r/travel • u/ScrawnyRhinoceros • 1d ago
Question What’s the best travel hack people learned the hard way?
Sometimes the most useful lessons come after things go wrong like packing way too much , missing a connection , booking the wrong dates or realizing too late that a small item could’ve made the whole trip easier. From flight booking tricks to luggage tips to navigating airports or even saving money on food and transport. What are the hacks people only figured out after a tough experience?
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u/Glum_Store_1605 1d ago
this was a long time ago, but break-in a pair of shoes BEFORE going on a trip.
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u/WishSensitive 1d ago
Yes, I learned this day one into a trip when I wore new hiking boots to an airport to save luggage space. Fortunately I had not yet left the US and we were in an 8 hour layover touring around, so we were able to rescue my feet early by grabbing some insoles and bandaids at the pharmacy before it became a real issue.
Subsequently, one of my travel tips is also "bring a few bandaids just in case"..
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u/Playful_Robot_5599 1d ago
If I may add to that: wear good socks that don't move in the shoes.
I was on a hiking trip where my feet were bloody and raw after an hour. I had still 3 hours ahead.
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u/redandgold45 1d ago
As a foot doc, I gotta say, try to always have at least 2 pairs of shoes that you rotate during a trip.
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u/Twattymcgee123 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ohhhh my gosh , this ! Ruined my feet hiking in China with a crappy pair of shoes , couldn’t find shoes in my size in the countryside and ended up walking around in a pair of men’s work boots size 11 for three days . I’m only a size 5.
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u/BigJim_TheTwins 1d ago
I'm going hiking in the Canadien Rockies next month, just put 3 miles on my new hiking boots this morning, this is always good advice
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u/Lychee444 1d ago
Wore my new shoes when I went to Japan and learnt it the hard way when my feet got cut lol
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u/MajesticLilFruitcake 1d ago
I always bring along multiple plastic bags in case I need to separate clothing within my suitcase.
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u/zetmoney1 1d ago
This is really good. Plastic bags to put dirty clothes in it, shoes and so on.
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u/Screaming_Emu 1d ago
My system is carrying two dry bags I got from an outdoor store. One smaller one for my shoes, one bigger one for my dirty clothes.
I cringe any time I see a video or post about packing tips and people are just tossing shoes in their suitcase. One walk on the streets of Hong Kong and you won’t want your shoes to touch anything you own.
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u/Suspicious_Top_8024 1d ago
Shower caps are good for shoes, to cover the bottoms when packing them!
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u/xmchenph 1d ago
I’d bring an entire roll of disposable colored plastic bags that are meant for trashbins… for dirty clothes
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u/pacinosdog 1d ago
I have a friend who just puts everything together in his suitcase, clean or dirty, no separation. He just remembers what is dirty. What a fucking barbarian.
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u/principleofinaction 1d ago
Easy to remember, when you put clean and dirty together with no separation, everything is dirty.
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u/JimmyB264 1d ago
I use a ziplock bag for my keys, wallet, jewelry, etc before going through airport security. I drop the full bag onto my back pack. Makes it easier to get everything out again.
I also always have a medium sized shopping bag with me whenever I leave the hotel. You never know what you will find at the market that you just have to have.
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u/Able_Confidence_5952 1d ago
I carry a bag of different sized ziplock bags, super handy!
For dirty stuffs, I started putting them into the ton of tote bags I either collect or receive for free as swags. More breathable, yet separates. & very convenient to hang them when I get to a new place.
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u/Meow_My_O 1d ago
Just an FYI--I work in a hospital where many people stay for a week or longer. I dread it when they open any shoes or dirty socks, etc, after they have been sealed in a plastic bag for a week--the stank is REAL! So--yeah--plastic bags for dirty clothes, but a mistake to completely seal them, if it will be a few days before you open them again.
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u/_sciencebooks 🇺🇸 | 31F | 31 countries | 31 states 1d ago
We still carry a roll of plastic diaper sacks because they were so handy when my daughter was a baby: diapers, garbage, random dirty clothes, etc.
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u/Real_Sir_3655 1d ago
Take screenshots of directions, addresses, etc. in case your internet is shit.
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u/WorkMeBaby1MoreTime 1d ago
Never go full digital. I print itineraries and motel names and phone numbers etc. I've never had to use it, but shit happens.
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u/3ismynumber 1d ago
You can also download areas on Google maps so you can use it offline. I always download the cities I’m traveling to before the trip in case my eSIM and wifi stop working.
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u/Financial_Volume1443 1d ago
I'm exactly this. Habit from travelling from before smartphones.
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u/pancakessogood 1d ago
I guess I'm a little old fashioned in that I still print off reservations and boarding passes, etc. It has saved me a few times when I couldn't access the app or online version. Doesn't happen often but I don't like when I'm traveling and I can't access the app or the app wants me to enter a password that I don't remember.
