I know you love traveling, but you don’t seem to get it right and are unsure about what to pack, how to plan the itinerary, or how to get this vacation started. Not to toot my horn as a pro, but from my experience across Europe, I have picked up several travel hacks that have helped me enjoy my vacation always. I hope this post remains evergreen and will help you now, tomorrow, and in the coming years.
But before we get started, I want you to know this: a memorable trip does not begin when you get to your destination. It starts by planning weeks ahead of your arrival date. To properly plan a trip, you should plan your travel items, attractions to see, where to eat, where to stay, how to get around, budget for the trip, and any emergency. These travel hacks are effective methods that help you save during your travel and ensure you get the most out of your travel.
Further reading: how to plan the perfect trip
In no particular order, here are 47+ hacks and tips that I recommend on your upcoming trip:
1. GOOGLE MAPS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
I cannot say this enough: if you don’t live in the city, you will need a navigator. This app has helped me enjoy my solo trip multiple times, and I don’t feel alone. If possible, download the offline version, turn on your location, and let Google Maps do its work. Use city maps. They are helpful in local communities.
2. RELAX
Don’t dwell on any hiccup, hassle, or delays you may encounter on your vacation, or stress about situations you can’t control. Think about your destination and focus on getting there. Take deep breaths, drink water, grab a book, or do anything to make you less anxious. Remember, if you worry, it will affect your vacation.
3. DON’T OVERPACK!
I always travel with my cabin suitcase. Why? It’s light, and I don’t have to worry about missing my luggage or hauling a big luggage up or down a flight of stairs. If possible, pack lightly or fit some old clothes into your suitcase to make room for shopping.
4. WALK
Most attractions, especially in Europe, are within walking distance from each other, so you don’t need to use any form of transportation. This hack allows you to wander through the city and explore the neighborhood like a local.
5. DON’T FALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE
This is the reason tourists are the targets of scams. Ignore the shiny vendors around the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the men who sell fake luxury items around La Rambla in Barcelona. It’s a waste of money, and you could be a target.
6. BE COMFORTABLE
From your shoes, clothes, and accessories, try to be as chic and minimalistic as you can be. Don’t wear heavy clothes, or hold too many items at once, like bottled water. If it doesn’t fit into your purse or handbag, you don’t need it. Be comfortable, but not shabby.
7. MARRY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
As I mentioned earlier in Google Maps, the Translate mobile application should be every traveler’s best friend, especially if visiting foreign countries. Understand the notions of the language to start your questions. This hack allows you to get help when needed.
8. PUT A FEW CLOTHES IN YOUR CARRY-ON
You can’t predit what will happen in transit but as a precaution, pack two outfits and other essentials in your carry-on or hand luggage. It was a nightmare when my luggage got lost at my departure point. Since then, I pack an outfit and underwear in my carry-on just in case. This way, you don’t start your vacation feeling sad.
9. ALWAYS HAVE AN AIR TAG OR TRACKER
If it’s not hand luggage or carry-on, have a tracker in your suitcase. Sometimes, the airline systems may not be able to find your suitcase immediately, so with a tracker, you can bring up the location of your luggage and speed up the recovery process.
10. PREPARE YOUR GADGETS
This should have been my first hack. Prepare your batteries, charge your phones and power banks, have a torchlight, buy safety gadgets, and get a universal adapter or charger. A pepper spray is a must-have safety item that I use because I travel solo. Research your location and prepare every gadget you will need for this trip.
11. DRINK WATER TO EASE JET LAG
I once shared a hostel with a traveler who told me she learned this hack from an air hostess. Hydration helps you from getting jetlagged and keeps you agile for your upcoming activities.
12. DO YOUR RESEARCH
From the transport, accommodation, and destination, do your due diligence. Don’t ignore the reviews, use 360° Google Street View to look at your accommodation, look out for any sketchiness, and compare prices. This hack guides you from getting scammed.
