A SUMMARY...(PRE-FLIGHT)
Borders have tightened dramatically. Flights are cancelled. Masks become a daily accessory.
The abrupt change from globetrotting to quarantine has got travelers everywhere wondering what travel will look like in a post-covid pandemic world.
Here are some travel hacks
- gleaned from the tripwires we avoided
- for people who may still be trying to fly home or want to travel safer after the pandemic.
Tip 1: Email and scan your own passport for an electronic copy
You’ll thank yourself if you’re ever a victim of theft or loss. It’s also worth taking a screenshot of any journey confirmations. If you’ve booked any flights, buses or trains, whether you’re on your phone, laptop or tablet, make sure you screenshot them while you have Wi-Fi or internet access so you can access them when you’re no longer connected. So much easier than lugging around printouts. As travel hacks go, this is one you don’t want to ignore in case anything goes wrong.
Tip 2: Get yourself a Multi-currency Travel wallet card or Application
How do you pay overseas? With bank cards, you pay the hefty transaction fees. With money changers, you take the trouble to commute and hold on to cash. What a tough choice!
If you are a frequent traveller, try getting yourself a Multi -currency account such as Youtrip or travel wise whose transaction fee and currency exchange is way lower than that of a bank, all with a swipe from your phone!
(Photo credit: YouTrip)
Tip 3: Use Google Maps Offline
Obviously you can’t stick by a WiFi connection while exploring a city, not all that much happens in a Starbucks. Which means you’re going to find it impossible to access live Google Maps for that easy-peasy sat-nav style guidance for bi-pods. Thankfully, the latest versions of Google Maps now allows you to save map areas directly to your phone and call them up later to explore.
Tip 4: Download Google Translate For Use Offline
If you’re travelling abroad and don’t speak the language, it’s handy to have Google Translate loaded and ready. That said, it normally does require Internet connection. Here’s a way around it: download the Google Translate app, then go to Settings and choose “Offline Translation”. From there, you can download different languages.
Bonus tip: if you want to translate signs, menus, etc. quickly, tap the camera button on your Google Translate app to translate images in real time. The first time I saw this feature in action, I realised we are (indeed) living in the future.
Tip 5: Look for flights on a private browser tab
“One of the easiest and most-effective ways to save money on flight tickets is to search in a private or incognito browser,” Gloria Atanmo, a travel blogger and self-described adventure junkie at The Blog Abroad, told Insider. “Not only that, but by changing your country of origin to a developing nation, but keeping the prices in your currency of choice, it also allows you to save up to hundreds of dollars on your ticket.”
The price of your flight ticket actually depends on the strength of your local currency, Atanmo explained. So by pretending to be in a country with a weaker currency, you can book a flight for much cheaper than in countries such as the US, the UK, or Australia.
According to a 2018 study by CheapAir.com, the best time to book your flights is between three weeks and four months before your trip and Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly.
It was also rumoured that airlines website enables cookie tracking that will affect the prices directly!
Tip 6: Book a last-minute cruise for a surprisingly cheap vacation
“Unlike air travel, cruises are often cheapest when purchased last-minute,” Alvarez said. “This is a particularly great option for longer cruises, such as Trans-Atlantic’s; I was able to sail from Miami to Barcelona for $299 last minute.”
Cruises also include meals and entertainment, making them an even better deal when compared to airfare plus meals and hotels, Alvarez said.
Tip 7: Morning Flights have less turbulence
If you get motion sickness, it’s better to travel in the morning. As the earth heats throughout the day, the hot air rises, causing storms and winds. While storms can happen at any time, they are more likely to happen in the afternoon. So you’ll reduce your chances of getting a bumpy flight if you fly early.
Tip 8: Bring a power strip or extension cable
Looking after your electronics is a running theme in the world of travel hacks, but this one means no more fights over the plugs in your hostel room. And because you no doubt have some space on that little bad boy for everyone else too, they all love you and will buy you beer. All good deeds deserve beer.
(Photo credit: hiconsumption.com)
Tip 9: Bring Wet Wipes or Hand Sanitiser
With the lessons from the recent on pandemic, Planes are one of the easiest places to catch germs and a cold. Pack wet wipes or a small bottle of hand sanitiser to use during the flight or while you're at the airport. They'll keep your hands clean and refresh your face after a flight.
Tip 10: Keep your Power banks or Portable chargers with you!
Power bank must only be carried in hand luggage or carried around. It is not allowed to carry power banks in checked luggage. If the rated power is less than 100Wh, power banks can be carried without approval; power banks with the power between 100Wh and 160Wh can be carried after approval of air carrier.
To Be Continue...
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