75 Tips for Traveling
The past three months, my husband and I have traveled a lot. I wanted to make sure to give Raúl a varied taste of the US for his first trip, and while there is so much of the US we haven’t covered, we’ve packed a lot into three months. We went as far west as Chicago; as far south as Rock Hill, South Carolina; and shortly, we will be going as far north and east as New York City. I’m not as much of a traveler as I’d like to be, but over the years traveling back and forth from the US and Honduras and during my summer-long, cross-country, US road trip eight years ago, I have picked up a few tips and habits that have been helpful for me. Some of these are probably no-brainers for many people, but as Raúl and I have been venturing, I’ve been reminded that some of the things that I do just out of instinct or what I feel is common sense is something that he needs explained because he’s never been in that situation before. So, I thought I’d take a little time to share just some of the practical nuggets I’ve learned over the years.
FLYING
1) Kayak.com. I usually use Kayak.com for finding flights at good prices. There are lots of other good options like Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, and Google Flights. In general, I try to book my flights around three months in advance (at least, especially if I’m flying near holidays), and having a sight that can compare prices among the airlines available just makes my life a little bit easier. With that said, since airlines have added the Basic Economy option, it can be tricky to know what you’re getting. It’s a good idea to check on the airline’s website to know what your classification of ticket actually includes.
2) Skyscanner.com. I recently discovered Skyscanner.com that will tell you the cheapest places to fly from your launch site. If you know that you want to travel, and you know when, but you don’t have a clear preference of where, this site could be helpful for you.
3) Download your airline’s app ahead of time. This one isn’t an absolute must, but it is helpful for quickly knowing your gate number and about any delays or additional necessary information.
4) A luggage scale is a must for a frequent flyer. My L. L. Bean version has kept kicking since probably around 2010, and I’ve used it for every flight I’ve taken.
5) Pick luggage that is durable but also easily identifiable. When there is a sea of black suitcases, you have to be extra careful to make sure that what you pick up is actually yours. When yours doesn’t look so common, it saves time and confusion at the baggage carousel.
6) Don’t waste suitcase weight on things you can buy when you get there. If you have an allergy or temperamental hair that only responds to a certain product, by all means, do you. But, don’t go overboard on taking toiletries and things that you can buy when you get to your destination. If it’s something you don’t have to be picky on, just buy it when you get there.
7) Wear the right shoes. Slip-on shoes are helpful for going through security at the airport, but sandals are not recommended—the floors can be disgusting for bare feet, and blisters can happen if you have to walk a lot to get to your gate. I love tennis shoes myself. They aren’t always the fastest since I usually have to take a moment to get them on and tie them again, but they make up for that in comfort.
8) Invest in a light jacket that has internal pockets. It’s one of my favorite things ever since I’m always cold, but beyond that, the upright pockets on the inside of the jacket are a great place for storing passports, boarding passes, cell phones, and earbuds because they are much less likely to fall out or to be snatched up from your external pocket. While we’re on the subject…
9) Wear layers, starting with comfortable underwear. The reasons why should be obvious.
10) Take a snack pack. When you have to run to avoid missing your flight and there is no time to stop for food, you’ll be happy for your snack pack. And, because food in the airport is generally expensive, your wallet will thank you as well.
11) Try to get decent rest in the days leading up to your trip, especially if you’re like me and find it hard to sleep the night before flying. I did not get enough rest before coming to the US this time, and it immediately showed in my immune system. No one wants to be taking Nyquil and hacking up a lung on the first few days of their trip, so do yourself this favor.
Photo by Erik Odiin
12) Follow instructions and when in doubt, observe those in front of you or ask someone. My mom is often nervous about flying because she’s afraid she won’t know where to go or what to do. She did fly by herself like a champ to come take care of me when I was sick though. The things a mom will do for her kid! In general, read the signs in the security line and watch those who are going in front of you. If you don’t know if you need to take your liquids out of your backpack or whether you need to place your cell phone in the bin, just ask if it’s not indicated on the signs while you’re in line.
DRIVING
13) Wear comfortable shoes when driving long distances and keep an eye on how your seat is adjusted. The car we’ve been driving to travel while in the US is a stick-shift, and I have found that if I’m not careful about how far up or back I have my seat adjusted, my hips will be feeling it later.
