All My Favorite Travel Hacks

Growing up, my family frequently traveled to India (at least twice a year) to see my grandparents and our relatives. Now that my parents (and brothers) live abroad, I’ve kept up their commitment to long-haul travel. Last year, I took 20+ flights (not counting layovers, of course) none of which were under six hours. True to form, I’m heading off to Mumbai, Jaipur, and Oman for most of February. After a lifetime of lengthy flights, I’ve become something of a travel expert, and I wanted to share my best hacks and essentials.

Wardrobe
At the risk of sounding like my finance nerd brother (I say that lovingly), the answer to everything is indeed an Excel spreadsheet. You might recall that last year, I traveled to South Africa, Egypt, and Mauritius over the course of a few weeks. The trip included a safari, a wedding requiring 5 formal outfits, and several outdoor activities. Because I was meeting my family on the other end, I also dedicated half of one large suitcase toward items for my parents that are less available in India. I managed to pack this all into 2 checked bags. I took a medium-sized handbag (and a travel pillow) onto the airplane.

Before a trip, I list my entire itinerary, including any special events or excursions that require special items (think: hiking gear or a black-tie dress), and create a separate column for non-negotiables that I may wash and repeat (socks, underwear, pajamas, bathing suits, workout gear, travel outfit). Pro tip: if you are using hotel services to do your laundry, plan for a 24 hour turnaround. Hand washing in your hotel bathroom works well for smaller items that you can hang dry.

I start with this separate column and tend to bring 2-3 workout sets, 2-3 bathing suits, 1 cozy long-haul airplane outfit that I wear, wash, and repeat, 1 pair of pajamas (my fav are the Lunya washable silk sets), and enough socks and underwear for 5-7 days as these are easiest to wash. Next, I list any special occasion outfits (for weddings or events) as those choices are likely not going to change or be flexible.

Here’s where it gets more interesting: I look for a few staple and basic tops and bottoms. For my upcoming trip to India and Oman, I’ll bring 2-3 pairs of jeans, 2-3 pairs of shorts, and 2-3 skirts that are easy to mix and match. I do the same with tops and dresses: 2-3 basic tank tops, 2-3 basic tees, 2 button ups, 2 cardigans, 1 blazer, 1 jacket, 2-3 shorter dresses, 2-3 longer dresses. Using this capsule wardrobe, I start to mix and match outfits and list them in a column next to eat date/occasion in my itinerary. Most of the time, I’m able to create enough basic outfits with this set of clothes. (If I’m honest, I wear the same 2-3 pairs of jeans on repeat at home, anyway!)

Adding accessories and styling outfits is the fun part. (Here’s an example using a trending TT audio.) Shoes, belts, jewelry, and accessories can transform any basic fit into a full-on look. So I let my imagination run wild: How would I make this outfit more interesting if I were at home? Which of those add-ons is practical to bring? I list those items in a column adjacent to the outfits themselves.

From there, I go back in and see if I can consolidate. Is there a pair of shoes that I am bringing for just one outfit? If so, can I replace it with a different pair of shoes that I’d already planned to take? Jewelry and belts don’t take up much space, but I still prefer not to bring more than I have to. The idea is to find the items that create the most bang for my buck and leave the rest behind. Of course, the actual items you choose should be modified to match the weather and culture of the place you are going.

Last, but definitely not least — whatever you pack, make sure you include an air tag in your bag! There is nothing that gives me more peace of mind than knowing where my luggage is when I’m traveling.

On the Plane
I strategize for long-haul plane rides based on time zones. As much as possible, I try to set myself up for the time zone of my destination as soon as I board, both with my sleep and meal timing. When I’m awake, I’m often on my laptop, reading a book, or listening to a podcast or audiobook. I’m not one to obsess over tech gear, but this multi-port charger is excellent for charging multiple devices, and this magnetic battery pack is a lifesaver for when you can’t find an outlet. If I decide to watch a movie, this little gadget allows me to use my airpods (or any bluetooth device) to listen to the sound instead of having to rely on the less-than-stellar (and wasteful) disposable headphones.

Flights are pretty dehydrating, so I always bring along my cicaplast cream, this lip balm, and a water bottle that I can load up with my favorite electrolytes. I use elastic sleeves to spill proof any creams or liquids.

And as you may have imagined, I’ve got my plane sleep routine nailed down. Melatonin can actually be quite helpful for jet lag, but lately I’ve been loving these troches to help me wind down. They have very little melatonin and send me into a deeply restful sleep. I use this travel pillow (it’s the BEST) and a sleep mask with my Soundcore bluetooth headphones which offer different sleep sounds, are super comfortable, and are even suitable for side sleepers. They block out noise so well that I use them at home in order to nap with renovations happening next door. I typically wear a sweatshirt on the plane, but always bring a travel blanket or scarf for those one off planes that are absolutely freezing.

Jet Lag
No matter how well I try to match up my sleep schedule to my destination on the plane, I always get my ass kicked by jet lag. I’m convinced that anyone who says that they don’t experience jet lag is either lying or not human. Even the most practiced travelers suffer. That said, there are a few things I’ve started to do to make the effects of jet lag easier on myself.

• Rest as much as you want, but when you are awake, stay hydrated on the plane.

• Once you land, try to get sunshine early in the morning (every morning) to help reset your circadian rhythm.

• Other ways to support your circadian rhythm: meal timing and movement! Eat according to your new time zone, and try to move your body during the day. Bonus points if it’s outdoors.

• On your first day, try to stay awake until 9pm. It’s so hard but so worth it. I typically don't have caffeine after 2pm, but on my first day in a new destination, I make an exception and will have an afternoon tea/coffee. I try to make dinner plans with friends or family to make it easier to stay awake.

• Stay committed to sleep hygiene. Melatonin is specifically helpful for jet lag, but it’s not a permanent solution for sleep in the long run. Avoid blue light/screens for two hours before bedtime and sleep in a cool room. If you tend to wake up in the middle of the night, avoid scrolling. Try doing a body scan to relax and then count your breaths from 30 down to 1, starting over if you get distracted. Alternatively, count every third number down from 50.

• Breathwork is a wonderful way to combat the stress of travel. I like to lay in a stonehenge restorative yoga pose for 5-10 min and take 3 dimensional, diaphragmatic breaths at least once a day. You can also try a box breath as a little reset in the afternoons or a 4-7-8 breath before you head to sleep. Works at home and works on the road.

I hope these tips help make your next trip a little more easeful. I’ll be using them on my trip too. I’ll be writing to you from India next, but until then, let me know your favorite travel tips and tricks in the comments!

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