More on travel
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Get up and walk around or stretch every couple of hours during the flight.
It helps a little.
4 people, independently
Check if the airport has a designated cell phone lot and wait there until the arriving passenger calls you.
It saves time spent waiting in traffic.
- Some airports are cracking down on free pickup parking.
3 people, independently
Use public buses instead of owning a car to save on registration, gas, and insurance.
Car registration costs are high, and bus fares can be less than the cost of gas.
- The bus experience is described as 'kind of a bummer'.
one person who lived it
Ask for an AAA discount when booking a hotel.
It saves money, and proof of membership is not always requested.
- Results may vary; some hotels may require proof.
one person who lived it
Use a Scangauge device in your car to monitor MPG and improve driving habits.
It helps keep MPG up.
one person who lived it
airport, avoid, luggage, flight63
Take photos of your suitcase contents right before zipping it up.
You will know instantly if anything goes missing and can prove what was inside for insurance or airline claims.
5 people, independently
If you cannot find your bag on the carousel, check if it is lying upside down.
Bags may roll over, hiding unique identifiers like zippers.
one person who lived it
Watch your engine temperature gauge while driving, especially at high speeds or in extreme heat.
Failing to monitor the gauge can lead to blowing a head gasket.
one person who lived it
Take a photo of the nearest pillar, row marking, or floor and section numbers when parking at an airport.
It helps you find your car easily, especially when returning exhausted after a trip.
3 people, independently
58 more on this
Double-check specific details like locks if your bag looks similar to others on the carousel.
You might pick up a bag that resembles yours but is not yours.
one person who lived it
Sleep on fully padded, flat benches rather than those with gaps between cushions to protect your back.
Benches with gaps between cushions can hurt your back.
one person who lived it
Wear an eye mask to block out light from sources like microwave displays or hallway leaks under doors.
It solves the problem of light intrusion.
one person who lived it
Roll a comfortable casual outfit into a clean towel and store it in your car trunk for emergencies.
You will likely be grateful later for the ten minutes spent preparing this.
one person who lived it
Sort packed clothes into cubes by type (e.g., socks, shirts, dirty laundry) to locate items quickly.
You will know exactly which cube to open without digging through luggage.
one person who lived it
Change into fresh clothes and use facial towelettes and deodorant right before meeting your pickup person after a long flight.
It is far better than wearing the clothes you have been in for hours.
one person who lived it
Keep bottled water in your car trunk to keep it cool during summer.
Trunks stay cooler than the cabin in the summer.
one person who lived it
Pack a toothbrush and mini tube of toothpaste in your carry-on for post-flight hygiene.
Clean teeth make you feel better after a long flight.
one person who lived it
When guiding a wheelchair over a curb, reverse it backwards while lifting the front wheels in a wheelie.
Pulling is easier than pushing, and lifting the front prevents the occupant from sliding forward.
one person who lived it
Use a comfortable sleep mask to block out light and aid relaxation.
It was described as a game changer for blocking out the world.
one person who lived it
Stay at a casino hotel near Yuma to access shuttle services and affordable lodging when traveling for cross-border dental work.
Shuttles are available nearby and nightly rates are low.
one person who lived it
Rebook missed connections via phone or internet rather than waiting in line at the gate.
Phone or internet rebooking is often faster and can be done while still on the plane; gate agents may be busy with other flights.
one person who lived it
Check lists of VPNs effective against geoblocks to ensure you choose a provider that works in your destination country.
To avoid choosing the wrong one.
one person who lived it
Choose Copa Airlines or Tocumen Airport for short connections if you need efficient gate proximity.
Gates are often next to each other, facilitating connections as short as 35 minutes.
- Based on one person's experience with a few flights.
one person who lived it
Do not rely on bear bells to avoid surprising bears while hiking.
Bear bells are useless.
one person who lived it
Be aware that sharing a name with a parent can cause travel issues.
One family almost got stuck at an airport because officials were confused by two passports having the same name.
one person who lived it
If you are at a hotel, hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom while taking a hot shower to let steam remove creases.
Steam adds moisture that eliminates wrinkles.
4 people, independently
Fill out immigration cards on the plane to avoid losing your pen or lending it away.
It prevents the risk of losing the pen by lending it to someone else.
one person who lived it
Stick a strip of masking tape on your luggage to make it easy to spot.
It helps prevent mishaps and makes the bag easy to identify, though it may spoil the aesthetic.
one person who lived it
Fill water bottles with ice instead of liquid to bypass TSA liquid restrictions.
