Hassle-free travel tips
1. “I like to pack my suitcases upright instead of laying them flat. When you stack your clothes you can see all the edges and you don’t have to jumble everything together to find the item you’re looking for. I guarantee you I can fit much more in this way.”
— Nini Pinks
2. “This isn’t my own secret, but my mom taught me: If you’re traveling with someone for an extended period of time, pack everything 50/50 in each of your suitcases. If the airline loses one of your bags, you still have enough luggage. This trick worked for me when the airline lost my boyfriend’s luggage on a two-week trip to Europe.”
—Emily Henderson
3. “A lot of people get queasy when they get off a plane. I always take Pedialyte before I fly, use night cream, and moisturize like crazy, even on daytime flights. You’ll be super dehydrated on a plane, so take care of yourself beforehand and wipe down with lotion and moisturizer. If Pedialyte isn’t your thing, grab a sports drink at the airport. I still don’t feel totally refreshed after sitting for 3-7 hours, but I’m not sluggish either. Hydrate as much as you can before you fly, and avoid caffeine on long flights.”
—witchyribbon84
4. “I always bring at least one garbage bag with me to put wet laundry in or wrap up liquid items (in case they break or crack).”
—erinv4d8090080
5. “Make sure to bring a bag of chocolate miniatures to give to the flight attendants when boarding. They’ll love it, and you might even get some perks.”
— Linnes Disturbed
6. “Put plastic wrap on the tops of bottles and tubes before screwing on the caps. This will prevent spills and keep your bag from getting sticky.”
—Clare Rice
7. “Ginger ale is a natural remedy for nausea, so I always choose it. I don’t normally get motion sickness, but I like to have it just in case the flight hits turbulence.”
Enimthekips
8. “I keep a mini spray bottle of witch hazel in my purse so I can spritz a little on my face when I feel like my face is getting oily or if I can’t wash it for a while. It really helps.”
—graciea02
9. “I always carry a surge protector plug strip with a USB slot so I only need one adapter if I need one.”
—Shell Eye
10. “If, like me, you like to put on a little makeup in the bathroom before your boyfriend/girlfriend/parents come to pick you up, warming up your makeup like eyeliner and mascara under your chest while you wait at security or in the overhead lounge makes it easier to apply when you’re in a rush.”
—Robin
11. “I bring a backpack as my carry-on and use it as a travel pillow, placing it on the tray table and hugging it to my chest. This method has helped me sleep for hours on economy class transatlantic flights. It’s perfect for stomach or side sleepers who normally hug their pillow to their chest.”
—Nebula Tuesday
12. “Squeeze all the air out of your disposable plastic bottles and put them in your carry-on luggage so they won’t be confiscated because they’re empty. Fill them with water after the security checkpoint so you don’t have to buy water at the airport.”
—Cannily
13. “We always tie a very visible ribbon on the handle of our luggage next to the luggage tag. One, it makes it easier to find our luggage when we get off the plane. Two, it will let us know if someone is trying to steal our luggage. My mom caught someone trying to steal our luggage once, and when she confronted him, he tried to insist, ‘Ma’am, you’re crazy. This is mine.’ My mom’s response was, ‘Oh, so you put a duck ribbon on your luggage, too.’ In the end, the person dropped our luggage and ran off.”
— MonicaP6
14. “Whenever I fly, I always bring an extra blanket and wear my pajamas most of the time. It’s cold on planes, so I need to stay warm.”
—Ji Yea
15. “Pack your baseball caps in an old cardboard box (actually an old bark box) and put it in your suitcase. You can pack 4-5 hats in a box the size of a shoebox. It’s easy and inexpensive to pack, and your hats won’t get squashed when they arrive.”
—Madigan 8282
16. “A small ginger chew can help with all sorts of stomach problems, from nausea to heartburn.”
—Stephee Vee
17. “On long international flights, I always pack a change of clothes in my carry-on. A) I’ve had my luggage lost, so it’s good to have it prepared some time in advance so I don’t have to make a quick trip to the store while I’m waiting for them to sort my bags at the airport, and B) I can’t underestimate how good it feels to put on new clothes and underwear after a long flight, especially if I’m leaving for a different climate.”
—Paige Dougnew
18. Finally, “If you’re going to see natural wonders or historical landmarks, buy used travel books. They’re cheap, environmentally friendly, and they haven’t changed the things you value. I don’t know what the most popular restaurant is, but if you’re hiking in a national park, you probably won’t go there on that trip. Bring the books with you and throw them in a used bookstore or recycling bin at the end of your trip, and you’ll have a little more space in your suitcase for souvenirs.”
— Chai Cut
Have you got any great hacks of your own? Or are you always packing something incredibly useful and you don’t know why it’s not sold in every overpriced airport gift shop? Let us know in the comments below!