Further reading: how to spot red flags before booking your travel accommodation
13. PLAN EVERYTHING!
From your home till you leave your destination, you need to have a plan for your transportation within your destination, where to eat, how to manage and spend within your budget, and any inconveniences that may come up. This hack helps you stay on top of things.
14. TRY TO BE CHEAP!
If you planned for a luxury vacation, by all means, you can splurge. But if you usually travel on a budget, like me, look for ways to make your trip less expensive. Walk for short distances, eat clean street food, buy food from supermarkets, not small shops, ask for tap water in restaurants (in Europe, it’s portable), and if possible, pack some food/snacks to help. My hack is that I dine once a day, have a late lunch, and snack in the morning and evening. This way, I save money on food and stay within my budget.
15. ROLL INTO YOUR SHOES
When I pack about two pairs of shoes, I roll some clothes, makeup, and personal stuff into my shoes. With this hack, I create more packing space, and it helps keep my shoes from getting squished.
16. USE CASH
Try to use as much cash as possible, especially in small shops. I am skeptical about swiping my card anyhow, so I always plan to take enough spending.
17. TRY OVERNIGHT FLIGHTS
While some travelers (like me) may encourage this because it is cheap, others understand that it could be risky. I learned this hack on my last solo trip to Amsterdam. I took a night Blablabus from Paris to Amsterdam and arrived early the next morning, on my check-in date. With this hack, I did not spend half of my day on the road and had time for an afternoon boat cruise the day I arrived.
18. USE DIGITAL BANK CARDS
It’s weird swiping your card outside your country of origin unless it’s the same currency, like most of Europe. You don’t have to worry about this, but try using digital banking solutions, like N26 Wise or Revolut. They give you access to multiple currencies and a debit that is accepted worldwide.
19. MAKE PHOTOCOPIES
Apart from digital copies of all documents you may need, have physical photocopies of your passport, hotel reservation, flight itinerary, or taxi booking. This hack covers you in case of theft or complications during your trip.
20. LOOK OUT FOR FREE EXHIBITIONS AND ATTRACTIONS
Once on a trip to Barcelona, a fellow traveler in the hostel where I stayed, recommended that I visit the Picasso Museum on Thursday afternoons because they offer free entry. Since then, I have made it a mission to look out for free entry days or discount offers from museums or attractions.
Further reading: Headed to Paris? Top Scams to Avoid in Paris
21. PREPARE YOUR PHONE
Whether you plan to use a VPN, an eSIM, offline mobile apps, or any app that you will need for your trip, download and prep your phone accordingly. This way, you are not stranded in a foreign country.
22. VERIFY EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Use Google 360° street view to confirm your lodging, check your airline booking one more time, compare the location of your accommodation with the attractions you intend to visit and keep up with current trends in your destinations. You don’t want to be found in a war or protest zone.
23. HAVE AN EMERGENCY/VEX MONEY
That is, money you don’t need at the moment but are keeping it just in case. Just like when you go on a date. This hack keeps you from being lost in nowhere.
24. AVOID TOO MANY LIQUIDS
If possible, pack in solids. For my trips, I use Dove Shea butter soap, organic toothpaste tablets from the pharmacy, and anything I can get in solid form. Except for a moisturizer. This way, there are no spills or stains inside your luggage.
25. PRIORITIZE FREE ATTRACTIONS
While planning your itinerary, make a list of free popular attractions and prioritize them. This is beneficial if you travel on a budget. By doing this, you don’t spend too much time on paid attractions and gain more experience with free attractions.
26. PACK BASIC MEDICATIONS
Paracetamol, Doliprone, Advil, aspirin, mini first aid, and bite sprays should be a must-have item if you want a stress-free vacation.
27. AVOID MOVING AT NIGHT
I don’t know about you but if I’m solo and I don’t live in the city, I am not moving about at night. Yes, the nightlife is exciting but if I don’t have company, I’ll explore the city during the day and rest at night.
28. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
I learned this hack on my first trip to Istanbul. Use social media to curate your activities and plan your itinerary. With SM channels, you get a POV angle for your trip.
