There was a time in my life when I was absolutely obsessed with travel life hacks.

Throwing your shoes in a shower cap while packing? Oh yeahhh. Keeping jewelry untangled with straws? Talk to me, baby.

On a super vain level, I think it’s because knowing the best travel hacks makes me feel like an unstoppable smartass… even if I’m the kind of person that trips over nothing and manages to create chaos out of the simplest tasks.

That said, thanks to six years of frequent travel, I’ve picked up my fair share of travel life hacks, some that are a little weird but I promise do work.

This isn’t your regular list of hacks – nope. Sure, some are odd, but shhh, just embrace it.

The Best Travel Hacks for Booking Flights & Accommodation

Let’s start with some of the best traveling hacks to make your life easier when you’re booking travel and accommodation. These travel life hacks have been a total lifesaver (and money saver) for me over the years, so I hope you find them helpful too.

1. Get cash back on every travel booking

Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a free cashback site that allows you to earn money back from most of your online purchases, almost like a partial instant refund.

Here’s how it works: Rakuten is partnered with a bunch of popular online retailers (travel ones like Expedia, Agoda, etc. included!).

When you click through to these retailer sites via Rakuten and buy something, Rakuten earns some affiliate commission, a portion of which they share with you as a cashback (deposited straight into your Paypal).

In other words, you’re getting money back for shopping, which translates into instant discounts for your travel bookings.

Sign up for free here and earn cashback on your online purchases.

Canadians: sign up for Rakuten Canada here.

Warning: The folks at Rakuten are biiiig fans of email, so be ready for that. I like getting their emails because they advertise sales/deals, but I admit they can be a bit much. To handle it, I have my Gmail filters set up so that eBates emails go into a special folder that I browse maybe once a day. Yay to no more clutter!

2. Look into bonus shopping programs for airline loyalty points

And if you’re into hoarding points, one huge missed opportunity that many people don’t realize is that most airline loyalty programs have special shopping portals that reward you with bonus points if you shop through them.

So, for instance, because I fly to the UK a lot, my go-to loyalty program is Avios points through British Airways and through them I can actually log onto their shopping portal and earn lots of bonus Avios points for every kind of spending you can imagine, from high ticket tech items to travel bookings that you’re already making through a lot of the most popular websites like Airbnb, Booking, etc.

So just by making hotel bookings that I normally would have done anyway, I can rack up thousands of extra Avios. So this is definitely something to look into, even if you’re not big into collecting points at the moment because really you’re spending the money anyway, so you might as well get rewarded for it!

3. Consider flying on the day-of major holidays

Now, the next hack is to fly on the day of major holidays to take advantage of (potentially) cheaper prices and fewer crowds. Think on Christmas Day, on New Year’s Day, on Thanksgiving, etc.

This is because usually people don’t want to fly on the day-of since they already want to be home by then. So flights will generally be cheaper and also less crowded and stressful on those days.

4. Use Google Flights to find cheap deals to multiple destinations at the same time

And if you’re flexible on when and where you fly, then be sure to take advantage of tools like Google Flights that allow you to enter your departure airport or airports, and then find the cheapest destinations for the area you specify (e.g. Europe, Asia, or even ‘Everywhere’).

This is really handy for finding cheap flight deals if you’re not too picky about where you’re going to go. 

NOTE: You can also use this trick to find cheaper flights by DIYing your own stopover. So sometimes if you’re trying to find a direct flight from your departure point to your destination, flights will be really expensive, but you can often save hundreds of dollars just by flying from a different airport or flying into a different airport, and then making your own connecting journey on the other side or at the beginning. I’ve used this trick many times to save hundreds, so definitely look into it.

5. Look into airlines that offer a free stopover program to maximize value for money

If you’re open to having a long stopover somewhere, there are actually quite a few airlines that will allow you to add a free stopover to your flight, meaning you can spend a few days in a different destination at no extra cost.

So it’s basically like two flights for the price of one!

6. Use Honey to find coupon codes automatically

By far THE easiest way to save on all your travel bookings (and any online shopping really).

This ridiculously simple Google Chrome extension automatically searches through the Interwebs to locate relevant coupon codes and then applies them for you when you’re shopping online!

This means you no longer need to search around for deals and codes that may or may not work.

As all the reviews say, “it’s literally free money”. You can also earn Honey points that you can redeem for things like train trips in Europe.

Click here to download Honey for Google Chrome.

