Travel hacks are productivity tools and little-known practices that help you get the maximum value out of your efforts. It takes planning and diligent saving to prepare for a trip, and we want to help you get the most out of your hard work.

Learn these simple travel hacks so that you can set off right, save money & time, and have an experience of a lifetime.

What is a Travel Hack?

Travel Hacks are about using shortcuts and novel methods to increase the overall outcome of a trip by saving money, maximizing your time, and solving travel-related problems.

These hacks (shortcuts, systemic loopholes, tips) are often discovered by seasoned travelers and shared throughout the travel community. So join our community and let us help you kindle a lifelong passion for adventure. 

Travel Hacks

Here we have assembled hundreds of travel hacks and tips under specific categories that you can use to:

• Overcome common travel challenges
• Strategize for common travel problems
• Efficiently plan a trip
• Create better travel experiences
• Best use of your money and time

Top Travel Hacks & Tips

We have put together a master hack list from the collective knowledge of a tightly knit community of travelers. Now you can find all of the typical travel hacks in this one place.

We have categorized the travel hacks in various travel-related categories, such as Hotels, Airlines, Ground Transportation, etc. All of our travel hacks and tips lists are frequently updated, and old ones are routinely discarded and removed from the list.

Travel Booking Hacks

1. When you search for flights or hotels, use private browsing (incognito page). Travel websites often track their visitors and raise prices, if the person comes back. Clearing search history and cookies will also help.
2. If you are a frequent traveler, make sure to register for the loyalty program. All big airlines have awesome rewards programs in partnership with most major credit card companies. 
3. The best time to buy tickets is 6-8 weeks before the flight. At this period, you have the best chance to get a great price. Also, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday often have the best rates.
4. Check out https://skiplagged.com/ for cheap travel deals that you won’t find on aggregator or airlines sites. Skiplagging is uncovering loopholes in airfare pricing that basically saves you money.
5. Instead of a hotel, consider renting a house or an apartment, if you travel with a family or a group of friends. Use websites like Airbnb to search for budget accommodations.
6. Book two one-way flights. Sometimes, it can be cheaper to book one-way flights from different airlines, than a round-trip. Also, this way you can choose better departure and arrival times.
7. Book non-U.S. airlines, as they often offer better amenities, even in economy class.
8. Check partnership conditions before booking a flight. Some airlines will offer the same mileage while others will give less. Also, several airlines calculate miles based on the price of the ticket and not the distance.
9. Book economy tickets with Y or B booking codes, if possible. It means the passenger is looking for an upgrade. It will work better if you frequently travel with one airline.
10. Even non-refundable flights often have a 24-hour window during which you can cancel the reservation without paying a fee. Also, many airlines offer a 24-hour hold service. You can use this time to search for better prices.
11. Fly in a Boeing 767, if you have an opportunity to choose. It has fewer middle seats than other airplanes.
12. Use free stopovers, which many airlines offer, to see extra cities on your trip for free.
13. You can collect points and miles from a less known partner company, which gives premium status for fewer mileages.
14. Before booking a hotel, check, what services are included in the price. Make sure Wi-Fi, parking and luggage storage are free of charge, if you need them. Pay attention to taxes, which may not be included. Also, many facilities offer breakfasts for free or for a minimal cost.
15. Hostels can be a great alternative to a hotel if you are on a tight budget. They usually provide both beds in dormitories and private rooms. However, private rooms are also often cheaper in hostels, than in hotels.
16. Some hotels offer discounts and exclusive offers if you sign up for a membership with them. Use this opportunity!
17. Always get travel insurance before booking a trip, in case you need to cancel your bookings.
18. Check all rules and conditions for cancellation before making a reservation. Sometimes it is free, while sometimes there is a hefty fine, up to the whole amount paid.
19. Firstly, book those aspects of your trip, which have the least tickets available, such as events and tours. Then, book flights and hotels.
20. Specify the dates of your trip early. This way, you will be able to get the best flight prices and all the early bird discounts.
21. Before booking tickets or hotels, do a quick search. Type “name + promo code” in a Google search bar. Visit airline’s or hotel’s social media pages, as you can find discounts there as well.
22. Check the aggregation websites. Sometimes they offer better deals, than even direct booking sites.
23. When booking a hotel, pay attention to the breakfast type offered: English, continental or a buffet.
24. Don’t book flights for the weekend, unless it is necessary. Prices usually go up on Friday and drop back on Monday or Tuesday. The middle of the week is usually the cheapest period to fly.
25. Buying a new ticket can sometimes be cheaper, than changing a flight. Keep that in mind.
26. Try calling the hotel directly to check for better deals.
27. If you want to find the cheapest tickets you should browse on Tuesday.
28. Book your train tickets through direct websites of national railroads. If you do, you will save on commission and charges, which aggregate sites take. Most of the time, official railroad booking websites have English counterparts, so you won’t have any trouble surfing around.

