Traveling charges us with positive energy and gives us the strength to continue our routine work (if any). However, in order for this experience to bring maximum positive memories, you need to try to look for tips and life hacks that will help you. That is what we are here for. Make yourself comfortable and get ready to learn everything you need to know.
Tips, Life Hacks, Or Whatever
So now we will introduce you to the main life hacks for any type of travel, to any place, at any time and for any duration. You already understand, these are universal tips. And if you want something more personal, then skip this point and go a little lower.
1. Use Location Tracking Apps Smartly
Why: Safety and peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
How: Set up apps like Number Tracker or Google Maps to share your location with trusted contacts. Enable custom alerts that notify your contacts if you leave a designated safe zone or do not check in at a specified time. Use Google Maps’ “Share Trip Progress” feature to allow friends or family to track your journey in real time.
2. Pack Light and Smart
Why: Save space, reduce luggage weight, keep items organized.
How: Use vacuum-sealed clothing compression bags to reduce the volume of your clothes. These bags compress air out, making more room in your suitcase. Pack dual-purpose items like a scarf that can be used as a blanket or pillow on flights, or a jacket that converts into a travel pillow.
3. DIY Travel Essentials
Why: Save money and space, and be prepared for small emergencies.
How: Create a portable laundry kit by packing a small container of concentrated laundry detergent and a universal sink stopper for washing clothes in hotel sinks. A collapsible laundry line can help you dry clothes overnight. Use a repurposed mint tin for a mini first aid kit, including band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers and any necessary prescription medications.
4. Maximize Technology
Why: Stay connected and navigate unfamiliar places without relying on internet access.
How: Download offline maps of your destination in Google Maps to use for navigation without needing an internet connection. Carry a high-capacity portable charger and a multi-device charging cable to keep your gadgets powered up. Some chargers also include built-in flashlights and emergency SOS features.
5. Financial Hacks
Why: Protect your money from theft and ensure you have access to funds.
How: Hide emergency cash in inconspicuous places like a lip balm container or an empty sunscreen bottle. Use a dummy wallet with a small amount of money to deter pickpockets. Withdraw local currency from ATMs to get better exchange rates than airport exchange booths.
6. Health and Hygiene
Why: Maintain good hygiene and have access to clean drinking water.
How: Make your own travel-size hand sanitizer using aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. Store it in a small, refillable squeeze bottle. Carry a portable water purification bottle with a built-in filter to ensure you have access to clean drinking water, especially in areas where water quality is questionable.
7. Stay Connected Efficiently
Why: Avoid high roaming charges and ensure reliable communication.
How: Purchase a local SIM card with a data plan upon arrival for cheaper data and call rates. If you travel frequently, consider using a global SIM card or an eSIM compatible with multiple countries. Use offline messaging apps like Bridgefy or FireChat, which work without internet access by using Bluetooth.
8. Travel Comfort
Why: Enhance your comfort during travel, especially on long flights.
How: Use an inflatable neck pillow that you can deflate and pack easily, or a scarf rolled up as a makeshift pillow. Create an in-flight comfort kit with items like noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask, earplugs and a travel-size moisturizer to make your journey more comfortable.
9. Organize Your Trip
Why: Keep important documents safe and easily accessible.
How: Use a small binder or folder to organize all your travel documents, itineraries, maps and tickets. Plastic sleeves can protect important papers from spills and damage. Email yourself copies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance) and store them in a cloud service like Google Drive for easy access from anywhere.
10. Engage with Local Culture
Why: Enhance your travel experience and build meaningful connections.
How: Use apps like Meetup or Couchsurfing to find local events and meetups where you can engage with locals and other travelers. Create a small cheat sheet with essential phrases in the local language. Laminate it or store it on your phone for quick reference to help you communicate more effectively.
A Little about Cheapness
When you have already prepared for any trip, it is time to decide on the place. Today we will talk about the cheapest places for your holiday. Sounds tempting right? The advice is valid only for the fastest and bravest. Ready, steady, go!
1. Vietnam
How to Get It Cheap:
Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner or Kayak. Consider budget airlines such as VietJet Air or Bamboo Airways. Booking flights well in advance can also help you find the best deals.
Hostels and guesthouses are very affordable. Websites like Hostelworld, Booking.com and Agoda offer great deals. Homestays through Airbnb can also be budget-friendly and provide a local experience.
Street food in Vietnam is both delicious and incredibly cheap. Try dishes like pho, banh mi and spring rolls from street vendors. Local restaurants (quan) offer meals at very reasonable prices.
What to Do:
Walk around the Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Many attractions have low entrance fees or are free.
Opt for a budget-friendly day cruise or a 2-day/1-night cruise. Look for deals online or negotiate prices directly with local operators.
Wander through the ancient town, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and attend a lantern festival. Taking a Vietnamese cooking class can be an affordable and fun activity.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Intercity travel is cheap with buses and trains. Sleeper buses are a comfortable and budget-friendly option for long distances. Renting a motorbike is a cost-effective way to explore smaller areas.
Bargaining: Haggle at markets to get the best prices on souvenirs, clothing and other goods.
Free Activities: Join free walking tours, visit local markets and explore temples and parks.
2. India
How to Get It Cheap:
Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner and consider budget airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet. Booking flights well in advance can yield significant savings.
Budget hotels, hostels and guesthouses are plentiful. Websites like Booking.com, Hostelworld and OYO Rooms offer great deals. Couchsurfing can provide free accommodation and a chance to meet locals.
Eat at local dhabas (roadside eateries) and street stalls. Indian street food like chaat, samosas and dosas is inexpensive and flavorful. Local restaurants also offer thalis (set meals) at low prices.
What to Do:
Visit iconic sites like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb. Most of these sites have affordable entry fees.
