50 Travel Tips to Become the Ultimate Jet-Setter
Whether you’re planning your next journey or are currently on a trip, you deserve to have the best time ever! To help, I’ve compiled 50 of my favorite travel tips to help you pack like a pro, capture incredible photos, save while aboard, and more. Scroll through to give them a read!
General tips
1. Research the Culture: It’s important to be respectful of a country’s customs. So be sure to find out what you should and shouldn’t do, say, or wear before you arrive.
2. Print Your Confirmation Emails: That way if you don’t have WiFi or your phone dies, you’ll still have the names, dates, and addresses of your hotels, flights, activities, etc. Some countries may also ask for this information during the customs process.
3. Use Offline Maps: Don’t waste data by downloading offline maps on Google ahead of your trip. You can also add places you want to visit to reference while out exploring.
4. Do Some Research: Mark down your must-see sites, activities, and restaurants before your trip. Blogs (like this one!), TripAdvisor, and Pinterest are great research tools. But stay open as you never know what hidden gems you’ll stumble upon.
5. Tours and Experiences: Make memories with unique experiences like riding a mountain coaster in Switzerland or driving go-karts through the streets of Tokyo. Or get a local’s perspective on a free walking history tour in Seville or a street food tour in New Delhi. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other travelers!
6. Translation Apps: Communicate even when you don’t have service by downloading your desired language offline on the Google Translate app. You can also then use the Google Translate camera with images like menus or signs.
“Hatley Castle - Victoria, British Columbia"
7. Arrive Early to Transportation: That way you won’t be sprinting to your flight, train, or bus if you encounter check-in lines, an unexpected bag check, or traffic. And even more time for international travel.
8. Get Travel Insurance: Have peace of mind in case you experience unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage delay, etc. Find the right plan for you at comparison sites like InsureMyTrip.com. Your credit card may also offer some travel insurance perks.
9. Be Flexible: Things don’t always go as planned with travel. So if your excursion gets cancelled, your flight gets delayed, or it rains, don’t let it ruin your trip. Plus, it just means you have an excuse to go back again!
10. Check the Expiration Date: Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. However, every country’s rules are different, so be sure to check their official website before your trip.
11. Chat With Your Bank: Prevent your card from getting declined by sharing your travel dates and destinations with your bank.
12. Don’t Over Exert Yourself: Between jet lag, time differences, and walking all day, you’ll want to add some down time to your itinerary. Even 30 minutes can make a big difference!
“Hyangwonjeong Pavilion - Seoul, South Korea"
Photography Tips
13. Lighting Test: Use your hand to test which direction will give you the best lighting. To start, hold your hand at eye level and slowly turn until it’s not covered by any shadows.
14. Fit More in the Shot: Can’t fit the full Eiffel Tower or St. Basil’s Cathedral in your photo? Hold your phone horizontally and use panorama mode to capture the full view. Wide angle mode will also give you additional space in both portrait and landscape snapshots.
15. Capturing the Moment: While it’s tempting to spend a lot of time capturing the perfect picture or video, don’t spend too much time on one shot or location. There are so many incredible spots to see, and it also helps you not experience your full trip behind the camera.
16. Skip the Crowds: If you want a photo at a popular attraction without other travelers in the background, arrive at sunrise or the earliest operating hour.
17. Don’t Forget to Say Cheese: The sites are great, but so are you! Don’t have someone to take your photo? Use a mini travel tripod or self timer, ask someone on your tour, take a selfie, or hire a photographer. Whatever it takes to capture the moment!
18. Restoration Happens: Be prepared that some famous landmarks will be under construction when you visit. But don’t let the scaffolding take away from the beauty and history.
“Samburu National Reserve - Samburu, Kenya"
Money Saving Tips
19. Get More Bang for Your Buck: TSA PreCheck is $85 and gets you expedited security screening within the US. But for just $15 more, you can get Global Entry for TSA PreCheck and expedited customs screening when returning to the US.
20. Pay Less for Flights: Save on flights with free trackers like Steve’s Cheap Flights, Google Flights, and Skyscanner. Ready to book? Try using an incognito browser, leaving mid-week, or traveling in the off-season for cheaper fares.
21. Save on Your Stay: AirBnb and Vrbo allow you to live like a local with rates typically less than hotels. There you can also select options like multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. Or save by earning free hotel stays with companies like Hotels.com or loyalty discounts with sites like Booking.com.
22. Take Advantage of Free WiFi: Try popular chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s, public transit, city centers, restaurants, museums, and more. With that, a VPN is recommended to protect your data with a secure connection.
23. Restroom Fees Exist: Keep cash on you as many places will charge non-customers a small fee. So when you can, take advantage of free restrooms.
24. Hotel Breakfast Isn’t Always “Free”: Some hotels add up to $20/person to daily rates that include free breakfast. Perks: It’s convenient and oftentimes unlimited food. Cons: A grocery store or local cafe will likely be cheaper. So if available, compare the two room rate options to make the best choice for you.
