starting again from scratch, so you will be offered incentives to lure you in. (Google it if you don’t know how to do this. It varies slightly depending on the browser you’re using. In Safari go to Preferences -> Privacy -> Manage Websites).

Compare fares

When booking air travel, always use a flight or travel comparison website. There are several, such as FareCompare.com and Kayak.com. These sites help you find the best airline and the cheapest price for your dates and routes. But DO NOT BOOK your flights through these comparison sites.

Instead, make a note of the flight number, delete your browsing history, and then book directly with the airline. If you have a flight cancellation or other problem, you can rebook at the airport (or train station, etc.) through customer service. Good luck if you’ve booked your tickets with third parties (like travel agents or Internet travel sites) and you have a problem. You’re going to need it.

Hit the grocery

Shop for groceries when you arrive. You don’t have to shop for a feast, but getting basics like water and a few snacks in local stores instead of at the hotel can save you a ton.

Semi-unpack

When in your room, remove only the necessities from your luggage. Trying to make yourself at home by taking out every pair of shoes and all of your toiletries will only make repacking a living nightmare. Plus it increases your chances of forgetting something when it’s time to go home.

Fight back

AirHelp, a for-profit organization that helps air passengers around the world get paid for delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights (they do all the work and take a 25% cut of the amount awarded), says that on domestic flights, passengers may be entitled to up to twice the cost of a one-way ticket if a flight arrives two hours late and up to $1,350 if it is more than two hours late.

Keep your boarding pass(es)! That’s what you will need when you contact AirHelp should you have a delay or problem. You have up to three years to seek compensation.

AirHelp does all the work to get you the compensation you deserve, for 25% of the amount they recover. Seems fair in that 75% is better than nothing, which is what you’ll likely get otherwise.

Updated  1-16-23

 

Question: What is your all-time favorite travel tip that you’re willing to share with us? Please do tell in the comments below …

 

 

 

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45 replies
  1. Rachelle Morgan says:

    We went to Italy last year. We used a fan app on our cell phone for the noise. I brought a USB fan which helped move air in the room. Some hotels have fans if you ask.

    Reply
  2. Nancy says:

    I ALWAYS carry a few Immodium tablets in my travel day bag. If you are out and about, having the medicine back in the hotel won’t help one bit!

    Reply
  3. Kathy C says:

    For my carry on (or rare case a full-size bag I must check) I use a suitcase cover with a beach print. Love it and it’s the EASIEST way to spot your bag. On a rare occurrence, I was made to check my carry on due to a crowded flight, my bag was easy to spot at the other end. I get mine on Amazon.

    Reply
  4. Kathy C says:

    I love the PackPoint app. It’s totally customizable for what you need on your trip, down to how much clothing you need to take. You put in when and where you’re going and for how long, it creates a list for you. You can customize anything. 🙂 You can also use it going home to make sure you have everything you came with. 🙂
    I pre-plan my outfits which are color coordinated, letting me pack less and still have more outfits. 🙂
    I roll like you suggested, and use packing cubes or my preferred compression bags. Putting like items in each makes it a breeze. When I’m traveling multiple stops, I don’t need to totally unpack. I just place the cubes in drawers if necessary, making it easy to pull out anything I need for a day or 2 at any location. 🙂 I never check a bag. Only carry on for me with a backpack and a small purse which fits into the backpack as my personal item. 🙂 I also wear the “bulkiest” items when possible, leaving more room to pack other items or leave space for souvenirs.
    I also take some laundry sheets for longer trips when I know I will need to do laundry. My last 21-day trip to Europe and my upcoming 17-day trip to Japan. It’s so easy to find a laundromat. Our last cruise had one. 🙂 I can’t imagine without the packing list how much clothing I’d try to pack for that long. WAY too man clothes. And many are worn more than 1 time before needing a washing.

    Reply
  6. YahYah says:

    Best travel tips I’ve ever read. Thank you Mary. This everyday cheapskate site has become one of my favorites.

    Reply
  8. Patricia Goff says:

    When I go to Germany to see my mom I take a carry on and a checked bag (free for overseas). My carry on is in my checked bag because I just take a few clothes (I can wash them there and she always bought me new clothes since my last visit) and other things that I need while I am there and gifts too. When I go to Germany I just have a big purse that has my necessities and a change of clothes. When I come home I have my big purse and a carry on. My checked bag is full of candy, kinder eggs, and other foods that I can’t get stateside and other gifts for the kids etc. She sends me home with the strangest things. One time she sent me home with all this vintage wallpaper and sheets (German sheets are different than American). Everything but the kitchen sink I have brought home. LOL

    Reply
  9. Terry Urbanski says:

    I saw several comments about souvenirs. We don’t do souvenirs anymore, just purchase a keychain, then attach the jumpdrive of pictures so it is easy to find the correct trip. I also print a book so that is our remembrance of the trip, but the best. Our family loves looking at the books since they don’t have 100’s of photos.