Ice does not count as a liquid.
one person who lived it
If you are military personnel, look for a veteran's or VA lounge at the airport.
It is described as a lifesaver.
one person who lived it
Take a photo of yourself holding your passport.
It has been useful for additional verification when replacing a lost passport abroad.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Listen to new music while on vacation so that hearing those songs later reminds you of the trip.
It creates a nice reminder of the vacation when you return home.
one person who lived it
- Avoid listening to your travel-associated album for a while after returning home.1
Mount your backpack on a bike rack instead of wearing it to avoid back discomfort and improve bike responsiveness.
Carrying weight on a bent back is uncomfortable, and carrying weight lower down makes the bike more responsive.
one person who lived it
Walk to the first gate after deplaning so your ride sees you immediately.
It ensures you are the first person your driver spots.
one person who lived it
Wear comfortable shoes without heels to handle extensive daily walking and uneven sidewalks with grates.
Daily walks can exceed 9 miles and sidewalks have hazardous grates.
one person who lived it
Buy a cheap hanging scale to weigh your luggage at home before traveling.
3 people, independently
Use a wide, colorful luggage belt around your suitcase.
It serves two purposes.
2 people, independently
Take photos of important items such as home furnishings, medications, parking spots, and serial numbers for proof of ownership.
To have evidence in case of fire, robbery, or loss.
one person who lived it
If reusable vacuum bags are unavailable, compress clothes in backpacks using ziploc bags submerged in a tub of water.
Works better than other methods without vacuum bags.
- Do not dunk too far.
one person who lived it
Visit lounges during mornings or late evenings to avoid crowds.
It is quieter and calmer then.
one person who lived it
Embed pet bowls in shoeboxes during travel to prevent flipping and spilling.
The box acts as a travel case and bowl holder, preventing pets from pawing water out.
one person who lived it
If you have specific sleep needs, such as sleeping on your side, carry your own pillow when sleeping away from home.
One person reported they cannot sleep without their specific pillow.
one person who lived it
Screenshot train booking codes from emails, especially in areas with poor reception.
People have missed trains because they could not get reception to access codes at machines.
one person who lived it
Stay inside the secure area of the airport unless absolutely necessary to avoid re-screening.
Re-screening is described as a hassle not worth the effort.
one person who lived it
Use an ugly, vintage suitcase without wheels to deter baggage handlers from rifling through your things.
Handlers may step back in disgust at unattractive luggage.
one person who lived it
Verify that your passport meets the validity requirements of every country on your itinerary before boarding, as airlines may deny you entry to a connecting flight even if the final destination allows it.
Airlines can refuse boarding for subsequent flights if validity rules are not met, regardless of citizenship or lenient destination rules.
2 people, independently
Pre-load movies on your device before traveling to hotels.
Hotel internet may be slow or non-functional.
one person who lived it
Use a portable steamer to target fold marks on clothes rather than steaming the entire rolled item.
Rolling creates odd wrinkles that make steaming the whole item difficult.
one person who lived it
Cover a suction-mounted phone with a pillow during takeoff and landing on airlines that require electronics to be stowed.
It is easier than holding the device in your hands.
one person who lived it
If you are booking connecting flights, avoid airlines that do not have code-share partners to prevent being stranded if a flight is delayed or cancelled.
Without code-share partners, a missed connection may require booking a separate ticket on another airline, potentially delaying travel by a day or more.
one person who lived it
If your carry-on is slightly too large for the sizer, remove items and wear them to reduce the bag's dimensions, then put them back in once through security.
one person who lived it
When driving to an unfamiliar place with a passenger, assign them the role of 'Chief of the boat' to read directions and signs so you can focus entirely on driving.
This allows you to worry about driving rather than navigating.
one person who lived it
Use neon-colored luggage for high visibility.
It really does help.
one person who lived it
Use an unlocked phone with a local SIM card from the country you are visiting.
It reduces communication costs compared to international roaming.
one person who lived it
Apply for passports outside of late winter and early spring to avoid longer wait times caused by high volume from summer and spring break travelers.
More people applying during peak travel planning seasons results in longer turnaround times.
one person who lived it
Ask a flight attendant for extra pillows to sit on if your current cushion is insufficient.
It makes a significant difference in comfort.
one person who lived it
Buy clothes at the airport to help identify which city you are in when sorting vacation photos later.
