Travel Tips You’ll Wish You’d Come Up With

I love to travel!

I think everyone should travel. It broadens your horizons and worldview. The new experiences you have when traveling can be life changing.

I’m in the middle of traveling home from a mission trip as I wrap this post up. It’s pretty amazing the things you learn while you travel.

It’s also surprising how little you can make do with.

Which is why I thought it’d be fun to share a collection of travel tips you’ll wish you’d come up with!

I went to my friends to collect their favorite travel tips and ideas. I really enjoy finding savvy tips for all my traveling adventures.

Travel Tips You’ll Wish You’d Come Up With

Tip One: Pack Light

This one does not come naturally to me, but I think it is one of the best travel tips out there. I’ve learned to challenge myself to take as little as possible when traveling.

I like to keep things compact and easy. The less I have the less hassle it is for myself honestly. I don’t want to be lugging things around and constantly jostling all my belongings.

Not to mention that the more I bring, the more likely I am to lose something.

While less really is more in terms of your experience, just how much less is less?

Julie and I agree “Pack light. Not easy to do. Less IS more!” – Julie McLaughlin

My friend Hannah limits it to only 6 pieces of clothing

“A close friend once inspired me by traveling with only 6 pieces of clothing — each piece easily paired with any of the other pieces (a striped blue and white dress paired with leggings for casual, and spice it up with a neutral scarf for fancy).

That’s made it possible for traveling light and still feeling prepared for whatever adventure that comes my way!” – Hannah Messerly

“Less is more! Don’t take every outfit you might possibly need, just take some well thought out attire that is still cute but practical, as you’ll have more room to being home souvenirs, and less  bags to keep track of really is nice and freeing.” – Naomi Boyer

 

Do you think could you go on a trip with only 6 clothing items?

I think I have it paired down to 8 as of now. Yikes! I usually find I end up packing things I never use on my trip.

Go with the tried and true, comfy outfits you love best.

This is not the time to wear that “fabulous” top you never wear or break in a new pair of shoes for that matter.

If you are picking up fun new items for your trip be sure to wear them, wash them and (in the case of shoes) break things in a bit before you go.

Tip Two: Separate your clean and dirty clothes (keep things fresh).

I travel with a clean scented drawstring trash bag that I put my dirty clothes in as I go.

My friend Miriam uses a collapsible clothes hamper! Can you say, Genius?

“My new travel best friend is a collapsible clothes hamper! When it’s empty or only has a couple items inside it can flatten and go right into a suitcase.

Then I don’t have to worry about clean and dirty clothes being all mixed up inside the suitcases, and you’re ready to head to the hotel laundry room in a snap! We’re on the road for a couple of months, so this is awesome!” – Miriam Schultz

I also like to throw a few dryer sheets in my luggage to keep things fresh. A dryer sheet in each shoe is an especially smart idea!

 

RELATED: Travel & Faith Lessons I Learned in Czech Republic

Tip Three: If the Shoe Fits

I pack three to four pairs of shoes for international travel. My favorite running or tennis shoes, a flat tennis shoes, broken in sandals and flip flops.

For weekend trips and depending on the time of year I’ll bring my favorite booties!

Hannah and I are on the same page when it comes to our booties!

“Heeled booties. No one likes to feel like a frump while traveling, meeting new people and landing on picturesque vistas.

I have these gray/taupe suede booties that are sturdy and comfortable for walking, yet take my outfit up a notch. They make me feel confident and ready for a city!” – Hannah Messerly

Miriam builds her wardrobe around her shoes.

“Pack your clothes in only a certain color palette so everything mixes and matches. I normally start with the pair of shoes I want to wear the most, and build around them.” – Miriam

My sandals broke on this trip so thankfully a little super glue was all it took to fix them! I wouldn’t have originally thought to travel with super glue, but it’s getting added to the travel essentials list now.

So when it comes to bonus travel tips… pack super glue!

Of course a quick trip to a mart or store and you’ll probably be able to pick some up like I did mid-trip.

Tip Four: Keep an eye on your Money

The sad truth is that many of us have learned the hard way that you never let your guard down when it comes to your money.

One of the hardest travel tips I’ve ever learned is to always guard your purse.

Never sling your purse over the back of your chair or carelessly set it down. I’ve done it, even when I’ve known better and lived to regret it.

Your purse belongs on you, in front of you and on your lap.

My friend Naomi shares

“In the winter travels, I like to wear a cute, comfy pair of boots, that way I can put my passport and money in a “boot sleeve” for security.

You can keep a little cash in your purse or pocket as you stroll through the market, but it’s been our experience that even though purses can be very styling, they are easily snatched, and that’s always sad, so traveling with a very inexpensive purse is a good idea.” – Naomi Boyer

Julie’s recommendation is to carry a “Cross body purse: so I don’t set it down and lose it!” – Julie McLaughlin

Tip Five: Travel in the Off Season

If you are willing to travel whenever, keep an eye out for good tickets or deals and travel in the less popular months.

My friend Naomi shares

“We like to travel when there are less people traveling… like Paris in November! You get to experience more of the “local” feel because of less tourists.

Along with that particular trip, we had learned from our favorite travel guide, Rick Steves, that both Versailles and the Louve have free admission once a month in the off season so that saved a lot of euros! Thanks Rick!

We find things are frequently cheaper, airline tickets, hotels, etc, so it makes travel more doable on a budget.” – Naomi Boyer

I also like to pick up city passes in advance like the Paris Pass. You gain admission to The Louvre, The Palais Garnier (Opera house), Musée d’Orsay, plus get two days of public transportation and more.

Getting a city pass saves you money and waiting in long lines since your tickets get you into a special admission line.

Tip Six: Traveling with Kids

When it comes to travel tips you’ll wish you’d come up with, Miriam shared some seriously awesome tips for traveling with kids!

“Long drives get really… Well, really long! Especially for kids.

My kids have loved when I grab little coloring books or new little toys from the dollar store and wrap them up like a present. It feels so special to get a present each day on the drive and gives them something to look forward to.

I also pack small bag with some of their toys before we go, using little cosmetic bags to make little collections of small dolls, racecars, crayons… Whatever it takes to help them have fun!

For trips with a lot of long drives, I like to pack a lot of snacks that can serve as a quick picnic lunch. It’s so much more fun to stop at a park and have the kids grab a granola bar, fruit and a string cheese for lunch and then run and play a bit.

Plus, it’s a bit more healthy and budget friendly!

Get some children’s audible books for the drives. Our kids love The Chronicles of Narnia. Bonus, it’s a lot more calming source of entertainment, especially if little ones need to nap a bit.” – Miriam

I love all her kid friendly travel tips. Traveling with kids is a whole other story.

Her tips will have you super prepared!

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What do you think?

We dished out our top six savvy travel tips you’ll wish you’d come up with!

Now that we’ve shared some of our favorite travel tips, we’d love to hear yours. Share your favorite travel tips with us in the comments.

xoxo Naomi

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