We’ve just returned from an amazing 60th birthday trip to Europe, and it was magical. We traveled along the Amalfi Coast and through Croatia, and honestly, that trip deserves a post all its own. It truly was that good.
But as I was getting ready for our trip, I realized something: after many years of travel—and more than a few lessons learned the hard way—I’ve picked up quite a collection of little travel tips and tricks along the way.
And you know me. If I find something that makes life easier, I’m all about sharing it.
These aren’t earth-shattering travel hacks, and I certainly haven’t mastered the art of packing for two weeks in a carry-on (more on that later). They’re simply the little things I actually do before and during a trip that make traveling easier, more organized and, hopefully, a lot more FUN.
So grab your passport. Let’s go!
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BEFORE YOU GO: A LITTLE PREP GOES A LONG WAY
I love the fun part of planning a trip—where to stay, what to see and, perhaps most importantly, where are we eating?
But a little not-so-fun prep before you leave can save you a whole lot of headaches later.
1. Share your itinerary.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or trusted friend. I also like having one easily accessible for myself with flight information, hotels and important reservation details all in one place.
2. Make copies of important documents.
Take photos and/or make photocopies of your passport, driver’s license and other important travel documents. Keep copies separate from the originals and leave another set with someone you trust.
3. Get your house vacation-ready, too
Arrange for someone to house-sit or check on your home, bring in mail and packages (or have them held), and use timers for lights so the house still looks lived-in.
I’m also a big believer in not posting vacation photos on social media while we’re away. I love sharing our adventures—but they can wait until we’re home. No need to advertise that nobody is minding the store.
4. For international travel, do a little extra homework.
Before leaving, check your bank and credit-card policies, make sure your contact information is current, turn on account alerts and check whether your cards charge foreign transaction fees.
I also enroll in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when appropriate. It’s a free program that provides important information about your destination and can help the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate contact you—or your emergency contact—if there’s an emergency.
5. Sign up for the rewards programs.
Airline, hotel and travel rewards programs are generally free, so why leave potential points on the table? Even if you don’t travel frequently, those points can eventually add up.
6. Clean your house before you leave.
I know. The last thing you want to do when you’re frantically packing for vacation is clean the house.
Do it anyway.
Coming home to a tidy house and clean sheets is heaven. And for the love of all things holy, don’t forget the refrigerator. Nobody wants to return from vacation to discover an unwanted science experiment growing in the produce drawer.
FOR THE PLANE: WHAT’S ALWAYS IN MY TRAVEL BACKPACK
Full disclosure: I am a self-professed over-packer.
I have not mastered the magical art of fitting everything I need for a two-week international trip into one rolling carry-on. I’m in awe of the people who can. Frankly, I think they deserve a trophy—or at minimum a patch for being a packing magician.
Ironically, after college I managed to backpack through Europe for an entire summer with nothing more than what I could carry on my back. But then again, I was staying in hostels and using Let’s Go Europe as my guide.
Aaahhh…youth!
Several years ago, my sisters-in-law clued me in to the practicality and ease of using a travel backpack as my personal item, and I’ve never looked back. Tons of pockets, lots of storage and it leaves your hands free.
Woot Woot!
Besides the typical wallet, ID/passport, jewelry, reading material, earbuds and chargers, there are a few less-obvious things that always make it into my backpack:
Clorox wipes.
The cleaning crew may take out the trash between flights, but I’m not counting on anyone scrubbing down my armrests and tray table. First order of business: wipe ’er down!
Snacks.
Gone are the days when I expect food to magically appear on every flight—well, at least in the seats I’m buying. 😉 Come prepared or be at the mercy of whatever food-for-purchase options happen to be available.
Ziplock bags.
A million and one uses. I always have at least a couple with me, and they’ve come in handy innumerable times.
Microfiber towel.
Works wonders for cleaning glasses and screens and can handle a spill in a pinch.
Lozenges and lip balm.
My throat and lips always get dry from the airplane air, so these stay within reach.
Small scented body lotion.
After hours aboard a flight, a little lotion before landing can do wonders to make me feel—and hopefully smell—a little more human.
LOST LUGGAGE HAPPENS: MY JUST-IN-CASE PLAN
Over the years, I’ve been stranded without my luggage enough times that I now hedge my bets. While I use an AirTag in my checked suitcase, I also make sure my carry-on has enough to get me through a day or two if my luggage decides to take a different vacation.
Medications, basic toiletries, underwear, socks and a change of clothes can make waiting for your suitcase’s eventual arrival much more pleasant. Because tracking your suitcase in another country is one thing.
