Great tips, Peter- wish I had them when I worked at the Antiques Roadshow three years ago. Although, traveling every weekend for twelve weeks on the PBS budget left much to be desired.
PS- you forgot to mention that Morton’s has 81 locations so a nice steak dinner is also imperative for any business trip ;)

GREAT travel article. You have way more in your travel gear than I do. BUT you don’t have Benadryl. If I am on a long flight (complete with earplugs and Bose headphones) or in a bad bed at a hotel and want/need to get to sleep, I’ll take a couple of Benedryl to knock me out. It is more of the same ingredient that is in those over the counter sleep aids, is safe and recommended by Dr. Oz for occasional sleeplessness. Anyway, trust me…Benedryl is the bomb if you can’t sleep!

Favorite right now is not so much a tool as an app–Kindle for iPod, which makes waiting anywhere way less problematic. I love being able to change my mind about what I want to read, boom, and I’m going to be carrying my touch anyway, so why not? Yes, the Kindle’s “reading experience” is more booklike, but if I want booklike, I’ll get a book. I want small, useful, and not extra. Plus if I lose/forget the charger for my iPod it’s easily replaced.

Great tips, Peter- wish I had them when I worked at the Antiques Roadshow three years ago. Although, traveling every weekend for twelve weeks on the PBS budget left much to be desired.
PS- you forgot to mention that Morton’s has 81 locations so a nice steak dinner is also imperative for any business trip ;)

Peter these are marvelous suggestions; so thorough, I think you’ve thought of everything! I’ve been doing a bit of traveling over the past year myself – from one coast of the USA to the other, and 2 additional continents. From those travels, I’ve learned that it’s always good to prepare for an unexpected overnight anywhere you’re going by bringing at least an extra shirt and part of underwear as well as your overnight essentials in travel-size in your carry-on.

I personally use a Wenger Swiss Gear backpack as my carry-on of choice, because once I get home from traveling I can use it to lug my workout gear around or for a day-long hiking expedition. It’s so versatile!

Recently I’ve found it very important to carry loose change and dollar bills on me in order to use vending machines and tip. When you get stuck overnight in a city that doesn’t have your bank, it sucks having to pay extra fees to get money from another bank, and it’s a hassle trying to make change for the $20s that you get in order to get yourself a bag of Peanut M&M’s :)

I have also become a fan of giving up my seat on an overbooked flight! Realizing that not everyone can do this all of the time, if you have the time and can, I recommend it. Most airlines will put you up in a hotel at no charge to you if your new scheduled flight is the following day. They’ll also feed you, and most will bump you up to First Class on your new flight for being such a Good Samaritan. The last time I did this, I also got a voucher for a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the US. I think this is pretty standard for giving up your seat when the flight is overbooked. Plus, you just might be giving up your seat to someone who needs to get home more urgently than you do, so you could be doing a good deed for someone.

The best travel tip I could provide is to not take the travel hiccups that are bound to happen sooner or later out on those around you. It’s not the cab driver’s fault that the airline lost your luggage; it’s not the hotel clerk’s fault that your flight was delayed due to bad weather. Don’t short-change a tip or be unpleasant to the other weary travelers who are in the same boat as you just because you’re upset. Just remember what goes around comes around, and take a bad situation and turn it into a good one – get to know some of the other folks you’re traveling with. Who knows, you might be able to help each other out :)

I wrote about this recently as well! Thanks again for the thorough list of suggestions, and perhaps we’ll bump into each other on the road sometime!
http://researchgoddess.wordpre.....-the-road/

http://www.wififreespot.com/airport.html tells you all the no-cost Wi-Fi service areas at the airports and/or airport terminals – so no more wasting valuable time hunting down hotspots before you take off.

The road is a but more palatable for me thanks to:

Slingbox Pro – this little device let’s me watch my home tv live from anywhere in the world that I have an Internet connection. I especially like and value this when I am outside the US where hotels provide one or two English language channels.

TripIt – This website and iPhone app allows me to simply and easily keep track of my trips. It is easy to use; simply forward emails with itineraries to the TripIt address via a registered email address and it builds an online itinerary. It adds local weather, directions, etc making a very useful resource. iPhone access seals the deal.

Global Entry – US Customs and Border Patrol launched this global registered traveler program allowing passenegers to bypass CBP passport control when returning to the US and simply use a kiosk. This is in a fee airports now but will be added to more airports over time. At $100 bucks for up to 5 years it is a great value. You do have to register online and have an in-person interview. This program has saved me countless hours since I joined as one of the first group of applicants. Between this program and Clear, I have saved a ton of time!

Hope these help a few folks!

Ask the skycap guys on your way out of the airport (in the city you are visiting) where the best local food, watering hole, etc is – much better than cabbies, hotel staff, etc.

Bubble bath lets you relax after all that travel. And an LL bean metal water container can be carried empty through security then filled whenever needed at the water fountains – saves you 2 dollars a pop on bottled water.