“View of Old City - Lviv, Ukraine"
25. Restaurant Customs: Not all pre-meal snacks like bread are free, so check before you dive in. Need another drink? Note that most countries don’t offer free refills like in the US. Ordering water? You’ll likely need to request tap water (when safe to drink) as bottled is often the go-to. Every restaurant is different, so ask your server.
26. ATM vs. Currency Exchange: Getting cash out at an ATM is often the cheapest option. However, ATM fees and exchange rates vary, so this may change per location.
27. Tourist Tax: Expect your bill to be significantly higher near tourist attractions. So walk at least five blocks away when looking for a place to eat or a shop for souvenirs.
28. Grocery Stores for the Win: Grab snacks and drinks to enjoy at the hotel or while out exploring. You can also pick up supplies for a picnic or cooking at your accommodation!
29. In One, Out Another: When researching flights, look into flying into one airport and out another. It’s often cheaper and allows you to experience another new city or country.
30. Experiences for Less: See all the highlights for a fraction of the cost with a city pass. To find out if it’s right for you, view pass duration options and the attractions included.
31. Phone Data Pricing: Most phone providers offer a daily rate to use your phone abroad. However, if you have an unlocked phone, you can save by purchasing a local SIM card.
“Nyhavn Harbor - Copenhagen, Denmark"
Packing Tips
32. Make a Packing List: It not only speeds up the packing process, but reduces your chance of forgetting something. I save mine in the notes section of my phone!
33. Check for Dual Voltage: While most technology and chargers are dual voltage, many hair tools and shavers are not. So don’t damage your item or the outlet by checking for 110-240V before plugging into an adapter.
34. Packing Cubes are Lifesavers: Whether you want to organize by category or by day, packing cubes are serious game changers. Then when you arrive, you only have to take out what you need. Plus, no one wants to play Tetris every time you re-pack.
35. Not All Hotels Have Elevators: Especially in historic cities with older buildings. So be aware that what you pack might need to be carried up several flights of stairs.
36. Prevent Liquid Spills: Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of your liquids before placing the lid back on. Then for safe measures, put your liquids in a resealable bag. Because it would be an awful start to your strip if shampoo leaked all over your clothes.
“Ticao Island - Masbate, Philippines"
37. Carry on Bag Essentials: For a full rundown, click here! But some must-haves include a portable charger, medicine, snacks, a reusable water bottle, and valuable items. Ok, a few more: Earplugs, hand sanitizer, an eye mask, anti-bacterial wipes, a jacket, and pre-downloaded movies, shows, books, or podcasts.
38. Bring Extra Passport Photos: Whether you’re traveling for a year or visiting multiple countries, you’ll need a photo for visas. And if you apply while abroad, it can often be difficult to find somewhere to take approved photos.
39. Make Your Suitcase Stand Out: From a bag tag to a standout color, separate your bag from the rest on the carousel with something unique.
40. Roll Don’t Fold: Add extra space to your suitcase with this technique. Then you can pack more gear or shop new goodies at your destination!
41. Do a Room Sweep: Common spots items are left include: the safe, wall plugs, night stands, closets, and under the bed. If you do leave something, call the hotel immediately.
“Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming"
Safety Tips
42. Share Your Itinerary: Send a loved one a brief itinerary of your trip with details like where you’ll be staying, flights, excursions, etc. That way someone will have this information in case of emergency. You can also just forward on your confirmation emails!
43. Grab a Hotel Business Card: That way you have the name and address on you if your phone dies and you don’t know how to get back.
44. Hotel Luggage Storage: Whether you arrive before your room is ready or want to explore after check-out, take advantage of the hotel’s baggage storage room. Some places also have luggage lockers you can rent throughout the city.
45. Print a Copy of Your Passport : Keep it with you in case your passport is lost or stolen. You can also give a backup copy to someone at home.
46. Rental Car Storage: Keep your stuff safe in the trunk or hidden away when you leave. That way there is no incentive for an off chance break-in.
“Old Havana - Havana, Cuba"
47. Prevent Pickpocketing: While rare, it can happen. So keep yourself and your belongings safe by: 1) Using an anti-theft bag. 2) Keeping your hand on your purse or pockets at night and in crowds. 3) Not storing your phone or wallet in your back pocket. 4) Holding your bag in your lap instead of on the floor or on a chair. 5) Only carrying your passport and valuables when necessary. 6) Always being aware of your surroundings.
48. Scan Important Documents: Just in case something happens to your health insurance card, driver’s license, visa, passport, etc. However, save it in a secure spot so no one else is able to get a hold of this information.
49. Bring More Than One Card: Only bring small amounts of cash and one card out. That way you have more at the hotel if it gets lost or stolen.
50. Have Medicine on Hand: Bring medicine with you that might not be readily available or is needed for your destination. That way if you get a headache, food poisoning, dehydrated, allergic reaction, cut, bug bite, etc. you’ll be covered.
What’s the best travel tip you’ve ever learned? Let me know in the comments below. I can’t wait to try!
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