I am often asked by my less experienced traveler friends for travel tips. Immediately in my mind I go to thinking about telling them how much their suitcase should weigh, or or how to find the best hotel or airline deals. But they are able to find out that information on their own. That may be what they think they are asking me for, but what I can really help with are those hidden gem tips. The ones that involve such small details of travel that you wouldn't think to ask about them, but once you know the tips, can make all the difference in the world to the ease and comfort of your travel.
Always bring an empty water bottle or thermos.
It can be a fancy Camelback, or as simple as an old plastic water bottle. You can't take liquids through security, and if you come with a full water bottle you will have to throw it out. It is important to stay hydrated while traveling, and by bringing an empty bottle, especially a self filtering one like a Camelback, you will be able to fill up your bottle at water fountains at the airport, restrooms, and restaurants without breaking the bank buying water. Save your money for something more exciting while traveling like....well....anything.
Don't pick seats together.
Well, that isn't entirely true. When you are traveling with a friend, pick seats with an open seat in the middle. For example, if you have the option of 1A (window), 1B (middle), and 1C (aisle), you and your travel partner should pick 1A and 1C. When other people are picking seats they will rarely pick a middle seat, for fear that the people sitting next to them (aka YOU) will be nightmares and they will be bookended between Dumb and Dumber.
This makes odds good that you will have an empty middle seat, and you and your paisano can live la dolce vita and enjoy the row to yourself (as much as seats that are 6 inches wide and recline 2 inches can be enjoyed).
Also, this picture is pure fiction. No one has ever been that comfortable, or comfortable at all, on an airplane. Ever.
Bring hand sanitizer.
Everything you will touch on your trip will be dirty and gross. Everything.
Wear socks.
That can seem like a no-brainer to some people, and a foreign concept to others. If you are a sneaker,
boot, or dress-shoe traveler, socks are likely part of the uniform. If you are a sandal or ballet flat type, socks probably won't be your go-to travel friend. But believe me, when you are barefoot going through security lines that are tens or hundreds deep, sometimes various times throughout a trip, you will want something between your feet and that well worn and soiled ground. Don't believe me? Look at a stranger's bare feet one time. You will be sprinting for your Gold Toes.
Wear a scarf.
This applies to men or women. Scarves not only add a little style to an otherwise frumpy travel outfit, but the real key to them is that they can double as a blanket on an airplane. On more and more flights, blankets are a scarce commodity. Maybe those in first class will have them, but the huddled masses in coach seating are left to be...well, just that. Huddled together for warmth! A scarf is a great way to keep warm in the airplane and throughout the varying temperatures in airport terminals, and can easily double as a head scarf when you need a quick fix to hide that airplane hair.
Try not to check any bags.
You have heard this a million times, but lay out everything you want to take with you, and then pack half.
You will not regret leaving behind those 20 pairs of shoes when you are carrying your 2 ton bags up to your 4th floor flat in Europe without an elevator. It depends on the duration of time you are traveling for too. If you are like one of my study abroad students, you obviously need to check a bag to have enough for a semester. But if you are going for even a week to 10 days, a carry on will suffice. Take things that can mix and match (neutrals like black and brown pants and jeans, pair them with neutral shirts and then mix things up with accessories, jewelry or jackets.) My favorite carry-on bag combo for women is Samantha Brown's Cabin and Tote set. But guys, there are a lot of great options out there too.
...and last, and maybe least.....
Carry pink luggage.
Disclaimer: this one contradicts everything a 21st century woman like myself stands for..."I am woman, hear me roar!" I don't wear the damsel in distress costume well. But here it is. Don't kill the messenger...I'm just reporting what I have heard. If you are a woman traveling alone and need help with your luggage (like those of us that travel to fairs and trade shows with hundred pound suitcases full of catalogs and other swag), a friend once told me that whenever she has pink luggage, people offer to help her get her bags in and out of overhead compartments. And when she has black or blue luggage this never happens. This is hardly scientific research, and because I don't have any pink luggage I haven't been able to test it out, but it sounded interesting enough to share! No harm in looking a little helpless, especially when you do in fact need help!
Always bring an empty water bottle or thermos. It can be a fancy Camelback, or as simple as an old plastic water bottle. You can't take liquids through security, and if you come with a full water bottle you will have to throw it out. It is important to stay hydrated while traveling, and by bringing an empty bottle, especially a self filtering one like a Camelback, you will be able to fill up your bottle at water fountains at the airport, restrooms, and restaurants without breaking the bank buying water. Save your money for something more exciting while traveling like....well....anything.
Well, that isn't entirely true. When you are traveling with a friend, pick seats with an open seat in the middle. For example, if you have the option of 1A (window), 1B (middle), and 1C (aisle), you and your travel partner should pick 1A and 1C. When other people are picking seats they will rarely pick a middle seat, for fear that the people sitting next to them (aka YOU) will be nightmares and they will be bookended between Dumb and Dumber.
Also, this picture is pure fiction. No one has ever been that comfortable, or comfortable at all, on an airplane. Ever.
Bring hand sanitizer.
Everything you will touch on your trip will be dirty and gross. Everything.
Wear socks.
That can seem like a no-brainer to some people, and a foreign concept to others. If you are a sneaker,
boot, or dress-shoe traveler, socks are likely part of the uniform. If you are a sandal or ballet flat type, socks probably won't be your go-to travel friend. But believe me, when you are barefoot going through security lines that are tens or hundreds deep, sometimes various times throughout a trip, you will want something between your feet and that well worn and soiled ground. Don't believe me? Look at a stranger's bare feet one time. You will be sprinting for your Gold Toes.
Wear a scarf.
This applies to men or women. Scarves not only add a little style to an otherwise frumpy travel outfit, but the real key to them is that they can double as a blanket on an airplane. On more and more flights, blankets are a scarce commodity. Maybe those in first class will have them, but the huddled masses in coach seating are left to be...well, just that. Huddled together for warmth! A scarf is a great way to keep warm in the airplane and throughout the varying temperatures in airport terminals, and can easily double as a head scarf when you need a quick fix to hide that airplane hair.
Try not to check any bags.
You have heard this a million times, but lay out everything you want to take with you, and then pack half. You will not regret leaving behind those 20 pairs of shoes when you are carrying your 2 ton bags up to your 4th floor flat in Europe without an elevator. It depends on the duration of time you are traveling for too. If you are like one of my study abroad students, you obviously need to check a bag to have enough for a semester. But if you are going for even a week to 10 days, a carry on will suffice. Take things that can mix and match (neutrals like black and brown pants and jeans, pair them with neutral shirts and then mix things up with accessories, jewelry or jackets.) My favorite carry-on bag combo for women is Samantha Brown's Cabin and Tote set. But guys, there are a lot of great options out there too.
...and last, and maybe least.....
Carry pink luggage.
Disclaimer: this one contradicts everything a 21st century woman like myself stands for..."I am woman, hear me roar!" I don't wear the damsel in distress costume well. But here it is. Don't kill the messenger...I'm just reporting what I have heard. If you are a woman traveling alone and need help with your luggage (like those of us that travel to fairs and trade shows with hundred pound suitcases full of catalogs and other swag), a friend once told me that whenever she has pink luggage, people offer to help her get her bags in and out of overhead compartments. And when she has black or blue luggage this never happens. This is hardly scientific research, and because I don't have any pink luggage I haven't been able to test it out, but it sounded interesting enough to share! No harm in looking a little helpless, especially when you do in fact need help!
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