Take a few minutes before leaving and go to http://www.Minimus.biz. It has everything travel-sized – food, drink, personal care, pharmacy (even travel-sized duct tape & gourmet food). Hosting a business meeting and need gifts or snacks – they have custom kit creation and (this part works even if you just want to avoid checking a bag) ship ahead to you destination. Did I mention bulk pricing? Perfect business travel solution. (Thanks for the opportunity for me to plug Minimus)

What great tips…thanks! (I just told my husband I want a SeV for my birthday :-) )

And here’s my tip. You’re already carrying a mobile phone, so make sure that your airline phone numbers are in it. (And if you’re a premier member, make sure you have any special phone numbers they give you as a benefit.) If there’s a problem with your flight, it’s a whole lot easier to just make a call right there from the gate and get a new flight or reservation while everyone else is still wondering what to do.

P.S. Peter, we even have Dickinson’s (bottle and wipes)! :)

Oh! Another travel website that I always use is TripChill Mobile Travel Assistant. Send it your flight confirmation (or enter the information at the website), and it sends you text messages for your flights.

For example, I typically get one that reminds me how I can send TripChill a message for retrieval when I get home (like where my car is parked, if I actually drive to the airport), then one that tells me which gate I’m flying out of and where the scheduled airplane is currently located (at the airport I’m going to, at another airport, at the gate, etc.). If there are any changes…the flight is delayed or the gate is changed…TripChill sends me a text message. When I land, I get a text message telling me where I can pick up my checked baggage (if I have any).

You can tell TripChill to notify others…for example, my husband gets notices for all my flights that lets him know when I took off and when I’m scheduled to land.

Right before the flight, TripChill sends you an email that includes current trip info, along with all alternate flight information that day for the city you’re departing from and the city you’re going to (first for the airline you’re flying and then for other airlines).

They have an iPhone interface (I have an Android, so I haven’t checked it out).

It’s a great service…visit http://tripchill.com. You can follow them on Twitter at @TripChill (they post airport issues).

If you haven’t used it yet, you have to try it.

Rental cars. Gotta love em, but gotta check em, too. Develop a habit of using the back seat instead of the trunk for your carry ons. If you’ve got to put stuff in the trunk, always run your hand across the carpet before you just lug the case into the trunk, to be sure the carpet is dry. If the trunk leaks, and they just washed the car, you’ll end up with something—generally the worst thing possible–wet.

Hotel beds. Never leave the top cover on the bed; it is immediately banished to the chair over in the corner. Don’t lay down on the bed on the top cover; who knows what has been done on it, no matter how clean it smells or how fresh it looks.

Hotel towels. Always unroll the towel completely before you shower. Be sure that there are no hairs in the towel. If there are, find one without hairs to use..and yes, you will find them if you look–even in the best hotels. The “dehair lady” in laundry always needs a new set of glasses.

Hotel shampoo. Never use one with an unglued top. Always make sure the little adhesive sticker is in place.

Coffee cups in hotel rooms. Don’t drink out of them until you wash them out, yourself, first. Do I sound paranoid? Blame it on a million actual flight miles spread between half a dozen airlines.

Telephone in a hotel? Don’t even think about picking it up. Use your cellular or Skype through the internet broadband connection.

Room Service. Only in a pinch. It doesn’t matter how tired you are, you don’t want to pay the exorbitant prices. And being around other people can make you feel better, too. And develop a habit of stopping on the way up to grab a water or soft bev. Forget the minibar. If you forgot your drink for the night, and you’re already down to your skivvies, put your pants back on and find the vending area.

Workout/Hotel Gyms. Carry a small bottle of liquid handcleaner with you and wipe the equipment before you work out. After is good manners, before is good sense.

Pools. Stay out of them. Same with Spas, and especially in-room Whirlpools. They are almost never sanitized–just cleaned. I don’t want to think about what’s been done in them, and left over from a guest that paid for that room with the jacuzzi two weeks ago.

Connectivity. Always carry a CAT 5 cable in your backpack. I’ve needed it at least 6 X and the hotel just couldn’t find one…it doesn’t take up much room, and you’ll thank me at some point in the future. Always carry a female USB to Male USB cable, too, so that a USB extension can be established if needed. One thing that I always carry is a flat extension cord. With USA type plugs. You never know when you’ll need it for power at a gate or in a departure lounge.

Hope some of those are helpful.

ag

This might not apply for the airports with well-established public transit connected to it, but I’m sure it will help people out, especially if your home airport is BWI (especially useful when travelling during holidays)

Do not use airport long-term parking – instead use the 3rd party long-term parking. Not only are they cheaper (which is not the reason to use them) but they will direct you to the first parking space without having to look for one and there will be a shuttle there with a driver that is actually concerned with your ability to make your flight.

There are websites that even let you “reserve” a space, so even if the lot is full, it’s not full to you, saving you from having to bounce around looking for an open lot.

The difference between a 20 minute parking space hunt and a shuttle that has 20 people on it versus driving to the first spot and a shuttle with 2-3 people on it has saved me from missing my flight MANY times (or the dreaded “your flight leaves in 20 minutes, but your luggage won’t make it”). Some of the services even offer valet parking, washing your car and other value adds while still competitive with the airport’s long-term parking rates.