Doing it in yesterday’s underwear is another.
Fun-Size Hot Tip: Silicone bottle covers are one of my favorite little travel finds. Slip them over your toiletry bottles to help prevent leakage from pressure changes—or from bottles simply getting knocked around in transit.
I’ve heard of people cutting the top off a balloon and stretching it over a bottle, which is a clever and inexpensive solution, too. I personally prefer the sturdiness and reusability of the silicone covers.
Another easy trick: keep a toiletry bag stocked with travel-size items. When you return from a trip, replenish what you used and put it away. Next trip? Grab-n-go!
FOR THE SUITCASE: TRICKS FROM A SELF-PROFESSED OVER-PACKER
While I can travel for shorter trips with a carry-on suitcase, I’m still in awe of those who travel abroad for weeks with solely a carry-on. Again: trophy. Patch. Perhaps some sort of ceremony.
I used to live out of a backpack for months. Now I’m loaded down with “essentials” and “must-haves.” Aaahhh…youth. 😉. But over the years, I have found a few things that make packing—and living out of a suitcase—much easier.
Packing cubes.
I love the organization and the ease of unpacking at the hotel. Pull out a cube, pop it into a drawer and you’re done.
Roll some of your clothes.
For many casual pieces, rolling keeps things compact and organized. For items that wrinkle easily, I’m still a careful folder.
Plastic shower caps for shoes.
I use them to cover the bottoms of my shoes so the soles don’t touch my clothes. They’re cheaper than shoe bags—and I’ve never actually had to buy any because I shamelessly hoard them from hotel stays. Waste not, want not. 😉
Fun-Size Hot Tip: Wear your heavier jacket and bulkier shoes—like tennies—on the plane. Planes are always cold anyway, and you save valuable space and weight in your suitcase.
A plastic or laundry bag.
Something to separate dirty clothes from clean ones is a must.
A collapsible laundry basket.
For longer stays, this little gem helps keep the hotel room tidy. It folds practically flat in your suitcase and gives all those dirty clothes somewhere to live besides the floor.
A little laundry detergent.
If I know we may need to wash clothes along the way, I bring a small amount of travel-friendly detergent. No hunting for laundry supplies when you’re already down to your last pair of clean underwear.
Clothespins or a travel clothesline.
A handful of clothespins takes up almost no space and comes in surprisingly handy for hanging laundry, swimsuits and towels to dry.
Luggage tags—outside AND inside the suitcase.
This is one I learned the hard way. Exterior luggage tags can get ripped off the handles, leaving your suitcase without identification.
Put your contact information on the outside—but tuck identification inside your suitcase, too.
ONE LAST TRAVEL TIP: DON’T MISS THE MAGIC
All these little tricks can make travel easier, but here’s something else I’ve learned after all these years: Not everything is going to go according to plan.
You may forget something in the hotel room. Take a wrong turn. Have a reservation get messed up. Lose a suitcase. Miss a flight. And sometimes that unexpected pivot becomes one of the stories you tell—and laugh about—for years.
Travel is magical…or at least, it certainly can be.
So prepare. Make your lists. Pack your cubes. Put an AirTag in your suitcase. Bring the lip balm.
And then give yourself permission to let go a little.
And may I be so bold as to suggest one more thing?
Put the camera down.
Take the photos. Of course! I certainly do. But you really don’t have to capture every view or every sunset. Sometimes we get so busy trying to preserve the moment that we forget to actually be in it.
Stand still. Look around. Take it all in. Sometimes, that’s where the real magic lies.
LOOKING FOR THE ACTUAL PACKING LIST?
I’ve got you covered!
For my favorite travel essentials, destination-specific must-haves and some fabulous travel gift ideas, head over to Bon Voyage! Travel Care Package Ideas & Packing Essentials for Every Destination.
Whether you’re putting together a care package for a lucky traveler or making your own packing list, there are plenty of ideas to help you get ready for your next adventure.
And if practical ideas served with a healthy dose of FUN are your thing, subscribe to Fun with Fun-Size! You’ll get new posts delivered your way and access to my exclusive Resource Library, filled with printables and other Fun-Size goodies to make everyday life a little easier—and a lot more fun. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook @funwithfun_size for more of the behind-the-scenes fun.
Because whether we’re packing a suitcase, throwing a party, finding the perfect gift or simply making an ordinary day a little more special, I’m always looking for ways to add a little more FUN to the everyday.
Until the next adventure…Bon Voyage!