Buying tickets/hotels etc

• Buy tickets on Tuesdays – https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/best-days-book-flight-fly
• Add-ons are cheaper when purchased while booking the flight: A great way to save more than just a few bucks would be to figure out the add-ons you may require – like extra luggage, priority boarding, airport lounges, seat reservation or travel insurance – and customize your package to suit your needs and comfort while booking your flight tickets and not after. Adding add-ons later only means a higher, easily avoidable cost.
• Private rooms at hostels can help save you a lot of money. You get your privacy and at the same time its a great way to meet new people and make friends on your trips.
• Get cheaper fares:
• Use an Android as opposed to an iPhone or a PC, as opposed to a Mac,
• Toggle to a different home country (3rd World Country – the poorer the better) when searching for flights to get cheaper rates,
• Use Google Incognito or a VPN to search for flights,
• Whenever looking to fly a specific airline, pick a country that offers a good foreign exchange rate as compared to other countries. This way you can view and purchase your tickets in another currency, and save big bucks! This is an extra, potentially time-consuming step but for what it’s worth, you must give it a go.
• Book overnight flights and buses to save on lodging; the best way to kill two birds with one stone – you get to sleep for free and stay on the move to your destination while sleeping! Essentially booking an overnight flight or bus is a night of free lodging. Make sure to make yourself comfortable with a cozy sweatshirt, good earplugs and an eye mask.
• Pay the extra amount for refundable bookings. Cancellations can hit at any moment, so to take the pain out of cancelling any ticket, especially a high-priced one, is to pay the extra amount for a refund when first booking. This way all is not lost and you will be able to save your money in case of flight cancellations after 24-hours of booking

Prep for your departure

Technology

• Make sure your cellphone is unlocked: Unless you bought a phone that was sold as “unlocked,” contact your wireless provider and ask for the phone to be unlocked. You can often make this request online or in a store.
• Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge: Running out of juice on your rechargeable batteries quicker than you thought can be a real bummer. Well, there is a pretty cool travel hack to help keep your batteries fresher and full of charge for longer – just stash them in the fridge! As strange as it may sound, most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures.
• Buy a Bluetooth transmitter: Bluetooth transmitters are compatible with any device that has a headphone jack, including in-flight entertainment systems. This ensures you can connect your bluetooth headphones to the in-flight entertainment. For an example – click here
• Download Useful Apps: Get apps for navigation, language translation, currency conversion, and offline maps.
• Phone/Data plans:
• First, ensure your phone is unlocked compatible with the networks at your destination. Upon arrival, purchase a local prepaid SIM card, which can typically be found at phone stores, airports or kiosks. These SIM cards come with a set amount of credits for calls, texts and data and you can “top up” by adding more credits as needed.
• Make sure to get the correct size SIM card for your phone. Many modern iPhones and smartphones use nano SIM cards, but SIM cards also come in standard and micro sizes.
• To replace your SIM card, use a paperclip or the SIM removal tool that came with your phone to gently insert into the small hole next to your SIM tray clip. The location of the SIM tray varies depending on the phone model, with many found on the side of the device. Once located, remove the existing SIM card and replace it with the new one.
• Remove your SIM card and tape it to the back of your cellphone – under the case for safekeeping.
• Charge Your Devices: Fully charge your phone, tablet and other electronic devices before departure.
• Download Airline Apps: Airline apps can offer mobile boarding passes, real-time flight updates and quick rebooking options.
• Check in Online: Save time and reduce stress by checking in online and selecting your seat early.
• Pack a Power Bank: Bring a portable charger to keep your devices powered during long waits or flights.
• Pack an external hard drive: Download the pictures you take to the hard drive nightly so you do not run out of memory on your phone.
• Pack a Small Locator Device: Consider placing a GPS tracker in your luggage to help locate it if it goes missing.
• Check Electrical Compatibility: Bring adapters, extension cords (never enough plugs) and converters if your destination has different electrical outlets and voltage.

Packing

• Use packing cubes and/or compression bags (which push all the air out leaving even more room for more stuff) – thank us later!
• Put all of your liquid products in a sealable bag – better be safe then very sorry! And remember they go in your suitcase as opposed to your carry-on.
• pack ear plugs & an Eeye mask: For obvious reasons.
• Backpacks – A must for day trips!
• Pack a lock as well as a thin steel cable– useful in various situations. For example, if you’re staying at a hostel with lockers, a lock ensures your belongings are secure. Additionally, if you need to lock your bag to something for any reason, having a lock on hand can provide extra security.
• Don’t pack anything you couldn’t bear to lose!
• Bring your own snacks: Avoid overpriced and often unhealthy airport food by bringing your own snacks.
• Bring an empty pillowcase: If your bags are a few pounds overweight and the airline wants to charge you an overweight fee, take out your empty pillow case and fill it with clothes to make your suitcase the right weight and tell the check-in attendant that that is your pillow for the plane (most airlines let you bring pillows onboard).
• Pack essential items in your carry-on: Include medications, a change of clothes, toiletries, and any valuable or irreplaceable items.
• Take photos of your luggage: Snap pictures of your bags before you travel. Spread the contents of what you will be packing and take a picture. This helps with identification and claims.
• Keep receipts for all receipts of items bought for the trip: Receipts are needed to substantiate your claim in case of lost/misplaced luggage.
• Use unique identifiers: Add colorful ribbons, stickers or unique identifiers to your luggage to make it easily recognizable.
• Label Your Bag with Itinerary: Include your travel itinerary inside your bag in case it gets lost, so the airline knows where to send it.
• Keep a list of packed items: Make a list of the items in your checked luggage to facilitate the claims process.
• Label your bag as fragile (even if they are not): This ensures that your luggage receives special handling, providing VIP treatment for your belongings. As a result, you’ll likely experience a shorter wait time at baggage claim, since fragile-marked items are typically placed on top in storage and are among the first to be unloaded.

