Top travel tips and my travel essentials - Episode 10
Travel can be equally exciting and stressful. Today I’m breaking down the essential steps for booking, planning and preparing for your next adventure. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, these tips will help you feel confident in your journey.
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: the Eras Tour vlog and more long-form content while on a social media break
What Austen is consuming this week: Alissa Rose’s digital products course, Marketing for Makers Academy. Learn more here.
In this episode:
Booking Your Trip
When it comes to booking your travel, there are several tools and strategies to consider:
Google Flights: This powerful tool allows you to compare flight prices from various airlines, track price trends, and set up alerts for price drops. It’s a great starting point for finding the best deals.
Hopper: Hopper predicts future flight and hotel prices with 95% accuracy. By monitoring prices and sending notifications, it helps you book at the optimal time, saving you money.
Credit Card Points: Don’t forget to look into your credit card points or rewards programs. Many cards offer travel points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses. This can significantly cut down on your travel costs.
The Points Guy and this blog post from Lindsay Silberman are both great resources for using credit card points for travel.
Planning Your Itinerary
Planning activities and discovering local attractions is key to making the most of your trip:
YouTube Videos: Watching travel vlogs can give you a real sense of what to expect from your destination. Many YouTubers provide detailed guides, hidden gems, and practical tips.
Blogs: Travel blogs are another fantastic resource. Bloggers often share personal experiences, itineraries, and recommendations that can help you plan your activities.
Google Maps: Use Google Maps not only for navigation but also to explore nearby attractions, restaurants, and cafes. You can save places of interest and create a custom map for your trip.
Crowdsourcing on Instagram: Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations on Instagram. Your followers and friends might have valuable insights or suggestions for your destination.
Money and Currency
Currency Research: Find out the local currency and current exchange rates and how likely it is you’ll need cash on hand.
Currency Exchange: Exchange money through your bank to get the cash in advance, avoid fees, and exchange leftover money when you return.
Credit Card Foreign Transaction Fees: Check if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. If it does, consider getting a travel-friendly card with no fees.
Days Leading Up to Your Trip
The days leading up to your departure can be hectic, but with some organization, you can ease into it. Start adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before your trip to minimize jet lag, especially if you’re traveling across time zones.
Packing Tips
Note App Packing Template: Create a packing list on your phone’s note app to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Gathering Items to Pack: Begin gathering the items you plan to pack. They don’t have to fit perfectly in your suitcase, but even making a pile will help you feel more organized.
Writing Down Outfits: Plan and write down exact outfits for each day of your trip. This helps minimize overpacking.
Minimizing Shoes and Accessories: Stick to versatile shoes and accessories that can be mixed and matched with multiple outfits.
Download Entertainment: Download movies, shows, or books on Netflix and Prime to keep you entertained during your journey. Be sure to do this a few days before you leave so you’re not depending on airport WiFi.
My Essential Travel Items:
Backup Charger: Ensure you have a reliable backup charger for your devices in case your plane power socket isn’t working or your battery drains quickly.
Power Converters: Bring the appropriate power converters for the country you’re visiting if traveling internationally.
Sleep Mask: A sleep mask can help you get rest on the plane or in bright hotel rooms.
Travel Mirror: A compact travel mirror is handy for touch-ups on the go.
Travel Pill Box: A travel pill box can hold essentials like melatonin, Tums, Advil, and vitamins. (Please research supplements before you take them!)
Refillable Water Bottle: I recently purchased this one because it’s very lightweight and looks easy to travel with. Plus it comes in a ton of colors!
Minis of Everything: Opt for travel-sized versions of your toiletries, such as makeup wipes, deodorant and toothpaste, to save space.
Summary
By utilizing tools like Google Flights and Hopper for booking, leveraging resources like YouTube and blogs for planning, and meticulously organizing your packing, you’ll travel with ease.
Don’t forget to exchange currency if you’re traveling internationally and stock up on essential travel items to stay comfortable and prepared throughout your journey.
Happy travels!
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