10 Useful Hacks when Traveling

Hey everyone! This is the first travel-related post I'm writing in awhile. I haven't been traveling for the past few months so I'm out of the loop about this topic. I just came back from Taiwan and have thought about these 10 hacks that I always find useful when I travel.





When Picking a Flight

1. Choose the destination and when you're going


This one helps you find cheaper flights. Whenever you have a destination & date in mind, it's easier to watch out for seat sales. I personally decide where I want to go to about six months in advance. That way I can wait for seat sales and I can easily score flights as I know which dates to look at.

When making itinerary

2. Check the season or weather when you visit


Knowing what is the weather when you visit will help you plan out your wardrobe, which helps you to pack smarter and lighter.


3. Research for the places you want to go


Look up the places where you want to visit. Research on the directions on how you'll get there and what means of transportation you need. It's also easier if you plan destinations close to each other on a similar day... you can just walk around the streets and be immersed in the area. Also, it's cheaper to just walk!


Before the Flight

4. Scan a copy of your IDs (passports, visas, etc.) and email them to yourself (or family/friends)


When traveling overseas, it's worth taking time to save a copy of IDs. If anything goes wrong, at least you have copies of your important information. It's also good if you could save your reservations and itinerary on your phones. Sometimes custom officials ask about these, so it's also quicker to show them rather than lugging around a bunch of paper documents.


5. Check power outlets


If you're visiting a different country,  it's important to check what are their power outlets. Here in the Philippines, most of the sockets are in 220V. It's vital that I know the power outlets of the country I'm visiting or else I won't be able to charge my gadgets. You could bring along an adaptor or extension if you have a lot of gadgets to charge.


6. Download useful apps (maps, messaging, metro schedules)


Download them offline too if possible. This will help you to navigate around the area and knowing the schedules for transportation will assist you in scheduling your itineraries better. On my last trip, we had a discount on our purchases because of LINE messaging application. So you can take advantage of those too.


During the day of Flight

7. Bring a pen


You'll definitely be filling up those custom sheets whenever you travel overseas. Rather than asking around and waiting for someone else to finish their custom sheets, just bring a pen with you.


8. Bring a water bottle


Buying bottled water can be expensive if you do it every day when traveling. You can just bring a water bottle and fill it up at the hostel/hotel you're staying. Some major tourist attractions have water fountains too, so you can fill up your bottle throughout the day. Just make sure it's empty when passing through the security in the airports.


During traveling

9. You can withdraw on ATMs / use your credit card to get the local currency


Instead of bringing a lot of cash and have it exchanged in money changers, it's cheaper to withdraw on ATMs or using the credit card for purchases. The exchange rate of your banks is much closer to the actual exchange rate for the day, which means you get more for your money's worth than in local money changers.


10. Learn a little of the local language


Locals really appreciate it when you say hello or thank you in their local language. Also, learn some basic phrases as some locals might not be able to understand English.

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Those are some hacks that I really find useful whenever I travel! I hope you got something about this post and use it in your future travels. 

Do you have any travel hacks which I haven't listed above? Let me know!




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23 Comments

  1. Really good points Herah! Whenever you came to srilanka, dont forget to say "Ayubowan", is the word used in Sri Lanka to greet someone. It means Long Life.

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  2. Thanks for that tip! Will take note of it when I visit Sri Lanka :)

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  3. Traveling in 2 weeks - this is perfect! It will surely decrease my nervousness that I've done what I need to do! Thank you!

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    1. Oooh, that’s awesome! I’m glad I could help & I hope you enjoy your trip! :)

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  4. Hi, really great tips here - have you also tried sites like work away or kangaride? I have recently written about them on my blog :) https://thesavvysisters.com/cheap-travelling-through-a-working-holiday-workaway-review/

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  5. Hi, really great tips here - have you also tried sites like work away or kangaride? I have recently written about them on my blog :) https://thesavvysisters.com/cheap-travelling-through-a-working-holiday-workaway-review/

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  6. Some great tips. I'll definitely have to remember some of these for the next time I go on holiday.

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    1. Hope you have a great trip & glad you could use some of my tips! :)

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  7. Great tip on downloading apps before you travel. It's been too often that I didn't have mobile data in a new country and I wasn't able to find my way around!

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    1. Indeed! I think that one is very useful too esp in navigating around.

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  8. These are some great tips. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hope you find them useful, you’re welcome!

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  9. You've got some great advice here. I especially love the idea of scanning important documents to yourself just in case... You never know what might happen!

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    1. Exactly! Better be safe, than sorry! Thanks for dropping by!

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  10. These are wonderful tips! I find the better I am prepared the more enjoyable traveling is. I have to make sure I have everything written down, it definitely helps me stay organized! That, & always being early!

    -madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes! Being early is important for me, I’d rather wait than be frazzled catching my flight/tours!

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  11. Great tips! This helps to make traveling fun.

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    1. You are so right! Who wouldn’t want a hassle-less travel?! :)

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  12. Very useful tips! Especially taking a picture of ID, I hadn't thought about that but am going to do it right now before I leave for Europe next week ♡

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    Replies
    1. Hope you have a lovely time during your trip! :)

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  13. Such useful tips! These will certainly be helpful to me on the next trip I take. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. When you travel, you might face to some unexpected problems, and these helpful hacks will be definitely at hand. Thanks a bunch!

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