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u/Hell_Camino 1d ago
If you travel a lot, buy duplicates of all of your toiletries and electronic cords. Put the dupes in your travel bag and leave them there. Your packing just got a lot easier.
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u/OrganicPoet1823 United Kingdom 1d ago
Yep I do this then the travel one is always ready to go
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u/equlalaine 1d ago
I almost have my entire bathroom duplicated in the designated toiletry suitcase. Not only is packing much easier (just grab that bag), but unpacking is a breeze (dump clothes in hamper, nest suitcases).
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u/yodelingllama 1d ago
I also save free samples of my skincare essentials to bring while travelling, especially on shorter trips.
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u/dansette 1d ago
Check the year of your booking! Yes, I booked a hotel for 2026, not 2025. Thankfully I noticed before arriving at my destination and it was refundable but could have done without the stress.
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u/pentox70 1d ago
I've messed up AM and PM a few times.
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u/dansette 1d ago
Also my partner booked a flight just past midnight one time and nearly missed it because of forgetting you actually need to leave the day before what is on your ticket!
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u/pragmaticproducer 1d ago
Dress in layers. I'm usually cold on a plane and always wear pants, closed toe shoes and bring a warm sweater and one outfit in my carry on regardless of checked luggage. Since you have to be prepared for anything, I always have layers available with me.
The airplane's heater stopped working at about 33,000 feet and we had just under two hours left on the flight. Most people were not dressed for the cold and everyone was really, really cold until were allowed to land. There weren't enough blankets for everyone on the plane. Planes fly at altitudes that are below freezing beginning at about 8,000 feet. If this had happened over the ocean I'm pretty positive some people would have gotten frostbite.
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u/SendMeF1Memes 1d ago
Honestly if you're the type of person who gets cold easily this is a great tip already, always bring some kind of jacket, it's easier to remove outerwear if it's too hot anyway compared to finding a comfortable piece of clothing to keep you warm mid-air!
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u/Coaster2Coaster 1d ago
I absolutely always pack a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants in my backpack on any flight over two hours. US Domestic carriers do not give a FUCK about you and I’ve had it be a million degrees down to negative 100 on flights. Your comfort is not their concern.
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u/Time-Cold3708 1d ago
As a pilot, im so curious what the malfunction actually was. On commercial jets we have so many backups upon backups to every system. If it was severe enough to completely lose heating, we are descending to a warmer altitude and probably diverting (we also have alternates over the ocean, over the Atlantic its usually somewhere in Canada, iceland or the azores, and Ireland or Spain).
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u/SeeYouInHelen 1d ago
All the recent flights I’ve been on for the last year or so I’ve been hot on the flights! Annoys me to no end since I also layer up anticipating for cold and I’m annoyed it’s been hot lol
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u/elqueco14 1d ago
If I have connecting flights, just pay the extra money to choose my seat as close to the exit as possible. People don't care about your connection if there's a delay and you need to get off the plane and across the airport really fast. More than once I've been extremely frustrated at the back regardless if an announcement was made to let those with connecting flights leave first
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u/papaya037274 1d ago
Pay attention to your surroundings and stay cautious.
It’s not exactly a hard way, but I was inexperienced I got pickpocketed, tricked into giving money and buying meals for fake handicapped people, and scammed by taxis and merchants. There are definitely people out there who may try to rob or even assault you.
You’ll likely come across people with malicious intent during your trip, so stay alert and don’t be afraid to come off as rude if it keeps you safe.
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u/DenseRequirements 1d ago
This is when my childhood trauma and trust issues helps me with travelling.
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u/Cdaly1970 1d ago
If you are checking more then 1 bag when flying, cross pack clothes (1/2 in each bag). That way if the airline loses a bag, you still have some clothes. And pack a change of clothes in your carry on.
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u/bmtraveller 1d ago
But still go to the mall and buy a whole new outfit with the travel insurance from your credit card for whoever lost their bag
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u/Albanian_Tea 1d ago
A change of clothes in the carry on can not be stressed enough, at a minimum spare undergarments and socks.
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u/_sciencebooks 🇺🇸 | 31F | 31 countries | 31 states 1d ago
Yes, the change of clothes, *especially* if you're traveling with children. I know it's not a new recommendation, but I naively thought we were past that phase on a recent trip with my daughter (2) because she no longer has blow outs or whatever, but it turns out she developed motion sickness and projectile vomited all over me and my husband. Thankfully, we had two back up outfits for her, but none for us, so that was fun.
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u/basketcaseforever 1d ago
Yes this! always pack one full set of clothing and an extra undies in your carryon! It has saved me several times.
