Key Takeaways:

• Plan ahead and book flexible options to save money and avoid stress.
• Use tools like Skyscanner, SafetyWing, and Booking.com for best deals.
• Pack smart with essential gear like a quality backpack and versatile clothing.
• Take advantage of local advice and apps for a smoother travel experience.
• Embrace slow travel and be flexible to truly enjoy your adventures.

90 Travel Tips & Tricks To Save You Time, Money & Stress!
Are you ready for an adventure but worried about the logistics? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 90 travel tips and tricks to save you time, money, and stress. After more than five years of traveling the world and learning from our mistakes, we’re sharing our best advice. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, these tips will help you plan, save, and stay safe on your journey.

Travel Planning Tips

1. Take Out Annual Travel Insurance Travel insurance is essential for any trip. It’s a small investment that can save you a lot of money and hassle if something goes wrong. If you travel frequently, consider an annual policy or one that auto-renews monthly and can be paused when not needed, like SafetyWing. Ensure your policy covers COVID-19 and other unexpected events.

2. The Earlier You Book, The Cheaper The Flights Booking flights in advance can save you a significant amount of money. The sweet spot is usually around 4-6 months before your trip. Use flight comparison tools like Skyscanner to find the best deals and set up price alerts to get notified when prices drop.

3. Book Refundable Hotel Rooms Plans can change, and having the flexibility to cancel or change your hotel booking without losing money is crucial. Websites like Booking.com and Airbnb offer free cancellation options. Use comparison sites like CozyCozy to find the best deals and properties with flexible cancellation policies.

4. Start Preparing Your Trip At Least 6 Weeks Before You Go Visas, vaccinations, and booking popular tourist attractions can take time. Start your preparations at least six weeks before your trip to avoid last-minute stress. Services like Natvisa can simplify the visa application process, and booking sites like GetYourGuide can help you secure tickets to popular attractions in advance.

5. Book Vacation Time Well Before You Go Ensure you book your vacation time well in advance, especially if you’re planning a long trip. Consider extending weekends by taking Thursday or Monday off to maximize your travel days.

6. Bookmark Posts On Instagram To Remember Great Places To Visit Instagram is a fantastic source of travel inspiration. Save posts of places you’d like to visit. The location tags make it easy to find these spots when you’re planning your itinerary.

7. Bring More Than One Credit/Debit Card With You Traveling with only one bank card is risky. It can get lost, stolen, or simply not work at an ATM. Carry at least two or three cards, including a debit card, credit card, and a travel card like Monzo or Revolut, to ensure you always have access to your money.

8. Purchase A Quality Backpack Or Suitcase Investing in a high-quality backpack or suitcase will save you money in the long run. Look for durable brands like Osprey, Solgaard, or Tropicfeel, which offer products designed for travelers.

9. Allow At Least 1.5 Hours Between Connection Flights Leave enough time between connecting flights to account for delays and navigating through airports. 1.5 hours is usually a good buffer.

10. Use Skyscanner Before Booking Any Flight We have never booked a flight without using Skyscanner. It’s a flight comparison website that shows you the best possible flight combinations in terms of time and price. Plus, you can set up price alerts if you’re looking to buy flights at the cheapest price.

11. Book Tickets Online When Possible Booking tickets online for all aspects of travel has become very popular. We are in a digital age where paper isn’t really necessary. You can often find discounts and avoid queues by booking online.

12. Compare Tour Sites Before Booking (Klook/GYG/Viator) Tour prices can vary greatly between different websites. Always compare sites like GetYourGuide, Klook, and Viator before booking to get the best deal.

13. Use Rome2Rio To Make Planning Transfers A LOT Easier Rome2Rio is a fantastic website which lets you type in any two locations in the world and it will give you all the options of getting there, alongside the estimated cost.

14. Check Into Your Flight As Soon As It Opens To Get Seats Together It’s really annoying when you book flights with your friends or partners and the airline wants to charge you $30 a seat each so that you can sit together. But there is a way around it. Check in as soon as it opens to get seats together for free.

