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Best travel tips from real travelers
Have you checked out Gadling's 100% reader-generated feature, "100 words or less." In "100 words or less," YOU -- the expert traveler -- get to share your expert travel tips with Gadling and all our readers. Know a sure-fire way to score a cheap hotel room? Confident you know a trick to get an airline upgrade? Share it with us!
We've rounded up some of our favorite tips below. Enjoy.
Hotel tips
If you often leave personal items in hotel rooms, remind yourself by writing it down -- but write it on a mirror with a dry erase marker instead of on a piece of paper you could easily overlook.
Today's tech-savvy world requires a lot of equipment to stay "plugged-in." Cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players all require power cords to recharge. Since these items don't need to be plugged in all the time, it's easy to forget your power cords when checking out of a hotel. Increase your chances of recovery by writing your name and contact information on a piece of masking tape and securing the tape to your power cord.
If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your pillow, the inside of your shirt is probably cleaner (or at least more acceptable) to lie on than a suspect pillowcase. Simply turn the shirt inside-out, slide it over your pillow, and you're good to go... to sleep.
Sleep better with these other hotel tips.
* * *
Cruise trip tips
Packing a dry erase board and markers and attaching to your cabin door accomplishes several things, including helping you to identify your room and providing an easy way for your family to communicate their whereabouts.
We've rounded up some of our favorite tips below. Enjoy.
Hotel tips
If you often leave personal items in hotel rooms, remind yourself by writing it down -- but write it on a mirror with a dry erase marker instead of on a piece of paper you could easily overlook.
Today's tech-savvy world requires a lot of equipment to stay "plugged-in." Cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players all require power cords to recharge. Since these items don't need to be plugged in all the time, it's easy to forget your power cords when checking out of a hotel. Increase your chances of recovery by writing your name and contact information on a piece of masking tape and securing the tape to your power cord.
If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your pillow, the inside of your shirt is probably cleaner (or at least more acceptable) to lie on than a suspect pillowcase. Simply turn the shirt inside-out, slide it over your pillow, and you're good to go... to sleep.
Sleep better with these other hotel tips.
* * *
Cruise trip tips
Take an insulated travel mug on your next cruise and it may become your favorite accessory.
If you're cruising as part of a big group of family and friends, it's a lot of fun to divide into teams for a scavenger hunt. Items for the hunt can be dares, found objects, and fact-finding missions.
Get a key chain necklace and put your room key on it. Wear this around your neck at all times to avoid losing it or having it stolen.
Whenever we go on a cruise, my husband and I always plan to snorkel on at least one island. On our first cruise, we went on a shore excursion that provided the snorkel, but then we got smart.
Most cruise ships today are multi-deck mini-cities carrying as many as 5,000 passengers. And, unless you're traveling alone, you may find yourself separated from your traveling party at some point during your cruise. How to stay connected? Give each member of your group a two-way radio, all programmed to the same frequency to help keep you organized and in touch.
Visit our other cruise trip tips.
Road trip tips
To keep maps and directions safe during a trip, laminate them. For around $30, a home laminating machine will seal standard letter size pages. (Copy and print stores have the capability to laminate larger maps for a minimal fee.) Alternatively, you can use contact paper to cover paper maps. In addition to being more durable, laminated maps offer the advantage of allowing you to draw your route on the map and easily wipe it off later, if you change your mind.
To avoid hours of boredom, plan a "scenic scavenger hunt." It's easy. Just write down a list of 100 things you might see along the way, like landmarks, buses or bridges. The first person to complete the list wins.
Before embarking on a road trip, map out two different routes -- a slower, scenic route and a shorter, faster (less scenic) route.
Motor through more road trip tips.
Dining out on vacation tips
When traveling to a foreign city, you can usually find the cheapest and best-tasting food by looking for menus that are written entirely in that city's native language.
You've spent so much money on just getting to Hawaii or Florida, why pay more to sit inside a restaurant? Weather permitting, you should be outside on the grass! Or on the sand. Or at a picnic table.
Before you go out of the country, make a few wallet-sized cards that list what you can and can't eat in the native language(s) of the country you're visiting.
Devour more dining out on vacation tips.
Souvenir tips
T-shirts have always been my favorite travel souvenir. Many of them were sized for an eight year old and most were dreadfully stained, but I could hardly get rid of them. They were my mementos! Instead of tossing them, I cut out all the images and logos and made a travel quilt.
