5 Common Sense Travel Hacks

Travel Hacks: Better to be safe than sorry!

These five travel hacks will help you have peace of mind on your next travels. It’s common to run into speed-bumps during travel, whether your card gets declined or frozen during your trip, or your phone dies unexpectedly. Worst case scenario? Tragedy strikes, while you’re on vacation, and you don’t know what numbers to call, or where to go to for help. The good news is though, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Want to be safe rather than sorry on your next travel adventure? These five travel hacks will help you have peace of mind on your next travels, or if it’s your first time going on an adventure. Therefore, these hacks are so easy to do, that ultimately, they’re common sense.

1. Let Your Bank/Card Company Know You’re Traveling

Oh no! Your card gets declined at a restaurant, and it’s your only source of spending money for the trip!  “Many banks will flag an account if a card is being used in an unusual area,” said Isobel McKenzie, a lifestyle writer at Writinity and Researchpapersuk. “The same is true for card companies. If they detect unexpected activity on your account, then they’ll freeze it right away. The best thing to do is call your bank or your credit card company, and let them know that you’ll be traveling where and when. For some banks, all you have to do is give them a call. Or, some banks will allow you to give them information about your travel destination and travel dates when you log in to your online banking account. You can also do this with your card company.”

2. Have A Portable Phone Charger

Phone out of juice? Don’t let that happen while you’re traveling, especially when you’re in unfamiliar territory. Before you go anywhere, buy a phone charger, and take it with you wherever you go. A lot of modes of transportation (an Uber, a cab, etc.) will let you plug in for the ride if you ask them. Also, if you’re traveling with another person, or plan to use more than one device, consider getting a portable charger with at least two USB/plug ports.

3. Bring An Emergency Kit

Minor accidents can happen, whether you travel or not. Why not carry a first-aid kit (whether packed with essentials, or a simple mini pack) on your next trip? Just remember to pack band-aids, useful medicines (ex. ibuprofen), etc. And if you’re traveling by car, and your vehicle happens to break down, remember to pack essentials like jumper cables, a tire gauge, rain ponchos, spare batteries, a flashlight, spare tires, non-perishable snacks, drinking water, etc.

Don’t forget to put an emergency kit in your vehicle. Stash basic first-aid supplies and items you’ll need if you break down, such as a flashlight and spare batteries, jumper cables, foam tire sealant, a tire gauge, some non-perishable snacks, a blanket, drinking water, an ice scraper for the windshield, and a rain poncho or two.

4. Have Emergency Numbers Handy

“It’s imperative to know the emergency numbers for whatever country you’re traveling to, not just the regular 911 in the U.S.,” said Joseph C. Bear, a blogger at  Draft beyond and Last minute writing. “Resources like the U.S. State Department provides a PDF list of emergency numbers by country. Just keep in mind that phone numbers for ambulance, fire, and police vary by country.

Also, know the numbers of local law enforcement and where your home country’s nearest embassy is. And, you can even sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so that the embassy can contact you wherever there’s an emergency. Finally, you can go to your smart phone’s setting (on iPhone, for example), and learn how you can access Emergency SOS by
configuring the right buttons, so that you can contact emergency services, regardless of where you are.”

5. Stay On Course

Google Maps is a reliable map source for most travelers because it provides turn-by-turn directions (on both iOS and Android); and it alerts you about any delays due to traffic, accidents, or construction progress, and helps you work your way around them or reroute.  Want to save on battery life, while using Google Maps? You can still use the app while offline, by clicking on the 3 little dots on the screen and selecting “Download Offline Map.”

Conclusion

We hope that you consider using five of these travel hacks, while you’re traveling. It’s better to be safe than sorry, on your next adventure.

Written by Regina Raap

Author bio:

Regina Raap writes for Gum Essays and Lucky assignments. As a professional content writer, she knows how to transform boring blogs into money-makers. In her spare time, she either reads her favorite book or spends time with her dogs.