Before You Go
1. Open a private Web browser to search for flights/hotels. It’s common for travel sites to raise their prices based on your tracked search history, so be sure to either open an incognito window or clear your cache between searches. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid booking your flight on a weekend, as these are typically the days of the week when flight costs rise significantly.
2. Scan your forms of identification. Just in case your passport, driver’s license or other important documents get lost or stolen, have digital copies of each stored in an email or flash drive.
3. Bring a few zip-up plastic bags for electronics. If you’re going to be outdoors or anywhere that might have a lot of water or dirt, be sure to place your electronics in a plastic bag to avoid damage.
4. Roll your clothes before packing. This one is an oldie, but goodie. The best way to save space in your suitcase is to roll up your clothes instead of laying them out flat. Try it!
5. Plastic wrap the tops of your liquid containers. Put some plastic wrap between the top of your bottles and their lids to avoid leakage in your bags while traveling.
6. Store electrical cords in a sunglasses case. Everyone’s gone through the frustration of untangling wires and chargers during or after a trip. If you pack your wires neatly in a sunglasses case or similar container, you can avoid a whole lot of headache later on.
7. Keep jewelry in a pill container. Another frustrating thing to untangle during trips is a giant ball of interwoven jewelry. Try separating your different pieces in a pill container to avoid losing your sanity while traveling.
8. Pack shoes in a shower cap or plastic bag. There’s nothing worse than unpacking a white shirt or light-colored pants during your trip, only to find that they’ve been marked with a smudge of dirt by a pair of shoes that were placed nearby in your suitcase. Use a shower cap or plastic bag to prevent unexpected wardrobe crises like this.
9. Bring a second wallet. No one ever anticipates losing their wallets or having them stolen. But because it happens often while traveling, try packing a second wallet with half of your cards and cash to have as a backup.
10. Mark your luggage as fragile. Marking your baggage as fragile is a great way to make sure your items are being properly handled. Plus, items marked fragile are kept at the top of the pile, making them some of the first pieces to be released at baggage claim after a flight.
11. Drink some Emergen-C before you land. Traveling exposes people to a wide range of new germs and different strands of infections. This can sometimes result in sudden illness and a ruined experience. Ingesting some form of vitamin supplement before you leave can help keep your immune system strong and prevent sickness.
During Your Trip
12. Shop for a few groceries to save money. If you’re looking to save some money during your getaway, grab a few groceries to avoid the high costs of dining out all the time. Most hotel rooms offer an in-room refrigerator so you can store a variety of foods/beverages without the fear of spoiling.
13. Reuse your water bottles. Another way to help save money while vacationing is to buy a plastic/glass water bottle and reuse it throughout the trip. Many restaurants, parks, public buildings, etc., either have a water fountain or some kind of water dispenser that you can use for free.
14. Use popular travel apps on your phone. There are a ton of free smartphone applications you can download for your trip. Save money on gas by finding your cheapest options on Gas Buddy; find deals and discounts for your getaway with Viator; or even sleep more soundly in a busy city with the Naturespace app. Choose from thousands of applications to better your traveling experience.
15. Ask the locals where to go. A lot of people really enjoy giving tips about the best parts of their city, so don’t be too shy to ask. Sometimes the best attractions and landmarks aren’t the most widely known, but rather the ones that only the locals really know about.
No matter where you’re headed on your upcoming vacation, these travel hacks might make your experience that much more enjoyable. Find other helpful resources from E-Z Rent-A-Car online, including E-Z Rent-A-Car coupons, insider-knowledge blog posts and more!