A great take-home and space-saving souvenir for wine lovers are corks from bottles you've enjoyed while traveling.
When you find yourself not knowing exactly where you're going, ask a local to draw directions for you. Keep a store of interesting napkins or papers and a pen on hand to take advantage of the opportunity of being lost. Asking for directions might also lead you to start some great conversations and to gain a deeper insight into the locale you're visiting.
Save some of these souvenir tips for later.
Airplane tips
During your next flight, be considerate of the passenger in front of you. When settling down into -- or, getting out of -- your seat, don't grab the seat in front of you for leverage.
Sick of hearing about a stranger's dysfunctional family or odd medical conditions? Avoid conversations all-together by doing a simple thing: wear headphones. They don't even need to be plugged in.
Your seats are reserved. There's no circulating air until the plane takes off, and even if you're the first person on the plane, you're going to be hot, you're going to have to move, and you're going to get elbowed -- and maybe get luggage dropped on you. Also, if you're not the first person to board, you're going to spend 20 minutes slowly creeping down the crowded walkway. So... stay out in the relative open space of the terminal waiting area until the gate agents make the final boarding call.
Take off with these other airplane tips.
Traveling with kids tips
Buy at least one disposable camera for each child on the trip. These are inexpensive and will keep your child entertained for a long time. Tell each child that they should take pictures of things on the trip that they find interesting.
The front passenger is always the navigator when I'm traveling with my family or a group. However, I discovered that you can turn your children into junior navigators while helping them learn geography at the same time. It helps eliminate them from asking, "Are we there yet?"
Rather than lug boxes of baby necessities around, consider ordering supplies online -- diapers, food, etc. -- and shipping them to your destination. You'll have more room in your car; there'll be less to pack and unpack; and your neck won't be so sore from hauling boxes in and out of the house.
Grow up with these other traveling with kids tips.
Packing for travel tips
Contact lens cases with screw-on lids make great travel accessories. When you want to take small quantities of hair gel, sculpting wax, eye make-up remover, an essential oil, Aloe Vera, or under-eye cream, you can't beat contact lens cases. They're small. They don't leak. They can hold one week's worth of lotion or gel in each little section.
When traveling over the holidays with gifts, never pre-wrap! Wrapped items may need to be inspected by the TSA, and that could mean they'll be unwrapped by security before you even get to your destination.
Here's a way to pack your smallest, but most expensive, items without losing them or space in your suitcase: find a typical pill box and place your precious metals in there. Anything from rings to necklaces will fit.
Store these additional packing tips.
International travel tips
Guidebooks are all well and good, but they rarely take you off the beaten path. Before arriving in an unfamiliar place, pick an unusual food to track down in your destination; it's even better if you can find the same food in multiple countries.
Always carry a small calculator when you travel internationally. It will save the day when you are trying to figure out how much things cost in "real" money.
When traveling abroad, get at least a small amount of foreign currency for tips and other unexpected cash expenses before leaving the airport or crossing the border.
Explore the unknown with these other international travel tips.
To submit your own tips, sign up for a free account at Seed, filter the assignment list by the category "travel" and look for assignment requests with the words "100 words or less." (And yes: if your tip is published, you will be paid!)
[Photos: Flickr | Fly for Fun; StrudelMonkey; StrudelMonkey]
If you're cruising as part of a big group of family and friends, it's a lot of fun to divide into teams for a scavenger hunt. Items for the hunt can be dares, found objects, and fact-finding missions.
Get a key chain necklace and put your room key on it. Wear this around your neck at all times to avoid losing it or having it stolen.
Whenever we go on a cruise, my husband and I always plan to snorkel on at least one island. On our first cruise, we went on a shore excursion that provided the snorkel, but then we got smart.
Most cruise ships today are multi-deck mini-cities carrying as many as 5,000 passengers. And, unless you're traveling alone, you may find yourself separated from your traveling party at some point during your cruise. How to stay connected? Give each member of your group a two-way radio, all programmed to the same frequency to help keep you organized and in touch.
Visit our other cruise trip tips.
* * *
Road trip tips
To avoid hours of boredom, plan a "scenic scavenger hunt." It's easy. Just write down a list of 100 things you might see along the way, like landmarks, buses or bridges. The first person to complete the list wins.
Before embarking on a road trip, map out two different routes -- a slower, scenic route and a shorter, faster (less scenic) route.
