Travel is one of the most rewarding things we do, but honestly, it can also be incredibly overwhelming.
Did I book the right flight? Did I remember my passport? Do I have my phone charger? Will my charger even work in this country?
It’s easy to feel scattered.
But after traveling nearly full-time over the last 7 years, we’ve learned a few tricks that help us stay organized, reduce stress, and make every trip run more smoothly.
Here are 5 tips to make travel easier, and one underrated hero we didn’t expect: really good luggage.
5 Tips to Make Travel Easier 👇
1. Having a Go-To Packing List
It might sound obvious, but having a reliable packing list saves you from that “I must have forgotten something” panic at 2 am.
Whether it’s a printable version or a checklist on your phone, keeping a go-to packing list tailored for different types of trips (weekend, camping, overseas) helps you pack faster, ensures you don’t forget anything, and often helps you pack more lightweight.
We keep all of our packing lists on Google Docs and reuse them every time we travel. Once you’ve built a solid template, it’ll become second nature.
2. Choosing the Right Luggage (We Swear It’s a Game Changer)
This is where we’ve made the biggest upgrade. We used to just use whatever suitcase we had lying around (I literally used to use my Dad’s luggage from the 80’s 😅) before realizing that quality matters.
We recently tested the LEVEL8 Voyageur Check-In 28″ Luggage and were genuinely impressed by how much easier it made our travels.
What Stands Out For Us:
- Effortless glide: The 360° spinner wheels move smoothly across any surface, whether you’re on airport ramps or on a sidewalk.
- Durability: It’s made with a hard polycarbonate shell that handles baggage claim like a champ.
- Size and space: We can easily pack for two people on a 10-day trip.
- Built-in organisation: The interior compression system helps us stay organized when traveling from city to city.
- Bold design: The yellow and black colour combo made it easy to spot at baggage claim (and looks great in our travel photos 😉).
If you’re a frequent flyer or road tripper who wants to reduce stress while packing and navigating travel days, investing in quality luggage makes a bigger difference than you might think.
As full-time travelers, we highly recommend LEVEL8 luggage! And you can try them for yourself here with our discount code ‘FFTS10’ for 10% off your purchase!
3. Giving Yourself Buffer Time at The Airport
When we were younger, there was a lot of arriving at check-in five minutes before the deadline and running to the gates. Once, we even went to the wrong country when we were trying to find the airport (ahhh Europe…).
We no longer cut things short and always give ourselves a buffer. Building buffer time into your itinerary is key because there are so many things that may delay your gate arrival. Delayed trains, long border waits, traffic, accidents, construction, long security lines… going to Poland instead of Germany 😂
Our new rule of thumb is to arrive two to three hours early. More often than not, we end up waiting around. But we make sure to bring snacks and games to keep us occupied.
Being early is much better than adding on unnecessary stress.
4. Organising Travel Documents in One Place
Between passports, flight confirmations, hotel bookings, rental car info, and digital tickets, it’s easy to lose track of your essentials. Having all your travel documents in one place, whether that’s a dedicated folder in your email, a travel app like TripIt, or a physical folder, can save you time and stress.
We also recommend taking screenshots of key confirmations in case you lose service.
5. Learning a Few Local Phrases
When you’re travelling to a country where you don’t speak the language, knowing some key phrases makes travel unbelievably easier.
It’s easy to rely on translation apps or the hope that someone nearby knows English. And while those tools can definitely help in a pinch, taking the time to learn a few common phrases can go a long way in shaping your travel experience.
Simple words like “hello,” “thank you,” “please,” and “excuse me” show that you’re not just passing through, but that you are making an effort to connect. Even if your pronunciation is totally off, locals usually appreciate the attempt. It signals respect for their culture and shows that you’re not expecting them to adapt to you.
Final Thoughts
Travel is one of the best things we do with our time, but it’s a whole lot easier when we are set up for success. These simple habits can go a long way.
And investing in gear that actually works for you? That’s the icing on the cake.
The LEVEL8 Voyageur Checked 28” is now our go-to for bigger trips, and we wouldn’t recommend it if we didn’t truly love using it.
Here’s our discount code again – make sure to use it for 10% off! 👉 ‘FFTS10’
Happy travels!
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3 comments
Bags with spinner wheels seem like a great idea until you need to traverse cobble stone streets or other uneven surfaces. A better all round choice is the two wheeler design that works on a wide variety of surfaces. It also works well on escalators.
Really great travel tips. I’ve learned (the hard way) to leave buffer time at airports. There’s just so many things that can happen! Can’t say I’ve gone to the wrong country though! 😂 The luggage looks amazing. I will check it out! Happy travels! 😊✈️
Haha bonus points for not going to the wrong country lol!