Podcast 180: Very Special Episode with a Round-Up of Travel Hacks.

This week is a Very Special Episode! All about travel hacks—how to make travel easier, more fun, and less hassle. We got so many great suggestions from listeners; we could do many episodes of nothing but travel hacks. I’ve used several of these ideas already. 

In brief:

  • Make a packing list.
  • Create a travel toiletry kit that you never unpack.
  • Pack a “fun bag” for little kids.
  • Re-use a Ziploc bag as a toiletry bag. (That’s my well-worn Ziploc bag, pictured.)
  • Pack a trash bag and use it as a dirty clothes hamper to separate your dirty and clean clothes.
  • Listen to audiobooks.
  • Fold clothes in plastic dry-cleaner bags to prevent wrinkles.
  • Pack Downy Wrinkle Releaser to fight wrinkles.
  • Before you go for a run, ask at the hotel desk for recommended routes.
  • Create a diaper-changing station in your car, so you don’t have to use the often nasty gas-station restroom.
  • Use a white-noise app to drown out sounds. Also works for dogs!
  • Pack a power strip.
  • Pack a “hotel bag” with the things you need for one night’s stay, so you don’t have to bring in every suitcase.
  • Pack your own snacks—have an airplane picnic.
  • Pack an external battery for your smartphone.
  • If you’re traveling with a pet and need to stop for a restroom, go to Petsmart or Petco. They have clean restrooms and will allow you to bring your pet.
  • Order your groceries ahead of time, at your destination, so you don’t have to go shopping when you arrive.
  • Find a new scent to associate with a destination, and that scent will always bring back happy memories.
  • Research your destination online ahead of time, for ideas.
  • For couples on long trips, play cribbage. Or Uno, the only card game I love.
  • To decide what activities to do, have each person make a list of “must-do” ideas so that those suggestions can be achieved; or use the “three choices game,” where one person suggests three choices, and one person makes the final selection from those three.
  • Check the weather at your destination. Obvious but helpful!
  • Put colorful duct tape on your luggage, to make it easier to spot.
  • Leave some room in the suitcase.
  • Always pack warm socks. 
  • Plan a mystery trip to surprise your sweetheart.
  • If you forget your phone charger, ask the hotel’s front desk; they can often lend one overnight.
  • If you’re an anxious flyer, look for thirty opportunities to be kind before the flight takes off; it’s a great way to minimize anxiety.

Elizabeth’s Demerit: She promised Jack a trip to Legoland, but she’s so afraid that it will be all booked up, she can’t bring herself to try to plan it. 

Gretchen’s Gold Star: A friend gave me the idea to bring Eliza with me on my business trip to Los Angeles, and we had a great time there. 

Resources

LATEST EPISODES

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

DISCOVER MORE

Like what you see? Explore more about this topic.

Subscribe to Gretchen’s newsletter.

Every Friday, Gretchen Rubin shares 5 things that are making her happier, asks readers and listeners questions, and includes exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes material.