Best travel tip that most people don't know

Traveling, whether for leisure or business, requires careful planning and smart strategies. This guide provides a comprehensive list of tips for seasoned travelers, organized in a logical sequence from preparation to arrival at your destination, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Preparation Before Departure

• Notify Family and Register with the Embassy: Share your travel itinerary with family members. Additionally, register with your embassy, as many countries have programs that can assist you in emergencies.
• Packing Checklist: Create a checklist to ensure you pack all essential items. This helps avoid forgetting important things, reducing last-minute stress. I shared my list here >>
• Create a checklist for any process that involves multiple steps. You can use these specific topics as a guideline. You can use Google Keep for that because you can reuse the lists even after checking all the boxes on your last trip.
• Plan ahead and write an itinerary. I highly recommend putting everything into your calendar, including dates, times, and locations. This helps you stay on schedule and navigate from place to place. You can also mark certain locations on your map, but I definitely recommend using the calendar method.
• Insurance! If you don't have any. 

Packing Tips

• Efficient Packing: Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Use compression socks and pack light, adhering to the rule: "bring half the stuff and twice the money."
• Use Gaff Tape: Label your stuff with gaff tape to deter thieves, as it signals the items are old and unworthy of theft.
• Carry-On Essentials: Avoid checking in bags with essential items. Always keep necessities in your carry-on to ensure access.
• Plastic Bags for Clothes: Use plastic bags to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. This organization is helpful throughout your trip.
• Pack Medicine: Always carry basic medications, like painkillers, and a small first aid kit.
• Snacks: Bring snacks and small gifts, like candy for flight attendants or locals as a gesture of goodwill. Sharing is always a great conversation starter. And it's good for you too in a pinch.
• Travel Slippers and Shower Shoes: Pack travel slippers and shower shoes for comfort and hygiene.
• Distribute Valuables: Don't put all your valuables in the same place.
• Mail Souvenirs: If purchasing souvenirs, consider mailing them home to avoid extra baggage fees.
• Universal Adaptor and Portable Charger: Essential for keeping your devices charged. 
• Phone Security: Free up phone storage before traveling, ensuring you have space for photos and new apps. But do not do a factory reset at the last minute because you will need to authenticate many apps, like banking apps, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
• Download an offline map and other useful applications. I shared a list here >>

• Advance Bank Notification: Inform your bank of your travel plans to ensure your cards work internationally.
• Digital and Physical Copies: Take photos of your passport, credit cards, and other important documents. Keep these images secure and consider carrying physical copies.
• Print all your tickets, bookings, and boarding passes. If your phone dies, you'll still have everything you need to continue your journey.

Financial Safeguards

• Emergency Money: Use Western Union or similar services to send emergency funds to yourself. This can be crucial if you lose your credit or debit card.
• Multiple Payment Options: Carry both a Visa and a Mastercard debit card, as some places may accept one but not the other.
• Use Local Currency: Always pay in local currency to get the best exchange rate and avoid unnecessary fees.
• Keep Receipts: Keep all receipts or take a photo of them immediately for record-keeping and proof of payment.

Language and Communication

• Learn Basic Phrases: Knowing basic phrases like "please," "thank you," and "hello" in the local language can be very helpful.
• Visual Aids: Instead of relying on Google Translate, I often find it helpful to pull up a picture. This approach works well for basic needs and saves me from typing out entire phrases. It's also useful to create a personal list of important words or phrases based on your travel needs, like "petrol station" or "subway." Consider printing this list of picutres, along with a paper map, as it's sometimes safer than using your phone in certain cities. 
• Reading Preparation: Read both fiction and non-fiction books about your destination to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.

While Traveling

Comfort and Health

• Cushion for Long Flights: Bring a cushion for comfort, especially on long flights, as imitation leather seats can be uncomfortable due to their lack of breathability. 
• Use the restroom before you leave, as it can be uncomfortable to find suitable facilities while traveling. However, it's less of an issue now since there are ways to clean yourself even in public toilets. In my next blog post, I'll share a cheap and lightweight gadget that can help in these situations >>.
• Spare Socks: Pack an extra pair of socks to change into during long flights or trips, as dry socks can significantly enhance comfort.
• Bring an orange with you. If the person next to you has an unpleasant odor, you can peel the orange, which acts as a natural deodorizer. However, be sure to dispose of the orange before leaving the aircraft, especially if you're traveling to a country that restricts the importation of fruit.
• Check for bedbugs, really.

Safety and Awareness

• Avoid Unsolicited Guidance: Never allow strangers to lead you anywhere, especially if you didn’t initiate the conversation.
• Traveling Alone: Don’t drink at bars alone in a foreign country. Bring a friend, as locals can often tell if you are a foreigner, which can put you in a vulnerable situation.
• Bag Drop and Room Choice: Upon arrival, ask if you can drop your bags at the hotel before check-in. Opt for a good room in a cheaper hotel over a standard room in an expensive one for better value.
• Hotel Staff Advice: For authentic recommendations, ask hotel cleaners or bartenders, as they are less likely to have financial incentives compared to concierges.
• Avoid Being a Target: Blend in by dressing conservatively and avoid showing off valuables.
• Behavior in Foreign Situations: If faced with difficulties, like being stopped by a police officer, adopt a "stupid and cheerful" demeanor to defuse tension.

Cultural Immersion

• Live Like a Local: While it's important to adapt to local customs, maintain your personal identity and comfort.
• Eat Locally: Try local eateries, often recommended by locals rather than hotel staff.
• Avoid Comparisons: Respect local customs and avoid comparing or complaining about differences.
• Irish Pubs: If you are alone and unsure where to go or what to do in a non-English-speaking city, go to an Irish pub. They are usually friendly and helpful, and you can enjoy a pint.
• Early Arrival: Be 2 hours early. If you arrive 2 hours before everyone else, you'll often have everything to yourself, allowing you to enjoy empty streets, beautiful views, and attractions without waiting.
• Avoid Queues: Time abroad is too valuable to spend in queues. Don't wait unnecessarily; you can find other great local restaurants, for example.

By following these comprehensive travel tips, you can enhance your travel experience, making it more enjoyable, safe, and efficient. Happy travels!