7 Uncommon Travel Tips You Should Know
I know we’ve all heard of packing cubes or the trick of rolling up your clothes to save space, so let me share some uncommon travel tips that I find very helpful and important.
Like the undeniable usefulness of an extension cord that you’ll be glad you brought along when your hotel bed is 5 meters away from the outlet.
Without further ado, here are my top 7 unusual travel hacks!
Save it for later!
1. Bring your favorite brand of sanitary pads
To all the girls out there, who, like me, have trouble with reusable menstrual cups, my strongest advice is to always pack a few sanitary pads from your favorite brand.
And while you may think it’s not necessary (since you can find them everywhere abroad), that’s not entirely true. You won’t always find your brand, especially if you’re traveling to another continent.
Plus, I won’t even tell you how many trials and errors I had to go through in some countries before finding the one that worked best for me, or how lost and helpless I sometimes felt.
So do yourself a favor and take a few sanitary pads from home with you, so you can feel reassured and have time to figure out the menstrual protections abroad.
2. Pack laundry sheets
Another useful and unique travel hack (and one that won’t take up much space in your bag) is to pack laundry sheets.
Why? Because sometimes you won’t have time or won’t find a washing machine at your hotel; so having laundry sheets on hand mean you’ll be able to handwash your clothes or underwear without needing soap.
Small, compact, practical, and fragrant: here’s an indispensable item for your trip.
3. Buy that powerful pen
The stain remover pen! I know you don’t usually see it on packing lists, but if you like wearing white T-shirts and eating spicy or saucy dishes, then this is a little accessory you’ll be happy to have.
Plus, it’s another item you can slip into any bag without having to leave another object behind.
But above all, it’s the perfect item for messy eaters!
↪ See also: 5 Practical Food Tips To Avoid Ruining Your Clothes On A Trip To South Korea!
4. Know the local laws and scams
I’ll never say this enough, but understanding the local culture as well as laws is essential, especially if you don’t want to end up in jail for doing something completely legal in your own country but isn’t elsewhere.
Not to mention that law enforcement officers in certain countries can be pretty scary, so I wouldn’t dare get on their bad side.
Another uncommon travel tip: always research local scams so you don’t fall victim to something that may seem harmless but could end up cost you dearly. One of my rule of thumb: trust your guts; if something doesn’t feel right, you’re usually correct.
↪ See also: What Are Some Of The Weirdest Laws Around The World?
5. Take that extra bag
I’m not telling you to bring a 20L bag, but a simple tote bag will quickly prove to be the best indispensable accessory you won’t be able to do without on your vacation.
Think of it as a trash bag in countries where trash cans are scarce, as a grocery or shopping bag if you’re a minimalist who doesn’t want to bring a purse, or even as a place to put all your dirty clothes before doing laundry.
Another travel hack that is foldable and lightweight, ideal for saving space for other, more important items, like souvenirs!
6. Bring an extension cord for those awkwardly placed beds
Have you ever been exhausted after walking 20K and wanted only one thing: to lie down in your bed and scroll on your phone, upload a few photos on social media, or plan the next day, only to find yourself out of battery and realize that the outlet is at the foot of the bed, too far for your charger to reach?
You then end up in a seemingly impossible position on the bed, or you’re simply have to give up the comfort of your bed and sit on the hard floor, adding sore bottocks to your already aching feet…
Well, that wouldn’t have happened if you’d brought an extension cord with you! Of course, I’m not talking about those bulky models but a simple extension cable will do the trick and change the way you travel for the better.
7. Say goodbye to sleepless nights with earplugs
I used to sleep fine without earplugs, but sleeping next to a few snorers changed that: these days, I can’t really travel without earplugs or I’m pretty sure I’ll suffer from insomnia.
So I highly recommend that you pack some, and not only by fear of snorers, but also to block out construction noises, thin walls, and loud music playing until dawn.
And because a good sleep is the foundation of a pleasant and restful trip!
↪ See also: 14 Tips To Get Rid Of The Dreaded Jet Lag!
And that’s a wrap on some of my most helpful travel hacks! They all have one thing in common: they take up little space, which is ideal for minimalist travelers who want to travel smart and practical!
So, what do you think? Do you have any uncommon travel tips you’d like to share with us? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t want to be seen as an easy prey and want to travel with peace of mind? Check out my post: Solo Female Travel – Safety Tips Against Unwanted Attention!
