If you’ve done your fair share of traveling, you most likely think you know all there is to know about it.
From good packing tips to secret spots nobody knows about except you, you’ve got it all. But, as usual, there’s something to be learned even in the most familiar routines.
After the tourism industry crashed through the pandemic, with an all-low on traveling– understandably– it experienced a slight reboot in 2022.
However, 2024 will be the year when the people in this sector will see a lot of improvement. The statistics forecast that outbound trips all over the world will increase by 17.4 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
What does this mean? There will be a lot more tourists than we’ve seen for the past four years in a row. That’s where the travel hacks compiled here will help.
Improving your trips isn’t difficult; it just requires a bit of knowledge and a few smart tricks to pull it off.
Let’s dive in and help you enjoy your travels as much as possible!
1. Airport lounges can be your best allies
If you travel a lot, I’ll admit, you probably know about airports longest, mostly because you probably enjoy the frequent flier status, or you take advantage of credit card rewards.
However, it’s possible to enjoy these places with a day pass or even a membership program. If you’ve got a long layover, loungers are quiet, and you can eat something, shower, relax, and even sleep comfortably until your next flight takes off. It’s also helpful when you experience delays or canceled flights.
2. Pack a power strip at all times
Anyone who’s been to an airport once knows about the agonizing search for a power outlet available. Everyone seems to be charging their devices at the same time, especially when our phone is at 5%.
The solution is simple: get a power strip and charge several phones, kindles, or whatever you want at the same time. It’s also super helpful if you’re staying in crowded hostels, which usually means that people are hogging the few outlets in the room all day long.
The benefits don’t stop there:
- It’s easy to put a power strip in even the smallest purse or backpack since their design is compact.
- It’s ideal for when your charger doesn’t adapt to the outlets in the country you’re exploring.
- You can share the power strip with others and get to meet new people while you travel.
3. Buy a local SIM card
I usually do this at the airport and save myself from paying expensive roaming charges. This way, I can also contact people in case of emergencies, and I avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi, which can be dangerous.
In this line of thinking, I tend to worry about my online activity whenever I am traveling, especially because I like posting about the places I visit. To avoid having my data compromised, I’ve researched different tools, like Nord VPN vs Surfshark.
These software solutions help me keep my data safe from cybercriminals or stalkers while I am enjoying a new place. After all, research shows that cybercrime costs will grow by 15% in 2024, and it will reach USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
4. Travel off-season
I love a good European summer as much as anyone, but I am normally not keen on spending a lot of money only to sort through crowds and worry about pickpockets.
That’s why I normally choose to travel in the off-season. The moment of the year can change depending on the country I want to explore.
And, aside from that, I look into alternative means of transportation, which can also save some money. For example, research shows that the fastest-growing travel category in the entire world is rail transport, at 35.6% this year. This means that I can save money by choosing trains, and I also get to enjoy the view along the way.
To sum up
I love traveling and am always happy when I find new ways to improve my experiences. From Rome in winter to bonding over a power strip during an endless layover, anything can be an adventure when you put your mind to it.
Hopefully, these tips will help you as much as they’ve helped me!
Published by HOLR Magazine.