When it comes to travel, a trip can either be an enchanting escape or an exercise in frustration. So why not make your next adventure more enjoyable with these secret travel hacks!

Using these 35 simple tips, you can book the best flights, get hotel upgrades, make the most of your cruise, pick the perfect destinations, avoid endless lines, and much more!

FLIGHT TRAVEL HACKS

Only 52% of available bookings appear online. So if a flight appears to be full, call the airline and actually speak with a human being. Chances are they’ll be able to get you a ticket in no time!
Always clear your cookies and search history (or use a different computer) before booking. Once you start looking into flights, you are flagged for having shown interest. Consequently, prices go up. By clearing your cookies or using a different computer, your search history will no longer cost you more.
Tickets tend to be the absolute cheapest at 3:00pm on Tuesdays six weeks before your flight. And avoid flying on a Sunday, which tends to be the most expensive day of the week.
Consider flying into a neighboring airport. Many cities have multiple airports, and prices can vary drastically between them.
Airlines typically hold back about 30% of their seats, so ask for a better one! You’d be surprised how often you can avoid sitting in a middle seat near the restrooms by simply speaking with an airline representative.
Use residential proxies to find the best deals on flights. They allow you to change your location and IP address, which can give you access to different prices offered by airlines in different regions. You can compare prices from different locations and find the best deal. Plus, some airlines track your browsing history and can increase prices based on your search patterns. By using a residential proxy, you can avoid this issue and potentially save more money on your flights. However, it’s important to use reputable proxy providers to ensure your online privacy and security.
Book an economy ticket with a Y or B booking code for the best chance of an upgrade.
Use SeatGuru.com to find the best seats on any airplane. It will show you which are in an exit row, which don’t have under seat storage, and more!
Sign up for Next Vacay to be alerted of amazing travel deals from your home airport.

HOTEL TRAVEL HACKS

Never call an 800 number to book your room, or you’ll be sent to a clearing house. Instead, call the hotel directly and ask to speak with a manager or director of sales.
Send a handwritten thank you to the representative you speak with for your hotel booking. Oftentimes, this simple but rare gesture will earn you an upgrade.
Hotels will frequently set aside one or two nicer rooms for upgrades or emergencies. So always politely inquire if they have an upgrade available for you (after all, it doesn’t hurt to ask!)
Ask the following questions when you check-in:
- How close is my room to construction? Then make sure you are as far away from it as possible to avoid any unwanted noise.
- How close is your ballroom to where I’m staying? If it’s near, ask to be moved to avoid the inevitable hustle and bustle.
- What floor are your booster pumps on? Then ask for a room on that floor for better water pressure in your shower.
- Do you have anything on the first five floors? Anything above that is a death trap if there’s a fire (if you want to enjoy the views, almost all hotels have a restaurant or bar near the top floors).

CRUISE TRAVEL HACKS

Book through a travel agent for added bonuses and special discounts.
The best prices are for a year or two in advance. But unlike airline tickets, most cruise lines allow you to cancel within a month of when you set sail, so keep an eye on prices to take advantage of new deals. (Always read the cancellation and deposit refund policy prior to booking though!)
Get a room near the center of the ship to avoid pitch and roll in rough waters. And if you’re feeling seasick, try eating a green apple or saltine crackers. If you need motion sickness medication, ask a medic or steward for pills (which are offered free of charge on most ships, despite being sold at an outrageous price in the gift shop). Bonine or ginger pills work well, and cause less drowsiness than Dramamine.
If you’re price sensitive and less concerned about the area of the ship you’re staying in, then request to be placed in a “guaranteed stateroom”. This allows you to stay in a cabin (interior, exterior, balcony, suite) equal or better than your choice for the lowest price.
Cabins often only have one or two electrical outlets, so pack a power strip! In addition, many of the TVs have a USB port you can also use to charge smaller electronics.
Go to the nice restaurants the first night of your cruise rather than on formal night. Not only is this a great way to kick off your journey, but they often run amazing specials because most passengers opt for the buffet or general dining area the first night.
Avoid insanely high onboard ATM fees by purchasing gambling chips at the casino with your credit or debit card. Then, cash them out a few minutes later. There may be a minimum to withdraw and a small fee for using a card, but it’ll be far less than using an ATM.
Download the cruise line’s app before departure, and use it on your journey! It can be handy for updates, navigation, and affordably messaging and calling fellow passengers during your trip.

DESTINATION TRAVEL HACKS

Visit places with no promotional budget or large tourism board. These areas tend to be cheaper and less crowded.
When traveling abroad, visit countries where you may be a little uncomfortable (due to language barriers, culture shock, etc.) A little discomfort means other tourists will be flocking to the latest beach the Kardashians were spotted on rather than somewhere more culturally diverse. This will also give you what Rick Steves calls the best souvenir – a broader perspective.
Spend the night to avoid crowds. Tour groups, cruise passengers, and day-trippers make towns and tourist traps chaotic and cramped in the daytime. But at night, once they leave you get a more authentic experience. Enjoy a stroll with the locals, dinner on a patio, or window-shop along deserted streets.
Become a temporary local for a more memorable experience. Stay in small hotels or VRBOs, hire a local guide, attend community festivals, eat at lesser-known restaurants and try the special, etc.

PACKING TRAVEL HACKS

Put heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase to keep it balanced when rolling.
To ensure your belongings get VIP treatment, put a “fragile” tag on your luggage.
Use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize the space in your luggage. And when using packing cubes, roll your clothing to keep it wrinkle-free (which also helps you easily see what you packed). You can also utilize Clean/Dirty Packing Cubes to separate soiled laundry from fresh clothes (or wet clothes from dry ones).
Organize your jewelry in a pill case or mini ziplock bags (and keep necklaces untangled!)
Place some plastic wrap over the opening for lotions and liquids before screwing on the lid to prevent them from spilling.
Put a couple of dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep clothing fresh and static-free.
To save room in your suitcase, wear what takes up the most room on the plane (heavy jackets, boots, etc.)

Want more packing tips? Click here!

GENERAL TRAVEL HACKS

It really helps to have a flexible work schedule while traveling. One way to accomplish this is by finding temporary travel jobs that can help you pay the bills while you’re seeing the world.
Sit outside airport lounges for free wifi. If it only allows you one free hour, get extra time by rolling your device’s clock back an hour when your time is almost up.
Combat jet lag by acclimating to the different time zone before leaving on your trip. And never take a nap when you arrive! Always wait to go to bed until an appropriate hour so you’re on the right schedule from day one.
Skip the taxi line at arrivals and grab a cab in departures instead!
For tours and other activities, purchase skip-the-line tickets beforehand to avoid wasting your time in long lines (I recommend Viator for their great prices on countless options!)