    Reply
  10. Patricia Goff says:

    Calling the Airline doesn’t always work. I called them once and was on hold for over an hour and a half. They have less staff now to answer the phone.

    Reply
  11. Patricia Goff says:

    Getting your passport at the American Consulate in Frankfurt is easy. I just walked in and said I needed my passport renewed and they renewed it on the spot. Of course I had my old passport with me. They took my picture there too. Walked out with it a little over an hour later.

    Reply
  12. Cally Ross says:

    I have a ziplock bag containing paper plates, napkins and plastic forks that stays in my suitcase all the time. We learned this after having pizza delivered to our hotel room but without any plates or napkins!

    Reply
  13. Handsome Pristine Patriot says:

    Back when Vegas was affordable, we would travel from the deep forests of North Maine at least once a year.
    Tip#1 Check for bus service into the airport. Many times, bus stations have free parking for up to ten days and these smaller lots are much more secure than anything within 10 miles of the airport. Saves a ton of money too!
    #2 As you said, visit the local stores to get the essential snacks etc. Many rooms have small refrigerators in which to put beverages. One of my favorites is whole milk that I use for the coffee we brew in our inexpensive drip coffee maker, usually purchased for under $15.
    Sure saves a lot of money for coffeeholics when compared to $3,4 and 5 dollar hotel coffee, especially when you are there for a week or more.
    When you leave it can become a gift for your housekeeper.
    #3 Start searching for car rentals as soon as your dates are established.
    The further out you start your search, the cheaper you can get it, with many companies having free cancelation policies. look for companies that are not garaged in the official airport lot as there quite often, is an additional daily charge for this facility. Off lot companies run shuttles to their garages from the airport lot.
    #4 If not renting a car, check out the local mass transit services.
    When we first vacationed in Vegas, the RTC, Regional Transportation Services, offered a one month unlimited pass for $25 that gave us the ability to go anywhere in the city, but especially save on the $3 fare every time boarding on the Strip.
    Before leaving, those passes were passed on to a needy student through a teacher friend.
    *NOTE* Check with reliable friends as to the safest times and routes to travel by bus.
    #5 Chech other destinations for much cheaper fares than your exact destination. I f you are renting a car anyway, you sometimes can save several hundred by flying to…say…Vegas if you’re going to Southern California.

    Reply
  14. Debby says:

    I once saw a suggestion to bring duct tape on trips. I did that on an international trip and found it invaluable. One thing I used it for was to tape a big gap in the edge of a window screen in the tropics.

    Reply
  16. Kathy says:

    I love the PackPoint app (Android). It has preset necessities which you can customize and save for every trip. You can also put in your trip details such as when, where and how long you’ll be there and what activities you plan on doing. From there it will tell you how many of each clothing item you need, and specific items for certain activities such as hiking, beach, diving, pool, photography, etc. all of which you can customize. I upgraded to the paid plan, but for only a few trips, the free version is more than helpful. I have learned from going to a few travel shows, to only pack a carry on. I’ve learned to pack light, and I STILL don’t usually wear everything. I also bought some great inexpensive expansion packing cubes on Amazon

    Reply
  17. Sue says:

    I love all the packing ideas. I am leaving for a 10 day walking trip. Every night will be spent in a different location. How are you handling dirty clothes?

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      I pack one empty packing cube, then instead of wadding dirty clothes into a big bundle, I pack them into the dirty cube, then slip that into a plastic bag. I end up with a full dirty cube and an empty clean for the trip home.

      Reply
  18. Betty Alvarado says:

    Tie distinctive ribbon on the suitcase handle, especially if the suitcase is black, to find it easily on the baggage carousel. The airlines are rough on luggage , so we buy our luggage at thrift stores and have several sizes to use, depending on length of trip. I keep my list of travel items on the inside of our hall cabinet door and add to it any forgotten items from the last trip.

    Reply
  19. Joy E. says:

    Bags: 1) I pack a kitchen-sized trash bag to put dirty clothes in and drop off the bag in my laundry room when I return. 2) I take a few gallon-size clear bags for the remotes as the remotes are seldom cleaned and the clear bag allows for them to operate just fine. 3) I pack my toiletries in a clear bag so I can keep them off the bathroom counters that may not have been properly sanitized and I can see what I need at a glance. 4) I use hotel laundry bags from previous trips to cover my shoes before placing in my suitcase. Lastly, I take a travel-size first aid kit just in case.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      That’s a broad question, so in the interest of brevity, I’ll give you a pretty broad answer. Never buy the flight insurance offered by the airline when you are purchasing your ticket. It’s a 3rd party underwriter and the exclusions are massive. Not what you think as if, “If I get sick [change my mind, whatever] I can cancel and get my money back.” Not a chance. It’s more like if you are in a car accident and lose a leg and cannot make it to your flight …” or “lose an eye” then you can file and claim and hope that someday it may be honored. Get it? Terrible insurance and at $20 a pop or whatever it is, insurance companies are making a killing. If you really need insurance as in you are going out of the country and want to make sure that if you get sick there, you have coverage to be medi-vaced back home or to your choice of hospitals etc. In THAT case, flight insurance is certainly warranted. But find a company yourself and get that policy yourself and make sure you understand it perfectly, it meets your exact requirements and you can afford. Never buy “insurance” willy nilly just ‘cuz it sounds like a good idea. Hope that helps