Tried to post a comment from my cell phone but it doesn’t look like it went through so I am trying again from my MacBook Pro :). Stock up at http://www.Minimus.biz. They have everything travel-sized from food, beverage, personal care, to pharmacy and more (they even have travel-sized duct tape and gourmet food). If you are hosting a business meeting and need to have gifts or snacks for everyone try the custom kit creation service and (this part works even if you are just looking to avoid checking a bag) ship ahead to your destination. Peter, they even have Dickinson’s Witch Hazel in a travel-sized bottle or wipes. Free shipping over $20 and you can request a free ziploc to get through security. I must admit to everyone that I do work for Minimus but I also shop there as does most of my family (several of whom are frequent business travelers as well).

cool tips – especially how to get a cab quick. I do two things when I travel whether it’s for business or pleasure. I download an audio book – something I’d never have time to read otherwise and listen to it on the plane, in the cab, and all those other alone moments that come up. Then, I never leave a destination without samples of the local publications for the return flight. It’s a first-hand way of seeing what other creatives are doing around the country – plus, I already know how to vomit correctly in a bag, disengage the seat cushion for impending flotation, and have little desire to buy anything from SkyMall – even if I can get my name emblazoned in gold on it.

In a word: flip flops. (ok, 2 words)

It means easy walking in airports, going through security is a breeze, and voila: shower shoes wherever I go.

Your Blackberry is your friend. It not only can hold a non-losable copy of your boarding pass (one less piece of paper to keep track of) but it can hold everything else…

- your hotel confirmation number. Flight data. Cell phone numbers of the people you’re meeting… etc etc etc.

But what do you do with all of that info? They arrive in separate emails, and the last thing you want to do when you’re arguing with a hotel clerk is scroll through the last 300 emails.

Simply create a folder in your email client. Call it “May 20 Dallas Trip” or whatever. Dump everything in there. It’ll sync with your Blackberry inbox. Everything all in one electronic, non-forgettable, non-losable place. When you get back to your office or home or whatever, simply delete the entire folder.

———–

One other trip that saves my sanity? Laugh all you want, but even if they go horribly out of style, I LOVE cargo pants on a plane.

Getting ready to board? Shove your paperback in there. Maybe a magazine. Maybe a candy bar or a bottle of water. Your Passport. Boarding pass. Get in, get on the plane, sit down, and get out of the way.

Since the pockets are on your legs, you can reach everything even though you’re sitting down. Since they’re not on your hips, they don’t squeeze you into the armrest. And you have an entire office right there ready to go.

I don’t care if you don’t like cargo pants. Don’t think about how dorky it looks – think about those poor suckers juggling a boarding pass, a briefcase, a piece of ID, and a carry-on bag all at the same time, while trying to retrieve snacks and a book for the flight. Suckers.

If you don’t have Clear Pass or are at a unsupported airport I suggest a pair of slip-ons from Toms Shoes. Easier on and off in line and you help a kid at the same time. Love my Tom’s!

In addition to carrying those earplugs you mentioned with me, I have also started traveling with eyeshades. It takes trial and error to find ones that aren’t annoying and won’t give you a headache though. (I found the ones they give you for free on BA first class work best for me). Not only can you sleep more easily on the plane (particularly important when flights are the only time you *can* sleep), but it’s an extra hint to your seatmate that you’re not in a chatty mood.

Despite being pretty pared down (I can travel with just a laptop bag and carry on no matter how long my trip is), my laptop bag still gave me backaches, so I switched out my Macbook Pro for a network as my travel computer and I switched out my books for a Kindle. Now everything fits nicely in my small purse (men may prefer the term “bag”). The netbook’s power supply is also tiny and light, so it fits in my purse too, along with a travel mouse, small moleskin, wallet, and keys.

I bring a retractable usb (http://www.amazon.com/BELKIN-R.....038;sr=8-1) and then use it to charge my iPhone and anything else I need USB for. I also bring a small outlet splitter for hotel rooms with few outlets. (http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-.....038;sr=8-3) Like yours but, really tiny.

If you travel internationally a lot and need coffee to function, you can pick up that new Starbucks “ready brew” coffee. (http://www.starbucks.com/coffe.....ant_coffee). A lot of European hotel rooms don’t have coffee makers, but most of them have eletric kettles for tea (and sometimes that really awful instant coffee).

I use boutique hotel sites like splendia.com to find rooms that aren’t any more expensive than soulless chain hotels, have all the business perks (wifi, comfy bed, quiet, etc.), but bring a little character to the trip. That way even if I have to report back that all I saw of Paris was the hotel room, at least it was an interesting hotel room with peaceful gardens and crazy art.

I second the importance of loyalty programs. Find out if your program of choice has meetings for elite travelers. I started going to the Alaska Airlines MVP Gold lunches, and learned lots of inside tips about booking flights on their airline.

If you have an Amex platinum or higher, you can check their fine hotels program. Sometimes the hotels are crazy expensive, but other times their very reasonable and charming (they have great inexpensive hotels in the program in Portland, OR, for instance), and you get breakfast, a room upgrade, and 4pm checkout for free, plus generally you get free lunch as well.