15. Use Facebook Groups For Local Experiences Facebook groups are a great resource for local travel advice, tips, and experiences. Look for groups related to your destination to find insider information and recommendations.

Packing Tips

16. Plan Your Clothing For All The Seasons You’ll Be Experiencing Pack for the weather and activities you’ll be doing. If you’re visiting multiple climates, make sure to pack versatile clothing that can be layered.

17. Don’t Bring More Than 2 Pairs Of Shoes Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes to save space and weight in your luggage. Choose versatile pairs like comfortable walking shoes and sandals or water shoes.

18. Bring Enough Underwear For At Least A Week Pack enough underwear for a week. This is especially important if you don’t plan on doing laundry often.

19. Bring Ear Plugs Ear plugs are useful for noisy hostels, flights, and busy cities. They’re essential for getting a good night’s sleep.

20. Pack A Small Towel With You Bring a lightweight, fast-drying towel for the days you are chasing waterfalls or by the beach and need to dry yourself off.

21. Don’t Bring Lots Of Hair Products/Body Wash Products With You You can buy these items when you arrive at your destination. Most accommodations provide basic toiletries.

22. Use Packing Cubes Packing cubes help keep your luggage organized and save space. They also make it easier to find specific items without unpacking everything.

23. Always Pack A Sarong A sarong is a versatile item that can be used as a cover-up, towel, or blanket. It’s especially useful for visiting religious sites that require modest dress.

24. Bring A Small Travel First Aid Kit Pack a small first aid kit with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic cream, and painkillers. It’s handy for minor injuries and illnesses.

25. Pack Your Backpack, Then Remove A Third Overpacking is a common mistake. Pack your bag, then remove a third of the items to ensure you’re only bringing essentials.

26. Bring Extra Memory Cards Carry extra memory cards for your camera to avoid running out of storage space for photos and videos.

27. Bring A Light Jacket Always bring a light jacket when travelling. Even in hot countries, it can get chilly in the evenings or in air-conditioned transport.

28. Test The Weight Of Your Backpack And Make Sure You Can Actually Carry It Before you leave, test the weight of your backpack to make sure you can carry it comfortably. Walk around with it to see if any adjustments are needed.

29. Carry A Small Bag Within Your Backpack For Dirty Laundry Keep your clean and dirty clothes separate by carrying a small bag for dirty laundry. This helps maintain hygiene and organization.

30. Bring Toilet Roll Tissues With You In some countries, toilet paper isn’t always available. Carry a small roll or pack of tissues with you to avoid any inconveniences.

31. Use A Packing List To Help You Pack Create a packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essentials. You can find many pre-made lists online to customize for your needs.

32. Bring An Universal Adapter A universal adapter is essential for charging your devices in different countries. Look for one that works in multiple regions and has USB ports.

Sightseeing Travel Tips

33. Don’t Overplan Every Detail (Learn To Go With The Flow) While it’s good to have a rough plan, overplanning can lead to stress. Be flexible and open to new experiences as they come.

34. Wake Up Early To Beat The Crowds Visiting popular attractions early in the morning helps you avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.

35. Only Carry What You Need When Sightseeing When out exploring, only carry the essentials to avoid the risk of losing valuable items. Keep your load light and your valuables secure.

36. Eat Local Trying local cuisine is one of the best parts of traveling. Ask locals for food recommendations and be adventurous with your food choices.

37. Bring A Decent Camera To Take Amazing Photos Invest in a good camera or use your smartphone to capture memories of your travels. Good photos are worth the investment.

38. Bring A GoPro If You’re Going Somewhere Water-Based A GoPro or similar action camera is perfect for capturing underwater adventures and action shots.

39. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Lost Sometimes getting lost leads to the best discoveries. Wander off the beaten path and explore new areas.

