What’s your non-obvious travel tip that makes every trip better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I identify my three most important things and double check them every time I move. I do not waste my energy trying to double check everything I own. My three most important things might be my passport, cell phone, and wallet. If I have those three things I can overcome any other travel issues. If I lose one of those it becomes very difficult very quickly.

We’ve also drilled this into our kids so we don’t leave their most beloved stuffy or their favorite whatever behind.

I love this song by Adam Sandler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9N6_Tj9u2U

[Anonymous]

I bring my oldest pair of tennis shoes to leave behind. it frees up some good space in the suitcase for things picked up.

[Anonymous]

- Saved a ton of money on car rentals by using AutoSlash
- Save travel info to TripIt app: transportation, accommodations, even activities. Free version works great.
- Try to have something in the freezer/pantry for an easy meal when we return without having to go to the store.
- Local chocolate bars, candies, etc. make great gifts.
- Read a book set wherever you’re traveling to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bring my oldest pair of tennis shoes to leave behind. it frees up some good space in the suitcase for things picked up.

But then you’re wearing a ratty pair of shoes around

[Anonymous]

I start a packing list on my phone and add items as I think of them. Helps get me excited for the trip and reduces the anxiety of “I’ve gotta remember…” List is shared with DH because I refuse to be the only adult in charge. (This in itself is a tip. Don’t add a manchild to your vacation responsibilities. It’s your getaway too.)

In the same vein, we post a sheet of paper on the inside of the front door for the 3-4 make-or break items/to-dos that MUST be handled before we can leave or can’t be packed until that morning (passports, my glasses, DD’s lovey…). Invaluable when the Uber is coming at 4:30 a.m.

I pack a nightlight for the bathroom, a multiport charger and a trash bag for dirty clothes (and wet swimsuits, if we swim before leaving).

Clean sheets on the bed, half gallon of milk in the freezer. (Move to fridge when you arrive home and you’ve got cereal and coffee/tea handled for the next morning.)

I tell our neighbors we’re going away and invite them to park a car in our driveway. Helps make the house look lived-in.

I warn DCs ahead of time about challenges — jet lag, long lines, days when we will have to rush. They can roll with the punches if you explain that the pain will be temporary and/or have ice cream or a playground at the end.

Learn and use the local words for hello/please/thank you/do you speak English/excuse me.

Hotel bellhops can take and store bags before your room is ready/after you check out. And there’s usually a bathroom where you can change clothes if you need to.

[Anonymous]

Take photos of your locked back door and turned-off stove right before you leave. It eliminates the worry that you forgot those things.

I like having a through-line for all our significant trips. For me it’s buying a Christmas ornament (or something that can become a Christmas ornament) during each trip. It lets us reminisce about the trip when we decorate the tree.

Make sure you figure out a couple of the absolute must have food or drink items, and make a point of experiencing those.

Bring an extra-long charging cord because occasionally the outlets aren’t close to the bed, and that makes charging the phone overnight difficult if you also want the phone next to you for an alarm and to check what time it is.

I like to do walking tours, and sometimes the nighttime ones are really fun.

I have taught myself over the years to be more relaxed during the trips. Instead of thinking how I have to maximize every possible second because I may never never come back to this location and I spent a ton of money coming here and this is my one chance, I now lean into the idea that it’s all good, it’s all vacation time and a change of scene, and whatever winds up happening on the trip is going to be a good new experience and great memories. So less frantic trying to get everything done and more vibing with the location. Don’t get me wrong, I planned stuff and would like to see as much as possible, but I no longer make that the be-all and end-all of how I approach being somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lounge access before the flight makes the experience so much nicer. Also getting gold status through the rental car agency so you don't have to wait in line to pick up your car.

We just got global entry to speed things up even more. I never thought I needed it because our airports have never been difficult as far as lines, but with the way our government is messing around lately, I'm glad we have it now to avoid issues.

We travel a lot leisurely - at least 4 trips a year, sometime more and above are the big things when going to your destination and coming home.

