16 Travel Tips For The Modern Explorer
10.12.2023
By: Ray SaVonne
Traveling is a great love for us at The Kléi. We know there’s both a level of stress and excitement that comes with preparing and taking a trip, so we wanted to share some tips we’ve learned and implemented along the way.
1 . Let your bank(s) know you're traveling.
Scams are at an all-time high these days and a lot of banking institutions have gone above and beyond to protect their customers from fraudulent purchases. Thus, any irregular or out of town purchases can be flagged as fraud behavior. On a regular day, this is appreciated, but not being able to access your money while traveling can become very stressful. Prevent this from happening. Call the bank.
2. Start packing early!
Packing early alleviates the stress of trying to pack last minute. If I know I have a trip coming up, I always start packing at least a week before my departure. This gives me time to take out excessive items and focus on the things I need to bring. Overpacking is REAL, but it stems from having an internal fear of forgetting something. If you start packing well ahead of your departure, you’ll be able to condense that suitcase down by almost half every trip.
3. Clean your place before you leave for your trip.
There’s nothing like coming home to a clean and chaotic free house!
4. Pack a travel size first aid kit with pain relievers.
You never know when a headache or an accident may occur. Having a travel size first aid kit withTylenol, ibuprofen, Band-Aids and Neosporin, etc. can come in handy.
5. Stay Hydrated.
Be sure to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated on the go!
6. Print or screenshot all of your paperwork.
Print or screenshot all of your paperwork (visas, hotel confirmations, etc.) before you travel. You never know if there'll be a Wi-Fi issue when required to show proof of something.
If traveling with a group, create an email account that everyone can access and send all the trip’s details and info to that email account. Another fun thing you can do is create a private Instagram account for everyone who is going on the trip. As you all take pictures and create memories, upload all the pics to the travel account. This can become a friendship time capsule overtime!
7. ALWAYS utilize a carryon bag.
Whether you're going on a trip for a weekend, week, or month, you should always opt-in for a carryon bag. This allows you to pack your valuable items with you and always have them in your possession as you travel. Believe it or not, luggage does get lost, so having your valuable essentials with you helps tremendously!
8. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.
Being aware of your surroundings ensures your personal safety and security. By being aware of what’s happening around you, you can anticipate potential dangers and take the necessary precautions to avoid them.
9. Bring headphones or earplugs.
Many airlines require you to have headphones when listening to music, watching a movie, or playing games. So, if you don’t want to spend your flight listening to the plane engine or a crying infant, be sure to pack you some earplugs or headphones.
10. Put an Airtag in your checked bags.
Having your phone die while traveling is the worst. But, having a portable charger with you when you travel can be a true day saver if you’re not able to get to an outlet to charge your phone.
12. Use the restroom before boarding the plane.. TRUST ME!
This may not seem like a big thing, but using the restroom on a plane is tight and the lines can get long. I advise taking advantage of the full-size restrooms in the airport before and in-between any flights you have.
13. Have an idea of where you’ll explore and what you’ll eat before you get to your destination.
Research popular excursions and restaurants before your arrival. When you see something interesting, save it! Doing this in advance will eliminate spending unnecessary time trying to find places to eat and things to do while on your trip.
14. Know which apps to download before you leave, especially if traveling abroad.
Apps like WhatsApp, Currency Exchange, Grab, Google translate and Waze are all apps that help tremendously while on vacation. Be sure to research what apps are popular in your destination before you go.
15. Utilize a cross-body bag or fanny pack.
Putting all your important documents and items in a crossbody bag or fanny pack can make a huge difference on your travel day. Having easy access to these necessities eliminates having to dig through excess bags or luggage to find passports, boarding passess, chapstick, etc.
16. Bring a lightweight jacket/hoody/sweater/flannel.
Weather is unpredictable and airplane cabins can get cold. Having a lightweight jacket, hoodie, sweater or flannel with you when you travel is a major essential!
See how much of a difference your travel experience becomes by incorporating these tips!
XO,
The Kléi