Motor through more road trip tips.
* * *
Dining out on vacation tips
When traveling to a foreign city, you can usually find the cheapest and best-tasting food by looking for menus that are written entirely in that city's native language.
You've spent so much money on just getting to Hawaii or Florida, why pay more to sit inside a restaurant? Weather permitting, you should be outside on the grass! Or on the sand. Or at a picnic table.
Before you go out of the country, make a few wallet-sized cards that list what you can and can't eat in the native language(s) of the country you're visiting.
Devour more dining out on vacation tips.
* * *
Souvenir tips
T-shirts have always been my favorite travel souvenir. Many of them were sized for an eight year old and most were dreadfully stained, but I could hardly get rid of them. They were my mementos! Instead of tossing them, I cut out all the images and logos and made a travel quilt.
A great take-home and space-saving souvenir for wine lovers are corks from bottles you've enjoyed while traveling.
When you find yourself not knowing exactly where you're going, ask a local to draw directions for you. Keep a store of interesting napkins or papers and a pen on hand to take advantage of the opportunity of being lost. Asking for directions might also lead you to start some great conversations and to gain a deeper insight into the locale you're visiting.
Save some of these souvenir tips for later.
* * *
Airplane tips
During your next flight, be considerate of the passenger in front of you. When settling down into -- or, getting out of -- your seat, don't grab the seat in front of you for leverage.
Sick of hearing about a stranger's dysfunctional family or odd medical conditions? Avoid conversations all-together by doing a simple thing: wear headphones. They don't even need to be plugged in.
Your seats are reserved. There's no circulating air until the plane takes off, and even if you're the first person on the plane, you're going to be hot, you're going to have to move, and you're going to get elbowed -- and maybe get luggage dropped on you. Also, if you're not the first person to board, you're going to spend 20 minutes slowly creeping down the crowded walkway. So... stay out in the relative open space of the terminal waiting area until the gate agents make the final boarding call.
Take off with these other airplane tips.
* * *
Traveling with kids tips
Buy at least one disposable camera for each child on the trip. These are inexpensive and will keep your child entertained for a long time. Tell each child that they should take pictures of things on the trip that they find interesting.
The front passenger is always the navigator when I'm traveling with my family or a group. However, I discovered that you can turn your children into junior navigators while helping them learn geography at the same time. It helps eliminate them from asking, "Are we there yet?"
Rather than lug boxes of baby necessities around, consider ordering supplies online -- diapers, food, etc. -- and shipping them to your destination. You'll have more room in your car; there'll be less to pack and unpack; and your neck won't be so sore from hauling boxes in and out of the house.
Grow up with these other traveling with kids tips.
* * *
Packing for travel tips
Contact lens cases with screw-on lids make great travel accessories. When you want to take small quantities of hair gel, sculpting wax, eye make-up remover, an essential oil, Aloe Vera, or under-eye cream, you can't beat contact lens cases. They're small. They don't leak. They can hold one week's worth of lotion or gel in each little section.
When traveling over the holidays with gifts, never pre-wrap! Wrapped items may need to be inspected by the TSA, and that could mean they'll be unwrapped by security before you even get to your destination.
Here's a way to pack your smallest, but most expensive, items without losing them or space in your suitcase: find a typical pill box and place your precious metals in there. Anything from rings to necklaces will fit.
Store these additional packing tips.
* * *
International travel tips
Guidebooks are all well and good, but they rarely take you off the beaten path. Before arriving in an unfamiliar place, pick an unusual food to track down in your destination; it's even better if you can find the same food in multiple countries.
Always carry a small calculator when you travel internationally. It will save the day when you are trying to figure out how much things cost in "real" money.
When traveling abroad, get at least a small amount of foreign currency for tips and other unexpected cash expenses before leaving the airport or crossing the border.
Explore the unknown with these other international travel tips.
* * *
To submit your own tips, sign up for a free account at Seed, filter the assignment list by the category "travel" and look for assignment requests with the words "100 words or less." (And yes: if your tip is published, you will be paid!)
[Photos: Flickr | Fly for Fun; StrudelMonkey; StrudelMonkey]
Filed under: Food and Drink, Gear, Stories, Hotels and Accommodations, Airlines, Transportation, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Cruises, Luxury Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kent Jul 20th 2010 2:11PM
The only problem with boarding an airplane late is that the overhead space may be gone, by the time you board.
