100 Best Travel Hacks (That Actually Work): Ultimate Guide

Last updated on April 13th, 2025

Traveling can be stressful, expensive, and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right travel hacks in your arsenal, you can transform your journey from a potential headache into a seamless adventure. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share 100 tried-and-tested travel hacks that cover everything from the planning phase to returning home.

These aren’t just theoretical tips; they’re practical solutions that experienced travelers swear by!

Travel Planning Hacks: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Saving Money Travel Hacks

1. Use cashback websites like Rakuten when booking travel to earn money back on purchases you’re already making. It costs nothing extra but puts money back in your pocket.
2. Take advantage of airline loyalty program shopping portals to earn bonus points on everyday purchases and travel bookings. For example, British Airways’ shopping portal offers Avios points for purchases through popular sites like Airbnb and Booking.com.
3. Fly on major holidays when most people are already at their destinations. Flights on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving are often cheaper and less crowded.
4. Use Google Flights’ “Explore” feature to find the cheapest destinations from your departure airport. Just enter your departure city and select “Anywhere” as your destination to discover budget-friendly options. Read my guide here.
5. Create your own stopover by booking separate flights instead of a direct option. This can save hundreds of dollars and give you the opportunity to explore another destination.
6. Look for airlines with free stopover programs to essentially get two destinations for the price of one. Several airlines offer this perk, allowing you to spend a few days in their hub city at no extra cost.
7. Install browser extensions like Honey to automatically find and apply coupon codes when booking travel.
8. Search for YouTuber discount codes by typing the product name and “code” into YouTube search. Content creators often receive special discount codes from travel companies.
9. Use incognito mode when searching for flights to prevent price increases based on your browsing history.
10. Call hotels directly after finding them on booking sites and ask if they offer perks or discounts for booking directly. Many will offer free breakfast or room upgrades to avoid paying commissions to third-party sites.
11. Specify “business travel” in hotel requests to potentially get quieter rooms on higher floors.
12. Use Google Street View to check out the neighborhood around your hotel before booking.
13. Book hotel day rates for long layovers using sites like Agoda.com. This gives you access to a proper bed and shower without paying for a full night.
14. Access luxury hotel amenities without the price tag by booking day passes for pools, spas, and other facilities.
15. Download Google Translate languages for offline use before your trip.
16. Use eSIMs instead of physical SIM cards for international data. Services like GlobalYo provide data plans for over 200 countries that you can set up before you leave home.

Packing Travel Hacks: Maximizing Space & Minimizing Stress

17. Test your packing list by living out of your suitcase for a week before your trip to see what you actually need.
18. Bring a multiplug so you only need one adapter but can charge multiple devices.
19. Choose fabrics wisely – prioritize materials like merino wool that resist bacteria and can be worn multiple times between washes.
20. Stuff everything inside each other like clothing inside shoes.
21. Let go of things you don’t need and opt for going with less or without.
22. Roll clothes instead of folding them to maximize space and reduce wrinkles.
23. Pack within a color palette so all your tops match all your bottoms, creating more outfit combinations with fewer items.
24. Photograph your outfit combinations before your trip and save them in your Notes app for easy reference.
25. Always pack a foldable tote bag for shopping, beach days, or as an extra carry-on for souvenirs.
26. Nest bags within each other if you plan to buy souvenirs. Pack a smaller empty duffel inside your main suitcase to use on the return journey.
27. Bring a pillowcase instead of a travel pillow and stuff it with soft clothes when needed.
28. Pack dryer sheets or a bar of soap between your clothes to keep them smelling fresh.
29. Use a clothespin to prop up your toothbrush in hotel bathrooms.
30. Pack only one color of socks to eliminate the need to find matching pairs.
31. Repurpose everyday containers for travel use:

• Tic Tac containers for bobby pins
• Carabiners for hair ties
• Pill bottles for Q-tips
• Bead organizers for medication

32. Pack a shower cap to cover the soles of your shoes and keep them from dirtying your clothes.
33. Use a button to organize earrings and prevent them from getting lost.
34. Thread necklaces through straws to prevent tangling.
35. Keep a pen in every bag for filling out customs forms or making notes.
36. Bring a small amount of duct tape wrapped around a pen or card for emergency repairs.
37. Pack binder clips to seal hotel curtains for better sleep.
38. Bring extra Ziploc bags for wet swimwear, snacks, or organizing small items.
39. Pack a dedicated laundry bag for dirty clothes.
40. Consider wearing older clothes that you can donate at your destination to make room for souvenirs.
41. Opt for solid toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste) to save space and avoid liquid restrictions.
42. Seal liquid bottles with plastic wrap before screwing on the caps to prevent leaks.
43. Maintain a dedicated travel toiletry kit with duplicates of items you frequently forget.
44. Put location trackers like AirTags in each of your bags for peace of mind.
45. Invest in a digital luggage scale to avoid overweight baggage fees.
46. Bring a wireless phone charger for humid destinations where moisture can prevent wired charging.

