All your spicy travel hacks

Hey you, you going on a trip? Lucky for you, I’m going to put my jealousy aside and help make your journey easier with a few spicy travel hacks.

But wait, there’s more. Because I don’t want to just throw any old hack your way, I’ve gone to Google to find your most searched for travel hack questions.

She’s so good to you.

She needs to stop writing in the third person.

…

Let's hack the daylights out of this trip.

Hack your finances first you wild thing

Travel hacks packing

Step 1 is obviously packing for your trip. Here’s what the internet had to say about that.

1) Roll up your clothes

If it’s good enough for Marie Kondon, then it’s good enough for you. Roll your clothes up in your suitcase and you’ll have heaps more room. Magic.

2) Check if the hotel you’re going to has everything you’ll need

Nobody wants to see you go feral. Make sure where you’re staying has everything you’ll need from toiletries and towels to a hairdryer.

3) Weigh your suitcase

There is nothing more heart-wrenching than showing up at the airport and being told that you have to pay a kazillion pounds for your overweight luggage. There are probably far more heart-wrenching things that could happen, but for the purpose of this list we’ll go with that.

4) Pack an in-flight bag

This isn’t flight subjective. Keep things comfortable and pack yourself a travel bag full of goodies. Moisturiser, nibbles, a book, a grotesque smelling tuna sandwich that will make your seat neighbour despise you.

5) Think about weather changes

Life is full of surprises. In the UK, our mornings can start sunny and end with snow. This may apply to other destinations so be prepared.

6) Put stuff in your shoesies

Thought rolling your clothes was smart? Get a load of this. Your shoes…can be stuffed…with stuff. Mic drop.

7) Portable charger

Do not fall victim to a sad phoneless existence. It is not pleasant. You may actually have to engage with people.

8) Pack your Wise card

Obviously this one’s a must. Pay like a local and welcome affordable fees into your life. Why? Because you deserve it. Learn more about Wise’s multi-currency account here. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

9) Cover your shoes

We aren’t done with shoesies. Keep your clothes clean and put your shoes in a plastic bag. Or a cotton one if you’re feeling fancy.

10) Avoid toiletry spillage with cling film

More covering. Do you know how it feels to open your suitcase, all excited to put your new ASOS dress on, only to find it has died in a tsunami of shampoo? It doesn’t feel good. Cover your toiletries with cling film.

11) Want more? Of course you do

Here’s a checklist of everything you’ll need to make your flight packing seamless.

Luxury travel hacks on a budget

Google says you jetsetters are looking for luxury travel hacks. Oooooo get you. Here they are:

1) Go off season

A lot of luxury hotels offer reduced rates when its off-season. The same applies to flight costs.

3) Book ahead of time

The early bird really does get the worm. Book ahead of time and you’re pretty much guaranteed lower rates.

4) Go niche on your destination of choice

Stand out from the crowd with more affordable travel destinations.

5) Take a trip to the world wide web

Do some digging! There will be deals. You will be satisfied and feel all smug and proud of yourself after.
Avoid the Bureau de Change
I know it sounds fancy, because it's French, but there’s nothing fancy about exaggerated fees. Use us instead. The good guys, the affordable guys, the Wise guys.

Car travel hacks

Make your time in the vroom vroom zoom zoom.

1) Playlists and podcasts

Pre-download playlists and podcasts so you don’t get struck by the cruel mistress that is no reception. It’ll also give you something to look forward to. Cute.

2) Plan games

Live out your Downton Abbey parlour game dreams on wheels.

3) Pillows

Keep your neck happy with a pillow.

4) Snacks

Obviously. Although, stopping at foreign gas stations is always very exciting.

5) Pick the scenic route

If you’ve got time to kill, look into planning a scenic drive so you can look out the window, listen to some tunes and pretend you’re in a music video.

6) Keep coins close, but your Wise card closer

Toll booths are part of the deal when going on a road trip. So have coins nearby so you don’t hold off the queue and face very aggressive, upsetting honking. For any non-toll related spending, you can, of course, use our lovely little Wise card.

Flight travel hacks

We all kind of know what we need to pack on a flight, so here are some rogue hacks that you may not have thought about but will 100% thank yourself for.

1) Book your flight with points and miles

Slice and dice costs by giving your air miles some attention.

2) Keep an eye on what you consume

Bubbles are bad. You will get bloated in the air, and your tummy will be upset.

3) Change the time on your watch

Yes, we all love a smartphone, and it changes automatically, but don’t forget to set your watch to the local timezone to avoid having to either wait hours for someone or arrive hours late and lose a friend.

4) Pick your seat carefully (are you tall? Leg room. Tiny bladder? Aisle. Sleepy head? Window

Tall? Leg room is needed, grab the emergency exit.
Love to stay hydrated? Aisle seat it up.
Sleepy head? Window da one for you.

5) Noise cancelling headphones

Self explanatory.

6) Covid may be so last year, but cleanliness isn’t

Hand gel, anti-bacterial wipes, you know the drill.

7) Layer it up baby

One minute you’re hot, one minute you’re cold. MAKE UP YOUR MIND. Or just wear layers.

8) Socks, socks, glorious socks

And finally, more socks. They’ve been given a lot of air time in this article. Bring clean socks with you (huge emphasis on clean) or slippers, so you can get cosy on a long haul flight. Please see previous article on what not to do with your feet.