Whether you are setting out for a weekend trip or a month long journey, these travel hacks will make your packing easier and organised while saving you a lot of time.
1. Create a To-Do List
Did I get the passport? What about travel insurance? Have i packed my favorite pair of socks? Avoid all the last minute running around by maintaining a handy To-Do List. This list will help you keep a tab on all things packed and what is to be packed.
2. Make Google Translate Your Voice
Are you travelling to a destination that does not speak a language you know? You need not worry about communication. Just download the language pack of that destination on your phone through google translate. It also helps you communicate with the help of text-to-speech conversion.
3. Set up Google Maps Offline
Just in case you do not have access to data on your trip you should download the map of the place you are going to visit. Google maps lets you access your saved maps offline with all the navigation features.
4. Reduce Book Weight in Your Luggage
If your are a fan of printed guide books, try and take a photocopy of just the pages that you need. For your novels and guidebooks if you switch to ebooks and use an ebook reader you can save on a lot of space.
5. Make Your Camera Look Old
Certain places you travel to might require you to be extra cautious. You do not want to end up getting your expensive camera stolen. It is advised to hide the camera logo and model number with black duct tape. Brown duct tape placed at other random places on the body of the camera will make it look used and worn out. This will avoid unwanted attention.
6. Roll Clothes Instead of Folding Them
When you fold clothes and pack them for long duration it leads to formation of creases. To avoid creasing you should roll your clothes and place them in ziplock bags. Doing this, you will free up a lot of space in your bag and also the clothes will be easier to find.
7. Pack Your Shoes Smartly
Avoid staining your clothes with your shoes by packing them in shower caps. You can stuff your shoes with items like socks or other cosmetic filled tubes, this will help you make optimal use of space.
8. Prevent Your Liquids from Leaking
Cover the nozzle of the tubes containing the liquid with cling film before putting on the lid.
9. Place Your Toiletries in a Ziplock Bag
10. Storing Valuables in an Organised Manner
Ever found yourself looking for A missing ear ring? Or Have you been worried about where to store the cash? Do not worry, first of all start by storing small ornaments in pill boxes. You can also use empty chapstick tubes to store ornaments or rolled up notes. By doing so, you will know where what is kept and won't waste time searching later.
11. Protect Powder Make Up Products from Breaking
Place a cotton pad in the compact box before placing it in the bag.
12. Pack Minimal Cosmetics
Fill up contact cases with cosmetics, as a result you will save the space of carrying along bulky tubes and bottles.
13. Have a Copy of All Your Documents
Email yourself copies of your passport, travel insurance and other documents that you will be carrying along with you because you never know when it might come in handy.
14. Carry Extra Plastic Bags
Always carry extra plastic bags of different sizes. They can be used either as a bag for soiled clothes or various other purposes like shopping, throwing trash, protecting your devices from water and so on.
15. Carry a Purifier Bottle
If you have not used one of these you should. The personal purifier bottle comes with a interchangeable filter. This is useful for your trips where you do not know how hygienic the water is. You can refill these bottles directly from streams or lakes and also from public drinking sources without a problem. You do not need to spend on buying new bottles of packaged drinking water and as a result, you cut down on a lot of expenses.
Airlines will always try and add their hidden baggage fees to make a quick buck. Therefore, you should always keep in mind your baggage allowance and stay under the limit. Consider wearing the heavier clothing it will help reduce the weight.
16. Weigh Your Luggage
Airlines will always try and add their hidden baggage fees to make a quick buck. Therefore, you should always keep in mind your baggage allowance and stay under the limit. Consider wearing the heavier clothing it will help reduce the weight.
17. Make Your Suitcase Stand Out
There is a chance that the person next to you picked up the same suitcase back home at the end of season sale. The last thing you want is a carousel crisis at your destination. Make your suitcase identifiable by tying colored ribbons on the handles or by sticking labels on the case. This will save you the pain of double checking your bag before taking it off the carousel.
18. Pack Your Daily Bag Efficiently
Make sure you carry a handy backpack for your daily use. Keep your valuables and a pair of clothes in this bag. You could also keep a few toiletries in this bag. This bag will save you last minute panic just in case your check-in luggage is delayed or misplaced. Carrying this bag around town will be much easier compared to carting along your suitcase.
Hope these travel hacks are of good use to you. Please do let me know in the comments if you have any other hacks that can help your fellow travelers minimize effort. Happy Travels!
This blog was originally published on 'ANDREW THE EXPLORER'