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

[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.

[Anonymous]

Airport: I check into the premium lounge or if the restaurant is not busy, wait there.

Travel: hire a car/van. Stop at a grocery store on the way to our accommodations from there. Tip the driver generously.

We always stay in places that have private laundry access.

We like to have a car delivered to our place the following day. Gives us a day to just relax before we decide to explore.

A head of time, book a weekly blow out for my hair at whatever salon and stylist looks good. I book them for Friday mornings so I'll be set for the weekend.

[Anonymous]

So interesting to me what different people prioritize. I've visited airport lounges and other than free food, don't see the appeal. Absolutely not a priority for our family. We arrive at the airport early enough to get to the gate, grab 5 seats with plugs, and some read/scrol, some walk around, most do a bit of each. Besides, people-watching in the airport is facinating, a slice of Americana if you will

[Anonymous]

Be absolutely ready to walk out the door 48 hours before you have to leave the house.* If something comes up, like a work crisis, you can take the time to deal with it without worrying about packing. You can also chill for a couple of days rather than rushing to get ready at the last moment.

*I have not always followed this rule. When I have done, I have been MUCH happier.

[Anonymous]

I make sure to pack my dirty laundry separately from my clean and throw down the laundry chute as soon as we get home.

Then unpacking / putting away the clean clothes is much easier.

[Anonymous]

Dirty laundry separating is 'obvious'. I'm making the declaration.

Even the hippy-dippy backpacker kids separate dirty from clean clothes.