Amex also gets you free membership into elite car rental programs (that would normally carry a $50 or so fee), so for instance, you get free access to Hertz Gold and can just check out the board, find your name, and grab your car.

And since I travel all the time so it’s a big hassle to unpack and repack all the time, I have a small travel bag with a second set of things (razor, toothbruth, etc.) and then I just keep my liquids in a plastic bag (I got a zippered bag that’s heavier than a ziplock so it lasts longer), like my foundation, mascara, and lotion, all the time. Much easier than tracking stuff down every couple of days.

Alacer EmergenC and ziploc bags

Peter,

As a fellow frequent flyer, who has flown more than 1,000,000 Butt-in-Seat (BIS) miles since 2005 (when I started to actually pay attention to my miles), and as someone who for a year averaged somewhere around 15,000 miles a week, there are countless tips for sanity.

The tips for sanity however depend on whom you fly, how you fly and where you fly. My home airport (HVN), a mere 95 miles up the road from Newark only offers five flights per day, each of these flights are on turbo-props with only 9 rows of a seats. Flying an average of 200,000+ miles per year now makes of a lot of turbo-prop flights. My two ‘alternate’ home airports, both 60 miles from my house, fly a various array of regional jets.

For my sanity I track the aircraft I am scheduled to fly on when possible. If I am flying trans-continental routes, the most common traffic for me, I know my turn around time is often arrive around noon and depart around 10:00pm. For these flights I look for aircraft with the potential for in-seat power. My primary airline for a long time was Delta Airlines, primarily targeting their 737-700 and 767-400 aircraft, as these planes featured in-seat power in every seat, on every flight. Delta has now spread the in-seat power to other aircraft in the fleet.

As my home airport is only serviced by US Airways I used to look for all Airbus flights, as the A319/320/321 offered in-seat power in ever seat (for US Airbuses that are from “US East”, US Airbuses from “US West do not have any in-seat power). US Airways in an attempt to streamline operations has actually removed in-seat power from their aircraft. This removal of in-seat power alienates the ability to actively attract business travelers to the airline. Now fling from HVN to PHL (the only place you can fly from HVN) I look for connections to the United non-stop to San Francisco. While neither US nor UA are great in economy, UA offers ‘Economy Plus’ and in-flight entertainment. US Airways has removed in-flight entertainment along with the in-seat power on trans-continental routes.

For my own personal sanity I use a Sony PSP to watch movies. I watch movies both on UMD disks and on Memory Sticks, which can be inserted into the PSP. The extended life battery on the Sony PSP is stellar, having lasted from New York to Beijing on a single battery, watching movies continually for 13 hours.

For travel planning I actively avoid certain hubs. The primary hub I avoid is Chicago O’Hare due to its severe problem with delayed flights. Statistically it has double the number of delayed flights than Atlanta, with Atlanta having more daily aircraft movements.

For financial reasons, as I am self-employed (and create corporate travel strategies for corporate clients) for international hops I now often avoid London Heathrow. My aversion is not for delays, in fact I like LHR, but due to the significant taxes, making it far more beneficial to fly to Paris/CDG, Amsterdam/AMS or Frankfurt/FRA.

Throughout my travels I keep very detailed notes on each flight, airline, airport, terminal in a Moleskine notebook. I also jot down seat preferences for specific airline/aircraft. All this info makes my life on the road easier.

I could write a book (actually I was retained to write a book, which is due out in late 2009) but instead for more detailed info on how to travel easier and with less stress visit Flying With Fish at http:/www.flyingwithfish.com

Flying With Fish covers a vast range of topics for travellers from packing to selecting the most beneficial frequent flyer program.

Happy Flying!

Steven Frischling
Founder
The Travel Strategist & Flying With Fish
Web: http://www.thetravelstrategist.com
Blog: http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Twit: http://www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish

As an aside, if your Blackberry won’t sync with other folders in Outlook or whatever email client you use, every Blackberry has a “saved messages” folder.

If you dump everything into there, it’s not perfect but at least you’re sifting through far less mail while you’re standing in line at the check-in counter.

Why two phones???? Business/personal can be on the same phone…and it would be less to carry.

use your old underware when you travel and throw it out after use…it will free up a little of your carry-on.

Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones.

Leslie,

I carry two photos for a specific reason.

1) I find my Blackberry very reliable for e-mail on a global level. T-Mobile also offers unlimited global Blackberry & Date for $19.95 per month, this means no global roaming fees.

2) I find my iPhone incredibly useful for the Apps, but hate iPhone Mail. AT&T’s roaming plan however is not competitive with T-Mobile.

I also use global forwarding on certain phone numbers, and while I travel with both phone, one phone number is for business only, the other is primarily personal only. These two phones allow me to separate my personal like from my business life.

…additionally when travelling internationally I travel with a 3rd phone. This 3rd phone is always used with a local SIM card to reduce roaming fees.

Happy Flying!

Steven Frischling
Founder
The Travel Strategist & Flying With Fish
Web: http://www.thetravelstrategist.com
Blog: http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Twit: http://www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish

Great recommendations, all.

I highly recommend a membership in the airline club, rather than just an access pass. When things go wrong (and they WILL), the club employees will be able to work miracles.