40. Try New Things (But Don’t Be Afraid To Say No) Traveling is about experiencing new things, but don’t feel pressured to do something you’re uncomfortable with. Trust your instincts.

41. Get Friendly With Locals Making friends with locals can enhance your travel experience. They can offer valuable insights and recommendations.

42. Be Respectful & Mindful Respect local customs, traditions, and dress codes. Being mindful of cultural differences helps you connect better with the local community.

43. Ask Permission When Taking Pictures Of Locals Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural or traditional areas. Respect their privacy and culture.

44. Bring A Power Bank With You When On Long Day Trips A power bank ensures your devices stay charged during long days out. It’s especially useful for navigation and taking photos.

45. Google Translate Can Be Useful When You’re Struggling To Communicate Google Translate is a handy tool for overcoming language barriers. Use it to learn basic phrases and communicate with locals.

46. Don’t Be Afraid To See The Generic Tourist Attractions Popular tourist attractions are famous for a reason. Don’t skip them just to avoid being “touristy.”

47. Rent A Car At Your Destination When Possible Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It’s often more convenient than relying on public transportation.

48. Or Better Yet, A Campervan! A campervan offers the ultimate flexibility and can be a cost-effective way to travel, combining transport and accommodation.

49. Use Atlas Obscura To Find Cool Sights Off-The-Beaten-Path Atlas Obscura is a great resource for finding unique and lesser-known attractions. It’s perfect for discovering hidden gems.

Budget Travel Tips

50. Don’t Be Afraid To Haggle In many countries, haggling is expected in markets and with street vendors. It’s a fun way to get a better price.

51. Lunchtime Always Has The Best Meal Deals In Restaurants Many restaurants offer lunch specials that are cheaper than dinner menus. Take advantage of these deals to save money.

52. Book A Hotel/Hostel That Includes Breakfast Choose accommodations that include breakfast to save on meal costs. It’s one less expense to worry about.

53. If You’re Still A Student – Don’t Forget Your Student Card For Discounts Student discounts are available at many attractions and services. Carry your student card to take advantage of these savings.

54. Take Advantage Of Free Walking Tours/Travel Experiences Many cities offer free walking tours that provide great insights into the local culture and history. Just remember to tip your guide.

55. Shoulder Season Is The BEST Time To Travel Traveling during the shoulder season (just before or after peak season) offers lower prices and fewer crowds.

56. Travelling With A Friend Or Partner Is Always Cheaper Traveling with someone else can reduce costs as you can share expenses like accommodation and transportation.

57. Carry One Laundry Soap Bar And Wash The Basics Yourself A laundry soap bar allows you to wash your clothes on the go, saving money on laundry services.

58. Use Revolut/Monzo For The Best Exchange Rates (Avoid Airport Exchanging) Travel cards like Revolut and Monzo offer excellent exchange rates and low fees. Avoid exchanging money at airports.

59. Couchsurfing Is A Great Low-Budget Accommodation Option Couchsurfing allows you to stay with locals for free, providing a unique cultural exchange and saving on accommodation costs.

60. Use Local Transport To Save Money Local transport is often the cheapest way to get around. It’s also a great way to experience a destination like a local.

61. Pick Up A Handpresso And Still Have Great Coffee Every Day A Handpresso allows you to make espresso on the go. It’s perfect for coffee lovers who want to enjoy good coffee while traveling.

62. Make Full Use Of Sign Up Codes Sign up codes offer discounts on accommodation and services. Use them to save money on your bookings.

Travel Safety Tips

63. Always Bring A Lock For Your Bags/Items A lock can deter thieves and keep your belongings secure. Use them on your luggage and lockers in hostels.

64. When Carrying Medical Supplies: Split Between Two Bags Split your medical supplies between two bags to ensure you have backups if one bag is lost or stolen.

65. Ask Locals For Advice On The Local Safety Locals can provide valuable insights into the safety of an area. Ask them for tips on staying safe and avoiding risky areas.