BONUS TIP: For further discounts/deals, keep an eye on websites like Groupon and Travelzoo, which often have crazy discounts on vacations, hotels and activities all over the world, from Germany to Indonesia. I love these websites because they consolidate great deals in one spot, which makes finding the perfect deal pretty effortless.

7. Search YouTube for coupon codes

Another handy trick for finding discount codes to many products and services is to go on YouTube and search “[product name] + code”.

Often by doing this, you can find YouTubers that have been paid to talk about the product, and usually sponsors will give them a discount code to share with their audience in the description.

By using this trick, you can usually find a discount code for pretty much anything you’ve seen advertised before on social media (as this indicates they have a marketing budget to spend on social media ads, and therefore often social media partnerships with YouTubers as well!)

NOTE: You can often find similar codes through Instagram or TikTok but I think YouTube has the best search functions.

8. Use incognito/private browsing to potentially save money on flights

Incognito browsing (AKA private browsing) is a mode available on most internet browsers that allows you to browse without storing any data on your computer or tracking your history from that session.

This can be VERY helpful when booking flights because as rumour has it, many sites use a dynamic pricing system that will sometimes increase prices when they know you’ve been looking at a particular route constantly (sneaky, I know).

NOTE: While some experts claim this is false, I always do it just in case because it takes zero extra effort.

For more tips on airfare, check my full guide to finding cheap flights to Europe.

9. Call the hotel for a better rate by booking directly

This is a tip that most websites do not give because they rely on affiliate income from your hotel bookings… I mean, my site does too, but hey, if you’re reading this, I want to let you in on an excellent secret: literally 99% of the time, you can score some kind of perk or discount by booking with a hotel directly vs. booking through an aggregator like Booking.com.

Why?

Well, these aggregators usually take a cut of any bookings, so hotels prefer when you book directly, and will often offer incentives to do so, whether that’s in the form of a discount, a free upgrade, or a free perk like breakfast. I’ve noticed this is especially common with booking hostels in Europe.

This is one of the best travel hacks that nobody talks about, so be sure to remember it!

10. Always take advantage of the special requests box at hotels

When booking hotels, you’ll often find they have a special box where you can state the purpose of travel and input any extra requests. This is definitely something to take advantage of!

For instance, I do find that if you put business travel and you say, “Hey, I’m traveling for business, could you put me on a higher floor? Maybe somewhere that’s a bit more quiet?”, oftentimes they will oblige this request.

So, go for it! If you want a specific type of room, view, etc. – it definitely doesn’t hurt to ask.

11. Hop on Google Street View to get a feel for the neighbourhood before you book

Google Street View can be an incredible travel tool these days, especially for figuring out the “vibe” of a neighbourhood before you book your accommodation.

This type of thing can be hard to gauge based on the usual accommodation photos, so I’d suggest hopping on Google Street View, taking a look at the surrounding area, walking around a little bit, seeing if you like the vibe, and then making your decision from there.

12. Look into day rate hotels for long layovers, etc.

Now, if you have a long layover or you need to kill some time before a flight, then one really cool thing that a lot of people don’t know is that some hotels actually offer a discounted day rate, meaning you can pay to use the hotel from a set period of time, usually from the morning to the late afternoon.

This way, you have access to a shower and a proper bed… without paying the full nightly fee! So that’s definitely a great way to refresh before a flight or during a long layover.

Day Use is a great website that allows you to search up the hotels that offer this kind of thing.

13. Use day passes for luxury hotel amenities (without staying overnight!)

On a similar note, if you want to make use of luxury hotel amenities without paying the luxury hotel price tag, then there actually is a website called Resort Pass where you can book day passes to make use of nice hotel pools, spas and different amenities without needing to pay to stay there overnight.

This is definitely a great travel hack if you want to laze around a pool/spa for the day without paying full price to sleep there, so definitely keep this one in mind!

14. Download Google Translate languages for offline use

Now, if you’re traveling somewhere where you don’t speak the language, a very handy trick is downloading languages for offline translation by using the Google Translate app.

You can easily do this by clicking the Profile icon in the upper right hand corner, then going down to ‘Downloaded Languages’. You can then choose which languages to download from there.

That way, you can still translate things as you go without needing internet!

Bonus tip: if you want to translate signs, menus, etc. quickly, tap the camera button on your Google Translate app to translate images in real time.

The first time I saw this feature in action, I realized we are (indeed) living in the future.

15. Use an eSIM for instant data access without a physical SIM card

That said, of course internet is very important these days, but rather than use an old school physical SIM card, a great trick I can recommend is using an eSIM instead.