Travel Packing Hacks

1. When you pack liquids, open them and insert a plastic wrapper in between. Tighten around the plastic, to prevent them from leaking.
2. Place a dryer sheet in your luggage, to keep your clothes smelling fresh and to reduce the static effect.
3. Use tissue paper or newspapers to reduce wrinkling of folded clothes.
4. Rolling clothes, instead of folding, is a real space saver.
5. Using air-compression plastic bags will save you more room in a suitcase.
6. Glasses cases are ideal for carrying cables, chargers, and headphones.
7. To save space, put rolled socks and underwear in your shoes.
8. Straws are perfect for carrying travel-size portions of shampoos, shower gels, creams, etc.
9. A binder clip works great to protect the shaving razor head.
10. Carry your soap folded in a washcloth, so it doesn’t break into little pieces.
11. Your shoes can be wrapped in a shower cap.
12. To prevent your headphones from tangling, wrap them around a binder clip and stick to your backpack or jacket.
13. Use Tic Tac containers to pack your hair clips.
14. To keep a shirt collar crispy, put a rolled belt into it.
15. Refill the travel-size containers, instead of buying new ones every time.
16. Use pen springs to protect chargers from bending and breaking.
17. To prevent blush, eyeshadows and powder from breaking, put cotton swabs inside.
18. If you carry alcohol or other liquids in glass bottles, use bubble wrap to protect them.
19. Use a heating pad to wrap your iron.
20. If you travel with a baby, take a baby carrier or a hammock on the plane.
21. Don’t bring big bottles of perfume. Use sample bottles instead.
22. Place your chargers and cables into separate paper roll stubs and don’t forget to mark them.
23. Use old contact lens cases to carry travel-size portions of liquids, creams, and lotions.
24. Always make a list of things to pack and cross check.
25. Use buttons to pack earrings safely.
26. Use straws to carry your jewelry, so it doesn’t get tangled.
27. If you don’t want to carry a wallet, use binder clips to pin cash and keys to yourself.
28. Get a travel organizer to bring all your devices, chargers, cables, and pens together, without them getting lost.
29. Put your essentials in small travel-sized bottles.
30. Use binder clips to arrange your cables, when using your laptop on a trip.
31. Use a paper clip to prevent your suitcase from accidentally opening.
32. To prevent your jacket from wrinkling, pack it inside out.
33. Don’t underestimate the fanny packs. They may seem out-of-date, but prove to be very practical on the trip. Fanny packs keep your valuables safe in crowded areas and eliminate the time it takes to put everything back into your pockets, after passing the security check.
34. Make sure to have a pen with you, in case you need to fill out some custom or other forms.
35. If you are a frequent traveler, keep your toiletry bag packed. When you return from a trip, ensure that all the bottles are full. It will make future packing much easier and prevent you from forgetting something.
36. Pack some bubble wrap in your suitcase. It will save space for the things you will buy on the trip. And when you do, you’ll use it to wrap fragile items.
37. A shoehorn can be very useful on a trip. Especially when you need to put your shoes back on after a long flight.
38. Use drawstring fabric bags to pack your shoes and separate clean clothes from used ones.
39. Carry a wrinkle releaser (spray), in case your clothes get wrinkled in your suitcase.
40. Pack the heaviest items closer to the wheels of a suitcase. It will make it easier to roll.
41. Take a luggage scale with you, if you happen to be an impulsive shopper. This way you will know if your luggage is overweight and you need to hide some items in a pocket, your hand luggage, or your husband’s suitcase.
42. Use your clothes as wearable luggage. Cargo pants or special travel jackets work well for this.
43. Take bee wax with you to waterproof your shoes in case of rainy weather.
44. If you travel often, it would be a good habit to keep extra cables, chargers, and batteries in a small, zippered, water-resistant bag. This way, you won’t be running around the flat, searching for these items, and you won’t forget anything.
45. Pack clothes in a similar color scheme, so they match when you need to wear them on a trip. Also, it’s better to take dark-colored clothes because they hide stains much better.
46. Pack shoe foot-to-toe to save space.
47. Instead of taking numerous makeup products, try finding the all-in-one products for your trip.
48. Wear your heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane, to save weight. However, if you have a long flight, take a pair of flip-flops too.
