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10 hacks every traveler wishes they knew sooner

Image: Erik Odiin

Travel like a pro

10 hacks every traveler wishes they knew sooner

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but let’s face it, unexpected problems can pop up anytime. Don’t worry! Whether you’re an experienced traveler or are preparing for your first big trip, these 10 hacks will make your next adventure smoother, easier, and more fun. You’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner!

Track your bag

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Losing luggage is a nightmare for many travelers, but unfortunately, it happens more often than you'd like. But don’t worry, we’ve got a solution. If it’s possible, travel with a carry-on for a faster, lighter, and stress-free experience. In case you do check a suitcase, attach a couple of AirTags so you can track it at all times. It’s also smart to take photos of your luggage: this makes it easier to identify and prove ownership if needed.

The smart way

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You probably already know that being flexible with your dates and destinations can help you find cheaper flight options that fit your plans. But here’s another trick: use Google’s Incognito mode or a VPN when browsing airline websites. This way, airlines can’t track your activity and won’t try to raise prices based on what you’re looking for.

Early morning team

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If flight prices aren’t a concern, we recommend choosing early morning departures. And it’s not just because we’re morning people. Statistically, these flights are the least likely to be delayed or canceled. As the first flights of the day, they simply don’t carry over the delays from earlier flights.

Get in touch without spending

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If you’re traveling abroad, here’s a tip you’ll love: use an encrypted app like WhatsApp to stay in touch with loved ones back home. This will allow you to send messages and make international calls without extra charges!

Local currency

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If you’re a frequent traveler, you probably already know that your credit card is your best ally. But just in case you don’t know this already: always pay in the currency of the country you’re visiting. Why? Many merchants will offer to convert your purchase into your home currency, but this often comes with extra fees and surcharges. Paying in the local currency lets your bank or card network give you a much better exchange rate, saving you money.

A must-have item

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Unexpected temperature changes can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why grandmothers always advised carrying a light blanket or a multipurpose scarf on every trip. Yes, this travel hack is simple: bring a blanket. It might seem silly at first, but you’d be surprised how often it can come in handy. You can thank us later.

Functional suitcase

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Rolling your clothes to pack them has been proven to save a lot of space, letting you fit more into your suitcase than with the traditional folding method. But that’s not all! This technique also helps prevent wrinkles, which often happen when clothes are stacked on top of each other. Plus, it makes it easier to see every item without digging through your bag. No folding, no ironing!

Clean, dry clothes

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Some trips can be long, with your suitcase closed for hours. If that’s the case, just put a couple of dryer sheets among your clothes. They’ll keep everything smelling fresh, so your outfits are ready to wear the moment you arrive.

Before leaving

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Our goal here is to help you avoid travel headaches, so here’s a tip we wish we’d known sooner: if you’re traveling abroad, always notify your credit and debit card companies. This prevents your card from being flagged for suspicious activity and avoids it being blocked while you’re away.

Don't forget these!

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We all know it’s important, yet we often forget it: always travel with insurance. Seriously, always. Even if nothing has gone wrong on your past trips, staying cautious, especially when it comes to your health, can make all the difference when you’re in another country. And speaking of must-have items, don’t leave home without a wireless charger. You won’t realize how much you rely on your phone or laptop until the battery dies.