Long story short, eSIM stands for embedded SIM. This means it’s pre-installed on your device and works 100% digitally to connect you with local telecom networks, eliminating the need to switch physical SIM cards in and out.

Best of all, you can set it all up before you leave. My go-to is the Airalo app, where you can easily browse and buy eSIMs for over 200 countries and regions around the world.

You can use the code CHRIST99027 for $3 off here. I also have a step by step video tutorial on how to set it all up!

The Best Travel Hacks for Packing

Next up: cool travel hacks that help you pack like a pro. Want more packing tips? Be sure to read my full guide featuring 30+ suitcase packing tips & hacks.

16. Do a pre-trip trial with your suitcase

One very underrated travel trick (especially if you’re packing light and not sure if you’ve packed properly) is to pack your suitcase a week or two in advance and then do a test run where you live out of that suitcase for the same length of time as your trip!

This is a really good way to kind of test trial your packing list if you haven’t already, and help you identify what you really need.

17. Pack a power bar

So everybody knows to bring an adapter when you travel overseas, but a very underrated tool to bring is a power bar as well!

This will allow you to plug multiple electronics into one socket, which is especially handy if you’re traveling as a group because then you don’t need to fight over power outlets or adapters.

18. Prioritize travel-friendly fabrics to save space

I used to think that all fabrics were made equal, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Especially in situations like travel where you’ll be moving around a lot, it’s very important to understand the difference between various fabrics/what they’re well suite for.

With travel for instance, the closest I’ve found to a miracle fabric is merino wool.

If you haven’t heard of it before, merino wool is a miracle fabric that’s naturally resistant to wrinkles and odour, but also wicks moisture and regulates temperature while remaining thin and breathable, making it ideal for transitioning from long flights and sweaty public transport to windy walks and unexpected stairs and climbs.

It also needs to be washed much less often, which is ideal if you’re packing light.

So, remember: fabrics matter! I’m a huge fan of Unbound Merino products – they’re a Canadian company with really versatile styles!

19. Use packing cubes

Now another miracle product for travel are… packing cubes! If you’ve been on my site or YouTube channel before, you’ll know I swear by them.

Long story short, packing cubes are re-usable fabric cubes that you can stack/place in your suitcase when you travel. They’re very affordable and a good set will last you for years – definitely one of the most worthwhile purchases for any frequent traveler.

In a pinch, Ziplock bags could also be used to organize your clothes in a similar way.

If you want to know which packing cubes to buy, check out my full guide to packing cubes or watch my video showdown here.

20. Use compression packing cubes to save space

If you’re packing for a bag without any weight restrictions, then another handy travel hack is using compression packing cubes.

These cubes differ from regular packing cubes in that they have two layers of zippers, which allow you to compress the air out a bit better and bundle your clothes into a tighter brick, which fits a lot easier into small bags.

These are my go-to at the moment!

21. Roll your clothes

I’m full of funny travel tips, but whenever I suggest this to newbie travelers, I get SO many weird looks…

Trust me though, rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a great way to keep them organized and wrinkle free in your packing cubes. Try it out and I promise you won’t go back!

22. Pack light by using one colour palette

When it comes to packing light, one of my favourite tricks is simply packing with one colour palette in mind and making sure all your tops match all your bottoms.

That way, you know everything is going to match everything else and you can get away with packing fewer items while creating plenty of unique outfits.

23. Save outfit ideas in your Notes

Now if you’re big into planning your outfits and you want to keep track of which ones you have at your disposal for your trip, you can easily plan your outfits in advance and save copies of them in your Notes for future reference.

To do this (on an iPhone), simply take photos of your outfits, go to your Photos, highlight yourself/your outfit, then Copy and Paste that directly into your Notes app.

That way you have a copy of all the different outfits that you’re able to make. You can also plan your outfits in advance based on where you’re going, what occasion it is, etc.

24. Always bring a tote or extra bag

I’ve had great uses for totes all through my travels before that really small, so I always think it’s a good idea to have one, especially if you’re going to be doing any kind of shopping.

25. Nest a duffel or smaller bag in your suitcase

If you’re going to be buying a lot of souvenirs or you think you’re going to be coming home with more bags than you left with, it might be smart to simply bring a smaller (empty) duffel or bag and nest it within your larger suitcase.

So that way you only need to check that extra bag on the way back!

26. Bring a pillowcase

Now, if you don’t think you have space for a travel pillow, one easy trick is to just bring a pillowcase instead, so if you’re ever in an emergency situation where you need a comfy pillow, just stuff some soft clothes in that case and go to town.

