I try and get a shave and a haircut when I travel abroad. They're usually pretty memorable experiences and you get to feel like a local for little bit.

Anonymous wrote:I put different stickers on everyone’s passport so that we can recognize which one belongs to whom easily. Everyone has their passport number memorized to make filling out forms easier.

I have a couple of bins in my mudroom marked “travel” that contain a couple of multiport chargers with different cords, outlet adaptors, white noise machine, cell phone battery boosters, first aid kit, sewing kit, earplugs, travel sized toiletries, tissue packs and a cell phone holder for rental cars. Whoever is traveling grabs what they need and puts it back when they return.

I had a bunch of hacks when my kids were little, but I’ve forgotten most of them.

Do NOT put stickers on your passport….. strictly speaking this makes the passport invalid.

For those of you who travel a lot, whether for work or serious vacations, what’s the one non-obvious thing you do that consistently makes your trips better, easier, or more enjoyable?

Not having animals.

We use homesitting exchanges and word-of-mouth to housesit and care for pets. This provides us with several months of accommodations, and we get our fix of cats. Boarding animals can be expensive, so it's not uncommon for people to offer our one-way airfare as well.

Just back from several weeks overseas.

My biggest tip: pack light and hand wash clothes along the way whenever you have a 2+ night stop. Pack clothes made from travel-friendly quick-drying fabrics (Athleta has great selection), and a sturdy plastic washing bag ($20 or so on Amazon), and about a cup of of powdered detergent in a sealed container. Use clip hangers to hang washed clothes in the shower. We travelers can get grimy — it’s really nice having freshly laundered clothes the whole trip.

Also for me, ear plugs, packing cubes, antacids (Tums), and a good book help make the traveling life easy and comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring magnesium capsules. Helps with sleep and travel constipation.

magnesium helps sleep? I thought melatonin did that?

Magnesium helps with sleep, constipation, and anxiety. Take an hour or so before bed. I prefer magnesium glycinate.

Always travel with earplugs.

Don't overthink or overpack and just go.

Bring a sleep sack in case the kids with sensory issues don’t like the sheets. Also have the white noise apps downloaded in case there weird A/c or street noise

Anonymous wrote:Bring magnesium capsules. Helps with sleep and travel constipation.

magnesium helps sleep? I thought melatonin did that?

Sea to Summit clothesline - wish I had brought it on a recent trip to Copenhagen. Stayed in a small hotel that didn’t have clothes hangers, just hooks on the walls.

Bring magnesium capsules. Helps with sleep and travel constipation.

Drop the dog/cat off the day before. So much easier and worth the money.

Food or snacks, never know if you get stuck in some food desert at the airport or you get to your hotel and it’s late and you’re too tired even for room service. Teabags and those soup packets.

An extra pair of socks, undies, daily pad and a t shirt in a ziploc bag (aka vacuum bag) for each longer layover and for the first night at these destination, eliminates the need to rummage through baggage. Keep them in personal item if possible.

One laundry pod for the first day at an Airbnb.

A reading light

A shower during a layover is often more refreshing and cheaper than a lounge

Perhaps these are not non-obvious, but here goes:

1. Packing cubes are life changers. Keeps everything organized by clothing type. Makes unpacking easy, especially when returning home. Ziploc bags can serve as poor man's packing cubes and are especially great for kids/smaller clothing sizes.
2. Many European hotels (at least the international chains) let us check in early without incurring a few.
3. Spend the last night near the airport if you have a morning flight. It's also typically cheaper.
4. Sometimes adjoining rooms are the better and cheaper option vs. a suite.
5. When traveling to some countries, you need a 4-digit pin for your POS (credit card) purchases. Good to call your credit card company ahead of time to get one or your card could be rejected.
6. Google how locals recommend coming in from the airport. Often saves time and money.
7. We tend to do something on the water when possible. In Copenhagen, it was a boat ride through the canals. In Paris, through the locks. In Montreal, down the St. Lawrence River. In London, it was the Uber water taxi. Always a fun experience to take a boat ride.
8. And to underscore, the Uber water taxi in London is a great, cheap thrill. The floating waiting lounge is outstanding as well.

Bring twice the money and pack half the things.