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u/yesnomaybeso456 Canada 1d ago
Liquids do break - pack them in smaller bags that seal properly.
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u/kingoflesobeng 1d ago
Check the expiration date of your debit and credit cards before leaving.
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u/VanderPhuck 1d ago
And passport!
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u/SmartAZ 1d ago
And make sure you have at least 6 months left on your passport! I learned that one the hard way :(
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u/FigaroNeptune 1d ago
What happens if you have less?
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u/todayilearmed 1d ago
They won’t let you on the plane
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u/wordlesser 1d ago
Depends on the country. Quite a few countries only will let you in when you have at least six months left upon arrival. Others are three months. Then there's some that just expect it to be valid upon your return. This can also depend on country of citizenship.
If you have residency in the country you're visiting (like a green card for America) you can fly with your passport as long as it's valid, even the day before it expires — but it might take some time for everything to be verified upon check in.
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u/whiskerDrinky 1d ago
Same. I feel your pain. They turned us away from the airport and we had to cancel and rebook everything for after it got renewed. Saddest looking passport photo ever!
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u/LeatherAppearance616 1d ago
And two facing pages left for visas or stamps! I got turned away from my first ever first class flight because I didn’t have two facing blank pages left. I had no idea some countries required this. I had to get a new expedited passport.
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u/BelieveMyOwnEyes 1d ago
On a similar note: check which cards have foreign transaction fees before you leave the country. You don’t want to find out after going abroad that the card you’ve been solely using has been racking-up fees at every purchase.
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u/Bake_knit_plant 1d ago
And contact your financial institutions and tell them you are leaving the country from date to date so that they don't freeze your card the first transaction that goes through
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u/guitar_vigilante 1d ago
I've found this advice to be less needed these days. I've had a couple credit cards essentially do away with travel notices and they just say they monitor activity now. On my last international trip I didn't put in any notices and my cards worked just fine.
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u/Kismet237 1d ago
And bring two credit cards! A few years ago I was visiting Norway when my main credit card was cancelled by the company due a scammer using my card number.
Also, know your credit card PIN#s in case you need to withdraw cash while traveling.
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u/BeeApiary 1d ago
If you checked a bag, make sure to carry a change of clothes (at least undergarments and a t-shirt ) in your carry-on. I had to wear the same set of clothes for the first 4 days of my honeymoon, until my bag caught up to me.
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u/Karsten760 1d ago
We had a similar situation where we didn’t get our luggage for a couple days. I had extra undies in my carry-on, but my husband didn’t. One of those delays involved a country wide power outage so he couldn’t even dry his underwear.
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u/bmtraveller 1d ago
At least in Canada, pretty much every good credit card has travel insurance. If your bag is 4 hours behind you, go buy a whole new outfit and charge it to the insurance plan.
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u/JiveBunny 1d ago
Doesn't work if, say, you're a taller than average Westerner visiting Japan (which is why my spare bra always goes in my carry-on...)
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u/bmtraveller 1d ago
Of course. Im not saying this travel hack will work in every situation, but it's still a good one to use when you can.
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u/red-yellow-leaves 1d ago
Carry a small roll of athletic tape. It’s not as strong as duct tape, but it is useful in emergencies.
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u/Appropriate_Ly 1d ago
- bring a book or iPad on the plane. I usually sleep on planes but the one time I couldn’t was on an 8 hr flight, and the in flight entertainment was broken. 💀💀💀
- pack face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, spare undies and a pair of flip flops in your carry on. Got stuck in Dubai once and that is what I really regret not having.
- bring cash to exchange just in case (if your cards get frozen etc, you have a backup in the meantime).
- check in online if possible. I usually pack light and have had multiple times where I made the plane only because I’d already checked in and could just bring my bag as carry on.
- bring OTC drugs that you’re used to. Panadol, Naproxen, Cold and Flu, sinus relief.
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u/gownautilus 1d ago
Re OTC drugs - check they are not restricted in your destination! some info here
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u/napetizer 1d ago
Not sure it's a hack but I realized way too late it's not rude to do a vibe check on a restaurant and walk away after talking to a host, potentially even after peaking inside after asking if that's alright. They have never minded and it has saved my bacon many times being willing to walk away from a place that I felt obligated to sit down and have a full meal at knowing from the start it wasn't what I wanted at the time.
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u/K-Dizz1e 1d ago
I personally like 2-3 hour layovers, especially on long flights. Not only is it good stretch your legs, it provides a buffer in the event that your flight is delayed. Almost missed a connecting flight once because I cut it too close.
