If you go on vacation by plane with a partner: Each of you gather all the stuff you need. Then pack your suitcases with half of your stuff and half of the stuff of your Partner who is doing the same with his / her suitcase. If one of your suitcases get lost when you arrive at the destination, both of you have some clothes and important Things.

Report

Final score:

23points

Daya Meyer

POST

Maya

Maya

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

1 year ago

• Report

Makes sense, never thought of that

5

5points

reply

View more comments

Go where the locals like to be, not where all the tourists gather. It's much less crowded there

Report

Final score:

11points

Zedrapazia

POST

jpaul

jpaul

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

yeah but depends on the country. in some countries where locals go are poverty nests. thus putting you in danger with your nice smartphone, and high end camera. for example applying that rule to 80s Colombia, was a ticket to cemetary

9

9points

reply

View more comments

1. Don't unpack your suitcase. Leave it on the bench / couch / sofa, open, with the stuff packed as it was. 2. Keep two spare plastic shopping bags: one for dirty shoes and one for dirty laundry to keep it separated from the clean laundry. 3. Travel light. Overpack on socks and underwear and underpack on shoes. Choose a set of shoes to match your destination. Generally, sneakers (converse style) are best for me. They can be dressed up or down, and used to run or walk in the wilds just as well as in a museum.

Report

Final score:

10points

censorshipsucks

POST

Kirsten Kerkhof

Kirsten Kerkhof

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

Good points. The only thing I do differently is that I bring a cotton shopping bag for my dirty laundry. Somehow I worry that a plastic bag wouldn't let my dirty clothes breathe and cause smells or worse.

5

5points

reply

View more comments

Learn the map of the city/region well in advance. You won't get lost or fooled as easily because you look like you know where you're going. Otherwise, you have more time to enjoy the atmosphere when you don't have to stare at the map application.

Report

Final score:

8points

LillieMean

POST

Kat Lyle

Kat Lyle

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I tend to take travel and street maps with me and mark where what is - using your phone for directions draws attention to the fact that you are lost and have a smartphone. They can easily fold into a pocket as well.

2

2points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Pack a few bandaids, needle and thread, safety pin, dental floss, eye drops, eyeglasses cloth and nail file. It's the stuff you never think of until you need it.

Report

Final score:

7points

Vermonta

POST

cerinamroth

cerinamroth

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

It's the stuff you leave in your bag and then forget you can't take some of it through security, as well! ;-)

2

2points

reply

At the very least, learn how to ask if someone speaks your language in English. Other common phrases are good to know as well, but that's the best one. Also, don't go to France without preparing for the French. They're mean as hell if you don't try to blend in (in my experience).

Report

Final score:

6points

QueerAxolotls

POST

Kat Lyle

Kat Lyle

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

UK has a brilliant little translation book for about £6 on Amazon. In addition to languages, it gives information about various cities, cuisines, local phrases. I own about 8 of them now. It was done by BBC so search for that.

3

3points

reply

View more comments

If you’re going to a country with a different wall socket for electricity, BRING AN EXTENSION CORD. I can’t stress this enough, adaptors are expensive, and it’s worth buying one and then using an extension cord to get 5+ spots to charge things.

Report

Final score:

6points

Great And Holy Pangolin

POST

Shane Hussel

Shane Hussel

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I don't get this, everything I need power for has a usb port.

0

0points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

4. Find out what apps they use in the country and preinstall them. For example, in South Africa, you need Waze (navigation), AirBNB (it doesn't suck here), Zomato (restaurants), Admyt (to get into malls without ticketing), Eskom se Push (to know when the electricity is going to fail), Google Translate (for local languages), Uber (works fine here, quite affordable), Zapper and Snapscan (to pay digitally). Apple Pay/Wallet also works here.

Report

Final score:

5points

censorshipsucks

POST

Kat Lyle

Kat Lyle

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

BWHAHAHAHAHA Eskom. Massive joke there!

0

0points

reply

View more comments

Don't do tourist stuff every day. If you have enough time, just hang out. In a new place, I alternate tourist days with hanging out days. If I have even more time, I hang out even more. This is the best way to get to know a city.