49. Take a pillowcase. Not only can you use it as an extra pillowcase, but also to separate dirty clothes from the clean ones.
50. Wear clothes with big pockets on the trip, so you can easily access your phone, passport, tickets, and wallet.
51. A large scarf can be very helpful on the road. You can use it as a cover if you are cold, roll it up as a pillow, or use it to block light when you are trying to sleep.
52. A big hood will also keep you warm and protect you from light while you sleep.
53. Leggings will be very helpful on the trip. You can wear them with a skirt or a dress, or wear them by themselves. They are incredibly versatile.
54. Carry a small bottle of hand washing detergent, not to turn your undies and socks inside-out.
55. Know the baggage policy of an airline you are flying. Follow this policy, particularly if you are flying a budget airline with only hand-luggage included in the price of your ticket.
56. Always bring a sleeping mask and earplugs so you can get good sleep on the plane or in a hostel dormitory.
57. Take clothes which dry fast, so you can wash them in the evening and put them on again in the morning.
58. Bring plastic or grocery bags, to separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones, pack items you’ve bought, etc.
59. Pack a medical kit for your trip, especially if you have a chronic disease or if you get regular headaches. It will save you time not searching for the nearest drugstore. Don’t forget a pack of band-aids, in case your shoes start to bother you and cause blisters.
60. Bring a Tide-to-Go pen with you. It will immediately come to your rescue if you spill something or get a stain.
61. Never bring a new pair of shoes on a trip. If you have never worn them before, you don’t know how they will feel after you walk a long distance.
62. Always bring a jacket or a sweater even in the summer. It will not take up a lot of space but may come in handy on a chilly evening. Plus, you can never know in advance how the weather will be.
63. Bring an envelope and keep all receipts in it. It will be helpful if you need to return something or exchange the local currency back before departure. It will also help you count all your expenses when you get back home.
64. Rainproof your bag. You can find various items on the market to do that.
65. Keep daily outfits in separate bags and mark them as dirty after each day.
66. If you are traveling with a baby, rent all the items you need such as the car seat, changing and bathing gear, or high chairs from a local company instead of taking them with you. Ask your travel agency for this option at your destination. 
67. Pill containers are perfect for organizing your jewelry for the trip.
68. Always have hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes with you on a journey. That way you can sanitize the plane, taxi, public transport or rental cars. Of course, if you have an opportunity to wash your hands, it would be better. Stay safe!
69. If you need to bring vitamins or medicine with you on a trip, instead of taking several containers figure out how many of each you will need for the trip and put them all in one box.
70. Use crafting boxes to carry snacks for the trip.
71. Wrap fragile items in your socks.
72. Save free cosmetic samples to use on the trip.
73. Use an empty Tic Tac container to protect your toothbrush.

Prepping for Departure

1. Scan important documents and email them to yourself, in case something gets lost. Save a copy on your device as well, to have offline access to them.
2. Call your bank before traveling to make sure your credit card won’t be declined when you are abroad. Also, try to choose a card which does not charge additional foreign transaction fees.
3. Reduce the jet lag effect by adjusting your sleep schedule several days before departure. Also, the more rest you have before the trip, the less affected you will be by the time zones change.
4. Take screenshots of all your e-tickets and booking confirmations. This way, you will be able to access them anytime, without being dependent on having an Internet connection.
5. Let Twitter, Facebook, and Couchsurfing know where you’re going. This will help you get recommendations and exciting offers from the locals.
6. Download several episodes of your favorite show in case you have a lot of time and no Wi-Fi. Books will do too.
7. Take a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass or download it, in case you can’t access the app for some reason.
8. If you can’t take your work on a trip with you, set up an automatic reply to your email, which will let people know when you will respond to them. 