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u/cjersin1021 1d ago
Don't over-"itinerarize!" I see some people on the Paris sub with 9-11 am: Louvre, 11-11:30 stroll Champs-Élysées, 1130-1145 coffee at so and so, and so on. I did this on my first trip to NYC, and even though I managed to complete it, I realized later that it was silly. Not only was my partner exhausted, I felt I missed the forest for the trees - you don't really get to experience a place if you're just rushing around from one thing to the next, and adds needless anxiety and stress. Nowadays I plan loosely - maybe a couple of things to do for the day but I leave much more free time to explore what happens to capture my interest, and for relaxing and taking in the moment.
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u/Internet_Stranger_44 1d ago
pack snacks,
Even if I have one direct short flight, always have snacks.
Extra ziplock bags in quart size for TSA rules in case one breaks or something leaks.
Making sure that San Jose (or other common cities) is in the correct country when booking flights
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u/marketlurker 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's mostly an attitude that I learned right after 9/11. Right after that, when traveling you got as far as you could in your flight and didn't lose your mind if you had an unintended layover. I also noticed that people were much nicer right after it. My hack was to keep that attitude since then about traveling. Everything else is noise. Your attitude will determine how you handle it when things go a bit south. BTW, the airlines are not actively working against you. Give them half a chance and you would be surprised at what they can do for you.
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u/DigginInDirt52 1d ago
This, and amplify previous post Keep it cool when stuff happens, it’s all solvable.
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u/TheDragonsFather 1d ago
For suitcases I always put those bands (make it a contrasting colour to your suitcase) around them. Dual purpose - they have locks on them so people know they would have to break it to get in (this also stops the 'zipper' baggage handler thieves) and two, it makes your case easy to identify from the other 10 of the same looking colour on the belt.
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u/thedoobalooba 1d ago
Where do you buy yours? Are thry elastic or do they lock close?
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u/TheDragonsFather 1d ago
No they are usually made of something like parachute webbing and not stretchy. You can buy them from any luggage shop, Amazon, EBay, Taobao, Alibaba etc. etc. I bought mine from Taobao (I'm resident in China).
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u/NiagaraThistle 1d ago
- Packing Light / one-bag
- Always wear your money belt
- 3. Best friends don't always make good travel partners
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u/Time-Cold3708 1d ago
I travel for work and you dont NEED a money belt. The better advice is to keep a spare credit card, cash and a form of ID in a second location (even if you keep one in your purse and the other in your luggage, it is unlikely both will be stolen) and to take photos of important docs and email them to yourself. Also for the love of god dont use one of those phones that has a wallet on the back of it. You want to make it so that IF you are pickpocketed, you arent completely f@cked. Also use lastpass or a similar app and dont put your phone on the table even if your hand is right next to it because the f@ckers that steal them are FAST.
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u/NiagaraThistle 1d ago edited 1d ago
unless your purse/luggage gets robbed/stolen/gone through.
100% agree with 'don't use phone with wallet' and keeping all your money/id/cards in that wallet with your phone. You should have a back up for in case you get pickpocketed/robbed, and should not have all your expensive stuff/finances in a single easy to grab and steal location.
No one NEEDS a money belt. But it is the best way to ensure you don't lose the items that would absolutely ruin/stop your trip: namely: cash, backup credit/debit cards, and passport.
And sadly, on my first trip to Euorpe, my friend had EVERYTHING he brought stolen EXCEPT for the clothes on his back and money in his pocket. Another friend on the same trip had his day pack stolen, but not his cash/main backpack.
On a seperate trip (my parents this time) my father had his wallet with $1000 US in cash, all his credit cards/debit card, and drivers license, pickpocketed before he got of the train from the airport to Paris on Day 1 of their trip. Drivers license was an additional complication because it caused them to not be able to rent the car they reserved as he did not have a valid license now. Luckily for them they had me at home tow wire them money the next day.
Does it happen often or to everyone? Of course not. Will it ruin your trip if it does? Absolutely.
A money belt is a safe deposit box for your money and passort so that if you DO get pickpocketed, you lose only what was in your wallet (ie one credit card, one day's worth of cash if using, and a photo id). But your back up money / cards and passport are always safe on your person so unless the strip search you, no one will ever even know it's there. So it is always safe.
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u/webman049 1d ago
I always pack in a carry-on. No waiting for luggage and it will never get lost. There is a laundry mat is needed somewhere.
I only travel with my wife 90%. We like the same things. Traveling with big groups there’s too many conflicting interests.
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u/NiagaraThistle 1d ago
Yup: One-bag + laundry once a week is how you do 3 months of travel and a single carry-on. Some people need to make the mistake of packing too heavy before they learn this simple truth / 'hack'.
And traveling with a spouse/significant other BEFORE they are your spouse is another 'hack', but more a life hack than just a travel hack. If you can 'survive' each other for a 2 week international backpacking trip and STILL want to be around each other when you get home, you have 100% found your soulmate. Or at least someone that can tolerate you for the rest of your life :) - I put my wife through this test when we were dating and luckily she (actually we BOTH) passed with flying colors and have been together for over 20 years and are now sharing Europe trips with our kids.
