Travel Hacks I Live By

travel hacks

I like to think that I’m an efficient traveler. I feel very uncomfortable at the airport which is why I’m planning everything precisely in order to avoid anxiety. My vacation outfits, what I pack in my carry-on bag, the exact snacks I’m grabbing for the trip – all those tiny things that make a fight a bit more tolerable.

Wear Sneakers, But Don’t Lace Them

…Instead, tuck in the laces on both sides of your feet. This trick will be handy when you are going through security. Instead of spending time loosening your laces while standing in an uncomfortable position with people sneaking around you, you can easily kick off your sneakers and move in a line.

Have a Pair of Black Socks in Your Pocket

I rarely wear sneakers with socks, but I always make an exception in the airport where you have to walk barefoot while going through customs.

Usually, I fold my socks in half and stick them in a pocket of my jacket or a carry-on bag for easy access. After checkout, I’ll roll them and reuse them if my feet get cold on the flight.

Don’t Dress According to Weather

Let’s be honest: you’ll not get frozen to death by moving from your house to the cab and reverse on the way back. So why carrying an entire winter coat on you if you are heading from a cold climate to a warm one?

Instead, I wear a leather jacket on top of the sweatshirt or a long sleeve top so I can wear pieces from my travel OOTD while on vacation too (for instance, if it happens to be a rainy or particularly chilly day).

Travel in Full Glam

Just a few years ago I was certain that it’s essential to let your skin breathe while on the plane so I never applied before the flight and instead carried a makeup bag on me. As a result, my carry-on bag was heavier than needed and I couldn’t properly apply makeup onto my dehydrated skin anyways.

These days I have a completely different opinion about wearing makeup while traveling and spend a few minutes applying mascara, concealer, and blush at home.

That way I look more presentable (and Instagrammable!) while traveling, not to mention that my carry-on bag is less heavy than usual.

Have a Fresh ‘Do’

Many people don’t count travel days as vacation days because they spend too much time getting ready for actual vacation when they arrive at the hotel. They take a shower, style hair, unpack, apply makeup… by the time the arrival routine is done it’s already dinner.

My approach to travel is to already be prepared for the adventures. Saying so, I travel with a fresh blow-out so I don’t need to style my hair when I arrive at the hotel (and sometimes even the day after).

It’s actually a major time-saving trick as you can start exploring your vacation destination the moment you arrived.

Plan the In and the Out Looks

When it comes to warm-climate vacations, I plan two travel outfits in one. Meaning that I wear the same pants, sneakers, and a jacket on the way there and back and I change my top, bra, and sweatshirt on the way back.

Let’s be honest: for the most part, you can wear the same jeans for a few days in a row, but personally, I can’t wear the same top the next day.

By packing just the top you’ll be wearing while traveling instead of the entire outfit, you will actually save a lot of space in your suitcase.

Book Window and Aisle

If you travel with a partner, you can try having one free seat in between you by using a strategy that Ben figured out for our travels. Basically, he books an aisle and a window seat leaving a middle seat empty.

That way people are less likely to book a single seat in between two occupied ones. If the flight happens to be all booked, you can always offer a person sitting in between you to take an aisle or a window seat.

So far this strategy has worked perfectly for us. We had extra seats for the majority of our flights and the only time a seat happened to be occupied a person had no problems with moving to the aisle seat.

Drink Lots of Water

Being up in the air dehydrates your skin and you can help this situation out by drinking lots of water. By “lots of” I mean at least 8 oz per hour of flight.

Usually, I’ll take two large Smart Water bottles with me and try finishing them until we land.

Granted: you’ll be going to the bathroom a lot, but your skin will tell “thank you” for properly hydrating it.

Pack Sunnies In Your Carry On

I used to pack my sunglasses in a suitcase so I can properly store them in between soft clothes, but lately, I figured that I should really carry them in my carry-on bag so I can avoid squinting on the way from the airport to the hotel.

Have a sturdy padded sunglasses holder on hand while traveling and pack it in your carry-on for easy access with an extra cleaning sheet that you can use throughout the trip.

Schedule a Foot Massage for the Arrival Day

If you have time and opportunity, try booking a massage or reflexology session the day you arrive at your destination. I don’t know about you, but my feet get swollen when I’m traveling and a nice foot massage really helps to reduce this inflammation and totally forget that you’ve just been through an exhausting flight.

Those were some of the tips and tricks I’m following while traveling. I hope you found some helpful hints for your upcoming vacations. I wonder if you have any tips that you’d like to share too? If so, please leave those in the comments area below. Safe travels!

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9 Comments

  1. Adaleta Avdic wrote:

    These travel hacks are amazing, and so creative. I really love how creative you are with all of your content! xx adaatude.com

    Posted 4.13.17
  2. Love your tips on getting ready BEFORE the flight! I never do and then always run into the problem on 1) not wanting to get pics of myself and 2) needing to get ready when I’ve landed which I’m never in the mood for! Really should try doing it before :)

    xx Rachel | http://www.imperfectlyrachel.com

    Posted 4.10.17
  3. Great tips! I always think strategically when booking seats on the plane.

    Posted 4.10.17
  4. Hannah wrote:

    I love these tips! I totally agree with applying makeup before you go, so it doesn’t weigh down your hand luggage. No one likes an extremely heavy hand luggage!xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush♡

    Posted 4.10.17
  5. Love these tips!

    Posted 4.10.17
  6. Joy Michelle wrote:

    good tips!! thanks.
    joy @ The Joyous Living

    Posted 4.10.17
  7. Lotte Kerr wrote:

    These are such great tips, for sure need to follow them!

    Lotte | http://www.lottebeautybox.blogspot.co.uk

    Posted 4.10.17
  8. Cristina wrote:

    Thanks for the tips, Katya! I also think it’s important to look presentable even when you are traveling. If it’s a short flight, you are ready when you arrive to your destination. If it’s a long one, you can always wash your face and reapply your make-up when you arrive so you always look your best :)

    http://www.memoriesofthepacific.com

    Posted 4.10.17

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