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My 25 Best Travel Tips After 10 Years of Traveling the World

After over ten years of consistent travel, I’ve definitely learned my fair share of lessons. Like the time I was robbed on a train because I let my guard down or the time Scott and I showed up at the Bozeman Airport only to find that we no longer had a car rental.

Some of these travel mishaps can be avoided and some of them are just a part of traveling. You simply cannot plan for everything. However, keeping a few important things in mind will make your travels much easier. So, in no particular order, here are my 25 best travel tips.

My 25 Best Travel Tips

Be Flexible

We always plan for delays and try not to get upset when things inevitably go wrong. Patience is extremely important when traveling!

Make a List

About a week or so before each trip, I make a mental list of items I don’t want to forget — which I WILL forget if I don’t write them down. I’ve learned that when I think of something, I need to write it down.

Packing lists are essential! Read more: The Ultimate Carry-On Packing Guide and our Road Trip Packing Guide.

Learn Common Phrases of the Local Language

A simple “Please,” “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry” in the local language goes a long way. I also like to learn the word for beer, but that’s just me.

Don’t Forget an Extra Camera Battery (or Two)

Have you ever gotten to that epic sunset photo spot and realized your camera battery is dead and you don’t have a back up? I try to bring at least three camera batteries on all of our trips so that we don’t miss out on that perfect shot.

Read more: The Ultimate Packing Guide for Travel Photographers

Always Bring a Sarong

Sarongs can be used as a wrap when you are cold, a towel, a curtain, or a piece of clothing that can be worn dozens of different ways. Solid colors are great, but if you want something that stands out, I love this sarong.

Read more: 8 Ways to Wear a Sarong

Always Buy Travel Insurance

A medical emergency can wipe out your savings — or even worse. We use and trust World Nomads for travel insurance.

Make Photocopies of Important Documents

In my early twenties, I was very good about keeping a copy of my passport in a separate bag from my actual passport. Then I got lazy. Recently, a friend of mine lost her passport at the airport. She was told that if she had brought a copy of it and extra passport photos they would have let her travel. Since she didn’t, she was forced to forfeit a $2,000 flight and a week in Europe. I now carry a copy with me.

Read more: Checklist for Overseas Travel

Pack Extra Underwear

Undies are small and it’s always a good idea to have a few extra pairs in case of emergencies. Another option is to pack these quick-dry underwear so you can easily wash them on the road.

Pre-plan Your Outfits

I’m a lazy, last-minute packer, so I’ve spent too many trips with all black or all grey outfits because I didn’t plan my outfits before packing. I look back at photos and wish I had put more effort into packing.

Read more: How to Stay Stylish While Traveling

Put Electronics, Medications, Toothbrush, and an Extra Pair of Underwear in Your Carry-on

A few important items should always go in your carry-on. A swimsuit is also a good idea if you are going on a beach vacation. You can buy most of these things if your bag gets lost, but having them in your carry-on will save you money and time if your luggage gets lost in transit.

Enquire about the price BEFORE You Take Public Transportation

It’s a good idea to ask about the price before you hop on a bus, guagua, or other form of public transportation. We learned our lesson in the Dominican Republic.

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ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO AIRPORT SECURITY REGULATIONS & AIRLINE BAGGAGE: MAKE FLYING A BREEZE

Don't let the challenges of air travel and airport security scare you away from vacationing in the world's most spectacular spots. With Travel Sense, you'll have the right guidance to ease your way through airport security lines — often the most time-consuming part of your journey — and on the way to your destination.

This is a simplified guide to airline baggage and airport security regulation will help you pack without fear for your next big trip. Below, you'll find the airport security regulations that you'll need to know when checking your luggage and airline carry-on baggage. Also, be sure that you and your travel agent check for the most updated information for your airline as well as the Travel Security Administration (TSA).

This is the easy formula for airline carry-on baggage established by TSA that mandates that you can only carry liquids, aerosols and gels in three-ounce containers, which should be safely kept inside a one-quart, plastic zip-top bag. This includes common items such as toothpaste, shampoo and food. You should be aware that airline carry-on baggage extends to gift or special items including lotions, creams, scented oils, liquid soaps, perfumes and even snow globes.

Be Aware of What Not to Bring in Your Checked Baggage and in Carry-On Baggage

Along with your personal items, you are also permitted to bring corkscrews, cigar cutters, common lighters, nail cutters, safety razors and travel-sized or blunt scissors in your carry on baggage. If you are carrying any types of martial arts weapons or tools — ax, crowbar, hammer, drill pliers, saw, etc — you'll have to pack them in your checked bags. If you pack any sharp objects in your checked suitcase, wrap them to ensure safety for the baggage handlers and transportation security officers. To learn more, read TravelSense's guide or visit www.TSA.gov for the official list of prohibited items.

To prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires, there is a limit for packing loose lithium batteries, which are commonly used in digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs and laptop computers. For your checked airline baggage, batteries must be installed in the electronic device. You are limited to 8 grams (100-watt hours) of lithium batteries in your carry-on baggage, and they must be properly protected in original packaging or a protective case.

The transportation security officer at the airport may deem certain items too dangerous to permit through the checkpoint. Be aware that the list of permitted and prohibited items will be updated as necessary.

Pack Smart & Spend Less Time in Airport Security Lines

Your travel agent will know the different airline security regulations, but for more airlines, the maximize size of your airline carry on baggage is 45 linear inches. Save yourself from extra hassles by checking anything larger and try to pack your carry on baggage as light as possible. Know that if you have a full bag, your personal items may spill out for everyone to see when the airport security officer unzips it. For both your checked and carry on baggage, try to organize its contents, so that everything is easy to see in a brief glance.

When possible, keep from overstuffing your checked suitcase to avoid additional airline baggage fees. When traveling over the holidays, ship your gifts ahead of time instead of packing them. If you insist on bringing gifts, consider wrapping them after you arrive at your destination. For travelers who still make use of a non-digital camera, don't pack film in your checked luggage, because the screening equipment will damage it. It's better if you can keep undeveloped film and cameras in your carry on baggage.

Travel Sense is here with helpful advice, destination information and tools to help you prepare for your next vacation. Within a few clicks, you can create and print your own packing list, which is customized to your travel destination, activities, weather and accommodations.

For more information on airport check-in and documents for getting through airport security check points, read our Airport Security Regulations guide.