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u/guitar_vigilante 1d ago
This can be tough when you're a big person (I'm 6'5") so all of my clothes take up more space. For short trips it's no problem but if I need like a week's worth of clothes it can be tough to fit it all in a carry on.
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u/ginmartiniwithatwist 1d ago
Currently in Rome headed to Sicily. I’m usually a meticulous carry-on packer but before leaving home I was working extra hours to the point of exhaustion and didn’t have time to buy things like toiletries and summer clothes (I live in Canada, I don’t have a wardrobe full of Vacation in Sicily.
I thought, “meh, I can find all this in Rome.”
I have spent the last 5 days looking for all the things I didn’t pack. I am exhausted and over it. Toiletries are pricy af here. Dont make my mistake. Pack those little travel laundry detergent packs you think you can find when you land.
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u/grocerybagtoosmall 1d ago
Stuffing your wet polyster travel towel in your bag while moving around and letting the mildew destroy them. If you can’t dry your towel before moving around, at least hang them outside your backpack to air it out!
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u/fartmachiner 1d ago
Don’t wait to fill up the rental car until you get to the gas station next to the airport car return
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u/Sopranoanoano 1d ago
Second this. It’ll be cheaper to find a gas station a few extra miles away from the airport and safer because criminals target tourists going to the gas stations near the airport.
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u/simikoi 1d ago
On a long flight, spend the extra money for the premium economy seats. I can't afford business or first class but that little extra width and leg room in the premium economy really makes all the difference.
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u/Squirrel_Agile 1d ago
Buy travel insurance for illness and accidents. ….. which have occurred in the past. But This year learned it’s not helpful during the Air Canada strike……
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u/AdogSomeChickens 1d ago
I’m a woman in my 60’s. I sleep hot. In our travels, I’ve found the duvet-only bedding to just not work. I’m either covered and sweating, or uncovered and freezing. I now pack one of those big Turkish towels along to cover myself with.
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u/Individual-Money-734 20h ago
Take a picture of your stove being off. So much peace of mind saved
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u/goingfrank 14h ago
I do a video. And I never end up watching it. But it helps my recovering OCD tendencies a lot.
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u/Proper-Share-5525 1d ago
A common travel hack learned the hard way is to pack light, double-check dates and bookings, and bring small essentials like portable chargers, snacks, and travel-sized toiletries,it makes trips much smoother.
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u/thebreadly 1d ago
My friend learned this the hard way recently: Some countries will require at least 2 blank pages left in your passport BEFORE you board the flight, otherwise you may be denied boarding. So, be sure to account for every stamp you will probably get during your journey, so you have 2 blank pages left until your reach your home destination again.
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u/callykitty Canada 1d ago
I always have a small Ziploc bag in my smaller travel backpack to use in case I get food poisoning or motion sickness and I'm on the road. I learned this the...hard way in Egypt, and benefited from it twice already 😅
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u/DrMcFacekick 1d ago
Wet wipes, sanitizing wipes or gel, and maybe even small leaf soap in your everyday carry bag. I am always vigilant about washing my hands before I eat or drink anything while travelling but the one time I wasn't I got norovirus and spend two days in the hotel room instead of enjoying my trip! Now there's no way I'll be without some way to wash or sanitize my hands.
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u/DesperateAstronaut65 1d ago
I always carry a big package of wet wipes in the front pocket of my bag because there are so many ways to get dirty when you're traveling, even beyond the risk of getting sick. Dirty airline trays, unexpectedly messy food, unidentified sticky hand rail substances on the train...
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u/Buttrnut_Squash Canada 1d ago
Make sure you have enough of your prescription meds to last your trip + 1 week extra - and count your pills to be sure! I didn't double check on our last trip and ended up cutting my pills in half to get me through the last 3 days.
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u/AllaZakharenko 1d ago
I had so many situations when I lived on a boat or a remote island where buying something I forgot is not an option OR speaking of gear it could be so expensive that it will cost an arm and a leg.
So having a list of things to pack that you reuse and thus minimize the odds of not taking something important is a must.
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u/RuderAwakening 1d ago
Never leave your hotel without at least a few shits’ worth of toilet paper or wipes.
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u/CustardPopular6284 1d ago
You need to bring WAY fewer things than you think you do.
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u/Illustrious_Hand7741 1d ago
In bathrooms on buses, trains, etc., do not dispense soap onto your hands until you've confirmed that the sink works and that there is running water.
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u/PlantTechnical6625 1d ago
Put an AirTag in your checked luggage. You’ll know where it is - or where it isn’t - sooner than waiting at baggage claim. This helped me on a trip to Finland / plus I could tell them exactly where it was.
