Make a copy

A lost ID or passport is at the top of everyone’s fear list. Simply take a clear, quality photo of important documents with your cell phone and email them to yourself. And print a copy too.

Even if you lose the documents, you’ll be able to supply ID and passport numbers, check into your hotel, and continue with your vacation.

Download Google Maps offline

Using an actual map today is obsolete but many think Google Maps without an internet connection is just as useless. But you must know that no access to WiFi, patchy network or throwing away money on data shouldn’t be a reason to lose your way because you can go off grid and still use Google Maps! Just download Google Maps – go on the map to the area you want to save, type ‘ok map’ into the search option and then press ‘download’ – you can now use it even when on airplane mode.

Google Translate is a super saver in a foreign country. Download it.

A language barrier can put a damper on the best of spirits, so if you know the international country you’re traveling to uses a foreign language to communicate, do yourself a favour and download Google Translate. It lets you take photos of text in a different language and translate what it means in real time. Just like Google Maps, Google Translate works in airplane mode too.

WiFi access is a right, not a privilege. Steal away!

WiFi at this point is everybody’s birthright and so you deserve access to it, no matter where you are. Like at the airports, find the first class lounge, sign in to the free WiFi and browse to your heart’s content. Similarly, if you’re on the streets, backup to a fancy restaurant and log into their WiFi without a thought. Some places may use password protection, in that case, you can find wifi passwords on FourSquare for restaurants, cafes and other places.

Invest in a good travel wallet

A good wallet is a lifesaver when travelling. It helps keep you organised – for once you will find all your bills, receipts, boarding passes, passport photocopies and foreign currency in one place. Investing in a good wallet doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, there are several budget options of chic travel wallets that come with additional compartments for travel-related items.

Mark your bag fragile (even if nothing’s fragile in there)

By doing this you ensure that your belongings are given the VIP treatment and you won’t have to wait for long to collect your luggage – anything marked fragile gets to the top of the pile in storage and sent out in the first batch! To process this, just request for a ‘fragile’ sticker at the counter without paying a penny more.

Invest in travel insurance

Most people do not purchase travel insurance because their credit card perks cover most of it, but it’s always wiser to have insurance than not. This is even more important if you’re travelling with valuables or changing your plans on-the-go most days.

Roll your clothes for more space

One of the most simple but effective travel hacks there is. Rather than folding your clothes, roll them up into a little tube. This will save a ton of space and stop creases and wrinkles – all in all, pretty sweet!

MUST Buy a portable phone charger
The last thing you want is to be stuck in an unfamiliar city without a working phone. Purchase a charger and carry it around with you.

Put your rechargeable batteries in the fridge

Running out of juice on your rechargeable batteries quicker than you thought can be a real bummer. Well, there is a pretty cool travel hack to help keep your batteries fresher and full of charge for longer – just stash them in the fridge! As strange as it may sound, most rechargeable batteries retain 90% of their full charge when kept in cold temperatures.

Make friends on the road using Travel Buddies and Backpacker

Finding real people to connect with on your trips or making new friends won’t have to be a worry anymore. There are apps specifically for that. Download Backpacker or Travel Buddies and you won’t ever have to experience the anxiety of approaching groups in person. The app instead will hook you up with traveler nearby based on a personality match. You can also check out each other’s itineraries and sync up hangouts.

Be strategic with flight cancellations

Booking a nonrefundable ticket can be a gamble but there is a silver lining. In the off chance that you change plans or don’t travel on that flight, keep this pro tip in mind – do not cancel the ticket or just don’t show up. Do this because in the rare case of the flight’s cancellation or schedule change, you could be entitled to a credit or refund. Had you canceled the ticket, you wouldn’t be entitled to anything.

Organize Your Technology

Carry a lot of technology with you on your travels? Then you know how easily cords get tangled and gadgets get lost. There are some renown company who makes several accessory organizers that feature an organization system with rubberized elastic bands to hold your chargers, headphones, backup storage, and other accessories in place (some even come with pockets for your tablet and computer). These flat, lightweight cases fit easily into carry-on bags and are invaluable on the road.

Check for Bedbugs

The very first thing you should do when you enter your hotel room is check for bedbugs. Put your luggage inside the bathroom (ideally in the bathtub), where bedbugs are the least likely to be hiding. If your room does have bed bugs, you’ll want to know before you settle in, as these pests are extremely easy to pick up and carry with you to your new room-or worse, back home.

Check Hiding Spots

Before letting your guard down in your locked hotel room, check these hiding spots to make sure you really are alone: under the bed, in the closet, and in the shower. An intruder could have slipped in before you and could be lying in wait—or something more gruesome. Lists a number of actual incidents in which guests checked into a hotel, complained about a horrible odor in their room, and later discovered a human body hidden under the bed or mattress. They had literally been sleeping on top of a corpse.

Study the emergency Escape Route

Emergency escape maps are required by law to be posted on the back of the main door to every hotel room. Take a few minutes to orient yourself in the hotel, and to familiarize yourself with the fastest exits (as well as backup routes in case the closest path is blocked).

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use this information during your stay, but in the worst case scenario of a fire or other emergency where every second counts, these few minutes of preparation could save your life.