For new travelers, it may seem daunting to fly. There are so many things to remember! Even a seasoned traveler could use some travel secrets. Here are our best travel hacks to remember next time you go on a trip.
1. Bring A Portable Phone Charger
For long flights or any trip that you may be away from your home base for a while, you should bring a portable power bank or phone charger. You can charge this up beforehand then plug in your electronics if you can’t find an outlet. It can be inconvenient to be tied to an outlet, especially in a crowded airport when an outlet may be hard to find. You want to enjoy your trip by seeing the sights, not being stuck inside trying to charge up your phone! Bring a portable power bank, and you can extend the time between full charges.
2. Pack Your Own Bottle
If you have ever purchased water at the airport, you know how pricey it can be! Save your money for more exciting purchases. You can bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the airport. Most places now have the type of water fountain that recognizes bottles, and you can leave your bottle upright to fill it up. Just make sure your water bottle is empty for you to go through security. As a bonus, this hack is also environmentally friendly since you will reduce the number of plastic water bottles that end up in a landfill.
3. Stick With A Carry-on
For shorter trips, try to pack your belongings in a carry-on bag and skip the checked baggage. You will save yourself hassle at the beginning and the end of your flight. You don’t want to spend your time waiting at baggage claim for your bag to appear on the carousel when you could be exploring your destination! If you do not check a bag, you will also never worry about the airport losing your luggage. You will be in charge of your luggage from start to finish so you can keep track of it the whole way. Travel lighter for less hassle and more time having fun.
4. Protect Yourself From Germs
Airplanes, trains, or public transit are all notorious for germs. Anytime a large number of people are packed into a small space, it is a recipe for shared illness. Especially now, with the fear of coronavirus, it is essential to protect yourself from germs. One easy way to do that is to use the Travel Arm Guard whenever you travel. Wipe down your space with the complimentary sanitizing wipes, then slide the Travel Arm Guard on the armrest. The Travel Arm Guard will guard against whatever germs may be hiding on the hard plastic armrest. Plus, it adds comfort with memory foam padding on top. And there is a convenient side pocket to store your small items away from contaminated surfaces and within easy reach. The Travel Arm Guard is the best way to protect you and your family from the many viruses and germs that can be found around an airplane seat or other mode of transportation.
5. Email Yourself A Scan Of Your Passport and Travel Documents
It could be a terrible inconvenience if you lose your passport or other travel documents. A simple fix would be to take a picture with your cell phone of everything important, including your passport or driver’s license, tickets, hotel reservation information, and tickets to any events you plan to attend. Then email yourself the pictures. If anything does get lost, you can access your email on your phone. If you lose your phone too, you can access your email via an internet cafe or business center. While losing your documents will still be a hassle, at least you will have all of the relevant information you need to continue your trip.
6. Make Your Own Airplane TV
For entertainment on a flight that does not have in-flight televisions, you can put your phone in a plastic baggie and attach it to your tray table. Using Bluetooth headphones, you can lean back and enjoy whatever you want to watch on your phone. Just make sure to download your preferred entertainment ahead of time, as wifi is not available on all flights.
7. Use Apps For The Airline And The Hotel
These days, many airlines and hotels have their own apps for your cellphone. These can be very helpful for your trip. Download the apps ahead of time and gain familiarity with all of their features to make sure you get the most out of the apps. You may be able to use them for tickets, to earn loyalty points, or to learn about delays or more.
8. Guard Against Would-be Thieves
Pickpocketers and other thieves can be known to prey on tourists. You can take steps to reduce your vulnerability to being robbed, however. You can use an RFID-blocking wallet or passport holder to prevent skimmers from stealing your info digitally. It is also a good idea to hide your wallet or money holder in a less conspicuous spot. Men who usually put their wallet in their back pocket could move it to the front pocket or find a way to store the wallet closer to their body. Trim down what is in your wallet, so it does not bulge as much, alerting pickpockets to its location. You can also use a dummy wallet in a prominent place with a few bills and some fake cards to make pickpocketers think they got the real thing. Once they grab the dummy wallet, they probably won’t try to look for another wallet before you get far enough away to reduce your risk.
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With these tips, you can make your travel fun and easy, instead of challenging or frustrating. With the Travel Arm, you can fly easy, knowing you and your family are protected against the germs from the armrest and around the seat. What is your favorite travel hack? Let us know in the comments.