Travel Smarter, Not Harder: Our Favourite Travel Hacks

Traveling is exhilarating, but it can also be a test of patience and organization. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or a newbie explorer, these travel hacks our staff have learned over many miles and years will streamline your journey and make your adventures smoother than ever before.

1. Travel with a Carry-on

It’s a game changer. You’ll avoid luggage fees, the dread of lost luggage, and that interminable wait at the luggage carousel when all you want to do is get out of the airport and explore! Travelling with a carry-on makes you lighter on your feet and more nimble when getting from the airport to your hotel, especially if you’re in a “character” property (think 4th floor of a Parisian hotel with no elevator!) It makes you mentally lighter as well, with streamlined outfits selected and packed, you don’t have the mental baggage of travelling with more clothing options than you need. Not sure you can do it? Check out our tips for how to travel Europe with a carry-on.

2. Roll, Don't Fold - and use packing cubes!

Maximize suitcase space by rolling your clothes instead of folding them. This method reduces wrinkles, saves space, and allows for better organization within your luggage. Even better, roll and invest in a set of packing cubes. You’ll be amazed at how much more space your suitcase suddenly has with that extra bit of organization and compression!

3. Wear a sheet mask on the plane

We love this one, and it goes along with our general tips for how to avoid jet lag. While you might feel a bit silly sitting in your airplane seat wearing a sheet mask, it will leave your skin feeling re-hydrated and refreshed after spending hours in the dry air of the plane cabin.

4. Portable Chargers Are a Must

Many of us use our phones as our primary cameras. We also use our phones to keep tabs on itineraries, addresses, maps, booking confirmations, boarding passes… Even in airplane mode, taking photos and videos uses up battery quickly. Keep a portable charger handy to ensure your devices stay juiced up during long journeys and on days out when outlets are scarce. Opt for a high-capacity one to avoid running out of battery at crucial moments.

5. Make Copies and Take Photos of Important Documents

Before you embark on your adventure, make photocopies or digital scans of your passport, ID, travel insurance, and itinerary. Store these separately from the originals to have backups in case of loss or theft. This could look like paper copies in a suitcase pocket, and/or images backed up in the cloud, accessible from anywhere in case your phone is stolen. It’s also helpful to take photos of Important Information as you go. Snap pictures or get screenshots of your hotel address, rental car information, airbnb check-in instructions, and important reservations. This way, you'll have easy access to vital details even if you're without wifi. (Take it from someone who has showed up outside their Airbnb accommodation with no access to wifi… and therefore the lockbox code.)

6. Download offline maps

It's easy to access Google Maps in your destination even without wifi or data. Simply download the map for the city/region before you leave. To do this, search a destination on your Google Maps app, then click on its name and select the "more" option by tapping the three dots. Here you'll see the option to "download offline map", and you can select the area you want to make available offline. Your GPS works even in airplane mode, so if you have access to the map, you'll always know exactly where you are.

7. Use e-sims!

Avoid expensive roaming charges by purchasing an e-Sim to activate once you land. There’s no need to physically insert a different Sim card, and it's considerably cheaper than daily charges to use your home network, so you can stay connected affordably. Our staff at ToursByLocals have been using Airalo for our trips.

8. Pack a Power Strip and more than one power adapter

When outlets are scarce in accommodations (particularly common at older, character-style properties), a power strip becomes a lifesaver. A single plug can charge multiple devices, and it's especially handy in shared spaces. The same goes for international adapters. Unless you’re travelling solo, you’ll probably want to have enough adapters for two or more people to comfortably charge devices overnight.

9. Stay Hydrated and Snack-Ready

Bring an empty water bottle through airport security and fill it up afterward to stay hydrated throughout your journey, and generate no single plastic use waste. Pack a few healthy snacks to avoid relying on overpriced airport food and stay energized on the go. And once you've reached your destination, find a local grocery store near your hotel or vacation rental, and stock up on some local fruit and snacks to have on hand in your room.

10. Learn Basic Phrases in the Local Language

Even knowing a few phrases like "hello," "thank you," “excuse me” and "please" in the local language can go a long way. It shows respect for and interest in the culture and helps bridge basic communication gaps. If you’re someone who feels they are “bad at languages”, this is an attainable goal: just memorize 3-5 basic words. Once you start using them, they’ll stick!

11. Book Important Activities in Advance

While most of us book our flights, accommodation and rental cars months in advance, many people still leave activities to be booked last minute, in destination. With more people than ever travelling, this leaves us at risk of missing out on some of the most important parts of our trip. Whether you’re hoping to view the Last Supper in Milan, visit Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, go kayaking with dolphins in Cape Town or take a guided tour of the Louvre, booking your activities in advance will save you the disappointment of finding out there’s no room left once you arrive.

12. Embrace Off-Peak Travel

Travel during off-peak seasons or mid-week to save money and avoid crowds. Not only are prices often lower, but you'll also get a more authentic experience with fewer tourists, and more locals.

13. And the ultimate hack? Hiring a local guide

Seriously, you can’t imagine we’d leave this most helpful hack of all off the list? A guide is your real live history book, interpreter, google map, wikipedia, uber, recommendation engine and entertainer, all rolled into one. Better than all that, they’re a friend, whose most important role is to help you feel welcome, happy, engaged and fulfilled on your vacation. Don’t leave home without a guide ready to meet you at your destination! We always recommend booking a private tour at the start of your trip; you’ll be left feeling capably oriented, culturally tuned in, and buzzing with fabulous personal recommendations from your new local friend.

Traveling doesn't have to be overwhelming; with these hacks up your sleeve, you'll breeze through your next adventure. Remember, flexibility and a sense of adventure are key to enjoying every moment of your journey.

Which of these hacks will you try on your next trip? Happy travels!