Everything else

• Always Get Travel Insurance: Better be safe than sorry!
• Research Destination: Familiarize yourself with local customs, laws and cultural norms to avoid any misunderstandings.
• Make Copies of Important Documents: Photocopy your passport, visa, insurance and other important documents. Keep copies separate from the originals.
• Inform Your Bank: Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid having your card flagged for suspicious activity.
• Secure Your Home: Arrange for someone to check on your home, collect mail and take care of any plants or pets.
• Exchange Currency: Get some local currency for immediate expenses upon arrival, such as transportation or tips.
• Emergency Contacts: Make a list of emergency contacts, including the nearest embassy or consulate.
• Sign Up for Flight Alerts: Use apps or airline websites to receive notifications about flight changes or delays.
• Know Your Passenger Rights: Familiarize yourself with airline policies and applicable law in case of delays, cancellations, or lost luggage.
• Use TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: Enroll in these programs to enjoy expedited security screening and shorter lines.
• Wear Slip-On Shoes: Make security checks easier by wearing shoes that are easy to take off and put back on.
• Email yourself a copy of your passport and tickets: Carrying a hardcopy of your passport is important, but forgetfulness or theft and loss can always hit you at the wrong time. By emailing yourself a scan of your passport, you ensure that in case of an unfortunate event, your passport is only a click away. This also goes for any other type of journey confirmations (tickets, etc.), either scan or screenshot the same and save yourself a boatload of trouble in the future.

At the airport (before or after your flight)

• Video everything! Your most powerful tool is in the palm of your hands! At the first sign of trouble start video recording. If the ticketing agent or steward/stewardess is rude, take a video. If you take off late, take a video of the time listed on the on the airplane video screen. If you are being denied boarding – yup – video, video, video!
• Tweet your travel troubles You will marvel at how powerful a tool this is; before you know it the airline will be calling you…
• File a missing luggage report immediately (before you leave the airport) and demand a copy: Report your lost luggage to the airline’s baggage service desk as soon as you realize it’s missing. If you are not sure which airline is responsible for the loss of your luggage (in the case of a multiple leg trip with multiple operating airlines) make a report with each one of them
• Always get a written report/document: What is uttered verbally NEVER HAPPENED! If the airline loses your luggage – get a copy of the written report. If you are considering volunteering to get bumped because the airline has promised you the moon and stars and everything between – get the terms of your agreement in writing.

At your destination

• Write Down the address of your Hotel: After a long flight and extensive smartphone use, your battery might die. If you haven’t written down the address of your hotel, it could be challenging to tell or show the taxi driver where you’re staying. Always have the address written down as a backup.
• If renting a car: Reserve the cheapest/smallest car. Enter the rental place all cheery (remember you are on vacation and the clerks, every day coming to work, wished they did better in school) and show the desk clerks some kindness. Chances are they will not have the car you ordered on the lot and they will gladly upgrade you for free. If they do have the car you ordered on the lot, just tell them you are having second thoughts and you would appreciate if they would upgrade you for free or at a most nominal cost. Be nice; it works!
• Be patient: Don’t stress over things beyond your control. Life is too short to spend your travels feeling angry and annoyed. Missed your bus? No worries, another one will come along.
• If jet-lagged – run: Jetlag can be a real killjoy but there is a way to combat its depressing effects – exercise! It is advised to head out for a run or engage in light exercises like yoga or resistance band training to help ward off jet lag.
• Google Translate: – It lets you take photos of text in a different language and translate what it means in real time. Just like Google Maps, Google Translate works in airplane mode too.
• Local Currency exchange: Don’t EVER exchange money for local currency at the airport (unless you do not mind paying a premium). When ATMs and cash machines exist, you don’t have to ever exchange money at the airport or the local currency exchange. Not only do these money converters charge a fee of their own, they also rip-off exchange rates, usually amounts that are highly inflated, worse than your regular bank.
• Get lost: To truly experience the areas where locals live and work, explore on foot without a set destination. Write down the name of your hotel so you can easily return by taxi if needed. Then, simply choose a direction and start walking.
• Go On Free Walking Tours: that way you get the lay of the land without having to spend money.
• Admit that you won’t be able to visit every place – it will take the pressure off the trip as a whole and you will be able to better enjoy your destination spots.
• When in doubt – bottled water.
• Sunscreen – put on sunscreen every morning after you shower and bring a tube with you wherever you go – nothing ruins a vacations quicker than getting so sunburned that you could hardly move…
• Carry toilet paper – better be safe than very sorry!
• Practice compassion to yourself and others: travel can sometimes be met with some frustration especially where you do not understand the local customs or language. Remain calm, don’t lash out at the locals; it is usually not their fault. Be kind to yourself by reminding yourself how lucky you are to be on this excursion!
• When in doubt tip.
• Greet everybody with a smile on your face – YOU ARE ON VACATION!