Likewise, you can use the pillowcase to compress clothes like a puffy jacket in order to save space in your luggage.

27. Pack a dryer sheet

By packing a dryer sheet o two, your clothes will smell extra nice for those long haul trips!

BONUS TIP: Keep an extra handy for your “dirty laundry” bag so that your whole suitcase doesn’t start smelling like dirty clothes. Ick.

Alternatively, just throw a bar of soap in (mini hotel ones work great).

Stock up on cheap dryer sheets here.

28. Pack a clothespin to prop up your toothbrush

One of my favourite travel packing hacks!

Whether you’re staying in an AirBNB, hostel or hotel, sometimes you want to make sure your toothbrush doesn’t touch anything… after all, sinks can be notoriously germy.

If a holding cup isn’t available, just throw a clothespin on it to prop it up. Pure germaphobe genius.

29. Only pack one colour of socks

That way, you don’t need to ever search for matching ones!

30. Get creative with your storage containers

I’m a big fan of re-purposing old junk, and luckily, you can repurpose a lot when it comes to packing!

Here are some ideas:

• Using a Tic Tac case for bobby pins
• Using a carabiner for hair ties
• Storing Q-Tips in an old pill bottle

31. Keep jewelry organized with common household items

For instance, you can use a button to put your earrings in and you can also pack your necklaces with a straw so that they don’t get tangled!

32. Pack a pen in every bag

There’s a lot of situations where you might end up needing a pen, so it’s good to make sure you have one in every possible pocket. That way you never go without.

33. Always bring a bit of duct tape

I honestly feel like duct tape is a lifesaver for a lot of different situations, especially if you’re backpacking or doing active things, so it never hurts to pack a little bit. If you don’t want to carry an entire roll (who would?) just wrap a small portion around a pen for instance!

34. Bring a few big binder clips

You can find lots of different uses for this, but commonly people will use them to seal curtains shut in a hotel if they don’t close completely, or possibly for propping your toothbrush up.

35. Bring extra Ziploc bags

These can come in handy for all sorts of situations (pre-sorting liquids for the airport, packing a to-go lunch for a hike, etc. so be sure to bring a few in your suitcase – they weigh almost nothing and can be super useful.

36. Don’t forget a laundry bag

A lot of people often forget that they do need somewhere to put their dirty clothes, so don’t forget to bring a dedicated laundry bag to separate your clean and dirty items!

37. Wear older clothes then donate them abroad

Now, if you’re not particularly sentimental, another idea might be to just consider wearing older clothes, then donating these clothes abroad to make room in your suitcase.

This will allow you to have more space for new purchases and souvenirs. 

38. Use solid toiletries to get around liquid allowances

They actually make lots of solid versions of common toiletries these days, whether it’s shampoo, conditioner, or even toothpaste.

So that’s definitely a great way to save some space and weight.

39. Seal your liquid bottles before packing them

Now if you do plan to pack liquids, then be sure to seal them beforehand with a bit of plastic wrap or foil under the lid to prevent leakages.

40. Buy a spare for items you always forget

Now if there are certain items that you always forget to bring with you when you pack, then a handy hack is to simply buy a second one that is dedicated to travel!

So if you always forget your toothbrush, why not just buy a second toothbrush and dave that be your travel toothbrush that permanently lives in your toiletry bag? Same thing for a razor. That way you’ll always have a backup.

41. Put an Airtag or location tracker in each bag for ease

This allows you to have precious ease of mind whenever you’re checking bags.

42. Buy a digital luggage scale to weigh your bags on-the-go 

This is a really handy and inexpensive trick to help you avoid surprises at the airport! With a small digital luggage scale, you can weigh your bags before your leave so you can adjust accordingly rather than find out at check-in and panic.

43. Bring a wireless phone charger for more humid destinations

Oftentimes, phones actually have a moisture detector and won’t charge if they detect any moisture in their charging port. This can be problematic in more humid destinations as the moisture may prevent regular phone chargers from working properly.

This is why I’d recommend bringing a wireless charger instead in these types of climates.

Top Travel Hacks for the Airport/Flying

Dread flying? There are lots of great travel tips and tricks to make this part of travel a lot more bearable. Here are some helpful traveling life hacks that will make your airport and flight experience a breeze.

44. Put a unique identifier on your suitcase

This will prevent anyone from accidentally taking it on the other side when it comes to baggage claim. I’ve had this happen to me once, so definitely better safe than sorry.

