You might have your weekend or long weekend travel strategies down, but when it comes to longer than one week some serious planning needs to go into your getaways. Minimizing what you bring while maximizing what the items you bring can do for you is the ticket. You also want to make sure you’re being wise when it comes to transportation. Otherwise, those car ride fees can quickly add up.
If you’re planning a vacation, work trip, or any other travel that will last more than seven days, here are a few ways to make the most of it while saving big:
- Drive. Options like taxis, Ubers, and public transportation can be great for a few days. However, those fees can quickly start to add up. At the same time, you don’t want a gas-guzzling vehicle adding to the stress of being out and about. You’ll want to drive a Hyundai Elantra or other affordable, eco-friendly vehicle during your travels. It might be a great opportunity to rent one and check out the perks, or maybe upgrade your own ride.
- Buy local, small tech items if you regularly travel to international destinations. If you’re like a lot of jet setters, you have bags full of converters for a wide range of countries. However, they don’t always work as planned—or convert like they should. If you find yourself regularly in the same countries, it’s worth investing in hair dryers, flat irons, and other small electronics you’ll likely use. There’s no mixing up converters while you pack, and it’s easy to find travel-friendly sizes online or at your final destination’s airport.
- Roll your clothes. It’s a favorite trick of Oprah’s, and one that can help you make the most of your space. Plus, rolling instead of folding can help prevent wrinkles.
- Pack wrinkle-free blouses. You don’t want to spend your time away ironing or steaming shirts in the bathroom. Wrinkle-free blouses are comfortable, take up virtually no space, and can work for business or leisure. You can also pair them with the same neutral bottoms to create the illusion of having a lot more clothes at your disposal.
- Wear your workout clothes while in transit. If you want to keep up with your workout regimen, always choose a hotel with a workout facility or another place to stay that’s close to a gym you can access. However, workout shoes are often one of the bulkiest pairs you’ll pack. Not only will wearing a gym outfit while you travel keep you comfortable, but you’ll also be ready to hit the gym as soon as you arrive while taking up minimal space.
- Check out Anytime Fitness. A lot of gyms will offer daily rates or month-long passes, but they can be costly. If you’re looking for a gym that will likely be nearby no matter where you are in the world, this is one international chain that focuses on that perk. As long as the city is decently sized, you’ll likely be able to find one of its locations near you.
- Learn how to wash by hand. Not having access to an affordable washer and dryer can be one of the most frustrating parts of traveling for lengthy periods. However, many items you can wash by hand, often with soap that’s already at your disposal. This is especially helpful for underwear. Many people overpack undies and shoes, and dedicating yourself to a little daily handwashing can help you pack less and not come home with a dirty suitcase.
- Take advantage of all the pockets and gizmos your bags have. If you’re not using the straps in your suitcase or you don’t have dedicated items for every pocket in your backpack, you’re missing out. These are dedicated and built-in organizational tools that will help you find items quickly and create more room in your bags.
- Spring for that mobile hotspot. Do you always need internet access but struggle with subpar hotel and airport Wi-Fi? It might be time to upgrade to a mobile hotspot so that you always have control of when and where you can get online.
Traveling requires ingenuity, creativity, and serious dedication. Travelers that are in it for the long haul need to figure out their own best practices for maximizing fun and minimizing risks.