It provides a visual cue for location memory.
one person who lived it
one person reported sleeping safely by reclining the front seat at truck stop rest areas like Pilot or Flying J across dozens of states
one person who lived it
If you are stuck at an airport overnight, look for a restaurant waiting area with fully padded, flat benches to sleep on more comfortably than standard seating.
Standard airport benches often have gaps between cushions that hurt your back, whereas padded flat surfaces are far more comfortable for sleeping.
one person who lived it
Check the expiry dates of minors' passports specifically if you travel with children.
Minors' passports often have much shorter validity periods.
one person who lived it
Wrap tennis racquet handle tape around the suitcase handle.
There are many colors and patterns available for identification.
one person who lived it
Download podcasts, movies, albums, and audiobooks for offline play before flying.
In-flight wifi is advertised but useless.
one person who lived it
Pack an inexpensive outlet splitter in your carry-on for airport use to secure power access and possibly share it with others.
- Some people do not view airports as places to make friends.
- Be aware of fake outlet pictures.
4 people, independently
Apply vinyl decals, such as silver ferns, to luggage to make identification easier.
It helps identify common black hard-cased bags easily.
one person who lived it
Bring an extra bag when dropping off a traveler who tends to pack overweight, so you can take non-essential items back home.
one person who lived it
Use a distinctive collar with a name braided into it as a baggage handle wrap for unique identification.
- It can be stolen.
one person who lived it
Avoid getting drunk while traveling to prevent dangerous situations like theft.
one person who lived it
car, costs, fees, check29
Get a credit card that offers delayed or lost baggage protection.
Consider financing a reliable car rather than buying a cheap one if repair costs on the cheaper option are high.
Repair costs on an old car can exceed loan payments.
one person who lived it
If you are under 25 and renting from Hertz, book through the AAA website to waive the underage driver fee.
Car rental companies typically charge high fees for drivers under 25, but this method avoids that cost.
one person who lived it
Extend the life of your current car rather than buying a new one.
Car prices are insane; wait for the market to settle.
one person who lived it
If you organize a group trip, claim the first choice of room as compensation for the planning work.
Planning is not an easy task and takes several hours.
one person who lived it
25 more on this
Check for hidden fees like cleaning charges when comparing Airbnb prices to hotels, as these can make rentals more expensive than advertised.
One person experienced a bait-and-switch where a $90/day stay cost $207 at checkout due to cleaning fees.
one person who lived it
Get a credit card that offers delayed or lost baggage protection.
Some cards offer daily compensation (e.g., $100/day) for purchasing necessities.
2 people, independently
When several taxis are available, offer a low price to the first driver and let him refuse you.
This signals to other drivers that you know the market rate.
one person who lived it
Check if your credit card offers reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees.
Most good credit cards provide a credit every five years, making it essentially free.
one person who lived it
If your second car dies, stick with one vehicle to lower insurance costs.
Insurance went way down
one person who lived it
If threatened by a taxi driver or scammer, bluff that you have texted the license number to a friend who will call police if you do not arrive safely within a set time.
This lie successfully de-escalated a threatening situation.
one person who lived it
Check the oil level before driving a borrowed car.
Driving with zero oil can cause engine seizure.
one person who lived it
Cut down on the time a Zipcar is parked to reduce costs.
You lose money when the vehicle is parked but get a good deal when driving.
one person who lived it
If you are able to go car-free, do so to eliminate registration fees, insurance payments, and parking headaches while gaining regular exercise.
It lowers stress and shrinks your carbon footprint.
one person who lived it
Contact your credit card issuer to refuse the charge if you did not receive the transportation service you purchased.
The issuer may cancel the charge on the grounds that the service was not provided.
one person who lived it
If a host cancels your stay last minute, call support instead of messaging them and firmly state what compensation you want without negotiating.
It is harder for support to dismiss your concern over the phone than via email.
one person who lived it
Tape receipts inside owner's manuals and file them in an expandable folder organized by item type to preserve proof for long-term warranty claims.
Having the original receipt allowed a lifetime warranty claim to be honored even after more than 10 years.
one person who lived it
If your online payments are declined while abroad, connect to a VPN server in your home country to match your IP address with your card's location.
Foreign IP addresses can trigger fraud checks that decline transactions; matching the IP to the card's origin bypasses this.
one person who lived it
Do not put premium fuel in a borrowed car that runs on regular gas.
It provides no benefit and wastes money.
one person who lived it
Use cruise line price drop credits for specialty dining or drinks instead of losing the money.
It is considered 'free money'.
one person who lived it
Check the coin return baskets at unmanned toll booths for coins that were rejected by the machine.
