21 Game-Changing Travel Hacks That’ll Make Your Next Journey A Breeze

Because every great adventurer deserves a few insider tricks.

Jesse

• Published in News
• November 14, 2024

Traveling is one of life’s greatest adventures, but let’s be real—getting there isn’t always a breeze. Sure, the internet is flooded with travel tips, but how many times do we need to hear, “roll your clothes to save space”? 

What if you’re looking for advice that’s a little less obvious and a lot more useful? We’re talking insider tricks that only veteran globetrotters know. That’s where we come in! 

We’ve put together this list of 21 lesser-known but super useful travel hacks that’ll make you feel like a jet-setting pro. These hacks come from a blend of real travelers who’ve been there, done that, and shared their wisdom. They’ve earned their badges as seasoned adventurers, who know how to navigate the unexpected.

Imagine breezing through airport security, never scrambling for Wi-Fi passwords, and always having that one tiny item that you didn’t know you’d need but are so glad you packed. Amazing, right? 

These are the kinds of tips that help you avoid rookie travel mistakes and even save some cash along the way. 

So, whether you’re a frequent flier or planning your first adventure, get ready to add some fresh hacks to your travel toolkit. Trust us, you’ll want to bookmark these for your next trip!

1. Rolling in points! A bike rental hack in Paris that scored thousands in rewards – sometimes, it pays to pedal.

We once racked up over 20,000 capital one points in an unconventional way. 

We were in Paris and we'd rent the Velib bikes to get around the city. The catch is that everytime we'd rent a bike out, a hold was put on our credit card in case of damage to the bike. The hold was close to $400 each bike, I believe, and It would take a couple days for the hold to be lifted. 

For some reason the hold would go through as a purchase on our card, and with the travel multiplier, we were getting about 1,600 points every time we'd rent a bike. 

The best part was that, if you rented the bike for less than 30 minutes the rental was free. So we'd just rent 2 bikes, ride to the next station in less than 30 minutes, drop them off and rent 2 more bikes. We did this an absurd amount of times and got rewarded handsomely. .

2. Now, that’s one way to avoid the security shuffle

When going through security, put all of your pocket belongings into your backpack.

Then, you don’t have to worry about using the small trays, or gathering up important things from the conveyor belt :).

3. Power all your devices with one plug overseas. A power board is your ultimate charging ally

4. Merino wool keeps the stink at bay, making travel lighter (and nicer for everyone around).

5. If flights make you nauseous, a little spritz of saline spray can work wonders.

6. eSIMs: because who has time to hunt down a SIM card abroad?

Might not be obscure to some, but was new to me last month.

Esims are a godsend.

You can shop around online before starting your trip for the best deal on a temporary esim. I paid 30 cad for a 1 month 12 gig unlimited everything else plan, good for all of Europe. Installed the esim before heading to the airport. As soon as the plane landed, I was able to fire up my esim without any of the hassle of finding a physical sim card. Was in my Uber 10 minutes after leaving customs, it was great.

Not all phones support it, but for those that do, they are extremely convenient and cheap.

7. A savvy trick for flexible plans—but rumor has it the hotels are catching up fast

If you have to cancel a hotel less than 24 hours in advance, call and tell them you need to bump the reservation back a week. Then call the next day and cancel it penalty free because it’s 6 days prior to the reservation.

8. Pro tip: the cleanest airport bathrooms are by baggage claim. You’ll thank us later

Use the bathrooms by the baggage claim. They’re always clean and empty.

9. The sarong is your travel wardrobe’s MVP. Wear it, sit on it, or cover up with it—it does it all!

Always carry a sarong with you when travelling. It’s basically an all in one lightweight tool. You can use it as clothes, raincoat, a rope, a bandage, a beach towel/picnic rug, a bag or a blanket.

10. Skip the passport line with the Mobile Passport app—your fast pass to a quick entry

If you’re flying internationally into the US and are a US citizen, do the mobile passport option if the airport has it. It’s an app and takes 30 seconds to do. It’s just as fast as global entry. I’ve passed 100s of people waiting at passport control.

11. Pens, plastic forks, and garment bags – the unsung heroes of smooth travel

Traveling International? Bring a pen with you. The longest lines you wait for at customs is for the damn pen. 

Pack a plastic fork and spoon with you. I hate showing up to my hotel with some instant noodles and then having to use the coffee stirring sticks like chopsticks to eat it. 

If you’re tall, mention you have problems with your knees at the check in counter. Sometimes they’ll find you a seat with more leg room. 

Traveling for a short period? Use a garment bag instead of a suitcase. I find I can fit 3 outfits, my laptop and other essentials in one garment bag comfortably and it still fit as a carry on. .

12. A safety pin and a bit of tape: small but mighty travel heroes for those unexpected moments

13. This is just pure genius

14. Scout your stay before you arrive! Google Street View: the ultimate virtual neighborhood check.

If you're not sure of the neighborhood you're booking your hotel or rental stay in, go to Google Street View and "walk around" in the neighborhood. You can see if it looks pleasant, has nearby cafes or local grocery stores, etc etc.

15. Flight plans changed? Upgrade, then cancel for a full refund – it’s all in the fine print

Most flights won't give you a refund on basic tickets. Upgrade them to a higher class ticket then cancel for a full refund.

EDIT: I've done this with United/JetBlue I can't speak for other airlines.

16. Need a spot to snooze? London’s night bus doubles as a budget-friendly ‘hotel on wheels’

There's a London night bus which goes to Heathrow and back. I say this one in particular because it's quite a long route. If you arrive late in the evening and need somewhere to just exist, you can ride it back and forth and sightsee or snooze a little. I discovered this when I arrived via bus from France in the middle of the night but my next bus up to Edinburgh didn't leave for like 6 hours. Seemed pointless to get a hotel room.

https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/n9/

Changi airport in Singapore has something similar, but it's an actual tour bus you can take for free during a layover.

https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/facilities-and-services/free-singapore-tour.html.

17. Give your feet a break! Loose shoes mean happy, non-swollen toes after landing.

18. When the streetlights fail, your mini LED prevails. Never face a dark path (or land crab) unprepared

19. The ultimate long-haul flight survival kit

20. Flying US-Canada? Check one-way tickets both ways; it could save you some serious cash.

If flying between the US and Canada, ALWAYS look at buying separate one-way tickets each direction. More often than not, you'll save $100+ due to their strange exchange rate and tax calculations. It doesn't work on every single route, but is always worth a check, and I've been amazed how often it's been much cheaper.

21. Explore with confidence—even off the grid. Offline maps mean no Wi-Fi, no problem

One of my favorite obscure travel hacks is to use Google Maps offline. Before my trip, I download the maps of the areas I’ll be visiting. This way, I can navigate, find attractions, and even search for restaurants without needing an internet connection. It’s especially useful in places with spotty Wi-Fi or when I want to save on data usage. Plus, it saves a ton of stress and helps me feel more confident exploring new places.

There you have it—21 travel hacks that go beyond the basics and add a little magic to your journey. Remember, travel is all about the experience, and with these tips in hand, you’re sure to have a smoother, smarter adventure. Safe travels, and happy hacking!

Jesse