Hey Peter, great tips, and very detailed. My tip. I have a photo of my dog Roxy as splash page on my GPS, she always makes me smile when it comes up. Keeps me connected to home and sanity.

Great tips, Peter – and everyone who’s commented.

My tip relates to getting ready to travel. I never pack until the day I go, even if I’m leaving home in the middle of the night. If you pack the day before, the trip eats into your time even more than normal. It’s worth getting up an hour early to pack – you can always sleep in the airport or on the plane.

So I tend to travel a lot, but in spurts and have had to pack everything from evening gowns to golf clothes. One thing I never leave without on an overnight trip, is my Joy Mangano HSN handheld steamer. Cheesey, I know, but since I paid $30 bucks for this gizmo 3 years ago, I have not used an iron. It uses tap water and plugs into the wall and works amazingly well on everything.

My other tip and this is primarily for the women, is to remember to pack a travel blanket when flying or taking the train in the summer. We are more likely to be wearing dresses and skirts and the travel gods deem it necessary to freeze us to death without even providing enough blankets to sustain first class, so I have found that a good travel blanket has made it possible for me to travel without having to endure hypothermia.

Those are my tips for now….

Yet another pre-trip tip: when I first started travelling, I only did it about once every three months which meant I had to relearn the routines etc every time. So I prepared a checklist of every possible thing I might need to take (summer clothes, winter clothes, beach wear, formal dinner wear etc) and stored it on the computer. Now, I just run it off each time (usually a few days in advance) and check or uncheck as required. Quick, easy, can be done anywhere, when you have a moment to spare – saves the last minute panic – and I never forget anything.

Props from San Antonio! Next time your travels bring you to South Texas…let us show you the town! With all of your travel tips, it’ll be an easy flight!

If you are in one place long enough to unpack – don’t put your clean cloths in the hotel’s dresser drawers – some folks use them to store their dirty cloths – yuk – and the drawers don’t get cleaned/disinfected after check-out.

I pack my clean cloths in my Rojeti Travel Laundry Bags – they hang directly in the closet so there’s no chance of cross contamination from the drawers.

Rojeti bags are eco-friendly, reusable, machine washable – great for your clean and dirty clothes.

Rojeti Travel Laundry Bags: http://www.rojeti.com

Lots of great tips, Peter. Did you know that bed bugs have made a resurgence in this country after being eradicated for decades? In your hotel room, ALWAYS pull back the sheets all the way down to the bare mattress and check the headboard (even behind the headboard) for “stains” that could indicate the presence of bed bugs. Even the most posh hotels have had problems. Also, the best boutique hotels, with tons of locations, are from The Kimpton Group (@Kimpton). And, they’re PET-FRIENDLY so you can bring Karma and NASA if you ever choose to do so!! Meow!!

Great tips! As my kids are young I rarely travel without them. One day maybe you, too, will need tips for travel with children, so I will share a few:
Ship things ahead: diapers, wipes, food, snacks. These are all things you will use & won’t be coming home with.
Find a stroller/backpack combo (our favorite was by InStep). This was the very best travel tool we ever had- went from the Cliffs of Moher to the Rock of Cashel to Dublin.
Gummy bears. Better than gum on flights. Period.

i’m getting the travel power strip! my top 6:

1. bring a small sealable envelope for your receipts and use it. helps avoid losing them and easy to generate yoiur own expense report
2. check to see if your plane has power in the seats–if they do, invest in an adapter power cord
3. check your loyalty programs for partner benefits–for ex. marrioot rewards offers up to 20% off hertz rental cars and you don’t have to stay at a Marriott to get it. and, there’s always AAA
4. bring your own travel blanket
5. if your flight gets cancelled, do not wait in the ridiculous line. if you’re a member, head to your airline club, or call–often much faster than line at airport–and sign up for flight notification updates–i’ve often been notified via text up to 20 minutes prior to airport notifcation.
6. bring your gps

What a fabulous bunch of tips! I’ll be Tweeting it once I’ve put in my two cents.

* Join a homestay organization such as http://www.servas.org (for US travelers, http://www.usservas.org )–if you like to actually visit–or http://www.couchsurfing.com (if you just want crash space). Voila, no lodging cost.

* Public transit is not only cheaper, but often faster–and you get to meet some locals

* If you can find a decent fold-out full-size keyboard for a PDA, you may not even need to bring your laptop. I loved my Targus keyboard for my old Handspring Visors. Haven’t found one as good since. Keyboard and PDA together were only a few ounces, both fit in a pocket, and in one minute I could be in a file and working comfortably, with my fat fingers landing on the correct keys.

* When speaking at or even attending a conference and then going directly to the airport, the front desk will almost always store your gear even if you didn’t stay there.

* Certain convention centers, including Javits in NYC, L.A., and DC, are located within an actual business district. TYou can walk two or three blocks and find great restaurants, reasonable prices (for NYC, 9th and 10th Avenues are crammed with great ethnic eateries). Say goodbye to those $8 inedible pretzels on the show floor. For places where this doesn’t work, like Chicago’s McCormick Place, pack some food in with you.