45. Always photograph your suitcase before you check it

That way, if it gets lost, you have an easy photo to show staff and they can help you locate the bag a lot more easily. And also, if the bag gets damaged in transit, then you have proof of what it looked like literally right before the airline handled it. So that’s going to help you claim any damage back!

46. Keep your passport in a Ziploc bag to protect it

This is a new hack I recently learned from a friend.

Since passports are so precious, it makes sense to work extra hard to protect them!

While having a regular passport cover is great, they don’t necessarily protect your passports from water damage, so keeping yours in a Ziploc bag as well can be a great way to avoid any extra damage from liquids.

47. Avoid drop-off fees at the airport by going to long-term parking

Now, if your local airport has started enforcing a drop off charge, which I know lots of airports have started doing, an easy hack is to avoid drop-off fees by getting dropped off at long term parking, then taking the free shuttle to the airport.

NOTE: This is a general tip – not all airports have drop off fees or free shuttles from long term parking, so be sure to double check for your specific airport.

48. Pack an empty water bottle to the airport

That way you can fill up after you pass security.

No more $4 bottles of water! Woo!

Alternatively, some experts swear by freezing their water so it’s not technically a liquid.

I guess that could work, but then you’re kind of awkwardly just waiting for your water to melt? Just bring an empty bottle, folks.

The foldable ones are awesome for this, plus they’re better for the environment too ; )

49. Freeze your water bottle to bypass liquid restrictions

If you want to get a water bottle past security, many swear by this hack as then your water is no longer considered a liquid (assuming it is fully frozen). As a bonus, you then have extra cold water for the plane!

50. Freeze a sponge as a DIY ice pack

On a related note, you can also consider freezing a sponge to use as a DIY ice pack!

This is one of my favourite travel tips and tricks that I learned from a flight attendant friend.

Have snacks you want to bring on the plane and hoping to keep them cool? A frozen sponge will do the trick!

51. Always join the line-up with more business travellers

Because usually these are the people who go through airports all the time, so they tend to be much quicker at getting through security, which will help you get through quicker as well.

52. Look up the seating plan for your plane in advance

This is an amazing international travel hack if you have a long haul flight to book.

With tools like Aerolopa, you can look up seating charts for your plane before you choose seats. That way, you know where the more desirable seats are going to be in time for your seat selection at check-in.

53. Avoid choosing the first and last rows on the plane

First row is often where a lot of babies will be sitting because they have those fold-down tables for them.

As for last row, that’s often closest to the toilets and many of the seats in these rows don’t recline as well.

54. Reserve the aisle and window seats

If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, no need to fight to the death re: who must take the dreaded middle seat.

Just reserve both the aisle and window in hopes that nobody wants the middle seat… if they do though, just ask to switch!

Super simple travel hack that works well 🙂

55. Put small items at security into a pocket/bag

Unfortunately, you hear a lot of stories these days about people who are getting items stolen at airport security – specifically smaller items like AirPods or cash, so to prevent this from happening, make sure anything easily ‘liftable’ is inside a pocket or bag rather than loose in the tray.

56. Wear compression socks to make your flights more bearable

Many people swear by this travel hack as compression socks mean less swelling and better circulation!

57. Get luxe samples at Duty Free

If you’re wanting a mini-pamper before your flight, then head to Duty Free and take advantage of all the free samples! Usually there’s samples for things like hand cream that you can use to make sure you’re fully moisturized for the flight.

After all, when you’re on a plane, your skin can get really dry. So you might as well moisturize with some nice samples from pricey brands.

58. Call or message customer service online if the lines are too long

Another pro travel hack if you’re left needing customer support at the airport is to join the lineup at the airport, but at the same time, also hop on the phone and try to chat with customer service either through their social media or through the phone.

Sometimes, because there’s so many people waiting in person, you might be able to get help quicker if you approach someone online.

59. Use X (formerly Twitter) for quicker customer service

Another fun travel hack that I’ve discovered is if you ever want customer service for anything, whether that’s a flight, any form of transport, or even just purchases from your day to day life, one of the best ways to get an instant response is by using Twitter or as it’s known these days: X.

So of course, this is contingent on it being a big company that has a dedicated team on X, but any time I’ve needed to speak to someone, it has been SO much faster for me to just send them a tweet because a lot of people don’t think to do that. So definitely take advantage!

NOTE: The best way to know if you’re going to get customer service on X is by looking at the official account and looking at their replies. If you see that they actively reply to people, then there’s a good chance that they’ll also be replying to you. 