Airport Hacks

1. Take a picture of where you parked your car at the airport. It will be very helpful when you return.
2. If there is a line in an airport bathroom, find one in a less crowded area of the terminal.
3. If you are lost in an airport, follow the flight crew. They usually know the shortest way to the exit.
4. Ask to mark your baggage as fragile. This way, it’ll always be on the top of all other bags.
5. Use unique baggage labels or just tie a bright ribbon on your suitcase to identify it quickly on a baggage claim.
6. Most people don’t head straight towards the baggage claim. Use this time to be the first one to pick up your luggage.
7. Even if you fly in economy, you can get into an airport lounge for an additional payment. Keep in mind, though, that it would be cheaper to book your visit to a lounge online.
8. If there is a huge line for taxis at arrivals, head towards departure, where cabs drop off people. Here, you can get an available cab without competition.
9. Head to the airport early, in case there are some emergencies on the way. It will also spare your nerves to not rush through security and check-in lines.
10. Even if your ticket has luggage included, opt for a carry-on. This way, you will be able to get out of the airport faster, and your luggage won’t get lost.
11. In most airports, luggage carts are free. However, if you find that they are not, just go closer to the security gates, where people abandon their carts and pick one up.
12. Check out Sleepinginairports.net, if you need to spend the night in an airport. You will find all the necessary information about the best places to sleep, Wi-Fi connections, shower availability and other facilities provided by different airports around the globe.
13. If your flight is canceled or delayed, don’t head straight to the help desk. You will find a huge line there. Instead, contact your airline call-center. The phone operator can do the same as the help desk agent, and sometimes even more.
14. If your airline allows this option and you don’t have any checked baggage, check-in online to save time at the airport. In fact, many budget airlines nowadays have moved almost entirely to online check-in and they only provide airport check-in for an additional price.
15. If you need to use the bathroom upon arrival, go to the second one. It will be less crowded.

Tips for Faster Security Check

1. In the airport security checkpoint, try to find the line with more people who look like frequent travelers. For example, stay near people with briefcases who are almost inevitably business travelers, and avoid families with kids and possible international travelers. This way you will pass through security faster.
2. Put most of your valuables and metal objects into your bag, before going through airport security to save yourself time on the other side of the line.
3. If you are a frequent traveler, sign up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. These programs are a kind of pre-approval from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which can designate you as a low-risk traveler. All you need to do is fill out some light paperwork and go through a quick in-person interview at your closest international airport. After that, you can forget about taking off your shoes and belts at security every time you fly somewhere.
4. After you check in your baggage, it usually goes through a security procedure. If you place a regular lock on your suitcase, you risk it being cut off. So, it is recommended to use TSA Luggage Locks, as they can be opened with a universal key.
5. Various researchers have proven that, as most people are right-handed, they instinctively head towards the right. Thus, lines on the left at security checks tend to be shorter.
6. If you are willing to take a risk and want to sneak a bottle of wine on board the plane, try packing your bag very densely and put the bottle in the middle. Other items will make it harder to x-ray. However, you still can lose it, so it’s your choice.
7. If you decide to bring your water through security, you could try freezing it. Ice is not liquid. However, this way is not very reliable. You probably will have to argue with security agents about the rules. Also, it will most definitely melt while you are on your way to the airport.
8. Put all your liquids in a plastic bag with a zip lock to expedite the security process. In fact, in most European airports it is already an expectation.

