Travel Hacks
After years of traveling, I have realized some of the tricks that make my trips a lot smoother. To keep it simple, here they are…
Google Maps: This is my number one thing that makes everything so much easier for me. Every time I am on Instagram and I see a place I want to go or a friend mentions a random life changing restaurant in a place I have yet to visit, I add it to my google maps. I also save every place I have gone on google maps, with NOTES (try the chicken etc). This has made even my own London life so much easier. When I get to a place and can see what is actually close by/ in the area. It takes some of the time of planning away and just makes you able to have a much smoother trip. I personally ‘heart’ places as I do them.
AirTags: Personally, I will make every effort to travel with just a carry on after hours of baggage delays or better yet airlines losing my luggage. If you insist on checking a bag, just air tag it! Obviously this will not prevent it from being forgotten or lost by the airline, but it will allow for a much smoother process of getting it back!
Check list: I am a ~list~ girlie through and through. My biggest time saver EVER is that I keep an ongoing checklist of EVERYTHING I have ever needed on a trip (on the notes app). Each trip I go through this entire check list. My travel ranges to hiking trips, weddings, city breaks, beach stays and so on. Some items or reminders will be completely irrelevant for certain trips, but I just check them off, never delete. I don't want to jinx it, but my list has never failed me.
Planning outfits: This might seem like a no brainer, but hear me out. When I go away I magically find something in my closet that I have never worn and decide that on this trip will be the time I figure out how to wear it. I carry endless items, that do not necessarily go together, and the items never get used. Now, by bringing more basics and having a think to see if there is an outfit for every item, all my clothes end up getting worn, and senseless items (thinking heels JUST INCASE there is a dinner) end up staying home. I also don't bring things, shoes etc, unless they can be used at least twice.
Cosmetic Cases/ Pouches: I tend to bring a massive weekend bag on most trips, and if you tend to throw everything into it, there is really no organization. Batching things like chargers, things I require in flight ha just made traveling a whole lot smoother.
Cadence: I am totally obsessed with my cadence capsules. Cute and convenient, need I say more. Plus, it just makes going through airport security that much easier with your liquids, when places like Heathrow force you to put everything in a dreaded plastic bag. I honestly have started using these in everyday life to carry things to work!
Global Entry: I am not exactly reinventing the wheel on this one, but if you travel in and out of the US and are eligible, to me this is a no brainer. Landing at JFK I can deplane, go through customs and be waiting for my ride in under seven minutes. I have had this now for about 8 years and I am honestly happy to spend the money on this as it just saves so much time. Another plus is it automatically gives you TSA precheck!
Scarves: Hot or cold weather, having a scarf has never failed me. Either covering up in a conservative monument, keeping me warm on a cold plan, or dressing up an outfit, I always pack a scarf!
What are some of your best tips?
xx Samantha