1. Never pay for water at the airport.
Things
have got rather strict with bottles of liquid recently. Doesn’t matter
whether it looks as if the seal been tampered with or not, a bottle with
liquid in it is a no go. So, instead of bringing a full bottle, bring
an empty bottle to the airport and refill it after you’ve passed through
security.
2. Turn on ‘Private Browsing’ for cheaper flights online
Airlines
and travel sites can record your visits by installing cookies on your
browser, which can cause the prices you’re shown to rise simply because
you’ve searched for those flights before. This is to trick you into
buying your flights sooner and encourage impulse buying, the cheeky
beggars! Avoid it by switching to ‘Private Browsing’ whenever you book
flights.
3. Roll your clothes for more space
One
of the most simple but effective travel hacks there is. Rather than
folding your clothes, roll them up into a little tube. This will save a
ton of space and stop creases and wrinkles – all in all, pretty sweet!
4. Charge your electronics through a TV
Lost
or forgotten your wall plug for your charger? No worries, most modern
TVs have a USB connector on the back or side. Simply plug in your
electrical device and watch that little battery icon charge.
5. Book Your Accommodation with Hostelworld
Hostelworld’s
brand new mobile app makes booking the best budget accommodation even
easier. Read full descriptions and full reviews of each property to make
sure you get what you want. From party places with bars and pub crawls
galore to the cool but comfortable spots where you can simply sit back
and chill out after a long day’s exploring. The app’s in-built map
feature also makes finding your accommodation a doddle. Best of all,
it’s free!
6. Buy a portable phone charger
Yeah,
alright, this one might seem a little simplistic, but it’s very useful.
Essentially these act as an external battery you can charge separately
using a USB connector or even replenish with a store bought battery.
Worth having one of these in reserve in case an emergency arises while
your phone is out of juice.
7. Use a binder clip to protect razors
This
is one I can’t advocate enough! When travelling America by train, I was
fumbling in my wash bag for some sleeping pills and, hey presto,
managed to drag my index finger across the entire length of all three
blades of my shaving razor. Cue profuse bleeding and stained train
seats. Cover your blades, people.
8. Email yourself a scan of your passport
You’ll
thank yourself if you’re ever a victim of theft or loss. It’s also
worth taking a screenshot of any journey confirmations. If you’ve booked
any flights, buses or trains, whether you’re on your phone, laptop or
tablet, make sure you screenshot them while you have Wi-Fi or internet
access so you can access them when you’re no longer connected. So much
easier than lugging around printouts. As travel hacks go, this is one
you don’t want to ignore in case anything goes wrong.
9. Make your own airplane TV
If
your plane is somehow lacking in personal TVs, you can create your own
with your phone and a clear plastic bag. Simply insert your device,
position it, then hook it onto the back of the tray-table. Apparently,
you can also use the metal bits from the sick-bag, though I’m not sure
how that works… maybe you can work it out from the instructions.
10. Mark your baggage as fragile
Not
only does this mean your bag is more likely to be handled correctly,
but it’ll also find itself at the top of pile in the storage compartment
of the plane. The result? Why, you’ll get your bag back first, of
course. Jackpot.