There are certain travel tips that are obvious enough. For instance, saving a copy of your passport online (via email or the cloud) before you travel. Or even splitting your travel cash into several parts. Or sticking with a single Carrier for the accumulated mileage points. However, there are other tips you may not already know about. And that is nobody's fault. Read on!
Do Your Own Laundry
This might seem inconvenient, at first but it will save you a lot of money. Hotel laundry charges can be on the high side. So remember to pack some travel appropriate detergent. Also, hand washing in the bathroom sink is not as bad as it sounds.
Portable Water
It sort of makes sense to take along your own portable water purifier. Because buying bottled water can be challenging sometimes. The portable purifier can be attached to almost any sink faucet and it comes with a universal adapter. You only need to fill up your bottle in your hotel room and then you are ready to go. Eventually, you can easily dislodge the purifier, rid it of water residue, dry it out and pack it away.
Baby Wipe Down
Everybody knows, baby wipes aren't really meant for babies only. Grown adults or anyone for that matter can use them for a quick freshening up. Perhaps, you are pressed for time or have little energy due to some jet-lag. And you can't afford to take a full-on bath on arrival at your destination. Then baby wipes are the solution. Whose bright idea was it anyway?
Room Service Is Overrated
One item on the bucket list of every traveller is to be able to experience room service. Don't be fooled by the hype, though. Room service is usually overpriced at the pleasure of the hotel. Plus most times you might need to heavily tip the attendant staff. Instead, get a list of local restaurants from the front desk. Some may have the option to deliver your food. That way, you'll enjoy a bit of local cuisine as opposed to the stripped down hotel menu.
Crime Rates And Weather Reports
You can't blame every city or town for wanting a piece of the tourism pie. When you are trying to book a holiday, you might find that some recommendations are simply too good to be true. Always check such things as the crime rates in the area you’re staying. In addition, also check weather stats too. So you know what you’re getting into and you are not surprised. It would be sad if a potentially good holiday becomes a nightmare.
Offline Google Maps
Technically, you don't need Wi-Fi to access Google Maps. How so? Because Google Maps has a hidden feature that allows you to use its services offline. All you need to do is zoom-in to the map area you’re interested in while still within WiFi range. Then type “OK maps” into the search entry. A “download map?” pop-up appears that enables you to download that specific map section. This will make the map available offline especially without any internet connection.
Back-up Clothes
Your main luggage might get lost and all you would have are the same sweaty clothes you travelled in. Not unless you maximise your carry-on in that way. Fair enough, you can always purchase a new change of clothes but that might eat into your available funds. Note also that the airline can give compensation in that regard, if you ask politely. The worst that could happen is, you may at least get an executive-class toiletry kit to go.
Super Travel Companion
The local TV network of your travel destination might not have content suited to foreigners, especially English speaking nationals. So its a great idea to bring your own entertainment. You might even balance it out with educational content if you like. It goes without saying that a smart device can be the only travel companion you will ever need. Nowadays they come preloaded with all sorts of applications. Plus it will help you pass the time more smoothly.
Spilled Shampoo
Yes, there is such a thing as Solidified Shampoo or Conditioner. In other words, they come in bar form. And this is such a genius idea. It gives you peace of mind in knowing that nothing will explode in your luggage and ruin all your other stuff. And they are just as effective as their liquid counterparts too.
Waterproof Packs
That is to say, the popular Ziplock waterproof bags. And those come in various sizes depending on your needs. You can pack your more delicate gear in them, like your gadgets and documents. This tip is especially useful with tropical travel destinations where the humidity is high.
Get A Microfibre Towel
If you have never heard of them, microfibre towels dry out much faster than regular towels. They also occupy a much smaller packing space. They are especially ideal for your Airbnb staycations where you have to provide your own towels. And unlike what may be obtainable in a standard Hotel.
Digital Boarding Passes
Sometimes, airport WiFi can be unreliable especially when trying to load up your digital boarding pass at the counter. Not every country in the world is into 4G, you know! Alternatively, you can simply take a screenshot of it and show this instead. So you don't hold up the check-in line. Even the teller operators will be grateful for your initiative.
International Phone Bills
Long distance calls from a hotel line are usually exorbitant. So avoid those like a plague! Instead, rely on calling cards whether by personal cellular phone or hotel pay phones. Communication systems may sometimes work differently from country to country. Whatever the case, the above rule still helps.
Snack Attack.
We are discussing Vending machines here, if you're lucky to find one that functions properly. Sometimes, the snacks on offer are stale and everyone has a bad vending machine story. So the remedy is to take your own snacks along on your trip to satisfy your snacking urges. Or better yet, visit a local grocer for a fraction of the vending machine cost. That is if you don’t like to carry food as you travel. And if all else fails, try to eat your heavier meals at lunch rather than dinner.