Report

Final score:

5points

Der Kommissar

POST

Shane Hussel

Shane Hussel

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I don't travel to just hang out

2

2points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

If you are driving, always pee when you get gas - or recharge.

Make sandwiches and snacks so you don't have to stop at a restaurant.

If the weather is hot, don't bring or buy any chocolate snacks - unless you have a cool place to keep them, or will eat them immediately.

Report

Final score:

4points

Freya the Wanderer

POST

ƒιѕн

ƒιѕн

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

If I'm driving, I have some chocolate snacks, my AC keeps them cool just fine.

0

0points

reply

If you've booked and paid for a flight (may also work for buses, trains, cruises, hotels, etc. but I've only tried with a flight) and have to cancel/change plans last minute but can't get a refund because it's within 48 hours of departure (or whatever the cutoff is), try changing reservations to a future date instead of cancelling (it may be free or there may be a small fee). And then cancel it the next day now that you're well within the notice/refund period.

Report

Final score:

4points

DeoManus Argentem

POST

If I need/want to visit a major city (like Paris or London), I like to book a four-day coach holiday (where the excursions are not included). They tend to be really quite affordable, and your trip and accommodation are taken care of. The cost of your holiday can rise significantly when you book excursions with them, but you are in no way obligated to do so. The tour guides don't like you skipping all the excursions as they can make good money off those, but feel free to cheerfully say no to every single one.

Report

Final score:

3points

Kirsten Kerkhof

POST

Shane Hussel

Shane Hussel

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

No group tours for me if I can possibly avoid it

1

1point

reply

Have a small bag ready with all the stuff you need on vacation. Then leave it alone. This can include razors, lots of other personal hyenine items, (wait looking through my bag). Snack bars (side compartment), pen, paper, playing cards, mini cribbage board. If you need something small on a vacation but don't have it, get it when you come home and throw it in the bag. Also put emergency supplies in your car if you are driving.

Report

Final score:

3points

Mycroft1967

POST

Skyla King

Skyla King

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I love cribbage!

1

1point

reply

View more comments

Get yourself some shorts/pants that close at the top with a drawstring. Get loafers or other slip on shoes. As you make your way through the security line, begin putting EVERYTHING you carry in your pockets in your bag pockets. Breeze through the scanners/metal detectors, enjoy your trip!

Report

Final score:

2points

Kevin the Manager

POST

If you stay at a hotel, always lock the door and put something to block it (a chair or the suitcase) - so if anyone tries to open it, you'd be woken up by the noise.

It may seem paranoic, but hotel keys or cards have a limited number of combinations and mistakes can happen anytime. A colleague of mine got a hotel room, opened the door and, as she wanted to lay in bed, she literally freaked out to find a man sleeping there already. They had given her a room that was already occupied.

Report

Final score:

2points

Alexia

POST

Shane Hussel

Shane Hussel

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

All the hotels I go to have an addiional metal stop on the door.

2

2points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

If you enjoy camping, You can make your own super effective fire starters by stuffing dryer lint in the cup of a cardboard egg carton and drizzling melted wax over the top. If you need a bear can, you'll lose the key. Every one does. Wear a washer around your neck. Switch from your hiking boots into camp sandals as soon as possible, especially if you have a multi day hike. Let those dogs air out.

Report

Final score:

2points

Jessica Jones

POST

Stephanie Did It

Stephanie Did It

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

If you need a bear can, you'll lose the key. Every one does. Wear a washer around your neck -- Can someone explain those sentences please?

4

4points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Learn basic words in the language if you're going abroad like help, do you know how to get to....?, where's the hospital, etc. Also learn emergency numbers just in case and depending on the place you are sometimes it's best to not show you're a tourist. Like obviously you might stand out but don't like wearing a bunch of gold cuz ur gonna get ransacked and worse...trust me plz.