1. Airport lounge access - we catch nice meal with drinks and don’t wait at the gate like cattles
2. No waiting in line for rental car
3. GE is must and with upgrade even better and faster now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this seems basic, but i have a 2nd set of toiletries for traveling, this way i never leave something at home accidentally, like tweezers, or a razor or face wash.

This. I also have packing lists, “beach vacation”, business trip carry on only, 2 week road trip, camping trip…. I find these helpful and reuse and update. Makes packing faster when I have written: 2 pants or 1 pant and 1 skirt,,,, and reduces forgetting things.

I do this too - it's a Google doc with a chart. First column is all of the possible items (underwear, socks, pants, shorts, dress, sandals, swimsuit, raincoat, etc.) and then the second column I fill in how many I need of each category. I print it and use it as a checklist. I also created similar lists for my kids. When they were younger I would fill in the amounts of each item so they could pack their own suitcases - now I just give them a blank chart to fill out for themselves, but I write the number of days of the trip and the weather at the top. I also include a section for what to wear/bring on the plane.

[Anonymous]

When traveling with the family, I always bring 2 power strips (mini ones with long cords). There are never enough outlets in the right locations- to charge devices- when the kids are with us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this seems basic, but i have a 2nd set of toiletries for traveling, this way i never leave something at home accidentally, like tweezers, or a razor or face wash.

This. I also have packing lists, “beach vacation”, business trip carry on only, 2 week road trip, camping trip…. I find these helpful and reuse and update. Makes packing faster when I have written: 2 pants or 1 pant and 1 skirt,,,, and reduces forgetting things.

I do this too - it's a Google doc with a chart. First column is all of the possible items (underwear, socks, pants, shorts, dress, sandals, swimsuit, raincoat, etc.) and then the second column I fill in how many I need of each category. I print it and use it as a checklist. I also created similar lists for my kids. When they were younger I would fill in the amounts of each item so they could pack their own suitcases - now I just give them a blank chart to fill out for themselves, but I write the number of days of the trip and the weather at the top. I also include a section for what to wear/bring on the plane.

Ha. Pp here. I started doing this when they were really young, 4 or 5, but I used to double check what they prepared and help them pack it or would pack it in shared luggage. Now that they’re teens, I still message them the list and they do the rest.

[Anonymous]

We've signed up for a couple of "murder mystery tours" in different countries - they tend to be more historical than mystery, and have been interesting for adults, and engaging for the tweens and teens

[Anonymous]

There’s no such thing as lines

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bring my oldest pair of tennis shoes to leave behind. it frees up some good space in the suitcase for things picked up.

Yeah just bring your trash to dispose of it / burden another country with it. Leave your trash at home!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any type of gimmicky activities that pose as educational experiences. I include in this category food tours, pasta making classes, any staged activities in which the locals fight each other (Mexican wresting, Thai boxing, Japanese sumo, Bolivian chola wrestling, etc), chopstick making classes, and so many more. What a waste.

Eh we did a food tour in Athens and my kids loved it- I didn't book it expecting it to be educational though, just a fun way to see new neighborhoods and try new foods, they were way more willing to try stuff that our guide ordered!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carry on and personal item only.

Layers.

Clothing that you can wear more than once.

Shower before bed.

If in hotel, try to book one with breakfast.

Excruciatingly plan on what you’ll do.

Once on vacation, prioritize the important activities and do the others if you have time.

Don’t rush, it’s ok if you don’t do it all.

If you’re on vacation for a while, the accommodation in the middle of the trip should have laundry machine and dryer.

Make sure accommodations are nice, clean and safe. Don’t go overboard as you’ll be out all day.

Sometimes, especially in Europe, the grocery stores have great prepared meals. Eat those.

This is great. I would add, bring packable bags for groceries and dirty clothes.

I schedule a laundry stop halfway through our trip. If you’re in Scotland, work in Inverness for this. Was hard to find in Switzerland and I came home an entire backpack of dirty clothes.