Airplane Hacks

1. The window seat will help you avoid turbulence. Also, you get a great view.
2. If your flight is overbooked and your plans are not strict, you can volunteer to get off the plane. However, make sure you will get adequate compensation. For example, if you volunteer first, make sure to get the same compensation, as the last ones. Airlines usually become more generous, when the number of volunteers decreases.
3. Get your food faster by ordering a special meal (for example, vegetarian).
4. Wear a night moisturizer on a long flight, so you don’t get dry on the plane.
5. If you have trouble sleeping on a plane, get yourself a thermos with a mix of your favorite relaxing drink and ask the flight attendant to fill it with hot water.
6. Make your own airplane TV by hooking your mobile phone on the back of a seat in front of you in a plastic bag with a zipper.
7. Try to board the plane as early as possible, so there is still enough space for your hand luggage in an overhead bin.
8. When you reserve seats for two, book aisle and window. If no one takes the middle seat, you will have a full row to yourself. And if someone does, you just ask him or her to switch.

Hotel Hacks

1. If you have forgotten your wall plug or an adapter, you can charge your devices through the USB slot on a TV set in a hotel.
2. When in a hotel, take out only things you will need from your luggage. Taking out everything will not make you feel at home, but only make the repacking process more difficult. Also, the more you unpack, the higher chances you have of forgetting something when leaving.
3. The location is everything. You can get a luxury room on the outskirts at the same price as a budget variant in a city. Suburb hotels are also more likely to offer free parking or free shuttles. However, check if you can reach the facility by public transport, especially if your flight arrives late at night or departs early in the morning. 
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for upgrades, particularly if you are traveling on a special occasion. Remember: if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
5. Grab a business card for your hotel from the reception desk. It contains the name and the address of the facility and will be very helpful if you get lost.
6. If you need to wash your clothes, do so with a sink and a bar of soap. Shampoo or hair conditioner will also work. First, fill the sink with warm soapy water. Then, swirl your clothes with your hands in a circular motion, just like your machine would do. If there are stains, rub them off. Drain the water and rinse your clothes to remove all the soap. To dry the clothes, put them on the towel, one towel for each piece of clothes. Roll your clothes in the towel, which will suck all moisture from them. Or use a hairdryer, if you are really in a rush.
7. If you are afraid to forget something in a hotel safe, put your shoe in it. You won’t leave without a shoe, right?
8. Use the clipped hanger to pinch the curtains for complete darkness and privacy. This will improve every single night that you will spend at a motel or hotel.
9. Use the ironing board as an adjustable height desk. (Generally, the hotel chairs are not the best kind or right height, you can instead use the ironing board as a standing desk.)
10. Always check the bottom of the iron for sticky melted plastics from previous users. If the iron is not clean or looks dark, call the front desk and ask for a replacement. Do the same with the water. Check the iron well. Many people do not iron thief clothes in a hotel. The water in that iron can be old and dirty. If there is a pre-filled water, then rain it first and fill fresh tp avoid staining your clothes.

Tips on Living Like a Local

1. Ask locals, instead of using guidebooks or Visitor Center information, if you want to get a real local experience and not another tour of tourist spots.
2. Use the local language as much as possible. When you do so, you come across as a polite person. Plus, it is more convenient for your interlocutor to speak to you, and it often works to your benefit.
3. Eat local food. You can go to international restaurant chains, such as MacDonald’s, when you return home. Trying local cuisine is a big part of any tourist experience. Plus, it is usually cheaper. Also, watch where locals eat and go there. Try to avoid cafés and restaurants in popular tourist areas, as they are actually overpriced, while the quality of the food there is not usually the best.
4. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Don’t be a stubborn traveler. Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. You will enjoy it!
5. In many countries, the streets are lined with food carts. Street food can be an excellent choice, especially if you are a budget traveler.
6. Before departure, collect all the change you have left and give it to the poor. Bring something good to the Universe!

Money Saving Hacks (Before the trip)

1. If you want to save money for travel, creating a separate bank account is a very good idea. You will be less tempted to spend it since it will be harder to access. If you can, route your bonuses, tips, and any extra money earned into this account.
2. Every time you are going to have a beer, order a meal at the restaurant, or buy a bottle of wine, ask yourself “Would I rather do it here, or in Paris?”
3. Sell anything you don’t need on the Internet or at a garage sale. Not only does it help you clean out your house, but it also puts cash into your travel budget.
4. Make travel plans. As you plan your travel, you’ll have to buy flight tickets, tour tickets, car rentals, hotel or Airbnb rooms in advance and as a result, you’ll incur bills which will help you remain conscious from over spending at home.
5. Speaking of a few of the above tips, cut spending mercilessly which are not your passion or joy of life. Instead, save that penny or dollar for things that really matter to you.