66. Be Careful With Who You Trust Not everyone has good intentions. Be cautious and trust your instincts when interacting with strangers.

67. Let Someone Else Know Your Travel Plans Share your itinerary with friends or family so they know your whereabouts. This can be helpful in case of emergencies.

68. Don’t Put All Your Money/Bank Cards In One Bag Spread your money and cards across different bags to minimize the risk of losing everything if one bag is stolen.

69. Plan Your Routes (At Least Roughly) Before You Go On An Adventure Plan your daily routes to ensure you know where you’re going and avoid getting lost. It also helps you make the most of your time.

70. Save The Address Of Your Accommodation On Your Phone Save your hotel or hostel’s address on Google Maps. This makes it easier to return if you get lost or need directions.

Other General Travel Tips

71. Learn Common Phrases In The Language Of The Country You’re Visiting Learning a few basic phrases can go a long way in helping you communicate with locals and show respect for their culture.

72. Make Photocopies Of Important Documents & Digital Copies Keep photocopies and digital copies of your important documents, like your passport and travel insurance, in case they are lost or stolen.

73. Always Carry Extra Passport Photos Passport photos can be required for visas or other official documents. Carry a few extras with you.

74. Make Sure Your Phone Is Unlocked To Use Local Sims An unlocked phone allows you to use local SIM cards, which are often cheaper than international roaming plans.

75. Plan For The Unexpected Be prepared for unexpected events by having a backup plan and knowing emergency contacts and locations.

76. Bring Your Own Water Bottle With You Carrying a reusable water bottle reduces plastic waste and saves money on buying bottled water.

77. Bring Your Own Coffee Cup With You A collapsible travel coffee cup is eco-friendly and convenient for on-the-go coffee.

78. Slow Travel Is Better Than Fast Traveling slowly allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy your destination more fully.

79. Listen To Your Body & Know When To Rest Travel burnout is real. Take breaks and rest when needed to avoid exhaustion and fully enjoy your travels.

80. When Flying, Only Sleep When Your Destination Is Sleeping (Jet Lag Tip) Adjusting your sleep schedule to match your destination’s time zone helps reduce jet lag.

81. Wear Sunscreen! Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, especially in sunny destinations. It prevents sunburn and long-term damage.

82. Move Your Feet And Legs Regularly On Long Haul Flights Prevent blood clots by moving your feet and legs regularly on long flights. Walk around the cabin and do simple exercises in your seat.

83. Carry Hand Sanitizer With You Hand sanitizer is essential for maintaining hygiene when soap and water aren’t available.

84. Download Offline Maps For Your Chosen Country Offline maps are a lifesaver when you don’t have internet access. Download maps of your destination before you go.

85. Carry Small Change Having small change is useful for tipping, local transport, and small purchases in markets.

86. Always Check Under The Bed When Leaving A Hotel Room Check under the bed and other hidden spots to ensure you don’t leave anything behind when checking out.

87. Accept The Fact You Will Lose Socks Losing socks seems inevitable when traveling. Pack extra pairs and accept that some will go missing.

88. Use A VPN To Maintain Access To Your Favourite Sites A VPN allows you to access your favorite websites and protect your online privacy, especially in countries with internet restrictions.

89. Keep In Touch With Family And Friends (But Not Too Much!) Stay connected with loved ones to share your experiences and ensure your safety, but don’t let it consume your travel time.

90. Make Sure You’re Vaccinated Vaccinations protect you from serious diseases. Consult with a travel nurse to ensure you have all necessary vaccines for your destinations.

Traveling can be an incredible experience if you’re well-prepared and flexible. With these 90 travel tips and tricks, you’ll save time, money, and stress, allowing you to enjoy your adventures to the fullest. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel insights and tips. Happy travels!

We’d love to hear from you! What are your top travel tips? Have any of these tips helped you on your journeys? Leave your comments and feedback below.