Personally, I don't find planes to get all that hot. Many carriers plug their aircraft into ground power, so that they can run HVAC systems, keep the galley fridges running, and certainly keep the electronics in the cockpit running.
Ole Guy Jul 20th 2010 6:03PM
The APUs seem to provide enough power for the electric demands, however, there's just not enough "bleed air" (compressor-supplied) to provide any sort of comfortable cooling. Upon disembarking, the cabin crew usually requests passengers to close window shades prior to vacating their seats...some do, many don't.
The best thing you, as an arriving passenger, can do is, upon taking your seat, put the shades down. If you board on Zone 1, or 1st class, more than likely there won't be people immediately behind you. That being the case, you would probably do well to flick the shades down before stowing carry-ons...those few extra moments can make a big difference in air temp.
Margaret Jul 20th 2010 3:35PM
Hotels: I always have a can of aerosol disinfectant with me for.....
Pillows, Telephones, Remote Controls, Toilet Seats, Flush handles and sink taps.
Door Handles. I always spray the bathroom floor - never know what is lurking there!
May sound overdone - but it keeps me safe and happy.
John Jul 20th 2010 4:13PM
I use vacation as a time to clean out my dresser drawers. I pack worn and old underwear. Everynight, I throw it out. Makes for more room in your bags when coming home
Ole Guy Jul 20th 2010 6:04PM
John, I don't think I own underware that's not old and worn. To save space on trips of several days/weeks, I tote 2 pair and employ the rinse n' air-dry technique. This methodology worked fine in the Army, as long as I was in a BOQ...in the field, of course, was a different matter (that's when the insides of Army helicopters start to stink!).
louis showalter Jul 20th 2010 4:43PM
This is a new one that I just thought about recently. When traveling in the USA in the fall of the year, it might be best to check the cities where you want to spend the night to see if they have a college football game in that city. Hotels are really hard to come by in the fall months where there are big colleges.
DaveM Jul 20th 2010 5:01PM
When traveling abroad I always make sure to grab a few business cards (almost always found on the front desk) off the check in desk at any hotel I am staying in. Not only do they serve as a momento from my trip, they also come in very handy when taking a taxi back to the hotel. Just hand the card to the driver and it resloves the problem with the language barrier. For those who frequently travel abroad it is common knowledge (Rome is especially bad for this) that taxi drivers will take the longest rout possible or bring you to the wrong destination and blame it on the language barier. Also, if you have the option, always take a taxi with a meter, once while downtown Rome our group had to split up in several taxi's to take a short ride back to our hotel, several in our group took an un metered taxi, they were charged $48 (U.S.) while those of us in the metered taxi's were between $12-$15 (U.S.).
Ole Guy Jul 20th 2010 6:05PM
I do the very same thing. That's when I request an auto rental at the other end...surely, acceptable lodging can be found within a reasonable perimeter.
kathy Jul 20th 2010 5:37PM
i agree with john, bring your old underwear and throw it out, here is another idea, be considerate of others on the plane, watch what you eat or drink the night before , so you don't pass gas during the entire flight, i alway end up next to a farter, and watch the perfume, some of us are allergic to it.
arterrainc Jul 20th 2010 5:40PM
To prevent bed bugs...Whenever you sleep in a bed while traveling - whether a hotel, cruise ship or in a cabin bunk - take Greenbug for People with you and spray the tops and sides of mattresses, along the base of headboards or any pictures hung on the wall above. Greenbug for People kills AND repels bedbugs so they will avoid you as the food source. When you leave, spray the outside of your luggage to make sure you're not toting any bed bugs along with you. Great stuff - 100% effective, totally safe and easy to carry and apply. Go to www.greenbugallnatural.com for more information. Greenbug is a gift from nature!
Fayette Jul 20th 2010 6:08PM
Can this be bought in a local store? if so, which one...I always carry Lysol Bug Spray with me, but this might be better...thanks for the tip...Blessings
JessieE Jul 20th 2010 5:58PM
I travel alot for business and have put return address labels on my phone charger, computer power cord and ipod charger.. more than once I have left one of them behind and the hotel calls me before I even get home to advise they will put in the mail.. sign of a good hotel and smart way to keep your chargers from getting thrown out. We do summer vacations in Florida but steer clear of the big resort towns.. spend alot of time on the west coast which is an easy drive to Orlando for a fun day trip but more relaxing than spending a week there.. Here's how our family spends our time together: http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/cheap-Florida-vacation.html so much more fun and a lot cheaper!