60. Change your time zone to your destination’s as soon as you board

This is something that I do on every flight, and it really helps me with jet lag because then I can tailor my sleeping and eating schedule to what it’s going to be in my destination.

61. Hydrate on planes w/ water that has more minerals and electrolytes 

A lot people swear by drinking water with lots of minerals (e.g. Fiji Water) on planes because with these extra minerals, you stay hydrated for longer and that’s going to help you minimize your bathroom breaks.

Some others also swear by just adding electrolyte packets into their water.

62. Have entertainment loaded for offline use on your devices

This can be handy just in case you don’t like anything on the entertainment system or in a worst case scenario, if the entertainment system doesn’t work.

I always recommend downloading some movies or TV shows for offline viewing through Netflix and other streaming services.

63. Learn how to DIY your own phone stand

Now, for a fun travel hack on flights/transport. If you don’t want to be holding your phone the entire time is there’s tons of different ways that you can DIY your own phone stand!

For instance, I’ve seen some people use a claw clip to prop up their phone, or I’ve seen people use cardboard to create a DIY phone stand.

BUT the most genius one I’ve seen recently is if you take one of the airplane sick bags and you kind of clip it into your phone case, then you can clip it up with the tray table, fold it down, and you have your phone screen right in front of you.

64. Send flight details easily w/ this travel hack

To send your flight details to anyone quickly and easily, all you need to do is text the flight number and then on their side, they can just click it which will open up a window that shows them where you are in your journey.

The Best Travel Life Hacks for When You’re on the Road

These hacks for traveling will make your life infinitely easier once you’re actually out and about. Here are my favourite international travel hacks you need to know:

65. Download Google Maps for use offline by typing in “OK Map”

One of my favourite new travel hacks – this is SUCH a lifesaver.

If you have sufficient space on your phone, you can easily download Google Maps to browse offline on mobile, even when you don’t have Internet connection.

All you need to do is go on the map to the area you want to save, then type “ok map” into the search and press Download.

66. Get a business card for your hotel as soon as you check in

This is especially handy if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language. That way, if you’re trying to get a taxi home, you can just hand over the business card and then they’ll know where to take you rather than trying to navigate the language barrier.

67. Look for local ride share apps (and their discounts)

While taxis can be expensive, one really underrated travel hack is that a lot of different destinations out there have their own local versions of ride share apps (like Uber or Lyft).

So if you travel somewhere that has their own ride share app, then oftentimes these apps will have special first timer discounts and offers. And so if you’re able to find these discounts, then you can sign up and get significantly discounted rates!

68. Always have a USB-A compatible charger

While many new electronic devices rely on USB-C chargers these days, many charging hubs (especially on transport like planes or buses) will still use the old USB-A chargers.

This is why it’s helpful to make sure you always have a USB-A compatible cable at hand, or, even better – an adapter!

69. DIY your own steamer for wrinkled clothes

Now, if your clothes get wrinkly after a long journey, then a really handy way to de-wrinkle them is to just hang them up in the bathroom while you’re having a really hot shower. That way, the steam is going to get the wrinkles out (stretching them out as they steam can help this process further)

In a pinch, I’ve had good luck using the steam from the hotel room kettle as well!

NOTE: If this is very important to you, they also make special de-wrinkle sprays for this.

70. Use baby powder to freshen up your shoes

So I know this sounds weird, but if you are traveling in the summer and your feet are prone to getting really smelly and sweaty, baby powder can really freshen them up thanks to their ability to absorb odours so well!

Another trick that people swear by is freshening your clothes by spritzing vodka on them. I don’t usually travel with the spritz bottle, but definitely something to keep in mind if you want to make sure your clothes stay fresh.

71. Enable Google timeline tracking to keep track of your travels

So if you’re like me and you are really forgetful, you can never remember where you’ve been on a trip, then turning on the Google Timeline is going to help you organize all that data and help you keep track of your travels in a really convenient way.

To turn this on, go to your Google Maps app, click your profile photo in the upper right hand corner and go to ‘Your Timeline’,

72. Use Google Street View to help plan your navigation routes

If for instance, I’m not 100% sure how to get from, let’s say, the train station to my hotel, it’s always nice to hop on Street View to preview the journey, see what it’s like and determine if maybe it’s better to just take a taxi instead.

73. Make use of local grocery stores/supermarkets

One of my favourite hacks for traveling on a budget is to simply hit local supermarkets.

No, you don’t need to cook your own meals necessarily, but all the time I see budget travellers sprinting for vending machines/little kiosks when there are supermarkets literally within eyesight selling the exact same stuff for a fraction of the price.

