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Need to Know: Travel Tips for Taking It Easy
Our staff (and colleagues at sister publications) log thousands of miles every year, and along the way we've learned a trick or two to help make our journeys less of a schlep. These roving reporters' tips will help make the going - and coming - good.
I always carry tiny toiletries and small bottles of ibuprofen in my carry-on because if the flight is delayed, there's nothing worse than scavenging for a toothbrush or a painkiller. To freshen up on the plane or between flights, I use individually packaged cleansing towelettes; they're easier to pack and to get through security than liquids.
When I'm traveling with a friend, I usually pack half my stuff in my own suitcase and half in the other person's so that if either bag gets lost, we both still have something to wear. And if you prefer exit-row seats, always try to get a seat in the second one. The seats in the first exit row won't recline, but those in the second usually do.
Reagan Johnson
Online Editor
My one must-have product is Wrinkle-Free wrinkle releaser. Just spray it on your clothes, smooth them with your hands, and wrinkles are gone. I haven't carried a travel iron since I discovered it. And I always shop the local supermarket for souvenirs such as hot sauces, baked goods, jams and jellies. You know you're getting something authentic, and at a fraction of the gift-shop price.
Rich Rubin
Contributor
By now everyone knows to bring quart-size bags, but I always travel with gallon-size Ziplocs, too. I roll my clothes and pack them inside the bags, which prevents wrinkling and keeps the contents dry. In some islands they hand search your bag just before you board, but with everything neatly separated into transparent bags, it's easy for customs to inspect my stuff and even easier for me to quickly repack it. And on my way home I use my trusty bags for sandy shoes and wet swimsuits. I buy the freezer bags because they're really heavy duty, but any resealable plastic bag is a cheap, versatile and lightweight travel solution.
Laura C.S. Walker
Online Director
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If I'm going to buy liquor, I always purchase it from a local supermarket. It's often the same price or even cheaper than duty-free at the airport, and I can pack it in my checked luggage instead of hand-carrying it.
And when I'm cruising, I always bring a power strip because the cabins never have enough electrical outlets to charge all my gadgets.
When I'm checking in online, I always go to seatguru.com before I pick my seat. The site has detailed charts that show you the most comfortable seats on every type of aircraft, telling you exactly which ones don't recline, which are near a bathroom and which have limited storage or legroom.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Senior Editor
Bandanas always come in handy, starting at the airport bathroom, where I'm too impatient to use the hand dryer. You can also use them to clean your glasses, as a napkin or picnic placemat, as a sweatband on a jungle hike or to protect your neck from the sun. Most recently I used one as a strap to join the handles of an overstuffed bag. They clean easily and dry quickly, but I nevertheless travel with at least two.
I never leave home without hand sanitizer and a basic first-aid kit, which includes pain relievers; anti-allergens such as Benadryl (also a sleep aid); an antidiarrheal such as Immodium; Pepto-Bismol; a laxative; lip balm; and antiseptic ointment.
Pareos are the ideal gift because they pack easily, but you can also use them as a beach blanket; women can use them as cover-ups, and really nice ones can be used as wall hangings at home.
Dave Herndon
Editor in Chief
I like the Balanzza Ergo, a hand-held scale specifically created for weighing luggage. It's easy to use, can weigh bags up to 100 pounds and is small enough to take with you so you won't only know how much you're leaving with - but how much you're bringing back, too. balanzza.com
Josh Sampiero
Editor, WindSurfing
I pack a lot of silk shirts because they're lightweight and don't wrinkle, and I take a stain-removing stick for any cocktail-party mishaps.
Guy Britton
Publisher
Before I leave for a shoot, I always stock up on energy bars. I never know where I'll be when hunger strikes, and these portable snacks hold me over till my next meal.
Zach Stovall
Staff Photographer
I never travel without my AmeriBag. A cross between a backpack and a shoulder bag, it's comfortable to wear, and the weatherproof material allows me to take it everywhere, from a boat to a jungle trail. ameribag.com
Adrienne Egolf
Associate Editor, Islands
All my travel clothes are made of nylon blends by brands such as ExOfficio and Columbia. They weigh little, resist wrinkles, keep you cool and protect you from the sun. They're available in traditional styles (with lots of secure pockets) and patterns for nights on the town.
Bob Friel
Editor At Large
I believe in coming home lighter, so I always leave something behind, even if it's only my toothbrush.
Carol Johnson
Advertising Director
Online Editor's Note: Ready to put these tricks to good use? Check out our recent Need to Know feature Economy Class for tips on taking a fantasy vacation on a real world budget.