Money Saving Hacks (During the trip)

1. Instead of buying overpriced water in airports, save an empty bottle and refill it from a water fountain after passing security.
2. Wrapping your luggage can be expensive at some airports. Take a plastic wrapper with you and wrap your suitcase yourself.
3. Local ATMs can often have better exchange rates than exchange bureaus in airports. However, remember to account for the additional exchange charges from your bank.
4. Shop for necessities in local supermarkets, instead of hotels and airports. You will save big money!
5. Have a souvenir list and stick to it. It will save you money and prevent you from buying souvenirs, which “you will find someone to give to later.”
6. Spot cafes near universities. If students eat there, it won’t be expensive.
7. Check your credit card for extra benefits. Often they provide free options you don’t know about. It can be car insurance, hotel room upgrades or airport lounge access.
8. City tourist cards will save you both money and time if you plan to visit popular tourist attractions. They also give free access to all kinds of public transportation.
9. Instead of a city card, you can also buy a transport pass for several days. It won’t give you discounts for museums and tourist attractions, but you will save a lot on transportation.
10. Stay with locals for free, using Couchsurfing, Global Freeloaders, and other services.
11. Work for your accommodation. Many services connect those who need work done, or houses looked after, with budget travelers who need free accommodation. Many hostels around the world offer this option as well. Check out Mind My House, House Carers, Luxury House Sitting and WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms).
12. Always check when your destination or particular attractions have open days.
13. Take advantage of lunch menus. They often come with significant discounts.
14. Make some meal preparations before your trip, to save money by not eating out every day.
15. Walk as much as you can throughout a new destination. Walking will save you money, and you will see many interesting things, even if they were not on your list.
16. Sharing a car is a great option when you need to go from one place to another. Use such websites as Gumtree, Jayride, Carpool Over, and Blablacar (in Europe).
17. In North America, there are a lot of companies, which will pay you to transfer a car from one point to another. It’s a great way to see the country and earn some money. Check out the hittheroad.ca for Canada and Autodriveaway for the USA.
18. Ask locals, if you can drink water from the tap. It will really save you a fortune, especially in the countries where water is limited and expensive, such as Israel.
19. Bus travel can be both cheap and comfortable. For example, in Europe, most intercity buses are already equipped with a Wi-Fi connection, WC (bathroom), and electric plugs. Some even offer free tea/coffee. And the prices start from $0-25USD for a 5-hour trip. If you travel to Europe, check out megabus.com, luxexpress.eu, polskibus.pl, neobus.pl, flixbus.com and ecolines.net, for the cheapest way to get around.

Safety Hacks

1. Use money belts or inside pockets to keep your valuables safe when going to the places with high risk of pickpocketing.
2. Divide your cash and put it in different locations such as your wallet, pocket, luggage or shoes.
3. Use an empty Chapstick tube to save some emergency money. You can also use an empty deodorant for this goal.

Staying Connected Tips

1. If you want to save a Google map for using offline, just type “ok maps” in a search bar.
2. Check comments on FourSquare to get Wi-Fi passwords from all over the world.
3. If you want to save battery charge, turn on the airplane mode. Your device will also charge faster in this mode.
4. If you have a lot of gadgets, get a universal charging station.
5. Buy a universal electric plug adapter, if you often travel internationally.
6. Sometimes you can bypass Wi-Fi at airports by adding “?.jpg” to UPLs.
7. If your flight is over 5 hours, check if your airline has Wi-Fi on board.
8. Think in advance about the way to stay connected on the trip. Compare and choose the best mobile and Internet packages.
9. Use Skype, Viber or Google Hangouts to make free phone calls from abroad. All you need is a good Internet connection.
10. You arrive at the hotel and find out you have forgotten your charger? Ask the receptionist. They always have a box of chargers left by other guests.
11. Free Wi-Fi can often be found in fast food outlets, electronic stores, and shopping malls. Many airports also have a free connection.
12. Power banks are a great decision for energy emergencies.
13. Carry an extra phone, in case you need to buy a local SIM card. It can be even an old phone, as long as it works.
14. Bring a power strip. Everyone around will just love you. Just make sure it is suitable for up to 240V if you travel to other countries.
15. Take pictures of all the local and facility maps you may need, so you do not get lost if you don’t have an Internet connection.
16. Many intercity buses and trains now have electric plugs. If you don’t see them immediately, check under the seats, as they may be hiding there.
17. Sometimes lounges have such a strong Wi-Fi signal that you can connect to it by just sitting nearby, and use Wi-Fi for free.