See the Taj Mahal at sunrise, explore Agra Fort, visit the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj). Entry fees are reasonable, combo tickets can save money.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Use trains for long-distance travel. The Indian Railway system is extensive and economical. Book tickets through IRCTC or travel agents. Local transport options include auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, buses.
Bargaining: Bargain at markets to get the best prices on everything from clothing to souvenirs.
Free Activities: Visit temples, attend local festivals, explore markets and historical sites.
3. Thailand
How to Get It Cheap:
Look for deals with budget airlines like AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air. Use flight comparison websites and book during sales.
Hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels are widely available. Use websites like Hostelworld, Booking.com, Agoda for discounts. Airbnb can be a good option for longer stays.
Eat at street markets and food courts. Thai street food is both delicious and cheap. Try dishes like pad thai, som tam and mango sticky rice.
What to Do:
Bangkok: Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho (home to the Reclining Buddha) and explore the bustling street markets. Many temples have low or no entrance fees.
Chiang Mai: Explore the Old City’s temples, visit the Night Bazaar and take part in a Thai cooking class. The surrounding mountains offer opportunities for trekking and visiting hill tribes.
Islands: Relax on budget-friendly islands like Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Chang. Snorkeling, diving and beach-hopping are popular and affordable activities.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Use buses, trains, ferries for intercity travel. Tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared taxis) are affordable for local travel. Consider renting a scooter to explore independently.
Activities: Participate in free or low-cost activities like visiting temples, hiking, exploring local markets.
Bargaining: Negotiate prices at markets and with tuk-tuk drivers to save money.
4. Indonesia
How to Get It Cheap:
Book budget airlines like Lion Air, AirAsia, Citilink, etc. Look for deals and promotions on flight comparison websites.
Stay in hostels, budget hotels, or guesthouses. Use Airbnb and Couchsurfing for affordable and local experiences. Websites like Agoda and Booking.com offer great deals.
Eat at warungs (local eateries) and street stalls. Indonesian food is varied and affordable, with dishes like nasi goreng, satay, gado-gado.
What to Do:
Bali: Explore Ubud’s rice terraces, temples, cultural performances. Enjoy the beaches and nightlife in Kuta and Seminyak. Visit the Uluwatu Temple and the sacred Monkey Forest.
Yogyakarta: Visit Borobudur and Prambanan temples, explore the Sultan's Palace, stroll along Malioboro Street. Entry fees are reasonable and combo tickets can save money.
Jakarta: Explore museums, markets, historical sites like Kota Tua (Old Town) and Monas (National Monument). Many attractions have low or no entrance fees.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Use buses, trains, ferries for intercity travel. Local transport options include ojek (motorbike taxis), angkot (shared minivans), becak (cycle rickshaws).
Activities: Look for free or low-cost activities like temple visits, hiking, exploring local markets. Take advantage of free walking tours.
Bargaining: Negotiate prices at markets and with transport providers to get the best deals.
5. Peru
How to Get It Cheap:
Use flight comparison websites to find the best deals. Consider budget airlines like Viva Air Peru. Book flights well in advance for cheaper prices.
Stay in hostels, budget hotels, or guesthouses. Use websites like Hostelworld, Booking.com, Airbnb for affordable options. Couchsurfing can also help you save on accommodation costs.
Eat at local markets and street stalls. Peruvian street food, such as empanadas, anticuchos, ceviche, is both delicious and inexpensive.
What to Do:
Lima: Visit the historic center, explore Miraflores, see the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana. Many museums offer free or discounted entry on certain days.
Cusco: Explore the city's colonial architecture, visit Sacsayhuaman, take a day trip to the Sacred Valley. Hiking and exploring the markets are free activities.
Machu Picchu: Opt for the Inca Trail or alternative treks like Salkantay for a budget-friendly way to see this iconic site. Book treks through reputable operators to avoid scams.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Use buses for long-distance travel. Peru’s bus system is extensive and offers various comfort levels. Local transport includes combis (shared minivans) and taxis.
Activities: Look for free walking tours and visit local markets for affordable souvenirs. Many museums and historical sites offer discounts on certain days.
Bargaining: Negotiate prices at markets and with tour operators to get the best deals.
6. Nicaragua
How to Get It Cheap:
Use flight comparison websites to find budget airlines and deals. Consider flying into Managua and taking local transportation from there.
Stay in hostels, budget hotels, or guesthouses. Websites like Booking.com, Hostelworld, Airbnb offer affordable options. Homestays can also provide a local experience at a low cost.
Eat at local comedores (small eateries) and street stalls. Nicaraguan food, such as gallo pinto, nacatamales, vigorón, is inexpensive and flavorful.
What to Do:
Granada: Explore the colonial architecture, visit the Islets of Granada, take a boat tour on Lake Nicaragua. Many attractions have low entrance fees.
Leon: Visit the Cathedral of Leon, explore the museums, take a day trip to the nearby volcanoes. Sandboarding down Cerro Negro is a popular and affordable activity.
San Juan del Sur: Relax on the beaches, go surfing, enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Many beaches have no entrance fees.
Additional Tips:
Transportation: Use local buses and chicken buses for intercity travel. Local transport options include taxis, rickshaws, bicycles.
Activities: Look for free walking tours, visit local markets, explore historical sites. Outdoor activities like hiking and visiting natural attractions are often free or low-cost.
Bargaining: Negotiate prices at markets and with transport providers to get the best deals.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Now you are ready for your ideal travels. Now you know how to do it cheaply, safely and, most importantly, interestingly and unforgettably. This is the whole point of traveling - new emotions that make up our life experience.
So do not miss the opportunity to make your life rich and exciting. Any trip, even the smallest one, can be just the right way to escape from the daily routine and fill life with meaning.