Report

Final score:

2points

ThatBlackNightingale

POST

Andrea Steinacher

Andrea Steinacher

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

first words to learn in every language are: please, thank you, excuse me, hello/how do you do - with those, everybody will try to help you, you show decency

2

2points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Ask the cab driver if they can give you a rough estimate of how much it will cost to get to where you're going, before you get in. You'll avoid being taken for a ride and overpaying. That scam is common in some places.

Report

Final score:

2points

blixten1982

POST

ƒιѕн

ƒιѕн

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

What if they just tell you a really high number, then give you a lower number after you get to where you're going so you think you got a great deal on the ride. But have still actually been scammed into paying more.

0

0points

reply

Don't get on the plane right away. Some people rush to get on the plane the moment their section is called. Stay at the gate as long as possible (especially if you're not worried about where your carry-on is stowed), you can stretch out your legs in a more comfortable seat for a little longer.

Report

Final score:

2points

blixten1982

POST

Ivona

Ivona

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago (edited)

• Report

I'd suggest doing just the opposite - get on the plane as soon as possible because planes tend to be double-booked, and it's better to be the first in your seat and have space for your carry-on in the overhead compartment.

0

0points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

This one is tough to get right.
When you are out walking around and being a tourist, pay attention when you stop to look at something and try not to stand in other peoples way, in the bike lane, don't ever stop at the bottom or top of an escalator.
You will want to look around, that is perfectly fine. Just please try to pay a little attention to where you stop so you are not in everyone else's way while looking around (or the French people will mad at you, somewhat justifiably I say).

Report

Final score:

2points

Jeff White

POST

Pan dulce

Pan dulce

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

This is so irritating. You don't stop in the middle of traffic flow. It doesn't matter if it's car traffic, biking traffic or walking traffic. Move your self absorbed a*s over & out of the way. Be self aware & aware of your surroundings at all times. Or you're setting yourself up, looking like a fool, asking to be bumped into & pickpocketed

0

0points

reply

Always get travel insurance. Always.

Report

Final score:

2points

Michael P (Perthaussieguy)

POST

Warrior Mama

Warrior Mama

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

So much better to have it & not need it than the other way around!

1

1point

reply

If you travel a lot and are prone to forgetting things, have a separate kit of toiletries and other essentials explicitly for traveling. For me, that means an extra wall charger and cable for my phone, a full set of travel-sized toiletries in a kit (to include things like a razor, q-tips, etc.), and an empty water bottle; I store them in my luggage and they never leave unless I'm traveling.

Report

Final score:

1point

Tracy Wallick

POST

Freya the Wanderer

Freya the Wanderer

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I keep certain necessities in my suitcase at all times. That way, I don't have to worry about them when packing for a trip.

1

1point

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Not a hack but an useful advice.

-Don't spend all your time in your all-inclusive hotel. Try to go out and explore
- also try not to drink too much because, you went on a holliday to rest and high alcohol consumption will make you feel more tired than you ever felt.

Report

Final score:

1point

Mini grizzly

POST

Malcolm Gray

Malcolm Gray

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

Don't go all inclusive. If you want to just lie about and enjoy everything you get at home. Just stay home and save the money. Dumbasses

-1

-1point

reply

Three points of advice:

1. Keep passport, money and medication in a hip pack/bum pack. (Cotopaxi is my favorite brand.) You may think “she’s crazy!” but let me explain. Put passport and money in one compartment (better if it’s waterproof) and put other small, necessary items in the main pouch. Change what’s in it depending on where you go. Beach? Sunscreen. Long car ride? Dramamine. Always have enough money, sunglasses and lip balm in it.

2. Always keep anti-nausea/carsickness/dizziness medication in your pouch. Always have anti-diarrhea medications as well. You should have one that fights the bacteria and one that just ~stops the flow~ if you know what I mean. The second is only for emergency flights, bus rides, meetings, etc.

3. Know the area. Know about which languages are spoken where. Know what percentage of people speak your language and how well. Try to know at least a few words in the spoken language(s). Thank you, excuse me, sorry and “I don’t speak X” go a long way.

Beyond that, just use common sense!

