Travel Tips and Tricks

As I’m writing this, I’m getting ready to pack for a crazy fourteen day journey. I wish I could say it was a fourteen day vacation to somewhere really cool, but, alas, it much more complicated than that. Although, in the end, much more fulfilling than a “relaxing” vacation.

First I’m headed to Dallas to see friends and family as well as celebrate one of my nieces’s graduation from high school. Then it’s off to Baton Rouge to see Ivy for a week. Then back to Dallas, where I’ll meet hubby at the airport (both of us arriving from different cities!) and we’ll hop in the car and drive to Ft. Worth. We will spend Saturday and Sunday morning helping our son and daughter-in-law move into their new apartment. Sunday, it’s back on the road to Dallas to help give a bridal shower for a good friend’s daughter. Then, finally, the drive back to Austin with hubby.

Whew! That’s a lot of travel! But since I often travel with hubby, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to make things easier. And because we stand on the cusp of summer and you, too, might be doing some travel, I thought I’d share a few things that help me most.

Packing Cubes (or compression bags)—I began using compression bags when I first started traveling with my husband for his work in order to create a little more space in my suitcase. I loved them until about about a year ago I discovered packing cubes! Not only do they allow me to pack more than usual (like the compression bags, even though the cubes don’t compress!), but they keep things organized in my suitcase. And I do love organization! Not only that, they keep things organized when I arrive at my destination, too. I can simply take out a cube and slide it in a hotel room drawer, open the zipper and poof!—I’ve “unpacked”! When it is time to repack, I can divide dirty clothes and clean clothes into separate cubes so that when I get back home I know what is what.

Crossbody purse—I always need more carry on space than I have. Since we most often fly Southwest Airlines, I usually check my main bag, but there are things I don’t want in my checked bag. Things like my computer, my kindle, my book, my headphones, my glasses, my medications, eyedrops, a water bottle, sometimes a travel pillow, sunglasses, reading glasses, phone cords—well, you get the drift!

While most of that would fit in my under the seat roller bag, putting it beneath the seat where I can get to things limits the room for my feet. But my purse doesn’t usually hold quite enough of the things I want to get to on a flight. Thus, the dilemma. Until on one trip I discovered the secret for managing my carry on luggage—a crossbody, adjustable strap purse.

Now I can tuck my purse inside my backpack while boarding, put my small roller bag overhead, and my backpack under the seat, leaving plenty of room for my feet as well as reaching everything I’ll need for the duration of the flight. The bonus? My purse with its adjustable strap means it is the only purse I’ll need, even on a business trip—a crossbody for sightseeing or casual events and a shoulder bag for dressier moments.

Drawstring toiletries bag—This is the newest travel tool I’ve added. I had a toiletries bag a loved for a very long time. It was a train case style, but square and shallow. I didn’t have to dig down to find things. Then it wore out and I went with what I could find. Then I discovered this drawstring bag and knew I had to try it. It’s perfect! Now everything is more spread out when opened and jumbled it together when shut. It isn’t quite big enough to hold everything I travel with, so I’m going to get a second one soon.

Hotel Helpfuls—I have learned to keep a few items in my suitcase that can be of help in a less than perfect hotel room. For example:

—a battery or usb powered fan to help either with noise or coolness. Or both!
–ear plugs, again to help with possible noise.
—extra long phone cord, especially for those older rooms where plugs are few or places in inconvenient places.
—multi-usb port, again for rooms without strategically placed plugs!
–a clothespin or large safety pin for a curtain that won’t close without a gap.

Good Suitcase—Traveling often, I have found a good suitcase can make all the difference in the stress level of a travel day. I’ve had a few, but I my current suitcase is my favorite thus far. I got this spinner bag earlier this year, but I imagine will be getting the carry-on that goes with it in the near future. It is super lightweight, rolls smoothly, can be spotted easily on the luggage carousel, and holds a ton! I chose Travelpro because my husband has one, and even with his extensive travel schedule, and as hard as he is on his luggage, it still looks great.

So there you have it. Some of my best travel tips and tricks.

But I’m always looking for good travel ideas, so tell me, what are the products or processes that help you most when traveling?