Dan Jul 20th 2010 6:03PM
Bed bugs are the greatest concern because no one admits they are there. Once they bite, you don't see any evidence for 10 -14 days so people don't align bites with something from 2 weeks back. Yuck! The best thing EVER for bed bugs - it kills adults plus eggs and larva is Greenbug for People. It is made of cedar so it kills and repels bugs and smells great. Spray along your mattress, on the covers, under the headboard and under any artwork above the bed. It won't stain or leave any residue and is completely safe for people and pets. But it kills bed bugs! Spray down your luggage when you leave and any clothing you laid on the floor or on a bed. You won't get bitten and you won't take them home as your souvenir! I got my Greenbug online - www.greenbugallnatural.com. I highly recommend it because Greenbug works!
Ole Guy Jul 20th 2010 6:18PM
Some hotel chains offer "deals", such as $50 debit cards, restaurant cards, etc, in exchange for "X" number of stays. Inasmuch as a "stay" is from check-in to check-out, regardless of the number of nights, it is sometimes advisable...time and logistics allowing...to plan on multiple hotels during a trip. This, of course, works best when you're solo. This "check-in, check-out, check-in, check-out...etc" process, properly planned and executed, can yield a few rather pleasant extras upon return to home plate.
Slava Jul 20th 2010 6:53PM
how about using GPS instead of laminating maps?
Leigh Jul 20th 2010 6:55PM
I'm a flight attendant - for MANY, MANY years and here's my #1 travel tip: If flying on an airline WITHOUT assigned seats, if you want that seat next to YOU to be the LAST seat selected, simply open an airsick bag and hold it up to your face during the boarding process. An alternate would be to place a crumpled tissue in the seat next to your's....'Nuff said
gr8bsn Jul 20th 2010 7:00PM
I almost always fly Southwest, so there goes the whole "board at the last second" theory. Honestly though, here's a few to keep in mind:
1. Even if you hate using credit cards and believe they should all be destroyed (and trust me, I'm in that boat), never travel without one. Most hotels require one at check in for a security hold (cash customers have a bad habit of destroying rooms, take it from a veteran of that business) and if you use your debit card, you can have as much as $500 extra dollars being held hostage in your bank account. Remember, you can pay however you want to when you check out, but having a credit card is a must. Also, it is impossible to rent a vehicle without one. I know that Enterprise will accept debit (sometimes) with two forms of ID and a utility bill, but how many people carry one when they travel? I have a credit card that I keep locked away and only use for traveling. Plus, if you do have an emergency while you're traveling that exceeds your budget, you've got an option (and Murphy's law manages to strike every time). There's nothing worse than running out of money when you're out of town.
2. If you forget your charging cord in your room, then you're never going to see it again. You can get cheap generic extras at gas stations and drugstores. Leave the good expensive ones at home. Once housekeeping finds these cords, they turn them in, but if you've ever seen the "lost and found phone charger" drawer in a hotel, then you know it's a lost cause.
arterrainc Jul 20th 2010 7:04PM
To Fayette-
The gal I talked to from the Greenbug website explained it was brand new with very limited distribution so far. She was very nice and knowledgeable about the products. Greenbug for People can be used like 'Off' and it definitely kills bed bugs - I know from experience! They also have products for pets, indoors and outdoors so you can totally take care of all pests naturally and safely. Their website is www.greenbugallnatural.com. It is the best!
Stayaway Jul 20th 2010 7:11PM
BE AWARE !!! Some of the Hampton Inns, owned by Hilton are selling their porperties and not having the new owners take down the signs, change tele/fax nos. So when you book, like we did, you are told Hampton and drive up to a "Hampton" but when you get there it's a dump and dive. I contacted the Hilton Corporate office and was met with sarcasm and attitude. So, since we don't know what is and what isn't a REAL Hampton Inn, just stay away from all of them. I say, "when in doubt,don't".
Pat Jul 20th 2010 7:17PM
My number one travel tip is READ THE SIGNS IN THE AIRPORT! I worked for the airlines and sometimes I would be in baggage claim but this is true no matter if you are coming or going. I got tired of standing next to a sign, say for example for a taxi, only to have someone come up and ask me how to get to the taxies... When my daughter and I would travel I would let her find where we were going by reading the signs. She is a business traveler today and it has served her well.