Our best practical travel tips

Traveling by airplane or by train can be an exciting experience, but also one filled with mishaps and unexpected events. Delays, cancellations, discovering a brand-new destination… Best be prepared! We’ve compiled a list of our most tried and trusted advice for worry-free travel, whether you’re going on a week-end getaway or a long-haul flight.

Preparing for a trip, whether by plane or by train, is much more than just choosing the destination – you also need to implement certain habits in order to avoid nasty surprises.  We’ve prepared a (non-exhaustive) list of advice and good practices inspired  by our experience traveling to almost 60 countries – tricks to protect your bags, tips to handle unforeseen circumstances, as well as a few important reminders that will give you peace of mind on your trip.

Admin and formalities

• Save your tickets/boarding cards on your smartphone and print them, in case anything should go wrong with your phone.

• Check the departure time for the next flight/train to your destination.

• Sign up with the frequent flyer program of the airline you’re flying with. Not only will this allow you to earn miles/points – the airline will also prioritize members if your flight in case of overbooking or if there is a problem with your flight.

• Write down the address to your hotel, hostel or holiday rental on a piece of paper, as well as the transcription if the alphabet used in your destination country is different to your own.

• Make sure your passport is still valid for several months after you return from your trip. Many countries require it to be valid another 6 months.

• Bring a photocopy of your passport in your hand luggage or suitcase.

• Before leaving home, make a note of the address to the embassy of your country at your destination and check its location on a map.

• Download the app of your airline or train company, to keep up to speed with any changes in departure times.

• Look up what compensation you’re entitled to if your flight or train should be cancelled or delayed.

• Check the cancellation cover for your credit card, as well as for healthcare or repatriation costs. If it’s insufficient, consider adding a more complete form of travel insurance that would cover these situations.

• Make sure you let your bank know beforehand if you’re traveling to a country that you’ve never visited before, to avoid getting your debit or credit card blocked for suspected fraudulent activity.

Luggage and clothing

• If you’re traveling by plane, opt for a hard-shell suitcase in case the airline leaves your luggage outside on the tarmac in the rain for a while.

• Take pictures of your suitcase before dropping it off at the airport, in case it gets lost on the way or arrives damaged.

• Slip a GPS tracker in your luggage. We use Apple AirTags, which allows you to keep an eye on the location of your suitcase, particularly on arrival. You do, however, need an internet connection to track it.

• Protect your packed belongings with bags or packing cubes. This will prevent your clothes from wrinkling too much, and make sure they stay dry if your toiletries should leak. If you travel with a toiletry bag, put it in a plastic bag.

• Back at least one full outfit more than the number of days you’re traveling.

• If you’re traveling as a pair or a family, divide your clothes between you, so that each suitcase contains at least a few outfits in case one of them does not arrive at your destination.

• Avoid wearing shorts when traveling by plane or train. The seats are rarely cleaned.

• Wear comfortable clothes on travel days. A sweater of scarf/shawl might come in handy, since the air conditioning tends to make the cabin a little chilly. Ear plugs, a sleeping mask and a travel pillow are great for long-haul flights and long layovers, as well as a book, a magazine, crossword puzzles, or any other form of entertainment you prefer.

• Bring a change of clothes in your hand luggage (in case you spill something or want to go sightseeing immediately after arriving on a long-haul flight).

• When traveling by train, make sure you keep an eye on your suitcases when stopping at different stations.

• Even if your train journey is only 2 hours long, we recommend bringing a drink and a snack (which can often be expensive when buying on board). This might come in handy in case the train suddenly stops, or you miss your connection.

• Never ever carry a bag, a suitcase or even a small parcel for a stranger or new acquaintance, however friendly they may seem.

Electronics and internet reception

• Always leave home with a fully charged phone and consider carrying a portable charger in case your flight or train is delayed or canceled.  

• When traveling abroad, check the roaming costs and conditions with your mobile provider.

• Check what electrical outlets are used in your country of destination and pack the appropriate adaptor.

• Bring a charging cable and portable charger in your hand luggage. • We recommend bringing one charging cable and adaptor per device.

Healthcare measures

• Keep all essential medications in your hand luggage, along with prescriptions and vaccination card. Pack enough medications for at least one more day than what you plan to travel for. Check if your medications are legal in your country of destination, as some may be strictly subject to prescription (there may be checks) or even illegal.

• Pack hydrocolloid patches for blisters, as well as a small first aid kit (according to your needs). See your doctor or ask your pharmacist for advice before traveling.

• If you have any health issues, allergies or food intolerances, prepare info cards in the local language before departure. Make sure you also have a picture and keep the pronunciation of the food you are allergic to, saved on your smartphone.

• Avoid drinking tap water in your hotel room or hostel (unless it’s explicitly known that the water is safe, like in Scandinavia).

• Check the website of your country’s ministry of foreign affairs for up-to-date travel advice to specific countries, particularly for things like visa requirements, vaccines, and security.