In the course of my eight-week journey, I took 22 flights, and during this time I’ve picked up some useful travelling hacks

By Ethan Blake 8 min read

I took 22 flights in eight weeks: Here are the travel hacks I’ve picked up on the way

Understanding the Basics

Before I delve into the gritty details of my travel hacks, let me first introduce to you the significance of these hacks in making your flying experience less stressful. These strategies aren’t just about getting from point A to point B – they are also about ensuring that you have the most comfortable and problems-free journey possible.

You might think taking 22 flights in eight weeks seems crazy. But believe me, if you’re armed with the right strategies, you’ll find it easier than riding a bike through the park on a Sunday afternoon. Travelling is never easy especially when you’re crossing different time zones but, that does not mean it has to be Herculean either.

This blog post makes handy solutions – stuff I’ve picked up from those multiple flights over a short span of time – available to you. These tips can be greatly beneficial for heavy-duty flyers as well as occasional travelers. So get ready to note down some pointers, trust me, they will come in very handy! Let’s dig in deeper.

Let’s consider a situation where you lose your baggage. What could you do:

Prep a back-up: Always pack a pair of clothes or essentials in your hand luggage.

Contact airlines customer service right away. They are usually helpful in such situations.

Delayed baggage insurance can come to your rescue. It’s always good to have one.

Keep important documents in your hand baggage at all times.

Most airports have standby clothing stores. You might need to buy some essentials.

Always keep valuable belongings with you in the cabin.

Nailing the Booking Process

Do you get overwhelmed every time you book a flight? Are you always uncertain if you got the best deal? Here are some secrets towards a successful booking process that can help you save time and money. If you think booking flights is a straightforward process and all it requires is for you to enter your destination and dates, then you’re in for some surprise.

More than deciding on your destination, juggling through those endless flight options, comparing and cross-checking prices, dealing with confusing layouts, lengthy forms to fill out, and so forth makes the process tough. And this is where knowing how to navigate the system comes handy. So here’s your cheat-sheet to nailing that perfect booking.

Do you always wonder how some people manage to score great deals?

Flexibility with dates and times often lets you score some fantastic deals.

Avoid bustling days like Friday evenings; instead opt for less popular timings.

Booking in advance can save big bucks too.

Some airlines reward frequent flyers. Make sure to avail these facilities.

Keep browsing in private/incognito mode to avoid price hike while repeating searches.

Analyzed historical trends of fares can also be beneficial.

Making Airport Security a Breeze

Does the thought of airport security make you cringe? Do those long lines, random checks, belt removal, shoe removal, liquid restrictions give you anxiety? Many passengers find the security screening process at airports daunting and time-consuming. But what if I tell you; there are ways to speed up this process?

Gone are the days when going through airport security was an ordeal. Today, not only is it easier due to much-improved technology but holistically understanding the process can get you prepared in such a way that it becomes no less than a swift breeze passing by.

Here is how my journey through airport security has been quite smooth:

Precisely follow the rules regarding liquids in your carry-on luggage.

Wear clothing and shoes that are easy to remove and put back on.

Keep metallic items (keys, coins) in your carry-on instead of pockets.

Have your electronics readily accessible as they need to be screened separately.

If possible, prefer TSA Pre✓ or Clear service for expedited screening.

Avoid metal ornaments that can set off the detector.

Speeding Up those Immigration Queues

Immigration queues have the reputation for being nerve-wracking. Long lines, grumpy officers, lengthy processes may cause weary soles even before you reach your destination hotel bed. But once again you’d ask is there any magical way around it? Let me break the news – yes there is!

While I admit it cannot completely bypass the system but it can speed up the process considerably and make the overall experience much smoother. So here is presenting my guide to reducing waiting time while maintaining all required documentations correctly.

Next time you face a tediously long queue at immigration counter, remember these tips:

Ensure all your paperwork is properly filled out and in order.

Use automated e-gates where available. They significantly reduce processing time.

Dress neatly and be polite with immigration officers. First impressions matter!

If possible, join airline’s frequent flyer or rewards program that includes priority handling at immigration.

Carrying correct change helps in case if you must pay landing/tourist taxes.

Know the customs rules of the destination country to avoid unwanted stops.

To Transit or Not to Transit: That Is the Question

For most travelers, especially on intercontinental trips, transits are a necessary evil. The idea of changing planes mid-way isn’t appealing at all – reconnecting flights, layovers, extra security checks, all of this can add more hassle to your travel.

In such situations, there’s often a dilemma: whether to go for direct flights or opt for transits? Both have their pros and cons. I personally have tried both sailing straight from point A to B but also navigating via C and discovered secrets of making both the scenarios work.

During my travels, I have discovered some useful tips for transit:

Be aware of the minimum connection time at transit airports.

If the layover is long enough, consider exploring the city. Many airports provide free city tours.