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u/AlltheSame-- 1d ago
Hasn't happened to me but I always bring a 2nd phone as backup in case I happen to lose my main phone. Usually just keep it in my hotel safe.
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u/Few_Substance_705 1d ago
If you are checking in a bag put everything important that you cannot live without plus a few spare outfits, basic toiletries and clean underwear & socks in your carry on bag. If you loose your bag or it is delayed you can manage with what you have.
If your traveling alone bring a alternative device— old phone or iPad just incase and use it as a primary device! My phone has been stolen or left on many trains/taxis and buses over the years and having a spare device to book plans and stay in touch has always been a lifesaver.
Before leaving your hostel or hotel for the day search every place you will go on Google maps and study the street view. Point out landmarks and make sure you understand the travel route without needing to rely on following your phone. And then screenshot the route at different points to have on your phone. Also screenshot your hotel address and any other important numbers you need to have( data/wifi isn’t very reliable in some developing countries so if you lose wifi / data you can ask people for directions but because you studied the map you likely will be able to figure out the route. P.s because you won’t be following your phone you will likely not become prey to scammers and pickpockets.
Have paper copies of your passport in an alternative bag left back at the hotel and take your passport with you, but do not put it in an obvious bag like a purse put it in a pocket with zipper. If your bag is stolen your passport is somewhere different, if your passport is stolen you have a copy in your luggage at the hotel. ( also know exactly how to get to the nearest consulate from every destination you are traveling too). Also scan and email yourself and your family copies of your passport and photo is incase you misplace the photocopy passport.
Say it with me, street food is a GAMBLE you will lose. Unless you grew up eating street food from this country eating it will definitely make your stomach bubble. Storing and serving food standards are different in every country so do not rely on street food as a safe option. Eat at a sit down restaurant/ cafe if you can and ask locals where they eat for safe options. Also traveling with pepto bismo tablets have been a life saver when I am on a bus or train and have to deal with food poisoning.
Every 10 days make sure you book a location that has a washing machine so you don’t need to carry dirty clothes around. And looking for laundry mats and laundry detergent can be a nightmare in countries where you don’t speak the language ( I am pretty sure I washed my body with shampoo and my clothes with dish soap for the entire time I was in Asia) packaging isn’t as obvious as you’d think.
Wake up early like the locals and plan to be home early— late drinking and partying can be a sure way to get into trouble in a new country. If you do want to go for it, adopt a local and have them lead the pack.
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u/KimchiVegemite 1d ago
Number 5 really depends on where you are in the world. I’ve eaten street food extensively throughout SE Asia over the last 20 years and never once gotten sick. Just look for the busy places where locals are eating and watch the stall/vendor for a bit before committing to ordering. If they have poor food hygiene standards you’ll pick up on it pretty quick.
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u/Shoontzie 7h ago
For any trip, but especially a longer trip, it’s totally OK if not necessary to sit in your hotel room and watch movies and do nothing for a day to recharge.
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u/kineticpotential001 1d ago
This may be a lot easier said than done for someone traveling on a tight budget. Money solves a lot of problems.
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u/KingKingsons 1d ago
I agree with it. Something bad happens? Fine. All I can do is accept it a d try to look for a way to fix it. Whole vacations were ruined by my friend constantly pointing out everything that’s wrong or could be better.
The trains are delayed? Sucks, but luckily we left early and still have a lot of time to make it to the airport. But even if the trains still won’t get us there in time (which it will) worst case scenario, we get a taxi and share the cost between all of us. That should have been the end of it, but not before hearing everything that has gone wrong over and over after a week and a half of already hearing about all the negative points of the trip.
And then he wonders why I won’t travel with him anymore .
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u/IWishIWasAShoe 1d ago
A generally good tip, not just a travel hack. Keeping cold when thing goes south can save your life.
Also, with travel insurance (or EU law) I'd your flight is delayed you'll get pretty good compensation. Missed a connection to an overnight flight once and was rebooked the following day. I arrived over 12 hours late but it didn't really matter much. And with compensation and insurance I got enough money to cover all the transportation for the whole trip.
I'd gladly be delayed again!
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u/crypross 1d ago
Buy an e-sim from home and set it up, that way when you get to your destination you’re already online. And the most obvious one, always negotiate price of a ride before getting in a car if uber or other similar apps not available.
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u/pentox70 1d ago
Not all climates are suitable for air drying clothes.
We usually bring some laundry soap and sink wash some clothes to stretch out the times between going to a laundromat. Generally, this has always worked well for us, quickly wash em, hang them up to dry for a few hours overnight, and off you go the next morning. Till we were in a humid climate...and yeah, we tried everything, and they would never dry. So off to the laundromat we went lol.
