Travel can be stressful, but a few pointers can make even inexperienced travelers feel more at ease. Not sure where to begin? Consider the following 15 travel hacks, which range from rolling your clothes to always carrying a power bank:
For good reason, rolling your clothes in your suitcase is one of the oldest travel hacks in the book. It saves space and helps to reduce wrinkles, allowing you to fit more clothes into the same suitcase. If the clothes are still wrinkled when you unpack them, hang them in the bathroom while you shower, and the steam will help to remove some of the wrinkles.
Purchase some packing cubes.
Packing cubes are the solution to keeping your freshly rolled clothes organized inside your suitcase. These modular bags zip shut and allow you to organize your clothes by outfit or type of garment. Packing cubes will keep your suitcase organized no matter how big or small it is.
Do you want to avoid checked bags, or are you taking a longer trip? The solution to both of these problems is to do laundry at your destination. While doing laundry in a new place can be intimidating, it is the most effective way to reduce your luggage. If you don’t want to go to the laundromat, you can hand-wash items in the sink and hang them to dry overnight in your room.
Packing a traditional pillow is a big waste of space and weight, which is why we recommend inflatable pillows for longer flights. You can also bring a pillowcase and stuff it with clothes or jackets in a pinch if you don’t like the feel of an inflatable pillow.
Pack travel-size toiletries.
Full-size toiletries take up a large amount of space in your luggage and are also heavy enough to weigh your suitcase down. Get a set of travel-size toiletry bottles and transfer your essentials into them to free up extra space. Then, seal them in a waterproof bag to prevent leaks.
Bring an empty water bottle.
Stay hydrated and avoid price gouging at airports by bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it up after going through security. While we love sturdy stainless steel water bottles, they are quite heavy, so many people prefer plastic or even collapsible reusable water bottles.
Put essentials in your carry-on.
Sadly, checked luggage is more likely to be lost than a carry-on, and even an AirTag case won’t make it materialize out of thin air. That’s why we recommend packing essentials such as medication and travel documents in your carry-on, as well as at least one change of clothes.