29. AVOID PEAK SEASONS
As a hospitality professional, I avoid July and August, but I understand that it’s the only time children are free from school. These periods are pricey, so hot, and crowded. Not my cup of tea!
30. USE A LIST
A great vacation list should include places to eat, where to shop, and attractions to visit from farthest to closest – free and paid, how to move around and if possible, where to shop.
31. USE TRAVEL-SIZE ITEMS
Use travel-size refill bottles so to take what you need for this trip. Airlines restrict the amount of liquids you should have on a carry-on.
32. SECURE YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS
Use a padlock or secure lock to lock your suitcase. If you’re in a hostel with no locker, ask for a locker with a key or bring a lock.
33. DON’T BRING YOUR VALUABLES
Leave the gold, diamonds, shiny accessories or expensive virtual reality gadgets and video games at home. You don’t want to lose them on a trip.
34. SHARE YOUR LOCATION
Make sure you share your current location with someone you trust back home. This hack is helpful during emergencies or to track your phone if it’s missing.
35. PACK ESSENTIALS ONLY
Two jeans, two dresses, shoes according to the weather, five tops, personal items, etc., are packing essentials for me. Pack what you need for the trip and try to make room for any purchases you might make.
36. HAVE BUFFER DAYS
Have two days before you leave to round up your itinerary and some extra days after you return to recharge and rest from the trip, especially if you did a lot of activities.
37. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
Snap, snap, snap! Take pictures of everything, including food, and create memories for yourself. I didn’t do this much when I started, but I preach it now.
38. THE CITY CENTER IS EXPENSIVE
The city center is great – for sightseeing. It’s busy, noisy, expensive, and rowdy. A 5 mins ride to the city center is not a bad idea.
Further reading: Headed to Paris? Top scams to look out for on your visit
39. BE VIGILANT AT ALL TIMES
Secure your items, leave your phone in your bag and use them in less crowded places, stay away from your surroundings, and cross your bag to the front in packed areas to avoid theft.
40. FIND KID-FRIENDLY PLACES
If you are traveling with children, do more research on kid-friendly hotels/hostels, attractions, museums, and restaurants. This way, nothing takes you by surprise.
41. LOOK OUT FOR FREE BREAKFAST
While budgeting, look out for bookings with complimentary breakfast. This way, you can cut down money on food.
42. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Less taxi, 50% walk, and 50% public transport. This way you save money on transport, wander through the city, and explore like a local.
43. THROW IN SOME PLASTIC BAGS OR ZIPLOC
This hack is beneficial for separating your dirty clothes from clean ones or wrapping a broken glass item to avoid staining your clothes or injury.
44. CHECK FOR RULES
Acquaint yourself with the house and city rules. This way, you are not in trouble or helpless, and can easily navigate within the city.
45. GET SOME SAFETY GADGETS
Pepper spray, whistles, door locks, or torchlights are simple safety gadgets you can take on your trip.
46. KEEP A PEN AND NOTEPAD AT ALL TIMES
If possible, your list or itinerary plan should be a notepad with extra leaves to jot down things while on your trip. This hack helps you stay organized throughout your stay.
47. ACTIVATE DUAL TIME ZONE
If you plan to travel to a foreign country with a different time zone, enable the dual time zone display settings on your phone. With this, you adjust quickly to the new locations and don’t lose track of time, especially during arrival.
48. GET A SENSE OF THE CULTURE
Before you leave for your trip, do some research about your destination. You don’t have to get it 100% but have a notion of the culture, food, living standards, norms, and language. This way, nothing surprises you.
49. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR TRIP
Above all, enjoy every waking day of your trip. Don’t let inconveniences, delays, or culture shocks ruin your trip. Be kind to the locals, don’t raise your nose in disgust if you don’t like what you see, and wear a smile. These travels hacks and tips are curated from my experience and I hope that it is an inspiration to you too.
If you have more tips to share, feel free to leave a comment.
Happy travels!
