My 20 best travel hacks from a lifetime of travelling

Travel hacks are like street smarts. They’re the fixes, the shortcuts, the workarounds that make your life on the road run more smoothly, cost you less and keep you in the fast lane. Having done my fair share of knocking about in the world, with plenty of bruised ego moments, dud moves, blood and skin left behind and sage advice from other travellers, here are 20 gems worth remembering.

If you need to arrive on time, book a flight that departs early in the morning.Credit: iStock

If your flight is operated partially or wholly by a partner airline, a codeshare flight, check the fares offered by both airlines. The difference between the two can be as much as hundreds of dollars. You’ll know if your flight is a codeshare when you make the booking, usually under the flight number with the words “operated by”, showing the codeshare airline’s name.

When you’re at home and packing your checked bag for that big getaway, lay everything out on a bed or another flat surface and snap photos. If your bag goes astray and you need to make an insurance claim for lost luggage, your claim is more likely to succeed if you can prove what’s missing.

Save on meals by swapping lunch and dinner. Restaurants typically charge more for dinner than for lunch, even when it’s the same dish. Make lunch your main meal, and for dinner have a bowl of pasta, a dish of noodles or whatever the local favourite happens to be – you’ll extend your holiday cash.

Buy full collision damage waiver when you pick up your hire car and it can add 30-50 per cent to the total cost. If you’re not already covered by your travel insurance policy, Rentalcover.com is one of several agencies that offer comprehensive hire-car cover at a reasonable price. A Rentalcover policy has zero excess, but you’ll need to pay for any damage before making a claim. Print out your insurance certificate – some operators won’t let you hire without proof of cover.

In crowded airports with not enough seating, head for a cafe.Credit: iStock

First class train travel in Europe gets you more legroom, a better seat and usually a less crowded carriage, and the cost difference can be just a few euros more than second class. Bookings usually open four to six months in advance, so get in early and you can travel in style.

Of all the travel fails, leaving your passport behind in the hotel room safe is one of the dumbest, but it’s not uncommon. When you go to bed the night before departure, put one shoe from the pair you’ll be wearing in the safe – problem solved.

If you’re stuck in a crowded airport with scarce seating on a longish layover, a schmick restaurant can be a lifesaver. They’re usually calm, quiet and comfortable, and you don’t have to order the lobster salad. A burger or a sandwich and a coffee and you can kick back and relax in style.

Before you get to the airport security check, put your keys, wallet, phone, passport and anything else in your pockets into your carry-on bag. Far less chance of forgetting to pick them up from the plastic trays.

As well as your carry-on bag, most airlines let you take a handbag or another small bag that fits under the seat in front. Unlike your carry-on, that bag never gets weighed. If you’re over the carry-on weight limit, pack some of the heavier items in that underseat bag.

Rather than booking a long-haul flight with the same airline, you might pay less if you book sector-by-sector. For example, if your journey takes you from Melbourne to Paris, it might be cheaper to buy a return Melbourne-Bangkok ticket and another return ticket Bangkok-Paris. Since your connecting flight is a separate booking, you’ll have to collect your baggage, pass through immigration and customs and check back in again, so allow plenty of connecting time. Also, there’s no protection if you miss your connecting flight.

Travelling overseas twice or more in a year? An annual multi-trip travel insurance policy will probably cost less than buying a separate policy for each trip.

If your hotel is part of a major group, sign up for their loyalty club. It’s free to join, and the perks begin from day one. It might be faster Wi-Fi, an early check-in or late check-out, or even a room upgrade if it’s available.

If you have reason to believe your hotel room security might not be up to scratch, hang the “Do Not Disturb” tag on the door when you leave the room.

Finding a decent cup of coffee in an unfamiliar airport can be a hit-and-miss affair. Look for where the flight crew are queuing – they’re coffee connoisseurs, especially the ones wearing Qantas outfits.

Public toilets are scarce in Italy, France and Spain, so head for the nearest bar or cafe. The law requires any place where food is served to have a toilet. Buy something, this is not a free service, but an espresso will save the day.

When you’re out and about, take only the cards and cash you’ll need for the day. Maximum two cards, stashed in different places. If you’re half of a couple, divide your cash and cards. It’s highly unlikely you’ll need your passport when you’re roaming, so leave it safely in your hotel.

Selecting your airline seat is vital if you want to travel in comfort. Consult SeatMaps to find the perfect possie, and if you have to pay, grit your teeth and do it. You probably won’t remember the price, but you will remember an uncomfortable flight. As a last resort, ask for an emergency exit row seat at the check-in desk; they must be filled, but sometimes they don’t sell.

If you’re not using packing cubes, you’re not packing with the pros. The ones I use are transparent plastic vacuum compression bags with a valve to release the air, they squish almost flat.

If there’s a choice of queues at immigration or at the check-in desk, go left. Most people are right-handed, and a queue on the right side is the default choice, so those to the left are often shorter.

When you need to arrive bang on time, book a morning flight – the earlier, the better. An aircraft that suffers a delay causes flights to back up for the rest of that day.

What are your best travel hacks? Share them in the comments below.