The 10 Best Travel Hacks We Know
Because you're the savviest
Traveling can be so glamorous and rewarding, but let’s face it: Every vacation comes with hidden expenses, hours spent in tight spaces and some inevitable curve balls. Let us help with these ten handy hacks to take some of the stress out of jet-setting.
1.
Clear Your Cookies Before Booking
Airlines use “dynamic pricing,” which means flight prices go up with demand. So your flight will get more expensive with every window refresh. The trick: Hide the details of your online history by clearing your cookies.
2.
Book One-Way Flights
Buying a round-trip flight isn’t always cheapest. Airlines often promote single-trip sales, and the app Skiplagged shows cheap one-way flights and hidden-city ticketing (which means your final stop is a flight’s layover).
3.
Do Some Simple Travel Math
According to the site CheapAir, there is no cheapest day of the week to buy a flight. There is, however, a formula. They say buying your ticket 54 days (or about eight weeks) before the day you want to depart will be the best deal.
4.
Negotiate Your Airbnb
News flash, people: The daily rate shown on Airbnb is not necessarily final. Airbnb hosts are human beings with feelings, after all. Write a polite email to explain the details of your trip and ask if there’s anything they can do.
5.
Invest in Garment Folders
These little babies are a godsend. They compress your clothes and take up minimal space in your suitcase, not to mention they keep your garments perfectly folded and wrinkle-free.
6.
Use Google Maps Without Cell Service
Here’s what to do: When you land and have access to Wi-Fi, refresh and load your map. Star any points of interest and then turn off your data roaming. As you walk around a new city, GPS will still track your movement.
7.
Pack a Carry-On for Comfort
Make sitting in coach for 12 hours as painless as possible. Bring slippers and a poncho that can double as a blanket. Toiletries like toothpaste or even a sheet mask will keep you feeling fresh. Pack NyQuil in case all else fails.
8.
Use the Leftmost Line
Nine out of every ten people are right-handed, which means most of our brains instinctively tell us to turn right. Go against the grain: Choose the leftmost line at the airline check-in or TSA checkpoint. It’s almost always quicker.
9.
Choose a Go-To Travel Outfit
Don't even tempt the TSA security alarm. Find one comfy travel outfit—like leggings, a cozy sweater and slip-on shoes—and never stray from it. It’ll speed up security, help you relax during the trip and relieve any mental decision-making stress beforehand.
10.
Do Your Homework
If you are traveling somewhere that people don’t speak your native language, download the Google Translate app, which translates phrases into 52 languages within seconds—even when you don’t have Wi-Fi.
