10 Travel Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind
Tips for the ultimate hassle-free holiday.

Some people make travel look effortless, arriving calm and refreshed without losing, breaking or forgetting anything. The rest of us need a bit of help - and thats where travel hacks come in handy. Simple, ingenious and above all, cheap, they could hold the key to a smooth and happy holiday.
1. Keep your luggage fresh with a dryer sheet
Clothes and other fabrics dont tend to smell their best after sitting in a suitcase for several hours, so to prevent that musty feeling on arrival, simply stash a standard tumble dryer sheet in with your clothing items to keep them smelling fresh.
2. Use a drinking straw to transport jewellery
This is a cute and clever way to transport your favourite necklace without it becoming tangled up and possibly snapped in half en route. Simply thread one end of the necklace through a drinking straw, catch it at the other end, and do it up at the clasp. If youre planning on a glamorous get-away with dozens of jewellery pieces at your disposal, you might also want to consider getting hold of a pill dispenser box, which can serve as a great organiser for your earrings, bracelets and other trinkets.
3. Bubble wrap your laptop
Taking a laptop? If you dont want to carry a bulky case, a bubble wrap sleeve makes the perfect lightweight alternative. You can either use a ready made bubble wrap envelope, many of which are robust, waterproof and large enough to fit a laptop, or simply cut your own sheet of bubble wrap to size, sealing off the ends with gaffer tape. Your gadget will also appear less stealable if its masquerading as a mailer.
4. Pack a pen
Perhaps one of the simplest travel hacks of all, but by far one of the most useful. Theres nothing more frustrating than needing to fill in a form or jot down an address or phone number but finding you dont have a pen on your person - particularly when you dont speak the local language and cant get a data signal on your phone. Keep a pen in your pocket and youll feel far more in control.
5. Rock up at security with an empty bottle
Were all clued in on airport security regulations that forbid liquids in bottles over 100 ml, but theres no rule that says you cant take on an empty bottle of any size. To avoid hefty charges for bottled water, simply bring your own (unfilled) plastic bottle and fill it from a drinking water tap once youre airside.
6. Make a decoy wallet
Many of us carry a little more cash than usual on our travels, and being robbed is always a possibility. One way to lessen your chances of being a victim is to stash your cash somewhere unusual, for example an empty lip-balm tube that will fit neatly in your pocket. Notes can be rolled to fit inside the tube, but be sure to carry a spare purse for any change! To really throw potential thieves off the scent, you might want to confuse them further by wearing a fake wallet somewhere about your person.
7. Carry contact lens cases for makeup
Contact lens cases are tiny, airtight cases that can be easily sealed to keep their contents fresh, This makes them ideal for transporting small amounts of fluids of all types, and this is a great way to transport just enough makeup to see your through your journey. This method takes up minimal space in your hand-luggage, and wont contravene airport security regulations.
8. Carry a charge key
If you travel often and have a tendency to forget your phone charger, you might want to invest in a useful little gadget called a charge key. This is a connector that attached to a laptop at one end, and to you handset the other, allowing for a USB charge. What makes the device so useful is that its fashioned into a keyring that you can carry with you at all time - so even if you do leave your wall-socket charger at home you can still power up on the go.
9. Scan any important documents before you leave
It may be the last thing on your mind while youre getting ready to go away, but you could save yourself a lot of potential hassle if you take copies of your passport, driving license, hotel reservations and any other relevant paperwork and keep them separate from your documents for the duration of the trip. This way, if any of these items are lost or stolen on your travels, youll have an easier time with officials if you need to replace them.
10. Selfie security
Finally, a use for selfies that isnt entirely frivolous! If youre concerned about losing your expensive smartphone or camera on your travels, there may be no need to mark the case with your details. By simply taking a selfie and saving it somewhere only youll know to access, you can prove that the phone or camera is yours if its handed in at your hotels lost property office. Say cheese!
Up next:
Looking for more inspiration, information or a handy travel guide? You'll find more on our travel hub.
Suggested article:

Thinking of booking last minute?
We're here to help
For the fastest, smartest, most personal service in travel our team is available by live chat every day of the week from 9am to 5pm.
Simply follow the "help team" link at the top of the page at any time.