Life hacks for travelers: how to save time, effort and money

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These tricks will help you not to waste time, money and nerves to see and experience more.

Keep track of prices

Even those who leave home only to the nearest store for bread know that booking tickets early can save a lot. Fortunately, you don't have to spend days on the websites of airlines to catch the long-awaited discount. Aviasales, for example, has long thought of everything for us. It is enough to subscribe to the desired city or country to receive an e-mail notification of a decrease in ticket prices.

On Google Play and the App Store, you can download applications that will help you keep track of prices, for example Aviasales, Skyscanner and others.

It is useful to subscribe to airline news. Nobody likes spam, but big fish can get caught in muddy waters.

Use stopovers

Stopover is a free stop at a transit point with the opportunity to stay in the city for a day or more. For example, if you fly in North America, you can make a stopover from four hours, in Central America - from six hours. If you fly to Thailand via Sri Lanka, you can stay in Colombo for up to three days. The best part is that the cost of the tickets does not change. You can't see the whole of Rio de Janeiro in five hours, but you can get a general idea of the city.

Information about possible stopovers is contained in the fare description (fare conditions, fare rules, tariff rules). If the stopover is allowed, inform the airline about your desire to stay in the transfer city.

Ticket aggregator sites will also help. If you are dealing with Aviasales, look for this link:

In order not to get into a mess, first study the cost of tickets separately and taking into account different days of departure and arrival.

Look for Multiple destinations on the airlines website - these are the very stopovers. If the fare includes a stopover, the airline issues a visa, provides a hotel and transfer. If the stop exceeds 24 hours, the luggage must be collected and taken with you.

By the way, in many cities of the world there are special communities in which local amateur guides hang out in anticipation of tourists-stoppers. Google and Facebook to help you.

Choose your seats on the plane in advance

Those who have flown know how important it is to choose a good seat in the cabin. Especially if it's a flight to the other end of the world. When planning your trip, study the layout of the aircraft cabin in advance. There are enough sites that allow you to do this, for example Seatguru or. It is enough to know the flight number and the type of aircraft. This is how, for example, the filling of the Airbus A320 from the Aeroflot fleet looks like:

If you feel faint and nauseous on board the aircraft, choose a seat in the bow, closer to the wings.

Take oatmeal on the road

Have you discovered a healthy lifestyle and the delights of proper nutrition? Vacation and flight are not a reason to change the regime. This trick was suggested to us by experienced stewards and old-timers on a diet. Take a zip-lock bag and fill it with a handful (or any other amount you need) of your favorite oatmeal with any filling. Nuts and dried fruits will do. Everything! On the plane, ask for a cup of boiling water for a healthy breakfast.

Use essential oils for motion sickness

Nauseous and motion sick on the plane? Grab a bottle of peppermint oil and sniff it every time you feel faint. If the airline has strict liquid regulations, put the oil on a handkerchief.

Join the group

Not daring to travel alone? And you don't need to. Become part of a group of tourists, including professional guides and amateurs like you. For a relatively small amount, you will acquire fellow travelers and improve your English in a relaxed atmosphere. There are many tourist groups, for example,.

Use bags and baskets for storage

A foldable laundry basket comes in handy when traveling to store dirty items. A laundry bag for delicate items will also be helpful. It can be used to fold what is going to be washed at home. The large zip-lock bag makes it easy to transport wet items, such as a swimsuit that you swam in a few hours before departure.

Take a face spray on the plane

A moisturizing face spray with a natural composition and in the permitted mini-format will maintain the skin's hydrobalance and save it from dryness. Pay attention to the composition: it should be free of parabens, sulfates and other harmful ingredients. Ladies' note: if you take on board a fabric face mask with a fashionable panda pattern, you can take care of your skin and make your fellow travelers a lot of fun.

Get functional clothing

A functional and very light jacket that can be easily rolled up and tucked into a special weightless cover does not take up much space and is useful in case of an early departure, late landing or when flying from one climatic zone to another.

Book your meals in advance

Traveling to the USA? Pay attention to the Grab app. It will help you pre-select and order lunch or a cup of coffee at the restaurants closest to the desired terminal at most airports in the country.

Pay for Wi-Fi in advance

Some airlines, such as JetBlue and Virgin America, do not provide free Wi-Fi on board. Check this point and pay in advance for Internet access. Before the trip, it's a good idea to study the Wi-Fi card: which airports on the planet provide passengers with access to the Network.

Ask for free

Many airlines have a large assortment of free buns for passengers. You may not know about this if you do not ask a direct question. Toys, mosaics and pencils for kids, wet wipes, cookies and juices - don't hesitate to ask, it's free.

Believe it or not, some airlines (Air Canada, Etihad Airways, KLM) continue to serve free alcoholic drinks to Economy Class passengers on international flights. Yes, you just have to ask again.

Rent a car

In many countries, it is easier and cheaper to rent a car than to travel by public transport or taxi. On Google Play and the App Store, you will find car rental apps in different cities and countries.

Find out more about the destination country

Knowledge of cultural traditions will help you save on little things. Find out before the trip how many tips are customary, whether you have to pay in restaurants for drinking water and what are the cheapest times for groceries in local markets.

Use a single tourist card

A single map will help you save a lot on city routes. For example, for 48 euros you can buy a two-day "pass" for 50 Parisian museums. The Italian Firenzecard costs 72 euros. This is 72 hours of touring 72 museums in the country.

Look for free attractions

Every city has free attractions and entertainment. In New York City, enthusiastic guides offer free guided tours, including walking tours. Free admission to museums in Madrid on Sundays. In Amsterdam, volunteers organize orientation tours around the city.