The 40 Best Travel Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

There are many travel hacks, tips and tricks on the internet. There are countless articles on how to pack and what to bring. The information is overwhelming. It is. Travel can be overwhelming, especially in these times.

Luckily, CIRE is my go-to for booking all of my travel. This takes the stress out of travelling, including flights, delays and rebookings. There is more to travelling than just flights and hotels. Preparing for travel is important, whether it’s a domestic weekend of wellness in Tennessee or three weeks spent in Europe. The more prepared you are, the less likely things will go wrong.

Theoretically, at least.

I’ve put together a list of the best travel hacks, tips and tricks. You may be familiar with some of these tips. You’ll probably learn some new ones. Recently, I surveyed some of the most savvy travellers and picked up a few tips for myself.

Which of these 40 travel ideas will you implement into your next trip? Continue reading.

Travel Planning: Best Tips

• Check your passports for expiration dates. Note in your calendar that you will renew them at least six months before their expiration date.
• Create a packing checklist. Add items to your list as you remember them. Start adding items a week before departure. Check them off as you pack. Use a pen and paper or ‘Notes’ on your smartphone.
• Check the average temperature and weather for the month in which you will be travelling. Prepare accordingly.
• TSA Clear and Global Entry are all you need. These programs are all valuable, but together, they make up the ultimate travel trio.
• Choose durable luggage over cute luggage.
• Packing cubes. Packing cubes. Packing cubes.
• You can get better deals by travelling during shoulder seasons. There are also fewer people.
• You can get perks and points from a card specifically designed for frequent travellers.
• These flights are less likely to be delayed, as the plane is usually there from the night before. The first flight of the day is less likely to get delayed, as the plane will have been there the night before.
• Purchase travel insurance

Best Travel Tips for the Day Before Travel

• Use a luggage weight. Avoid being caught at the airport with over-weight baggage.
• Create a “Sleep kit” that includes an eye mask and ear plugs. You can also contain essential oils or anything else you think will help you sleep during a long flight or in a strange hotel room.
• Check the weather conditions at your destination. Be prepared for any temperature changes.
• Place copies in your luggage or on your phone. Keep copies of your passports and IDs in your luggage or on your phone.
• You can use the app to watch movies, track flight information, and access Wi-Fi while on board.
• If Wi-Fi is unreliable, you can download offline maps to your destination.
• Charge your camera, your phone, iPad and Kindle.
• Download books to your electronic reader.

Travel Tips for the Day of Travel

• When possible, travel light or only with a carry-on.
• In your hand luggage, keep a change of clothes, electronic devices, jewellery, medicines, and toiletries.
• Ziploc bags in different sizes can be stuffed into your luggage to hold wet swimsuits, muddy shoes, toiletries that leak, or collections. There are so many uses!
• Business travellers are the best at navigating airport security. Business travellers know how to get through airport security quickly.
• Keep your passports, important documents and other travel documents in one place.
• Bring extra socks or compression socks to the plane.
• You should eat at home before your flight to avoid feeling hungry on the plane.
• Bring a microfiber or cotton scarf on cold planes.
• Dress comfortably. Jeans can be a big problem on an aeroplane.
• Please do not put anything in the seat pocket unless you plan to lose it for good.

Travel tips for the on-the-go

• To avoid tangles, use a jewellery bag or thread your necklaces through a straw made of paper.
• Apple AirTags can be tucked into the interior pockets of checked bags.
• Do not throw away travel documents, flight tickets or boarding cards until you return home.
• No matter their age, don’t hesitate to travel with your children. You won’t regret your decision.

Best Travel Tips: Packing essentials

• Bring electrolytes, powders, and reusable water bottles for hydration.
• Lavender essential oils are excellent for calming long flights.
• Prepare a small first aid/medical kit.
• Do not forget to bring a power adapter, no matter where you are going.
• Bring some local currency and small US bills.
• Bring extra batteries and chargers for your camera.
• Always carry sunscreen. Always.
• Three things you should always have when travelling are an open mind, patience, and a sense of humour when dealing with customer service providers.

Have you picked up any new travel tips recently? You are the ultimate traveller if you haven’t started a podcast. I’m sure I learned some new tips and tricks. We are ordering paper straws from Amazon.

These tips will certainly help you avoid some of the travel hassles. Preparation is the best way to start. We all know that we cannot prepare for everything. Once again, I recommend my colleagues at CIRE, whom I trust with the planning of my travels. So I can spend my time wisely. For example, I can decide how many pairs of shoes I need for my Miami weekend or which books I want to download onto my Kindle.

Summer is just around the corner. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Jamie Edwards, a travel writer and photographer, is a passionate traveller. After 25 years of travelling and living around the world, she launched I Am Lost and Found, her adventure/luxury website. Jamie’s mission is to inspire people to travel.

CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency with headquarters in New York City. Our team of experts supports clients all over the United States and the world.