DISQUS

Zane Safrit · 1 year ago

This is a great post on traveling. Thanks for the tips.

Trisha Jackson · 1 year ago

Perfect article! I can't stress the need for the perfect bag. I worked in the travel industry for several years and had every bag imaginable. And none of them were the perfect one.

I'd also recommend room spray. Even though hotels say "nonsmoking" there are plenty of undesirable smells that creep into rooms or are left over from those who disregard the policy.

Lastly, roll your clothes like the military folks do. It makes it easier to fit more in your bag and you'll have less wrinkles to iron out.

Trisha Jackson · 1 year ago

Perfect article! I can't stress the need for the perfect bag. I worked in the travel industry for several years and had every bag imaginable. And none of them were the perfect one.

I'd also recommend room spray. Even though hotels say "nonsmoking" there are plenty of undesirable smells that creep into rooms or are left over from those who disregard the policy.

Lastly, roll your clothes like the military folks do. It makes it easier to fit more in your bag and you'll have less wrinkles to iron out.

Sam Eder · 1 year ago

My tip- sign up for every free "loyalty" point system and work the specials. I can't even begin to extol on the beauty of being able to upgrade a hotel room (or get early check-ins) that often require no accumulated points! I love my Starwoods Preferred Guest Card and wouldn't dream of giving it up.

desabol · 1 year ago

Nice post Jake. I just got back from Europe myself and I would say that I agree with all of your tips. Another thing that I like to do is to plan what I am wearing on the days I am traveling very carefully. To your point about belts, rings, watches, etc. I try to eliminate or at least minimize anything that I am wearing that may delay me through the security check points. Especially in the US and to some extent within the EU, it helps to have slip on shoes (or at least some kind of shoes that you don't have to tie) so you can take them off quickly and easily. While you are at it, consider your socks. I have seen plenty of people that wear loafers or sandals which work great from an on/off standpoint but they don't wear socks which forces them to go barefoot in the security lines. Maybe it's just me but that is something I like to avoid.

Also try dressing in layers, planes and airports seem to be colder than everywhere else in the world so being able to take a layer off or put a layer on seems to make it much easier to adapt to what you are facing.

Finally (for now) make sure that you bring travel adapters for where you are heading. Nothing like having a 110 plug in Europe without having the proper adapters. Seems like it is common sense, but I have seen more people not have these and either have to buy them (at a considerable premium) or do without. Because so much of what I do when I travel involves my Blackberry and PC, this is something that I always consider.

Jake McKee · 1 year ago

Good points, thanks!

One thing I'll add about the travel adapters - if you can buy one or two just as "must-haves", then hit a local hardware store when you get to whatever overseas town you're visiting, you may be able to find cheaper, smaller adapters. The ones you buy in th airport tend to be HUGE universal adapters, but the small, type-specific adapters you can buy in bulk and just leave on each of your cables. Fantastic if you travel a lot.

Troy Bingham - dialer · 1 year ago

I always treat myself to one GREAT meal. I look forward to it before I even leave. That is how i cope.