From the logical to the funny, the serious to the silly, I present my list of top travel tips, tricks and nuggets of wisdom from travelling the world.
1. Travel with less
Travelling with just hand-luggage should be your goal. Do you really need six pairs of shoes, tea bags, and an iron? Take less and you’ll travel cheaper (no check-in luggage fees), travel faster (no waiting for your bags), and travel easier (one bag means less to lug around).
For more hints on how to travel less see my blog article ‘A weeks worth of clothes in just 6kg‘ or ‘Travel toiletries: what to pack and what to sack‘.
2. Leave the guide book at home
Rather than taking your entire copy of the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet, just photocopy the pages you need, then discard after you have used them. Saves space and weight.
3. Never join the security queue with the kids
Go for the one with the ‘suits’. It will move much quicker.
4. Jiggle it (just a little bit)
If you’re petrified of turbulence during flights, try slightly jiggling your body when you hit some rough air. No one will notice because everyone is being moved around due to the aircraft movement. Sounds a little crazy but your movement will counteract that of the aircraft and you won’t feel the turbulence so much. It really does work!
5. Chose your seat-mate carefully
If you get the choice of plane seat, always sit far away from: babies, groups of friends who will chat, or women (men tend to need the toilet less often than ladies)
6. Ditch your friends
Travelling all by your lonesome might seem daunting at first, I know I found it daunting the first time, but it gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in the travel experience. I’ve met friends for life, learnt a new language, and had amazing experiences by travelling solo!
7. Travel in a hoodie
They may have become the uniform of unruly ASBO-teenagers, but hooded tops make excellent travel garments. Just slip up your hood to retreat from the world of noise and light when you want to sleep on a flight/airport seat/bus. Add your earphones for extra withdrawal.
8. Use body language
When there’s a language barrier, shouting in your own language is not going to get you far. Instead, use your body. It’s the most international language in the entire world. Don’t forget to translate a full stop with a smile.
But beware: see my blog article ‘Rude hand gestures from around the world‘ to make sure you don’t offend anybody by accident!
9. Pack a pack of cards
A game of cards is not only useful to while away the hours during the inevitable delays, but also a great cross- cultural barrier breaker.
10. Just go!
If you have a strong urge to ‘go travelling’ or even just to see one specific place, start saving and go for it! Don’t delay. Don’t defer. Just do it, or you will regret it when you’re too old/attached/busy to travel.
11. Don’t be paranoid
Be wise and be wary, but try not to be paranoid. When I first travelled alone I found it difficult to relax for the first few days. I was convinced everyone was out to steal my money or diddle me. After two days I realised I was listening to media hype from home and friends who were scared of travelling on their own. Once I realised this and relaxed I had the best time of my life (and was not in any danger).
12. Hide your guide book
If you’re in out and about and need to ask directions then to stop people avoiding you, hide your guide book and map.
13. There is always Toblerone
Got to the end of your holiday but forgotten to get gifts? No worries! It is a mathematical certainty that the world’s favourite mountain-shaped Swiss chocolate will always be available from every duty free airport shop on earth.
14. Saw your toothbrush in half
To save space and reduce weight, saw your toothbrush in half. The extra three cubic centimetres of space can be used to carry an extra sheet of paper (see tip 2).
For more tips on reducing the weight of your toiletries see my blog article ‘Travel toiletries: what to pack and what to sack‘.
15. Finally, pretend to be asleep.
If you fart during your flight, just pretend to be asleep.
Of course if you do this then don’t look at my post ‘The Rude & Selfish Traveller: Is it you?’ hahahaha
The Road Jacker 