14) On long drives, keep lots of different kinds of music on hand or listen to podcasts. You want to make sure you’re staying awake, especially if your passenger is already dozing, so make sure whatever you’re listening to is engaging.
15) Travel with a little cooler (or a big cooler—whatever the occasion calls for). It’s nice to have some cold beverages and the occasional fruit or yogurt when you’re going to be traveling long distances. In the same vein…
16) Keep non-perishable snacks and water in your car. This is handy to not have to stop every time someone’s stomach is growling.
17) Keep your toll money close at hand. It can be stressful to have to dig for the right change whenever there are five cars waiting behind you and an attendant giving you a dirty look. My dad will sometimes by rolls of quarters for this purpose. We mainly have just kept an ample supply of ones and a bag of quarters within arm’s length.
18) Save gas money. Use Google Maps to check for the closest gas station with the best price. You can also calculate how much money you’ll need for gas before even starting your trip using various online websites as long as you know your gas mileage and a rough idea of gas prices.
ACCOMMODATIONS
19) Stay with a friend. In general, when I’m traveling, if there is someone who opens their home to me, I take them up on it. One of the best parts of traveling is who you’re spending your time with. There is nothing as valuable for true community than participating in someone’s everyday life and spaces.
20) Consider camping. This may depend on what kind of trip you’re taking or how flexible you can be with your living conditions. But, I’ve been able to visit some cool places like Niagara Falls and Savannah, Georgia by taking the economic route of camping at a nearby campsite. National parks and state parks have some beautiful nature and scenery to offer wile places like KOA (Kampgrounds of America) aren’t ideal but will work in a pinch when you can’t find anything available near your destination.
21) Hostels can be a good option (if you can be low-maintenance). I haven’t stayed in a hostel in a long time, but when I was traveling across the US, I stayed in quite a few hostels. If you really only need a place to sleep and shower, hostels are an economic way of staying in a major city. Sometimes, your best budget option will be sleeping in a bunkroom with a lot of other people, but a lot of hostels also offer private rooms.
22) Check out places like Airbnb.com or Faithstay.com where people rent out their homes, in-law suites, or spare rooms. I like the really unique places that you can find on these kinds of sites, and I also appreciate this option when surrounding hotels have outrageous prices. A lot of hosts go out of their way to provide extra amenities like toiletries, a coffee maker with various coffee options, a guide to their neighborhood, and other special touches.
23) If you decide to stay in a hotel, check third party reviews and guest photos before booking. I’ve stayed in my fair share of hotels that looked nothing like their pictures. Not all reviews are going to be helpful, so you can take them with a grain of salt. But, there’s no harm in at least looking at them to get a better feel for how people felt about the location. Plus, you might be able to catch a tidbit that “continental breakfast” only means DIY waffles and bagels which could sway which hotel you pick.
CITY TRAVEL
24) Stay outside of the city and use public transportation. Navigating and parking in a city can be a nightmare. Not too mention that accommodation prices within a large city are usually quite high. That’s why I prefer to stay on the outskirts of a city in a place that provides private parking and take public transportation to get around. Just make sure that you know how close your accommodation is to public transportation, so you’re not walking an hour to reach a bus stop or a subway station. So…
25) Take advantage of public transportation. A lot of cities have day-long or week-long passes for public transportation like a subway/metro or the bus system which can be much more convenient than traveling with exact change or having to add a dollar amount to your metro card every time you travel. Download the bus route or subway maps ahead of time and keep them either on your phone or printed out. Google Maps can also be useful in navigating public transportation systems.
26) If you are staying in a hotel in the city, don’t assume they will automatically provide free parking.
27) Prepare an itinerary ahead of time to avoid traveling back and forth all over a city. You’d be surprised how quickly you can waste an entire day just trying to get back and forth between attractions. Your itinerary can be flexible, but to make the most of your time, at least get the lay of the land to know what attractions are close to each other.
28) In cities where public bathrooms are limited, take advantage of places like public libraries. Whereas I tend to be a camel, my husband has presented frequent challenges in finding public bathrooms just about every hour. In general, if you’re frequently in need, take advantage of any available bathroom even when you don’t feel the urge to go.
29) Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Don’t count money in public. Don’t talk about money or personal belongings loudly on your cell phone. Don’t hang your purse on the hook in the bathroom stall where it’s easily snatched up while your pants are literally down. Do your best to know the area beforehand and avoid walking alone especially at dark. Also, know how to stand your ground in your body language. One of the young men we have met in Honduras who use to mug people on buses said that the way that he decided who he would mug was by staring down each person in the eyes—whoever lowered their gaze first became his victim of choice.
30) If you don’t know the language, always know by heart the phone number of someone who can help, the address of your destination, or the address where you are staying. Maybe I should be pleased that my husband trusts me so much, but I can’t count how many times we’ve gotten on to some form of public transportation, and I’ve asked him, “Do you know where we are?” No. “Do you know where the car is parked?” No. “Do you know my phone number?” No. “Do you know how to ask for help or for a phone call in English?” No. “So, what are you going to do if we get separated and you get lost?” These are valid things to consider and be prepared for.
FOOD
31) Don’t eat at chain restaurants. Try to take advantage of taking in new foods and new experiences when possible. That doesn’t mean that where you eat has to be expensive or fancy. Maybe that will include a regional chain of fast food that you don’t have in your neighborhood. Regardless, try something new!
32) Try the local cuisine. When in Rome… If you want to really connect with a place and a people, one of the best ways of doing so is via trying their food.
33) Eat in areas that aren’t tourist areas. It’ll save your wallet if you’ll seek out other places.
34) Visit grocery stores in the area you’re visiting, you’d be surprised what new things you’ll discover. This is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. Because supply is determined by demand, and demand can be determined by a population that may not be very diverse in their eating habits, it can be a lot of fun to see and pick up some items you’ve possibly never seen in your own local grocery story. And if you’re going to stop at a grocery store…
35) Travel with silverware. You’ll never know when you need it.
36) Feel free to stay somewhere that has a kitchen to cut down on your food costs. Traveling can be expensive, so if you need to cut corners in your budget, you can always pick up something worth eating at the grocery store and make it within your own space. Most of the time when traveling, I avoid eating breakfast out and rely on yogurt or fruit or whatever I’ve purchased from the grocery store. Plus, if you at least have a refrigerator and a microwave, you can always heat up your leftovers from the night before.
BEING A GOOD GUEST
37) When staying in someone’s home, try to bring thoughtful gifts if you can. If you know the person well, it can be much more meaningful to give something that connects to your personal story together or that you already know is a favorite of theirs rather than bringing something generic.
38) If you can’t bring a thoughtful gift upon arrival, pay attention to what they like and send a thoughtful gift as a thank you after you’ve left. This doesn’t have to be something huge. It’s just a way of letting people know that you care about them on a personal level that goes beyond your own personal convenience.
40) Be gracious, thankful, and not picky!
41) Ask good questions and be eager to listen. Any time you stay in someone’s home, it’s an opportunity to build relationship. You should want that person to feel just as blessed by you—even if it’s just in feeling heard and understood—as you are being blessed by them.
42) When staying in someone’s home, don’t expect to be entertained. Participate in their everyday lives and do your best to be helpful in small things.
43) Put your cell phone down. I’m not saying that you can’t check it once in a while especially if there is a lull or a bathroom break in the conversation, but in general, try to be as present with the person in front of you as possible. Along the same lines, be courteous about your use of cell phones when in public places. In the close confines of public transportation, it’s not necessary that the whole subway car hear about your personal life. If you have trouble keeping your volume low and courteous, just wait until you’re in a different space. And, when listening to videos, music, and the like, headphones are your best friends.
GENERAL TIPS
44) Make lists for packing. This may sound like overkill when you’re only going for a couple of days, but the peace of mind and organization it can afford is just worth it to me. If I try to keep a bunch of loose ends floating in my mind, I will inevitably forget something.
45) If you’re really OCD like me, pack your items in the order in which you’ll need them. In other words, whatever you’re less likely to need, goes on the bottom, and whatever you know you’ll be using today goes on top.
46) Clean and organize your living space before going on a trip. It’s such a relief to come home to a clean house when you’re tired from traveling.
