Top Tips for Travelling

Tips and Tricks When Travelling

For work or pleasure, travelling can become a hassle and a chore, rather than an enjoyable time. We have compiled a list of travel hacks for you to feel comfortable on the move.

Luggage tips

It can be quite a risky game when entrusting your packed-to-the-brim suitcase with the baggage handlers and we have all heard the horror stories of damaged or even lost items. So, to prevent these from happening, here are some easy things to remember when travelling.

Label EVERYTHING - Labelling things gives you and others an instant indicator to whom this item belongs to avoid mix ups and losses.

Have a distinct suitcase - This does not necessarily mean a bright pink case with sparkles on it - unless you want to of course - but something that you will know can only be yours. For example, stickers, luggage tags, patterns/bright colours etc.

Keep essentials in your carry on - To avoid the horror should your main luggage get lost, it is a good idea to keep all irreplaceable essentials in your carry on such as medication and a few changes of clothes to wear while you wait for your luggage or purchase new ones.

Lists are your new best friend - Creating a list before packing helps to improve the overall process because it becomes faster and you know you haven’t missed any essentials. However, this almighty list should come with you for the duration of your trip, whether on your phone or paper. This way, when it comes to repacking your bags, you can go back over the list and make sure nothing is left behind for you to fret over in the airport when it’s too late to go back.

In flight tips

Crying babies, chewing gum, and blood clots - not the first three things we think about when flying but perhaps they should be. A 9 hour flight with a crying and screaming child on board may just get a tad bit irritating when you woke up at 3am to come to the airport so ear plugs and an eye mask should be at the top of your hand luggage for easy access in the event of a toddler tantrum emergency. This way you can get some sleep on the journey or at least try to relax a little before landing so that this flight doesn't turn into an improptu skydive.

Now, there is a very unlikely but very real risk of getting a blood clot in your leg on a long-haul flight due to the changes in pressure. One way to combat this is to try to move around a little but often. Even if you wish to stay seated, wiggling your toes can have just as an effective response. Or you can purchase some flight socks that are designed to help your circulation. 

Another way to increase your body’s comfort onboard a flight is to chew gum when taking off and landing as this will prevent your ears popping when the pressure changes.