A vacation can range anywhere from a dream to a nightmare. While some of that depends on circumstance, there's plenty you can do to make your travel easier, more efficient, and more fun. Here are our top 10 favorite tips, tricks, and hacks to help make your next trip really great.


10. Pack Your Bags More Efficiently


A well-packed bag is one of the best ways to make traveling quite a bit more comfortable. If your stuff takes up less space, you can take a smaller bag—which is especially useful if you're flying and don't want to check your luggage—or you can just leave room for anything you might buy on your trip. Either way, it helps to know how to pack like a flight attendant. They fly all the time, so they've learned to be efficient. For the most part it involves rolling your clothing to fit more and avoid wrinkles, along with packing items in the most efficient order. If that's not your style, you can always try the bundled wrapping method or take some tips from author and super-light traveler Tim Ferriss.

Photo by mollypop.

9. Find a Cheap Place to Stay by Renting an Apartment


When I planned an awesome last-minute vacation on the cheap, I saved a ton of money by using a home-renting service called Airbnb. By now you've probably heard of it, or something similar like VRBO and HomeAway, but if you have yet to give it a try you should consider it on your next trip. Not only can you grab an enormous, wonderful place for the price of—or even less than—a hotel room, but you'll even save food on trip costs because most places will have a kitchen where you can cook your own food (if you want to). You are renting from individuals, in most cases, so you will want to read reviews and choose a reputable place in a good area. Also, be sure to ask the owner any questions you may have ahead of time so you don't run into any problems when you arrive. With those things in mind, you should end up having a really great experience for less money.


8. Get a Better Rewards Card and Fly Cheap (or Free)


Travel rewards credit cards are no secret, but if you're going to try and earn miles you should have the best travel rewards card possible. As was explained in the Ultimate Travel Hacking Guide, often times you can sign up for an airline-branded credit card that will award you with several thousand miles as a bonus. Generally you will end up with enough miles to fly for free right away. Earning miles slowly and steadily isn't bad, but if you really want to get some cheap (or free) tickets you'll find the most success by picking the right cards.

The Best Rewards Cards for Travel Any good rewards card will promise you points that you can redeem for travel, special promotions,… Read more


7. Easily Refill Your Travel-Sized Items


Travel-sized containers are really useful when you need to pack things like toothpaste, suntan lotion, and other tube-based items. If you're flying, it's particularly important because the TSA limits how much liquid you can take with you on the plane. Whether you're trying to save space or play along with the security theater performed by the Transportation Security Administration, buying tons of tiny tubes can get a little expensive. Instead of making several repeats purchases, just make yourself as simple tube refiller out of sugru. This way you can buy one travel size and refill it using a larger size, allowing you to buy in bulk and save some cash.


6. Compare Transportation Type Costs to Find the Cheapest Method


We make a lot of assumptions about the cheapest method of travel, but sometimes reality can surprise you. When you're deciding how you're going to travel, be sure to check all your options. Sometimes driving may seem cheaper, but the cost difference won't be worth the enormous increase in travel time. To find out, use this time and cost comparison calculator to discover which method of travel is best for you. Perhaps you won't be surprised after all, but it's worth a look to quickly find out if the better option isn't what you think.


5. Get Discounts at Retail Stores by Asking for a Tourist Discount Card


While it won't be an option everywhere you go, it's a good idea to ask if a store offers a tourist discount card to get discounts up to 11% on your purchases. Generally, all you have to do is show your out-of-state (or country) ID and you'll get a card to use with your purchases. This practice is most common at larger retailers and department stores, such as Macy's and Bloomingdales. You don't have to haggle—just ask.


4. Ask Retail Stores to Ship Your Purchases Home to Avoid Taxes and an Overstuffed Suitcase


While shopping isn't necessarily a primary attraction for everyone on vacation, most people come home with something new they picked up along the way. These items can be hard to fit in your suitcase, but most stores will ship them home for you for a small fee. Depending on how much you buy, this fee can be smaller than tax—which you won't have to pay at many stores if your order is being shipped out of state. It can save you money and hassle while traveling, so be sure to ask to have your order shipped home whenever possible.

3. Pack These Items for Added Security When Traveling


Being a tourist can be risky, because you're suddenly thrown into a new environment you don't know. For some additional peace of mind, there are a few items you can pack to boost your safety. A secure bag or purse can help deter a robber. A rubber door stop can provide additional security in your room. An RFID-blocking wallet can help shield your passport from identity thieves. These are all pretty negligible items to bring with you, and there are more options if you want them.


Photo by Andreas Thell

2. Protect Your Home While You're Away


When you travel, your home is particularly vulnerable, regardless of whether you live in a house or an apartment. It isn't too hard to protect your home while you're away, however, by taking a few simple precautions. You can turn your Windows PC or Mac and webcam into a DIY security system. You can use motion-sensing lights and leave the radio on to appear like you're home. And just in case the worst happens, it's good to create a home inventory so you're ready to provide it to your insurance company should you need to make a claim.


Image remixed from originals by FusionMS and ssuaphotos (Shutterstock)

1. Prepare Your Smartphone and Laptop for Travel


Traveling is so much easier when you're prepared to explore a new destination. While you don't want to spend too much of your time behind a screen, it's a good idea to prepare your laptop and smartphone for your trip so you have tools to help you discover great new experiences. This means having your geek vacation checklist in order, getting useful apps on your phone (here are some suggestions for Android and iPhone, knowing where to find free Wi-Fi, and keep track of your itinerary with a service like TripIt. If you don't let your technology become a distraction on your vacation, it can be an incredible asset to help make your trip far more fun and memorable.