Many drivers throw coins in without realizing they were spat back out because payment failed to register.
one person who lived it
Take photos of every ding on a rental car before driving it off the lot.
2 people, independently
Ask Costco for an additional refund check if your executive membership rebate is less than the price difference between the executive and basic memberships.
The additional refund is not automatic.
one person who lived it
Consider Global Entry as an alternative to a passport card if you want TSA PreCheck access and REAL ID compliance.
Global Entry provides PreCheck access and serves as a REAL ID.
one person who lived it
Be cautious of bookings longer than 30 days, as payment structures change (paying only one month at a time) which can lead to scams where guests refuse further payment and force an eviction process.
one person who lived it
Try using a VPN when booking rides to potentially access lower regional pricing.
Some places offer costs based on region.
one person who lived it
Pay for expedited passport processing if possible.
It is generally worth it.
one person who lived it
Visit state or national parks on Christmas Day if they are open, paying only the entrance fee to enjoy nature.
one person who lived it
If a rental company claims you caused damage that is physically impossible to have occurred in the short time you had the vehicle, argue the logical impossibility of the timeline.
one person who lived it
Ask dealerships to remove advertising stickers from new vehicles by arguing that you are not being paid for advertising.
one person who lived it
ensure, personal9
For USB-charged gadgets, pick a multi-port wall charger.
Use a travel power strip with USB ports on trains to charge phones via USB and laptops via mains outlets, allowing sharing when outlets are scarce.
Some short-run trains only have one outlet for every two seats.
one person who lived it
For USB-charged gadgets, pick a multi-port wall charger.
Good units supply the highest permitted wattage to every connected device.
- Randomly bought chargers may not charge at max speed.
- Research is required to ensure proper performance.
3 people, independently
Ensure your phone has balance when traveling to Uruguay, as emergency calls to 911 are a charged service there.
911 is a charged service.
one person who lived it
Consider bringing an Ethernet cable if hotel WiFi is poor, as some rooms still have jacks.
Wired connections are more stable than wireless.
- Ethernet jacks may not be available in all rooms.
one person who lived it
5 more on this
Ensure your charger provides at least the watts required by your device.
Extra capacity will not damage the device.
one person who lived it
Mount your smartphone using a Ram mount suction cup and x-grip to create a personal viewing setup.
It creates a private movie theater experience.
one person who lived it
Use compression tools for F-connectors instead of crimp connectors.
Crimp connectors can lead to ingress and disconnection.
one person who lived it
Place work and personal phones on different cellular networks to ensure coverage redundancy.
One person reported having service on one network while the other did not, and vice versa.
one person who lived it
Set up a personal Wi-Fi hotspot from your laptop after connecting via wired connection to share internet with other devices.
It allows all connected devices to access the internet through the laptop.
one person who lived it
places, vacation, often, friends29
Respect that friends in tourist destinations may not be available for daytime activities like noon bar visits due to work.
Just because you are on vacation does not mean they are; they have jobs.
one person who lived it
Trust that you will figure things out as you go along.
You may become inspired and find what to say once you are in the mix, even if you are unsure now.
one person who lived it
If you want to refresh your perspective, take a vacation day to explore your own city as a tourist.
It can reveal how much of your local area you do not know.
one person who lived it
Be polite and gracious to airline staff handling lost luggage claims to increase their willingness to help.
Staff are more willing to help when treated with courtesy.
one person who lived it
25 more on this
Don't stress about missing scheduled items or waking up late on vacation; enjoy yourself to be happier.
You'll be much happier that way.
- Some partners may have conflicting expectations about wake-up times while away.
one person who lived it
Travel more when you have time but little money, rather than waiting until you can afford nice trips.
Some of the best memories come from budget travel experiences.
one person who lived it
If someone questions tipping, show them the actual wage numbers for the workers to help justify it.
Seeing the numbers can instantly change their perspective.
one person who lived it
Do not expect service industry workers to smile or be courteous; focus on their functional role rather than expecting a master/servant relationship.
They are mostly hired to perform functions, not to be courteous.
one person who lived it
Seek recommendations from friends who have actually visited the destination.
They can honestly tell you if you will have a great time.
one person who lived it
Look up at roofs, higher buildings, and second-floor windows while exploring a city.
Residents tend to look down.
one person who lived it
Focus on reviews from people who speak the local language or are from the area, rather than tourists.
Tourists often overrate places due to a lack of benchmark, whereas locals have likely tried more nearby options.
one person who lived it
Consider working on international trading vessels, which pay well with minimal training, to earn vacation time for travel.