* If you’re attending something like a book trade show where you’re going to be throwing out your back carrying freebies around–first, make friends with an exhibitor (ahead of time) who’ll let you store some things at their booth, maybe in exchange for an hour volunteering at the booth. And second, take advantage of the shipping room and send the stuff home. Yeah, it costs a bit more than your discount account, but it’snot bad.

forgot about the workout! if it happens you dont stay at a hotel with fitness center, my trainer did an excersise list you can try at your room. Plus I walk around the hotel for 30 minutes, always try to bring a pair of old tennis shoes in case I did shop and there is no room for those (i throw it to the garbage) the same with socks (i bring old ones to my travels).

For international flights I found melatonin works great for jetlag. I take one on the flight when I want to sleep than one each night for the next 3 days when I arrive.

I also like Audible.com. I download books that I want to read and listen to them whenever I have a couple minutes such as cab rides, walking thru the airport etc.

Great (as usual) Peter!

My best travel tip is to never unpack! First of all you are protecting yourself from a whole host of nasties and secondly it’s time saving. The flip side to this is that you need to pack smart and well organized- a great bag like the OGIO would certainly come in handy for that!

My tip? The lowly Zip-lock plastic bag. Use them for toiletries just in case something leaks. Pack a set of clothes in larger zip lock bags for placing in duffle style carry-ons, saves space, keeps wrinkles down and makes it easier to find items. Zip-locks also are convenient for storing vitamins or office supplies. The uses are endless. I always throw in a few extras, just in case.

These are great tips! Thanks everyone! Mine involves packing. Simply keep a travel size of everything ready to go so that you can just throw it in your bag. Scoop up all those small-size travel items in your hotel room and put them in a pretty wicker basket for guests at your house. If you don’t have many guests, then donate them to the local homeless shelter, who packs those little hotel size soaps and shampoos with socks and blankets and gives ‘em away.

Also, I rarely have time to work out because I’m usually working when I travel. So bring some lightweight resistance bands. They work great and replace hand weights.

Regarding presentations, save your powerpoint as two versions on a USB drive, one the latest 2007 version, and one as 1997-2003 version. Email both to yourself before you leave home. Also email them to the presentation coordinator. Whether this is a presentation you’re making at a conference or a business meeting, you’ll be glad you went to the extra effort.

Peter, thanks for sharing all your gadget tips. I’m sure I’ll never carry as many as you, but it’s fun to read about how other people travel.

- Pack a trial size of detergent. Stuff like underwear dries overnight.

- Never book a hotel without checking http://www.tripadvisor.com. Seriously.

- Keep electronics “perma-packed” … the phone charger, the flash drive, the cables, the iPod charger, etc. so you don’t have to discombobulate your whole setup in the office every time you leave.

- Ditto for perma-packing gym clothes. Include a jump rope and resistance bands. They take up almost no space and even if there’s no gym you can still have a workout.

Peter – Love the tips – can’t wait to try a few of them!

Here is mine: Stitcher Radio for the iPhone! On the tram, in the cab or just off the plane – you can have the latest audio news, tech, or sports updates from various media outlets (CNN, FOX, NPR). You get to pick what you want and this app “stitches” them together in one broadcast. No waiting for the top of the hour to hear the news or catch the latest Tech update from WSJ.

You can also build channel of your favorite long form programs for layovers, delays, etc.

Enjoy!

Fantastic post. I can’t say enough about having a good backpack of some sort to throw your stuff in. Like you, The Flip is a must have on every trip! The day of expensive video cameras on vacation or business travel are done for me.

Peter mentioned that he has the Sprint Wireless and easily recoups the cost by not using the hotel wireless. The same thing goes for GPS. If you frequently rent a car and need GPS, just purchase a portable Garmin system and you’ll quickly recoup the cost.

You certainly have covered the bases except for one little “routine” that takes about six seconds and can relax you, make headaches, leg cramps, stress, anxiety and other discomforts disappear almost immediately. It is a simple “tapping” procedure to use on your energy meridians (same as detected with MRIs). Even though it is a 2,000 year old wellness practice, today it is commonly called Emotional Freedom Technique. I use the “short cut” which works for almost everything except the most intense problem and then I go into the longer version. Quickly: Tap with either hand five to seven times on the top of your head, over your eye brow, side of your eye, under your eye, under you nose, on your chin, on your protruding collar bone, under your arm, all the while saying a simple mantra such as “I am a good person and I don’t need this pain.” That’s it! If I am extra tired, I also so a quick 5 to 7 “karate chop” taps. For sleeping, I put three finger-pressure on my right wrist for about 30 seconds, right under the “hand crease.” Works like a charm! Too much coffee late? Do the routine a couple of times. It’s all so simple and medication-free that it seems unbelieve, but it works! And it saves me tons of money on needless trips to the doctor for yet more prescribed chemicals to erode my health. I am 72 years old and still outdoing most people twenty years younger!