Supermarkets are great for stocking up on snacks, water, drinks, etc.

Take advantage of them!

74. Use TooGoodToGo for cheap meals

This is an app that basically sells you food that places are going to be throwing out later that day.

Typically, these will be packaged items like pastries from Starbucks or sandwiches from 7-Eleven, which you can buy ‘magic bags’ of for a fraction of their regular price… meaning a good feed for usually less than five bucks! Not bad if you’re travelling on a budget.

75. Take advantage of lunch specials 

Generally, if you’re trying to save money on your trip, it makes sense to fill fill up more on lunch vs dinner, as this will often be cheaper… especially if you look out for lunch specials!

Many destinations also offer express lunch options that are meant for people who are working and need their food to come quickly. I think this makes a lot of sense for tourists as well, because the last thing you want to do is waste hours in a restaurant when you could be sightseeing.

76. Take a photo of your car whenever you park

By doing this, you always a) have a visual of where you left your car and b) always have a way of locating where you parked, thanks to the meta-data on your phone that will take the location of where the photo was taken.

The same goes for any other locations that you want to keep track of. Let’s say there’s a really cool cafe you went to that you can’t find on Google Maps. When looking at photos from the cafe, you can check the metadata to see where exactly that place was. 

77. DIY your own lantern w/ your phone flashlight and a water bottle

Now, if you need an emergency flashlight for whatever reason, do know that if you hold your phone flashlight up to a bottle filled with clear liquid, you can create a DIY lantern for yourself to use!

78. Protect fragile items w/ socks and soft clothes

So for me, if I ever buy a mug for instance, I’ll take a big sock and wrap it with socks and layers of my clothing to protect it. I’ve found this works much better than the usual paper-protection they wrap items in at gift shops.

79. Save money on Christmas ornaments by buying keychains instead

If you’re someone that likes buying Christmas ornaments as souvenirs, oftentimes these special Christmas ornaments can be really expensive, but a really nice budget friendly hack is to just buy keychains that you like Instead.

Keychains are cheaper than ornaments 99% of the time, and then when you get home, you can just take off the keyring, add some ribbon, and you have your own cute little Christmas decorations.

80. Find free toilets in malls, museums and libraries

Now to find free toilets, no matter where you are, I highly recommend looking out for shopping malls, museums and libraries.

Most of the time there will be free public restrooms there, as well as in transport hubs.

NOTE: Depending on the country, sometimes they do charge you for toilets in transport hubs like in Germany and Italy, for instance. So I’d say the library or museum is usually a safer bet.

81. Use a TV to charge your electronics

One of the the things I forget most often is the little USB adapter that comes with my phone charger.

If you’re forgetful like that too, don’t worry – there’s several easy travel hacks to help you out of that situation.

I usually then just plug my cable into my laptop to charge, BUT if you don’t usually pack a laptop, know that most TVs have a USB port around the back and you can easily use that to charge all your electronics 😉

You’re welcome!

82. Get a charger or umbrella from hotel reception

Now if you ever forget a common item like a charger or umbrella, then a handy trick might be to ask hotel reception for one.

Oftentimes, hotels will have a really big stash of chargers, umbrellas and other common in their lost and found.

So if you’re feeling bold, you can go down to reception and say “hey, I lost my charger, any chance you have it?”, and then they might be able to provide you with one.

I’ve never tried this, but I do think confidence is key!

83. Copy text directly from signs you want to remember

If you ever find yourself wanting to copy/paste a specific piece of information, whether that’s a sign, plaque, leaflet or whatever, then a really great trick is to just take a photo. That way, you can actually copy text directly from the photo for pasting wherever you need it.

84. Stock your day bag with surprising essentials

For me, I find it’s smart to pack small essentials like toilet paper, wet wipes, safety pins and cutlery.

You never know when you might need these things and they don’t take up a lot of space, so definitely make sure you have them!

85. Dry clothes quickly with this hack

Now if you’re doing laundry during your trip, but your clothes aren’t drying quickly enough, then I have found the quickest way to dry my clothes is to simply put them on and use my body heat to speed up the process.

So let’s say you are moving on to your next hotel and you don’t want to pack the shirt that you launder just because it’s still wet and you don’t want to get that weird mildew smell. Once you put it on your body, it’ll dry so much faster from your body heat.

I know this sounds dumb, but it works!! It’s definitely not the most comfortable, but it’s probably the quickest way I found to dry something, so keep that in mind.

