Travel Hacks

Most people believe that flights and accommodation have to cost as much as one night in Paris… Hilton.

I’ve slept in some interesting places to say the least. I remember one time I went to Panama City with no planned accommodation for the first night. Bad mistake. I ended up walking around the beach and finding an apartment party and crashing there for the night. I also slept in a hammock for a month while backpacking the east coast of Australia.

I say this to say that travel doesn’t have to be expensive… Remember that you’re travelling somewhere for the location and experience not just where you lay your head.

With some simple travel hacks you can be on your way to some cool ass locations around the globe.

Before You Go

Lighten up on some of the luggage. You’ll be lighter, freer and have less of a chance of being robbed than hauling a 50 pound suitcase around.

On my first long term trip I had 2 carry-ons and 2 check-ins. It was impossible to transport. I ended up selling most of my stuff on arrival and now I just carry a 30L carry-on backpack.

What to Bring…

2 words. Carry-on.

Unless you want to be strapped to your 50 pound luggage for the whole trip, I would recommend that you live simply through a carry on.

Check out this pdf for a general idea of what to bring. But, DON’T BRING EVERYTHING ON THAT LIST. YOU’LL BE MISERABLE.

Just remember to do your laundry if you go the carry-on route.

… From Your Home Country

Buying some things overseas just won’t work out sometimes. Bring these from the motherland.

• Condoms***
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Feminine Toiletries

 

How I Find The Cheapest Flights

• Skiplagged– My personal favorite site. Has been sued by American Airlines for giving travellers cheaper than advertised flights.
• Skyscanner– Popular, Mainstream but the prices are not that great. If you’re not constrained to a specific time, you can search the whole month for the cheapest flight.
• Rome2Rio– Gives you the cheapest way to get somewhere. Public transport, Uber, train, bus or flight.
• RyanAir– The infamous $15 ticket site. Yes $15. Some are even $7.56. Once you’re in Europe, use this site to get around for pennies on the dollar… well, pence on the pound.
• Jetstar– Great for domestic Australian flights.

Accommodation & Transportation

I remember when you had to book a hotel for $100 a night and pay a gringo tax if you wanted a ride somewhere. Well those days are over..

• AirBnb– The best innovation of the when it comes to travel accommodation. If travelling out of the USA, you can expect to pay around $40 a night for your own room, wifi and television or $20 if you’re steezy like me.
• Uber- Everyone knows what Uber is…

If You Truly Want To Bum It…

If you ever become strapped for cash then it’s time to pull out the old, trusty hammock. There was once a time when I slept in a hammock for a month and eventually got hit by a monsoon. Good times.

• Eno Hammock- I’ve had my hammock for 3 years. It’s been through a 2 week backpacking trip in the Appalachian Mountains. A monsoon on a tropical beach in Australia… 30 miles from civilization, and it’s  hanging up in my room. Don’t forget the straps.