Positions offer high pay and extended vacation periods with no obligations.
one person who lived it
Drop friends off at sights rather than accompanying them if you dislike tourist traps or feel overwhelmed.
It prevents you from suffering internally while acting as a free taxi.
one person who lived it
When staying at a hotel in Geneva, ask reception for free public transport vouchers, which are often provided as a city-sponsored perk.
The city sponsors this benefit as part of hotel perks.
one person who lived it
If a waiter takes your card away to swipe it at a restaurant in Latin America, be alarmed as this behavior can help with skimming scams.
Waiters usually swipe cards at the table; taking it to the back is unusual and suspicious.
one person who lived it
In South Korea, keep your voice down in public places like subways and buses.
Talking loud in public places is considered rude.
one person who lived it
Embrace differences in customs and expectations when traveling rather than expecting things to be like your hometown, or you will be disappointed.
Expecting things to be like home leads to disappointment wherever you go.
one person who lived it
Do not expect friends in your destination city to act as tour guides unless they offer.
They likely have responsibilities outside of your visit and are not on vacation.
one person who lived it
Consider staying at non-all-inclusive resorts to support local culture and restaurants.
All-inclusive resorts can harm local restaurants and often pay employees very low wages.
one person who lived it
Avoid restaurants packed with tourists and eat where locals do.
to find better food and authentic experiences
one person who lived it
Avoid shopping at jewelry stores recommended by cruise lines at ports.
These stores often have deals that focus on the cruise line's profit over fair pricing.
one person who lived it
Dress well and behave politely in Thailand to receive respectful treatment.
Thailand places high emphasis on image; appearing low-class leads to poor treatment, while politeness and grace elicit kindness.
one person who lived it
Recognize that tipping is not universal; in places like Europe, it is often optional because workers receive living wages and service quality is tied to job security rather than tips.
In many European locations, jobs pay living wages and people provide good service to keep their jobs.
one person who lived it
Read negative reviews (1-2 stars) to identify specific issues.
Negative reviews tend to be more specific.
one person who lived it
Use travel websites like Wikivoyage or Travel Independent for researching destinations you know nothing about.
They are useful for places you know nothing about.
one person who lived it
If you are dining at an upscale restaurant, ask the staff for recommendations on other similar-level establishments they enjoy.
Staff members are often excited to share their personal favorites and love to please guests.
one person who lived it
Avoid bringing up negative stereotypes or sensitive topics like drugs when speaking with locals.
Such questions can be extremely upsetting to locals.
one person who lived it
Choose not to be an asshole, recognizing that ability does not imply obligation.
one person who lived it
Visit art galleries that offer aperos, typically including wine and small appetizers, for an affordable cultural experience.
one person who lived it
Do not rely on hotel safes for security.
Many have universal codes (such as 0000) and are otherwise not very safe.
one person who lived it
Verify that your HDMI cable supports the bandwidth required for your specific resolution and refresh rate.
Cables vary in capability; some cannot handle 4K or high refresh rates, causing setup failures.
2 people, independently
Ask local Buy Nothing groups for spare HDMI cables.
Many people have boxes of unused cords available.
one person who lived it
If you discover a hidden camera, do not remove it or handle it before the police arrive.
Handling or removing it can compromise forensic evidence and reduce the situation to a 'he said/she said' dispute.
one person who lived it
2 more on this
Search online for your TV model number to find instructions on unlocking blocked inputs.
Owner's manuals often contain steps to unlock inputs for personal devices.
one person who lived it
Ask the cable installer to leave extra coaxial cable length for future flexibility with moving peripherals.
It saves time and money later.
one person who lived it
In the UK, do not give the peace sign with your palm facing towards yourself.
It is considered the same as flipping someone off.
one person who lived it
In Brazil, do not use the 'OK' hand gesture (thumb and index finger forming a circle).
It means 'asshole'.
one person who lived it
If you are in Thailand, do not lose your temper.
Losing your temper is described as a figurative death sentence that causes locals to make things difficult for you.
one person who lived it
Avoid using the phrase 'fanny pack' in the UK.
The word 'fanny' refers to female genitalia or buttocks in the UK, causing confusion or offense.
one person who lived it
2 more on this
Do not rely solely on initials for luggage identification.
If many people use them, your bag is no longer distinct.
one person who lived it
Bring a fanny pack, sunscreen, and a towel when visiting nudist colonies.
These are items often forgotten but necessary for a good experience.
one person who lived it