Airport Travel Hacks: Navigating Terminals Like a Pro

47. Make your luggage easily identifiable with a unique tag, ribbon, or sticker to prevent mix-ups at baggage claim.
48. Photograph your suitcase before checking it to help with identification if it gets lost or damaged.
49. Keep your passport in a Ziploc bag to protect it from damage.
50. Avoid airport drop-off charges by getting dropped at long-term parking and taking the free shuttle.
51. Bring an empty water bottle to fill up after security.
52. Freeze a water bottle to bring through security (it’s not technically a liquid if frozen).
53. Create a DIY ice pack by freezing a wet sponge for keeping items cool.
54. Choose security lines with more business travelers as they tend to move faster.
55. Study airplane seating charts on sites like AeroLOPA to choose the best seats.
56. Avoid the first row (often used for families with babies) and the last row (near bathrooms with limited recline).
57. Use the window/aisle strategy when traveling with a companion by booking these seats and leaving the middle open. If someone books the middle, they’ll likely be happy to switch.
58. Put small valuables in your pockets or a small bag before going through security to prevent theft.
59. Wear compression socks on long flights to prevent swelling.
60. Use free samples from duty-free shops to moisturize during your flight.
61. Contact airline customer service through multiple channels simultaneously during disruptions—phone, social media, and in-person—to get the fastest response.
62. Use X (formerly Twitter) for customer service as many companies respond quickly to public social media inquiries.

Airline Travel Hacks: Making Your Time in the Air More Comfortable

63. Change your watch and phone to your destination’s time zone as soon as you board to help adjust to the new schedule.
64. Drink mineral-rich water like Fiji or add electrolyte packets to stay hydrated longer with fewer bathroom breaks.
65. Download entertainment before your flight in case the in-flight system isn’t working.
66. Create a DIY phone stand using:

• A claw clip
• The airplane sick bag clipped to your phone case
• Folded cardboard

67. Share your flight number with friends/family so they can track your journey.

Destination Travel Hacks: Making the Most of Your Trip

68. Download Google Maps for offline use by searching “OK Maps” in the area you want to save.
69. Collect a business card from your hotel to show taxi drivers, especially in countries where you don’t speak the language.
70. Look for local rideshare apps which often offer first-time user discounts.
71. Bring both USB-C and USB-A cables as many charging ports haven’t been updated.
72. Remove wrinkles from clothes by hanging them in the bathroom during a hot shower.
73. Use baby powder to freshen up sweaty feet and absorb odors.
74. Spritz clothes with vodka to remove odors without washing.
75. Enable Google Timeline to track and remember all the places you visit.
76. Preview walking routes with Google Street View before navigating unfamiliar areas.
77. Shop at grocery stores instead of convenience stores for cheaper snacks.
78. Visit supermarkets 1-2 hours before closing for discounted items.
79. Use the Too Good To Go app to get discounted food that would otherwise be thrown away.
80. Take advantage of lunch specials which are often cheaper than dinner for the same food.
81. Look for “express lunch” options to save time and money.
82. Photograph your parked car and its surroundings to help find it later.
83. Use geotags in photos to remember locations of interesting places.
84. Create a DIY lantern by placing your phone’s flashlight against a water bottle.
85. Pack fragile souvenirs in socks and clothing layers for protection.
86. Buy keychains instead of ornaments as souvenirs, then remove the ring and add ribbon to create Christmas decorations.
87. Find free toilets in shopping malls, museums, and libraries.
88. Charge devices using TV USB ports if you forget your adapter.
89. Ask hotel lost and found for chargers or umbrellas if you forget yours.
90. Photograph informational plaques to copy text from them later.
91. Always carry toilet paper, wet wipes, safety pins, and cutlery in your day bag.
92. Wear damp clothes to dry them faster using your body heat.
93. Consider sun position when choosing seats on trains or buses.
94. Hide emergency cash in empty chapstick tubes or disguised as feminine hygiene products.
95. Flip a coin to help make decisions when you can’t decide—your reaction will reveal your true preference.
96. Keep a microfiber cloth handy for cleaning phone lenses and sunglasses.
97. Enable live photos on your phone to capture mini-videos alongside your photos.

Coming Home Hacks: Easing the Transition

98. Clean your house before leaving so you return to a tidy, welcoming space.
99. Freeze a home-cooked meal before your trip for an easy first meal back.
100. Mail postcards to yourself from each destination with notes about your day to create a DIY travel journal.

Why These Travel Hacks Work

What makes these travel hacks so effective is that they address real problems travelers face while requiring minimal effort to implement. They’re not theoretical tips—they’re practical solutions that experienced travelers have refined through countless trips.

By implementing even a handful of these hacks, you’ll save money, reduce stress, and enjoy a smoother travel experience. The key is to start incorporating them into your travel routine before your trip even begins.

Getting Started with Travel Hacking

If you’re new to travel hacking, don’t try to implement all 100 hacks at once. Start with 5-10 that address your biggest travel pain points. For example:

• If you struggle with packing efficiently, focus on the packing cube and clothing organization hacks
• If you’re on a budget, prioritize the booking and money-saving hacks
• If you dread long flights, concentrate on the in-flight comfort hacks

As these become second nature, gradually incorporate more hacks into your travel routine until you’ve built a comprehensive system that works for your travel style.

Final Thoughts

The best travelers aren’t those who encounter no problems—they’re those who know how to solve problems efficiently when they arise. These 100 travel hacks give you the tools to navigate the complexities of modern travel with confidence and ease.

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or a luxury traveler, implementing these hacks will elevate your travel experience and help you focus on what matters most: enjoying your destination and creating lasting memories. Safe travels!