86. Beware of the position of the sun when choosing seats

Whether on a bus or train (especially long ones), you want to make sure you consider the position of the sun, especially for long journeys, because if that sun shines on you for the entire journey, it definitely won’t be a comfortable ride.

87. Hide your cash by using decoys

There are many ways to outsmart pickpockets, but one especially handy trick is to hide emergency cash in discrete places like a hollowed out chapstick tube!

They also make fun things called diversion safes that you can buy, but honestly, a hollow chapstick is very discreet and odds are people aren’t going to want to steal that from you. Some people also choose to hide their cash in a menstrual pad package.

88. Flip a coin for tough decisions

The hack here isn’t necessarily to just do whatever the coin says, but usually when you flip a coin, your gut will reveal what you really wanted all along, i.e. if you’re disappointed in the result, then you’ll know you actually wanted the other option.

So this is a really good way to clarify what you actually want.

89. Always carry a small microfibre cloth

This way, you can wipe off the lens on your phone before you take photos, which can make a huge difference.

90. Activate Live Photo for video clips in addition to photos

I think this is a super underrated hack for taking photos/videos, if you activate Live Photo mode on your iPhone, you capture a bit of video along with every photo, which you can then save as a video for later use. Perfecti f you’re indecisive!

91. Time your public plops with a flush

Now, this next one is kind of TMI, but honestly, I wanted to make this the most helpful travel post possible, so here we go with another tip!

If you’re in a public space and you need to do a number two the most discreet way to do it is to simply time the plop with the flush. This will minimize any odours as well as noise… ideal if you’re easily embarrassed!

92. Use Google Maps Walking Directions to plan an itinerary

This is one of my favourite Google Maps tricks! if you want to plan your daily travel itinerary with ease (especially on foot), then I love going to Google Maps, using the Walking Directions and then doing ‘Add Stop’ for each place I plan to visit.

That way, if you type in all the different places you want to visit that day, it’ll give you a rough ballpark of not just the route that you should take, but also how long it’s going to be. You can even share these routes with others by copying the link!

93. Always read Google Reviews for restaurants

This is especially true in touristy areas. Trust me, if a restaurant is terrible, someone will be warning you in the reviews, so make sure to give them a quick skim before you go.

94. Find missing menus on Google Reviews

Next, if you can’t find the menu for a restaurant you want to visit, look through their photos on Google Reviews.

Odds are, some hero has taken photos of the menu recently, so you can usually find one there.

95. Enable one-handed keyboards on your phone

Now, when you travel, often you’ll have something in your hand, whether it’s a boarding pass, a ticket, a coffee, a treat, etc. so it is helpful to know that you can actually make one-handed typing easier on your phone by enabling certain keyboards/modes.

So on the iPhone for instance, you can enable a mode that lets you just kind of glide your fingers across without needing to kind of tap on each button, which I find is way easier for typing one handed.

96. Look into free museum days 

Another money-saving hack is that if there’s a museum you want to go to, be sure to research whether or not they have a free admission day while you’re there. And if you’re part of a group that often gets age based discounts, like if you are a young person or a senior, then

 always ask if they have those discounts because it never hurts to ask.

Travel Tricks for When You Return Home

Finally, let’s tackle travel hacks and tips to make your adjustment back to real life easier after your trip is over!

97. Fully clean your home before you leave

I know it sounds like such a drag, but a really underrated travel tip is to simply make sure you clean your house, change the sheets, do everything you need to do before your trip, because trust me, the last thing you want to do after a long travel day when you get home is putting sheets on the bed.

So make sure your house is clean and you will thank your past self so much for that.

98. Freeze a nourishing meal before you go

On a similar note, you should also consider freezing a good meal for yourself before you leave, because trust me – you’ll be craving nourishing food when you get home… and you definitely won’t want to be cooking!

So for me, my go-to is a nice chilli. It defrosts perfectly and is super easy to whip up.

99. Use the search functions on your phone to easily locate specific photos

These days, the search functions on your phone’s Photo app are really good, so if you want to find that specific spaghetti carbonara that you had, you just type in spaghetti and it’ll pull it up. Magic!

100. DIY a beautiful travel journal by writing yourself a postcard every day

That way when you get home, you have a stack of postcards that’s like a journal.

You can put a keyring through it, bind it however you want, and you have a beautiful way of preserving those memories!

Did I miss any of your favourite travel hacks?

So, it seems like you’re well on your way to becoming a travel ninja. I hope you enjoyed that article about unconventional travel life hacks. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have more to share!