Pack essentials in your carry-on in case you get stuck at the transit airport.

Re-check your luggage only if absolutely necessary.

Sometimes airlines provide lounges to rest or sleep during transit.

Know about visa requirements if you wish to leave the airport.

Loving the Luggage

One of the most challenging parts of traveling is managing your luggage. From packing smart to ensuring it’s within weight limits to dealing with lost luggage, it can give anyone jitters, especially first-time travelers. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be stressful.

The art of managing luggage is something that I’ve refined over the years. And trust me, loving your luggage is not rocket science, it just requires a little bit of planning, organizing skills and knowing what goes where.

Here are few reminders that can make your luggage handling easy:

Pack logically: layer your clothes using packing cubes or plastic wrap.

Put liquids/gels in a clear plastic bag. Keep them accessible for security checks.

Important documents/items should always be in your carry-on, not the checked baggage.

Travel light: You don’t need five pairs of shoes for a week-long trip.

Get a sturdy bag: Your luggage goes through a lot. Make sure it withstands the pressure.

Label your bags properly for easy identification and to prevent them from getting lost.

Travel At Your Comfort

Comfort is not always the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about air travel – cramped seats, limited legroom, bland airplane food, jet-lag etc. But comfort plays a significant role in making or breaking your travel experience.

In my numerous flights, I’ve realized that comfort in air travel does not necessarily translate into luxury but it’s more about how smooth and pleasant your journey has been. Sounds good, isn’t it? so here are some tips to stay comfortable while traveling, no matter how long the flight may be.

Here’s how you can increase your comfort during flights:

Dress comfortably: Opt for loose clothes and avoid tight shoes.

Bring snacks: Airline food might not tickle your taste buds. Pack some munchies.

Stay hydrated: It combats dry cabin air which might make you feel uneasy.

Neck pillow, eye cover & earplugs can provide better rest during long flights.

Carry basic medication for common ailments like headache, nausea, indigestion, etc.

Move around: Long hours of sitting can cause stiffness and blood clotting in extreme cases.

Battling Jet Lag

Jetlag has been an uninvited guest for flyers who leap time zones, directly affecting their rhythm and routine. However, this inevitable miserable feeling can be greatly reduced if not completely avoided and I have picked up some handy hacks on how to cope with this temporal displacement.

Over years, lots of theories have been developed about combatting jetlag; some scientific, some mythical. Given my experience of crossing multiple time zones in a short span of time, I feel I have gathered enough wisdom to share about this subject.

You can try these practices to fight jet lag effectively:

Hop on the new schedule: Try to adapt to the local times – sleep and eat according to that.

Expose yourself to daylight: It helps reset your body clock more quickly.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine.

Short naps: If you’re extremely sleepy during daytime, take short power-naps only.

No heavy meals: Avoid fatty foods for a few days.

Exercise/stretch lightly: It helps speed up your adaptation to a new time zone.

Gearing Up For The Return

As much as we love the adventure of exploring new places, at the end of it all, there’s always a bit of a downer when it comes to returning home. Tiredness levels are usually high and we tend to relax our guard which is where most mistakes are made.

From my experiences, I’ve realized that gearing up for return is not an afterthought but requires equal planning as going out for travels. It actually prepares you for your next travel. Afterall the journey doesn’t end when you reach home, it ends when you unpack and start preparing for your next one!

Below are some tips that will help you handle the return trip like a pro:

If possible, choose a direct flight back home to avoid transit hassles.

Pack souvenirs safely so they do not get damaged.

Adjust your watch to home time zone to beat jetlag ASAP.

Arrange a pick-up in advance to avoid last minute taxi scramble.

Compile your travel memories/notes for future reference or to share with others.

Do not procrastinate unpacking. It’s the last step towards ending your current journey successfully – Only to start your next one!

Summary Recap

Travel Hack Category	Top 3 Hacks
Booking Process	Flexibility with dates, Advance booking, Browsing in private mode
Airport Security	Precisely follow rules, Easy clothing, Accessible electronics
Immigration Queues	Proper paperwork, Use automated e-gates, Dress neatly
Transit Decision	Awareness of connection time, Packing essentials, Use of airline lounges
Luggage Handling	Pack logically, Light travel, Proper labeling
Comfort During Travel	Comfortable dress, Snacks availability, Staying hydrated & mobile
Battling Jet Lag	Hoping on new schedule, Staying hydrated, Exercising lightly
Gearing Up For The Return	Direct flight home, Safe souvenir packing, Arranging pick-up in advance

And with that, we come to the end of our extensive rundown on travel hacks. I hope these tried-and-tested strategies can make your air travel a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Safe travels!

Ethan Blake Visual Storyteller, Photo Curator

Ethan believes every viral image has a story to tell. From jaw-dropping paparazzi shots to hilarious memes, he’s here to curate the pictures that make headlines and capture the world’s attention.