Traveling for leisure is supposed to relax you, but sometimes the simple act of traveling can be stressful.
Crowds, noise, flight delays, lost luggage, and unaccounted for expenses…you get the picture.
You may not be able to do anything about some of these annoyances, but proper planning can rid you of some others. Now that I’ve been doing some more traveling since I became self-employed, I’ve learned a few things that help my trips be less stressful, and to help me save money along the way. Here are 4 travel hacks, some of which I’ve used, that you can implement to help you save money.
Consider Your Currency
Once you know your travel destination, check the exchange rates ahead of time if you will be traveling abroad. You may be able to save some money by getting a better rate than if you wait until closer to your departure date.
Another of the travel hacks I’ve used to help me save money is keeping currency in a secure place, like a money belt. This is especially important if you are traveling through an area with a high crime rate. Store some money in more than one place if possible, to prevent a thief from leaving you penniless should they get their hands on your money.
Clothing and Packing
Quick dry clothing is essential if you’re traveling overseas or on a longer trip because you can wash and hang it in your room, doing away with the need to take along as much clothing. Don’t forget to take along some powdered detergent in a bag (I would double bag it in case it leaks) as well as a drain plug and a clothes line. Toss in a couple of plastic bags for damp or soiled clothing. Also, invest in a couple of vacuum sealed space bags to help you get more items into your suitcase, and remember to stuff socks inside of any packed shoes to take advantage of this otherwise unused space.
Travel hacks like this may help you pack light enough to fit everything into a carry-on and eliminate the need to check a bag, which usually costs extra money when you fly.
Technology
These days, cell phones hold a wealth of valuable information that you don’t want to lose, so bring along a plastic zip-lock bag large enough to hold your cell phone in case you end up near water or a beach. It could be an expensive lesson if you don’t.
In addition, pack an external battery to charge your phone while on the go, and if traveling by car, bring a car charger so you don’t have to buy these along the way. They are usually more expensive at gas stations and other travel stops than at your local Walmart.
Check your electronics ahead of time, if traveling to abroad, to determine whether or not you need an adapter, converter, or transformer. Having these items with you may save you from buying them when you arrive.
Safety
Purchase a phrase book if you are planning on spending time on foreign soil and you aren’t familiar with the local language. Additionally, you should take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself. If you lose your real one, it might aid you in getting a new one.
Lastly, ask about crime rate before getting into a bad situation where you fear for your own or a travel companion’s safety. Any one of these situations could cause you to accept the aid of someone who might take financial advantage of you.
Even when traveling domestically, you should send your flight, hotel, and other travel information to a trusted friend or family member so someone knows where you’ll be in case of an emergency.
We can all agree that traveling can be a fun and rewarding experience, but doing so safely and economically is a priority that shouldn’t be ignored. There are lots of travel hacks you can use to help you save on your next trip.
Do you have other ideas for travel hacks that could help you save money?
We use a cash back rewards card that gives us 3% on travel related purchases (rental cars, airline tickets, hotels, etc.) so this is a good way to recoup some of your cost.
Make sure to use a card with no foreign transaction fees!
Nice tips Kayla. Whenever I am about to leave for travel, I list all my things and take a picture the inside of my luggage. Also, I also pack it 2 days before the trip.
One travel hack is to never exchange currency at the airport as it has lower rate compared with those in other locations.
Spot on! There is a better way to fold those clothes and how to put them in your luggage. I think a list of items of stuff in your luggage is necessary.