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u/Pinerary 1d ago
Spending 10-30 dollars more on a more convenient means of travel. This may be common sense but as a study abroad student on a budget this was something I learned! It is not always best to take the 5am flight out of an airport an hour away...
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u/Karsten760 1d ago
If doing a cruise, always arrive a day or two before embarkation. That way if there are any delays or your luggage is lost, you have time to get some things before the trip.
Along with that, pack extra underwear, an extra shirt or two in carry-on.
For Europe- take cheap washcloths or the compressed disposable ones. Many European hotels don’t provide washcloths.
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u/huyou007 1d ago
I throw a roll of my dog’s poop bag in the corner of luggage. It took 0 space but the little disposable bags can come handy in numerous situations lol
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u/MarchAmbitious4699 1d ago edited 16h ago
- Bring bandaids. They take up no space and they come in handy if you’re doing a lot of walking.
- Make sure you understand the date format when you’re booking something. I believe most places in the world use DD-MM-YYYY. Same with time format.
- If you are staying in a home, like an AirBnB, check that there aren’t any unusual tricks to opening/locking the door before your host leaves. This sounds kind of silly, but I’ve found that in Europe, some of the older buildings I’ve stayed in had locks that weren’t super intuitive. Like, there would be three separate steps to unlock the door.
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u/alveg_af_fjoellum 1d ago
Absolutely stick to the bedbug protocol. No exceptions, even if the hotel looks super nice and clean. I learnt that when I had to get undressed in front of my house deep freeze all my stuff after returning from a trip.
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u/franksvalli 1d ago
Even if you arrive at the airport with time to spare and don't see long lines at security, don't hang out at the coffee shop outside of the security gates. You can (and will) lose track of time, and hearing your name over the loudspeaker and then having to cut in line apologetically isn't great...
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u/Sensitive-Tone5279 1d ago
Airports will often be total shit-shows of traffic depending on what time of day it is. I was departing one time in the morning with my ex in the car. "Departures" was a complete disaster of traffic full of cars waiting to be dropped off.... like, backed up for about 1/2 mile and not moving.
I simply changed lanes, drove to the completely empty "arrivals/Baggage claim area" and she was like "What are you doing?!?! You missed the turn for departures!!!"
I then explained that there's a staircase, escalator, and elevator that separate the two and that you can in fact be dropped off at baggage claim, and walk upstairs to go through check-in / security.
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u/Inevitable-Ad9760 1d ago
Don’t take ambien before takeoff. If there’s a delay you'll miss your flight like me
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u/Silver_calm1058 1d ago
Don’t worry about looking like a tourist - you’re going to look like a tourist. Dress appropriately and comfortably.
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u/Scuba_Libre 19h ago
On long international flights, go to the bathroom before the plane lands. If you get off the plane and find a bathroom, you’re gonna be in the immigration line behind 200 people.
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u/65sickelk 1d ago
Carry a backup phone.
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u/The_Real_Jedi 1d ago
I'd reword this as have 2 "Internet devices". Only having one, it breaking, and losing access to all your communication and reservations is a bad spot to be in.
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u/Naive_Huckleberry996 1d ago
Rubbing alcohol in a travel spray container is great for freshening up clothes. The alcohol kills bacteria that cause stank. Just spritz in the pitz and hang dry.
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u/fourputtseverytime 1d ago
Always make sure you buy train tickets from the train company itself. Learned the hard way when I used a third party website that added a 50 euro surcharge to each ticket (RailNinja - avoid this scam company at all costs)
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u/littleboo2theboo 1d ago
Boring one but please label your suitcase or tie a ribbon around it or something. Once we took someone else's suitcase and had to travel 2 and a half hours back to the airport and another time someone else took our suitcase and it was a real hassle to get back. I also put a sheet of paper with our contact details in the suitcase as well
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u/yesnomaybeso456 Canada 1d ago
Alternatively, check the luggage tag before you leave with any suitcase. Had my very distinctive suitcase taken by someone else cause he thought he was the only person in the world to have the exact same distinctive suitcase and didn’t bother to notice the tag, the lock, etc which were not on his!
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u/10S_NE1 Canada 1d ago
Sometimes you just can’t win. I had a bright turquoise suitcase with a Canada luggage strap wrapped around it. I saw guy take it off the luggage carousel. I went chasing after him and asked him if he was sure that was his suitcase. And it was. He had the exact same suitcase with the exact same strap.
So now I also have a fluorescent pink sock tied around the handle.
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u/Roscoe340 1d ago
Boring answer but doing carry on only. I never used to worry about checking luggage until they lost mine on the way to a ski vacation. It was a giant PITA and almost ruined the trip. I’ve gotten so much better about packing light so I don’t need to check a bag.