Report

Final score:

1point

Lucy Skinner

POST

Lucy Skinner (Submission author)

Lucy Skinner

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

One addition: The hip pack is primarily for anti-theft purposes.

1

1point

reply

1. We tend to use backpacks for suitcases as it helps distribute the weight of everything more comfortably and has multiple pockets to separate clothes from medical from others things. (A spare plastic bag is packed for dirty laundry.)

2. Instead of stopping at rest areas, we stop at grocery stores. They have bathrooms, affordable snacks and (at least the ones we frequent) a place to refill the gas tank.

Report

Final score:

1point

Firstname Lastname

POST

Pan dulce

Pan dulce

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

I like this idea because we can get fresh produce as snacks rather than the overpriced sugary processed snacks from vending machines or gas stations

0

0points

reply

If staying at a hotel or other place that has business cards, grab a few and keep one with you at all times. If they don't have cards, ask a staff member to write down the hotel address and phone number in the local language (even if that language is your own). Go out and explore!! Have fun!! When you are ready to go back but have no idea how to get there, hail a cab and show them the address/business card, or ask locals and show them the card. Works perfectly.

Report

Final score:

1point

David R.

POST

Seek the advice of a travel professional. Travel advisors aren't necessarily more expensive, we know we compete against the internet. It does not behoove us to try to fleece you. Whether it's an all-inclusive vacation somewhere warm... what do you get when you search for properties? Hundreds of results. We can narrow it down easily. Family friendly or adults only? More active and lively or chill or romantic? Are you a beach or pool person? If you are planning a European adventure... do you know how to travel from one place to the next? Hotels in city center or near things (not always the same!)? What currency? Don't get me started on all the components it takes to cruise.

Plus we have sources that can bundle and package things. We'll make sure you have a ride from the airport and have trip insurance. We won't always give you the cheapest option, often because the cheapest option sucks. We want to give you the best value, which means your time. 3 layovers, each one 7 hours? No. A flight that gets you to get destination at 10 pm? Nah. Hotels that are super inconvenient so you have to pay through the nose for transportation? I don't think so!

Report

Final score:

1point

Nerd Groupie

POST

if you have to do a long road trip (400+ km), do a 10 km joggging just before. it'll vivify you. and you'll reach the destination without feeling tired

Report

Final score:

0points

jpaul

POST

Ali H M Salehuddin

Ali H M Salehuddin

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

After 10km of jogging, I'll be too tired to drive.

2

2points

reply

View more comments

If you go to a country with another language, first words to learn in every language are: please, thank you, excuse me, hello/how do you do - with those, everybody will try to help you as you show decency and the will to be more than a bloody tourist

Report

Final score:

0points

Andrea Steinacher

POST

Shane Hussel

Shane Hussel

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

Where is the bathroom is first.

0

0points

reply

mine is kind of simple. i take two suitcases and i nest them inside each other. i then use the smaller one to pack my things. this not only helps me not over pack but, since i usually shop for things during trips i know i will have space to pack them up. the other thing i started doing after i had been stranded at airports was to make sure my carry on has a cup, tea, and a few snacks. got stuck at the denver airport due to blizzard and could not believe that an airport of that size literally locks up every stop around 9 pm and then it's just you and the maintenance people and whatever poor souls who were stranded as well.

Report

Final score:

0points

talliloo

POST

Make yourself a little money conversion list so you can get a rough idea how much something is in your own currency without too much maths. When I went to Mexico I had one with English pounds, US Dollars and Mexican peso and just kept it in my purse.

Report

Final score:

0points

Apachebathmat

POST

tjis is not working

Report

Final score:

0points

Marie Wright

POST

ƒιѕн

ƒιѕн

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

1 year ago

• Report

What is tjis?

0

0points

reply

If you are on a road trip in a mountainous area, take a couple of lightweight jackets or sweaters in case of wet or cold weather. If you don't need to wear them they can be used to shade your cooler. It can snow any time of year in the U.S. Rocky Mountains. Never underestimate how cold the desert can get.

Report

Final score:

0points

Susan Reid Smith

POST