47) Space saver vacuum bags can help in a pinch, and you don’t really have to have a vacuum to use them.
48) Make sure you have your essentials. These are things you find yourself reaching for every day. For me, that includes things like: chapstick, gum, eyedrops, bobby pins, extra hair ties, and my glasses.
49) Dramamine can be a life-saver. Just remember that it can make you sleepy.
Photo by Raw Pixel
50) Stay hydrated.
51) Keep a long-sleeved shirt or light jacket with you in case the A/C in a place freezes you out.
52) Keep sunscreen on your person. If you have to dig for it, chances are that you’ll forget about it or be too lazy to look for it in order to apply. Nothing ruins an entire trip like an excruciating sunburn.
53) Make sure someone else knows your itinerary in case of emergencies.
54) Assign different tasks to different people to share the load. In our family, if you’re in the front seat, it’s your job to keep the driver awake and to navigate. For the last three months, since I’ve been in charge of researching where we’re going, navigating, and driving, Raúl has done most of the loading/unloading, making of the beds, and packing up the cooler.
55) Keep an eye on your bank account on a regular basis. Traveling can be expensive, and those little purchases of street food, gas, and gas station snacks do add up. It’s good to know where you stand and be able to budget for the things that are most important to you.
56) Research free activities in the area for your dates. Block parties, festivals, farmer’s markets, outdoor movies, free concerts are all fun options that are often possibilities.
57) Take advantage of getting into nature whenever you can. It’s good for reflection and for lowering stress levels. Plus, some of the best things to see when traveling are in the great outdoors.
58) Buy attraction tickets online in order to avoid waiting in long lines.
59) If you can, get in contact with a local in order to have an idea on what are tourist traps and what places are actually worth visiting. It’s also a major plus if a local can go with you to show you around.
60) Keep an eye out for quirky places or local sightseeing to visit near you if you have extra time in your itinerary. Some of those types of places for us on this trip have been a giant, kitschy international grocery store, Notre Dame University’s campus, and a hike to a lookout tower.
61) Have a plan B in case of rain. Pack a rain jacket or an umbrella.
62) Planning ahead can pay off, but keep a flexible mindset.
63) Fully charge your devices before heading out for the day. It’s awfully hard to use Google Maps to find your next stop or to take a picture when your battery is at 3%. For that reason…
64) Portable chargers are great. Both Raúl and I have Anker portable chargers that have been a help.
65) Try to live some moments rather than just capturing them with a cell phone. In some of these places we’ve been, I’ve seen everyone—including my husband—videoing and taking pictures of everything. It makes me think, “Did you actually read that plaque you just took a picture of in the museum? If you didn’t, what are the odds you’ll read that on your phone? What is it that you value—showing other people a picture of where you’ve been or actually enjoying where you are?”
66) If you’re sightseeing, get an early start. You’d be amazed at how much time is spent getting around between attractions. The earlier you get started, the more you’ll be able to see.
67) Learn how to use a map! Technology is useful, but nothing beats common sense.
68) Google Translate is helpful. Raúl’s dependence on me greatly decreased once he figured out how to use the microphone on Google Translate. Now he can have whole conversations with people. With that said, just know that online translators and apps are not foolproof. Sometimes what gets translated makes no sense to the other person.
69) Simple games are a great way to bridge language barriers. A few that we’ve tried with others are Aggravation, Uno, and Chinese checkers.
70) Buy souvenirs that are actually made in the area you’re visiting. Anyone can buy a Made in China keychain that says “I Love Chicago” off of Amazon. Contribute to the local economy and buy something unique or handmade.
71) When sleeping in common spaces with others, use earplugs. Just know that sometimes they fall out of your ears in the middle of the night.
72) Double check your room or suite before checking out just to make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.
73) Incorporate down time and laundry days. You can’t be on the go constantly.
74) Keep a travel journal.
75) Take some time to thank God for the opportunity to travel and also to listen to see if there is something specific He wants you to glean from a new place. Some of my best seasons of close intimacy with God and life clarity have happened when I’ve been out of element and in a totally new geographic location.
What are your best travel tips? I’m always interested in upping my game…
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