I married into an airline pilot family, so travel is obviously, um, frequent! I’ve learned a sound conditioner is crucial for anyone who needs a bit of white noise to fall asleep. The best we’ve found is Marpac, which has a ton of different models with different sounds and travel sizes/weights. It’s a thousand times better than the hotel fans that cut on and off all night and makes it a lot easier to get right to sleep in a strange hotel when you’ve only got a small window of time to sleep. I’m pretty sure that travelers can thank Marpac for a lot of refreshed and alert airline pilots! http://www.marpac.com

Another tip from the pilot sector is you’re traveling to a large airport (in my head I’m seeing ATL and its endless trains) and have enough time to grab something to eat, but not enough time to search the epic concourses: try to find out beforehand what food is available on each concourse and make a list, either in your Blackberry or just a mental one. Cuts down on frantic searching.

One final thing is a sort of heads-up that one of my clients, Jamie Brenzel of Data Deposit Box, turned me onto last summer when a U.S. court ruled that Homeland Security could confiscate laptops, PDA’s, etc., for an indefinite amount of time. (Customs and Border Patrol can also download the entire contents – including your financial data, company info, etc. – and keep it for several days.) So if you’re not doing it already, remember to encrypt, encrypt, encrypt! Of course, Homeland Security’s just doing its job, but this is also just good general policy in case your laptop is stolen.

The type of encryption key is important, and some of the best are Blowfish (used by Data Deposit Box… and constantly frustrating Jack Bauer’s team on 24, so it must be awesome), Triple DES and Khufu/Khafre.

Some user-friendly tips from Jamie that don’t require an IT guy:
- Use the ‘My Documents’ folder and keep it on a separate disk partition. Partitioning a hard disk drive defines specific areas within the disk and makes it possible to create several file systems (either of the same type or different) on a single hard disk, increasing system efficiency. The partitioned drive will be difficult for someone to find, and the drive icon can be made invisible to make it even safer.
- Store data on a remote server that can be accessed online. Files won’t have to be downloaded onto laptops until they’re safely across the border. Turning off the computer rather than simply putting it to sleep will also delete files that were visible on the remote server.
- Password-protect drives and files, and fortify passwords by including different characters, numbers, spaces, etc. NOTE: A border agent can require anyone to type in their password.
- Delete old files that are no longer needed using a secure file erasure program, as well as Web sites, cookies and history.

Original story on the ruling: http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....03030.html

http://www.datadepositbox.com, http://www.schneier.com/blowfish.html

Great tips, Peter! I’d like to add The Portable Miracle Ball. You may not be able to do all of the exercises (until you get to your hotel), but especially on long flights, just moving this little purple ball from your neck down to the base of your spine and back up again (oh, don’t forget the shoulders) is like you’ve brought your own massage therapist with you.
Of course, I also recommend bringing my book – The Intelligent Woman’s Guide To Online Dating – with you. Especially if you’re a single man. Just keeping it in your lap or on the tray table is guaranteed to get beautiful single women to strike up a conversation with you.

1. Never check chargers.

2. Buy an inflatable travel pillow. Takes up no space and no sore neck upon arrival.

Great tips. When I traveled a lot I used to run early in the morning. A great way to see the city and get the cobwebs out.

I would like to recommend our site and its companion guide “Healthy Highways: The Traveler’s Guide to Healthy Eating” (Second Edition, 2009) to your tips. The site has some cool resources like where to find lap pools (a favorite of ours) and swimming holes. “Healthy Highways” ( the book) makes sure your diet is supportive.
(We added your list to our travel recommendations on HealthyHighways.com.)
And Thanks for HARO.

Great post. Here are some of my favorite tips for making myself more “at home” on the road:

Familiar tastes, sights, and smells make even the gloomiest motel more comfortable.” Take along something you use every day at home. For the traveler who doesn’t need to pack it all in a knapsack, try bringing your own, luxe linens along. You’ll feel better and sleep better, too. Get rid of that “antiseptic smell by lighting up a cone of the the incense you use at home the minute you check into your room. If you don’t want to light a scented candle or incense (some places discourage this) simply use a plug-in or a scented room spray or your signature perfume.

Most motels and hotels provide travel-sized soaps and shampoos, but they may not be a brand you like or that works well for you (particularly if you have sensitive skin). Bring along travel-sized products that you enjoy at home. If they’re not made in mini-sizes, purchase a few plastic bottles and jars at a beauty supply and fill them with your faves.
Tip #2 – Feast Your Eyes:

Women: a colorful shawl in a lightweight fabric is a must have. “I drape it over the ugliest thing in a hotel room which is usually the dreadful artwork that hangs over the bed.” A sarong serves the same purpose and can be used for anything from a swimsuit cover-up, to a curtain, a towel, even a head covering when required. These items pack flat and are a must-have fo rwomen. Men might consider bringing a beach towel.

Don’t bring anything that you haven’t tested, first unless you want unpleasant surprises on the road! Inexperienced travelers often purchase new products and clothes specifically for a trip, and “save” them until they’re at their destination. This is not a good idea. Do you really want to use a product (e.g. new suntan lotion or moisturizer) that you’ve never tried before, only to find that it makes you break out in hives? More than one man has purchased a new tuxedo shirt, only to find it was the wrong size and he had to scramble at the last minute to get ready for a black-tie event. It is Murphy’s law that the first time wear those great shoes that felt fine in the store, the minute you have to stand in them for any length of time you’ll be in pain–but they’ll be the only black shoes you have with you, of course!