Picture Taking Hacks

1. Use a trick to erase tourist crowds from your photos. Put your camera on a tripod and take about 15 pictures, approximately every 10 seconds. Open them all in Photoshop from File->Scripts->Statistics. Choose “median” and receive a tourist-free photo!
2. Use IFTTT to share your travel photos to all social media platforms.
3. Use Instagram’s geo-location to remember where photos were taken. Or take a picture of the sign when entering every new location.
4. When you start a new memory card, take a selfie. This way, if you lose the card or it gets stolen, you can easily prove that it is yours.

Useful Travel Apps

1. Citymapper is a great app to get around a new city. Install it so you do not get lost.
2. Whatsbusy app will show you, which security lines are the busiest, so you can avoid them.
3. Download the Yelp app for domestic travel within the USA. It works perfectly for both travelers and locals.
4. Download your favorite airlines’ mobile apps. These apps would be helpful when checking in online, registering your luggage, checking timetables, buying tickets on the trip, etc. Also, there are often special offers and discounts only available when booking through the app, especially from low-cost airlines.
5. Use SeatGuru app, when booking a flight. Check, which seats are too close to the bathroom, and which provide extra leg room.
6. Download Travel Buddies and Backpackr apps, to find travelers who are nearby. You can adjust your itineraries and travel together.
7. Party With a Local app will connect you with locals, who can show you around or suggest interesting events.
8. Most aggregate flight search websites have mobile apps. Download them, so you can search for flights, even if there is no computer around.
9. FlightBoard app will keep you up-to-date with departure/arrival timetables, even if the airport information screen is not nearby.
10. Use planning apps, such as TripIt, to help you organize your journey.
11. Transportation apps, such as Uber or Lyft, will save you time and nerve while trying to get a cab and they will get you to your hotel quickly and easily.
12. OpenTable app shows all the nearby places, which have free tables at the last minute.
13. XE Currency Converter app will help you not to get overwhelmed with local currencies and money exchange, especially if you visit several countries during one trip.
14. The Airport Parking Reservation app will save you hours of driving around in search of a free spot. It works for most airports in the USA, Canada, and the UK.
15. GateGuru app is practically an airport bible. You will get all necessary information about most airports around the globe through this app.
16. Maps.Me app provides great detailed offline maps and navigation recommendations. You just need to download necessary maps beforehand.
17. Wi-Fi Map app shows all free Wi-Fi spots nearby, as well as passwords for non-free connections.
18. aMetro offers maps for most subway systems around the globe.
19. Google Translate app will prove to be irreplaceable if you go to another country where the knowledge of English is not common.
20. PackPoint app is a great helper for the packing process. Make a list of things you need to take with you and check to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
21. Mint is a great app for keeping your budget on the trip and counting all the costs after coming back.
22. Install accommodation search apps, such as Booking.com, Airbnb, etc. You won’t regret it if you have to search for accommodation urgently on the trip. Plus, you will not have to print out your booking confirmation. All you need to do is download it from the app, straight to your mobile device.
23. Many cities have mobile apps, which help to get around and to search for popular services, such as banks, laundry, taxi, currency exchange, public toilets, ATMs, etc. Find out, if the city you are headed to has one, and download it to make orienting yourself to a new place easier.

Conclusion

We thrive off of an active community where people are willing to share their experiences with others. We hope, these tricks will be something that you find both interesting and beneficial.

Please comment or share your own tips and tricks below.

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