There are many travel hacks that I’ve picked up over the years and quite a few date back to some of my first trips, but I still apply them when I travel now. I’ve updated my top 10, mostly to help with packing and getting around, but there are a few random others.
Packing tips
1. Roll clothes
I usually travel with both a packing cube and a stuff sack but I always roll my clothes. It not only creates more space but also reduces creases.
You might want to rethink this tip when it comes to a freshly pressed dress or shirt, although if you hang clothes out in the bathroom after a shower any creases will soon drop out.
2. Dress like a local
When choosing what to pack, reference to the weather and destination is important to consider. However, taking clothing that blends in with what the locals wear will reduce the chances of you looking like a tourist.
3. Buy local
Why not leave some space in your bag and pick up clothing from your destination once you have arrived. This also allows an opportunity for shopping with locals and there is almost always a market to explore.
4. What else to pack
My 13 items I don’t travel without post might help. Since I wrote that post, I’ve added a few items to my packing list, a water bottle and a number of sustainable items – check out my post Small steps to sustainable travel for tips with travelling responsibly.
Tips for getting around
5. Store maps offline
The little street maps in guide books or maps picked up at the tourist information were my first point of reference for getting around when I first travelled solo. Thankfully technology has come a long way since then.
Storing maps offline really helps when a connection fails or if you are offline. Most people are familiar with Google maps, although I also use Locus as it has more features such as recording tracks, altitude and supports my geocaching hobby.
If you want to store Google maps offline you need to do the following:
– Open the Google Maps application.
– Find the area or location you want to download.
– Go to your user icon and select – Offline maps
– Click on – Select your own map
– Move the map to cover the area you want to download
– Click on: Download
6. Only unpack necessities
Basically don’t get everything out of your bag, and I find this particularly important if I plan to be moving around. I usually leave everything packed and locked in my bag other than my washbag. This saves time, makes belongings a little more secure when in your room and allows for a quick exit.
Tips for information and documents
7. Planning and research
During the first few years that I travelled solo I spent a lot of time in internet cafes, and thumbing the Lonely Planet guides. Organising things for my next destination and keeping in touch with people wasn’t as easy as it is now but it is still important if you want to make the most of your destination.
My top tip is to research before you go, but when travelling longer term you might want to do this along the way. Check out my post Travel tip: research before you travel.
8. Local sim
If you are happy to be offline, like myself, then access to WiFi is available in most places these days and this means it’s easier to look things up as you go but be careful when accessing unsecure WiFi. Getting a local sim is often cheap and the easiest way to stay connected and secure.
9. Store documents securely
I save all tickets and confirmations in Google Drive (have also used Dropbox in the past) and store copies offline as well. As a backup and so it’s secure I also keep a copy of my passport in a draft email, along with other important documents.
10. Learn a few words
Although I rarely use Google translate I do have it installed on my phone along with the relevant language for the destination I am visiting downloaded/offline. There are those occasional times when you just need to refer to the translation and the camera and voice options do come in handy as well. But of course learning a few basic words and phrases is ideal. Check out my post: Learning a little of the language when you travel.
Random travel hacks
Here are a few final random tips that might come in handy.
Seats on a flight – If travelling with someone it’s worth considering booking a window and an aisle seat on the same row. It is often the case that the middle seat won’t be taken, unless the flight is full. So then you have the row to yourselves, or alternatively can just ask to swap with the person in the middle when you get seated.
Rucksacks – if you travel with one always zip it up to the side (rather than the middle) to avoid it opening unexpectedly. Try it and you will see what I mean. A small padlock to secure a zip may also be a good idea in certain places.
Padlock – use a combination lock and avoid having to fiddle around with a key. Worth having for bag locking and lockers in hostels etc.
Tiger Balm – it can be handy for so many things. After I suggested using it under your nose in a fish market in India, I was told it was a great tip. Also this might be handy in public toilets in certain countries. Do have a wipe handy to remove it afterwards or you will smell it for hours, or potentially touch an area on your body that you don’t want to.
Twitter – not for tweeting! But for checking what is going on. In fact I use this a lot when not travelling just to check on things on a particular journey, at a location or if there is something happening and I’m unsure what. For example, I often walk through Trafalgar Square in London and there are many events that take place here. The quickest way to find out what is happening is to search on Twitter, in this case for ‘trafalgar square’.
Hopefully there is something useful above that you haven’t tried before. Do share any other travel hacks or suggestions if you have some of your own.
Updated, previous post from June 2019
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