      Reply
  21. H. Rice says:

    in your hotel room (or at home), if you put jewelry on using the mirror that’s over a sink in the bathroom, close the sink stopper or place a glass or washcloth over the drain to avoid losing earrings, chains or other pieces down the drain.

    Reply
  22. Kari says:

    My husband and I have started traveling with a sound machine. It provides white noise to block out random hotel sounds. I also love to use packing cubes for my clothes. I usually put all same clothes in a cube. Shorts in one. Tops in another. I might use Mary’s idea and put outfits together in cubes.

    Reply
    • pat says:

      If you have a personal assistant like Alexa, you can get the weather, information about your destination AND they can play white noise. I prefer the brown noise choice.

      Reply
  23. Carol says:

    I went to Italy for five weeks last fall, by myself, and took a carry-on, a backpack, and a fanny pack. Yes, five weeks, and I had more than I needed. I NEVER check luggage! Unless you’re extremely fashion-conscious and need a dozen different outfits, you can get by with a few washable outfits and the minimum of everything else. It’s so freeing to travel lightly!

    Reply
    • Pat says:

      I tried that recently for a 1 week trip to Spain. I was glad I packed an additional bag, because my family always wants souvenirs of where I have been. I ended up checking my carryon, and using that extra bag on the flight. What do you do with souvenirs?

      Reply
  24. StephenD says:

    Emailing these critical documents (License, Credit cards, etc.) to yourself is not only a bad practice, but also puts you at risk for identity theft and more. Why? Because email is not secure or encrypted and by taking photos of the front and back of your credit cards you are violating PCI compliance and the agreement you have with your Credit card company by storing the CVV# on an insecure device.

    Reply
  25. Pat says:

    Be sure to let the airline know if you must carry medical supplies. I have diabetes, and must carry insulin and all my pump supplies. They will allow an extra bag for this, and sometimes allow you to board earlier. Get a letter from your doctor.

    Reply
  26. Linda says:

    When checking in for my flight, I print my boarding pass & take a screen shot with my phone. So I have on my app, printed pass & picture on my phone. One time in security, it wouldn’t take my QR code from my paper one or app, so I used one in my pictures that I had screen shot. Otherwise they wanted to send me back to the desk to get copy. I like to cover all bases.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Really smart, Linda. Most travelers have learned from experience that the system is not infallible (but then who/what is?)

      Reply
  27. Didi says:

    One of my favorite travel tips is, when traveling with your spouse, pack each suitcase with half of each persons clothes. That way if one suitcase is delayed or lost, each person still has some clothes.

    Reply
  28. Barbara J Pire says:

    Oh my goodness! I traveled all over the world as a flight attendant. My company would get me a ticket out of Atlantic City, NJ (that was my base) and they commmercialed me anywhere to Alaska, England, Ireland, Egypt and Saudia Arabia for my work and so many more countries. But I did all those things you mentioned regarding travel. But what I used to do when I got to my hotel room is when I was going out I would put the television on and the do not disturb sign so somebody would think tha someone was in there. I have so many more tips buy I have to take the dog out! Thanks Mary for your great tips!! xxoo

    Reply
  29. Cathy down on the farm... says:

    Great tips, Mary. Too bad I do not travel by air anymore. These would come in handy. No desire to fly anymore. Would rather drive.

    Reply
  30. Maggie Morgan says:

    Always pack earplugs. (I like the soft, foam, cylinder-shaped ones.) They can transform a noisy flight, a loud hotel room, a snoring travel partner. At least for me, they do not block the sound of an alarm clock (or, I hope, a fire alarm). Thanks for the tip about the charger on the TV. I had no idea!

    Reply
  31. Kathy says:

    My last trip I just had a carry-on and my personal item which was my laptop backpack with my laptop and electronics. But when I do have to check a bag I always carry a change of clothes in my carry-on just in case the luggage gets lost. But with every Airline going to charging you for even one bag if you don’t have a certain credit card my last week-long trip to Florida I was able to pack just in my carry-on but then I had no room to bring anything back, still working on it.

    Reply

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