Travel Hacks that will make you a
better backpacker !!!
- Turn on 'Private Browsing' or 'incognito mode' for cheaper flights online
Airlines and travel sites can record your visits by installing cookies on your browser, which can cause the prices you’re shown to rise simply because you’ve searched for those flights before. This is to trick you into buying your flights sooner and encourage impulse buying, the cheeky beggars! Avoid it by switching to ‘Private Browsing’ whenever you book flights.
2. Roll your clothes while packing them for more space.
One of the most simple but effective travel hacks there is. Rather than folding your clothes, roll them up into a little tube. This will save a ton of space and stop creases and wrinkles – all in all, pretty sweet!
3. Charge your electronics through a TV
Lost or forgotten your wall plug for your charger? No worries, most modern TVs have a USB connector on the back or side. Simply plug in your electrical device and watch that little battery icon charge.
4. Book Your Accommodation with Hostelworld
Hostelworld’s brand new mobile app makes booking the best budget accommodation even easier. Read full descriptions and full reviews of each property to make sure you get what you want. From party places with bars and pub crawls galore to the cool but comfortable spots where you can simply sit back and chill out after a long day’s exploring. The app’s in-built map feature also makes finding your accommodation a doddle. Best of all, it’s free!
5. Buy a portable phone charger
Yeah, alright, this one might seem a little simplistic, but it’s very useful. Essentially these act as an external battery you can charge separately using a USB connector or even replenish with a store bought battery. Worth having one of these in reserve in case an emergency arises while your phone is out of juice.
6. Use a binder clip to protect razors
This is one I can’t advocate enough! When travelling America by train, I was fumbling in my wash bag for some sleeping pills and, hey presto, managed to drag my index finger across the entire length of all three blades of my shaving razor. Cue profuse bleeding and stained train seats. Cover your blades, people.
7.Email yourself a scan of your passport
You’ll thank yourself if you’re ever a victim of theft or loss. It’s also worth taking a screenshot of any journey confirmations. If you’ve booked any flights, buses or trains, whether you’re on your phone, laptop or tablet, make sure you screenshot them while you have Wi-Fi or internet access so you can access them when you’re no longer connected. So much easier than lugging around printouts. As travel hacks go, this is one you don’t want to ignore in case anything goes wrong.
8. Make your own airplane TV
If your plane is somehow lacking in personal TVs, you can create your own with your phone and a clear plastic bag. Simply insert your device, position it, then hook it onto the back of the tray-table. Apparently, you can also use the metal bits from the sick-bag, though I’m not sure how that works… maybe you can work it out from the instructions.
9. Mark your baggage as fragile
Not only does this mean your bag is more likely to be handled correctly, but it’ll also find itself at the top of pile in the storage compartment of the plane. The result? Why, you’ll get your bag back first, of course. Jackpot.
10. Use ATMs/cash machines to get local currency
In this day and age it’s best to use these automated bad boys to get hold of the national currency, rather than local the currency exchange/bureau de change. Money converters usually have their own fees and rip-off exchange rates, very likely to be far worse than your bank.
11. Only unpack what you really need
If you’re backpacking your way across the universe, then it’s likely you won’t be staying in one place for too long. To save on packing time, only take out what you’ll definitely need in each hostel. This will leave you free for a quick and easy escape when you’re next on the verge of missing that bus.
12.Make real travel friends using your phone
There are a whole load of apps out there that can help you make friends out on the road without going through the anxiety of having to approach groups in person.Travel Buddies and Backpackr can help you find travellers nearby and check out their itineraries. You can even match up your personalities by checking out their public profiles.
13.Bung a (tumble) dryer sheet in your bag
Sick of your clothes picking up the faint scent of old socks? Well this little trick will keep them smelling fresh throughout your trip. If you’re going for the long haul, take a little pack with you and replace whenever the sheet seems to be losing its potency.
14.Get your own personal departures and arrivals board
Ever get sick of straining your neck or even, God forbid, having to leave the airport bar to see the departures board at the airport. Well, thankfully modern life has done away with that ridiculous inconvenience. Simply download FlightBoard onto your phone and experience the VIP lifestyle.
15.Get your own personal AI tour guide
Having a problem finding a decent tour guide, think tours are a little pricey or just want to avoid people while you explore for the day? No problem, simply install Google Goggles onto your phone and take some photos as you explore. Every time you photograph a famous monument, your phone will fire back a bunch of interesting information for you to read. You’ll be an expert in local culture, customs and history in no time.
16.Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge
if you want to keep your batteries fresher and full of juice for longer, bung them in the hostel fridge with your food. This is one of the more bizarre travel hacks on the list, but most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures, meaning you don’t need to charge them as often.
17.Beeswax will waterproof all the things
That’s right, buy yourself a chunk of bees wax and get rubbing. You can coat the outside of your rucksack, your little light jacket, hell, you can even waterproof your Converse. Travel hacks don’t get much stranger than this, but don’t you just love bees?
18.Buy a small bottle of hand sanitizer/soap/detergent
Probably a bit of an obvious one again, this one, but you never know how long you might go without a washing machine and you can only really turn your undies inside-out once.
19 Carry ipod or portable music devices.
Carry portable devices such as ipods or small fm's or any other device so that you dont have to worry about your battery draining problems on your mobile devices and they can last longer for clicking photos or other stuff.
20. Last tip (in all)
stuff.Always keep photographs of your important documents, pre-plan your outfits according to your schedule, carry lotions for body care and for insects repellents, let someone know about your plans, be flexible as things dosent always go according to our plans, carry meds if alergic or any medical history, last but not the least travel as much as you can.