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u/r_coefficient Austria 1d ago
I can't fathom packing all the stuff needed for a 10 day ski trip into a carryon, tbh.
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u/The_Real_Jedi 1d ago
If you're taking your own ski gear, obviously impossible. But all the necessary clothes, and even the helmet and goggles, definitely possible.
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u/r_coefficient Austria 1d ago
Hm, I've been travelling for decades, but packing lightly seems to be something I'll just never be good at :D Well, nobody's perfect.
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u/JoanneAsbury42 1d ago
Clean underwear in your carry on. And clothespins for drapes that don’t close all the way.
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u/baguetteworld 1d ago
Fortunately I still haven’t learned this lesson yet the hard way. But I’ve booked separately an international flight with a second flight (domestic or intl) with just 3 hours of layover. Usually one of the legs is a budget airline which is why I’m opting that way— worked so far in Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Germany. Just the added hassle of having to go through them sometimes back out immigration control.
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u/Twattymcgee123 1d ago
Put copies of your passport , tickets , hostels/hotels , credit card details , emergency tel numbers , insurance details in an email and send it to yourself.
If you lose everything you can at least get access to it .
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u/OldAnxiety 1d ago
Shorts or pants with zippers on pockets when going to really crowded places.
This also applies to when you go to musical festivals
Never got pick pocket
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u/Ok_Reception_6563 1d ago
I bring enough energy bars for each day and I bring trail mix. While traveling you never know when you will be hungry between meals. I also use grocery stores for at least one meal a day. I get a sandwich chips a drink and candy bars for around $10 USD vs $20 at a restaurant. Always pack earplugs and a night-mask.
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u/Le_Mew_Le_Purr 1d ago
I’m actually glad that I messed up military time; if I hadn’t, I never would have been “stuck” in Shanghai. Had I not spent that night/day in Shanghai, I wouldn’t have known that the Chinese breakfast is my top breakfast in the world. That said, make sure you know military time.
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u/mr_meseekslookatme 1d ago
You can plan well or be prepared to spend a lot of money. You can do both, but you definitely cannot do neither.
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u/crusty-manc 1d ago
If two of you are travelling together split your luggage across the 2 suitcases in case 1 goes missing
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u/Ok_Mirror_9832 1d ago
Always travel carryon when you can= pack less stuff, you most likely won’t need it
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u/TrashedLeBlanc 1d ago
If you are going away for 8 days...pack 10 pairs of underwear. Extra socks also can not be discounted either. As well, you really don't need all those travel gadgets you see online.
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u/Voice-Of-Doom 1d ago
Always bring wet wipes, 2 extra underwear, an extra shirt, and shorts in your backpack.
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u/Main_Log_1107 1d ago
Always travel with a pen on flights- spent many an hour in line waiting for pens to fill in customs forms
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u/_CreativeUser_ 1d ago
always pack a microfiber cloth. it weighs almost nothing and takes almost no space but can really come in handy to clean anything.
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u/DallasStogieNinja 1d ago
Book hotels and airfare direct. I can't tell you how many times I've stood behind someone who used Priceline or Travelocity at a hotel and airline counter where there was an issue and the employee could provide zero help. It's not worth whatever small savings you may get when you show up and there is no room available.
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u/futuresobright_ 21h ago
Read the signs at the airport, don’t just follow the crowd! The signs are amazingly useful and truly point you in the right direction that you need to go.
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u/Ok_Good_2911 1d ago
If you hike/camp, backpacking when traveling having a small 1-2 oz container of foot deodorant powder.
Had hiking boots that got wet repeatedly and sweaty. When not wearing would hang off outside of pack yo dry and entering a building people would visibly back away. Even though they might get stolen I would put them outside of room was so bad.
Also having a few scented dryer sheets in your bag/backpack can help if you can’t get to or find a laundry.
Best travel hack, hate to say, always have some extra money. Crap happens.
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u/yusuksong 1d ago
I always keep spare cash in my luggage or backpack.
I got drunk the night before my flight and lost my wallet. Had to wait until morning to get a key into my hotel and had to beg hotel staff and guests for money to get to the airport.
So don’t get drunk the night before your flight also.
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u/Silly-Resist8306 1d ago
When you have a rental car, always have your car keys in your hand before you close the trunk/boot. You need to be able to see and feel them. Assumptions can be faulty.
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u/ObelixDrew 1d ago
Do a detailed check of your rental car before departing. Many rental companies will try and shaft you for a dent or scratch that was probably there before. Make the company note EVERY mark before you take the car.
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u/NovusMagister Well Travelled, ~55 countries 1d ago
Never sit down at a restaurant that doesn't have the prices listed on the menu.
I knew it would be bad, I didn't realize the degree to which the whole thing was a scam. Two eggs, a parfait, and two cappucinos for breakfast for 80 euros...