Women who travel a lot need multi-tasking beauty products. A lipstick or blush that doubles as a bronzer or eye shadow, or a scented body product that acts as fragrance, too, helps keep you traveling light. If you’re going to spend time in the sun, as well as at meetings, it makes sense to pack cosmetics and moisturizers with an SPF rating of 15 or higher, too. “Face in a case” type compacts with all the makeup basics are perfect for travel, and great for home. Men should also pack products with SPF 15 or higher. More men than ever before are purchasing products made just for men, and many also have SPF. These are great choices not just for travel, but for every day.

When you rent a car, check to be certain that you know the basics before you drive off. My husband and I once rented a fancy sports car for our vacation. The car was the envy of everyone on the road, but we would have been a lot better off with a regular sedan, because we couldn’t get the air conditioning to work- and the car’s owners manual was missing. We weren’t anywhere near a rental car agency for days, and couldn’t get anyone on the phone, so we spent five very hot, sticky days trying to figure out how the to work the air conditioning. Their luggage also didn’t fit in the trunk and we had to leave it crammed into the tiny back set. Tip: check for the owner’s manual and read the basics before you take off–and you can’t find the light!

Every seasoned traveler has a fit little things that they never leave home without because they’re indispensable when they travel. The top ones for me are: masking tape, travel alarm, and plastic “zip” bags in assorted sizes. Masking tape is a multi-purpose wonder, for fixing hems, holding broken luggage together, shipping a box, and even removing lint. If you are the type who never is quite sure that you’ll get that wakeup call or is baffled by the complicated alarm clocks that are a fixture in hotel rooms (and never seem to work right), an “old faithful” alarm clocks that you know and trust is a must. Plastic “zip” bag are great for everything from carrying potentially leaky tubes and bottles, to toting home a wet bikini after that last-minute swim. I take extras so I can bring back aromatic spices and other treats, without exposing everything else in my luggage to the pungent scents. Now that the airlines have cut back on food, zip locks can also help you safety tote your favorite treats and drinks. If you still use film instead of a digital camera, zip lock bags may help you keep your film safe from fogging by allowing you to clearly show your film canidsters to security for a hand-check without having to fumble to find them. Get the good ones that ZIP shut.
The average traveler gains five pounds for each week they’re away. Skipped meals, irregular eating habits, a poor diet, and heavier than average drinking, are the culprints. Travelers also end up eating more fattening or unhealthy food because that’s what is available. You can help keep the calories down by taking your own healthy snacks with you. Granola bars and dried fruit or fresh fruit (apples travel especially welll), individual packages of trail mix or salty snacks, and bottled water, are inexpensive, satisfying choices. Other foods that are popular with savvy travelers include: soup in a cup, oatmeal in a cup, mini-sized cups with easy-open lids containing ravioli, fruit cup, and tuna. If you are a tea drinker, tote your own tea bags (many hotel rooms have coffee but not tea), and just in case they may not have a coffee maker in the room, bring a small immersion heater. Even if you’re not flying, it’s nice to have a few thing to eat without having to leave the room, or pay (and wait) for room service. Bring nuts or other items for your own “cocktail hour” (E.g. travel-sized bottles of rum, mixers, trail mix, crackers). When you reach their destination you can recharge, without being charged an arm and a leg for the mini-bar!

Great tips – I learned a few new tricks; here’s my list of ‘can’t-live-withouts’:

0) Check in for your flight online – early (see #1)

1) Join – and befriend – the airline lounge at your local airport (if you have one). I recently ‘forgot’ that Toronto is in Canada when departing on a multi-city trip; seeing that notification 22 hrs before my flight, panicking, then calling my local club resulted in darling hubby driving to airport, and President Club (Continental) putting my passport on a flight, leaving it at another President Club, where I picked it up and connected to Toronto. This was done on a Sat/Sun, so getting it FedEx’d was not an option. Without that Club membership, and those relationships, I would have been screwed. (and, if you do join a club/befriend the staff, and travel a lot, occasionally bring by presents from neat places. I recently got them small woven hearts from China – you’d think I’d given them gold dubloons! They are VERY appreciative…)

2) Give yourself permission to ‘goof off’ on a plane. Once I allowed myself the luxury of reading non-business stuff, I started to look forward to my trips again. Waiting in the boarding area? Waiting for takeoff? Waiting for anything? Not a problem – I’ve got a good book (trying a kindle on loan from a friend on the next flights).

3) Pack snacks with you. I go for commercial trail mix (pref. w/M&Ms in ‘em) – can be snacked at any time of the day, pretty healthy (minus the M&Ms), and very portable (easy to pour a small amount into anybody’s hand, making you the new best friend of folks in your row…) Also, helps to bribe the under-10 seat kicker behind you to “remember not to kick this seat, OK?”

4) Never underestimate the power of a tiny MP3 player to drown out the annoying stuff around you (I once sat across the aisle in first class from a guy who was trying to impress his female seatmate by telling her how he beat up on some other guy – in graphic/gory detail…) yeah, I’ll have Vivaldi, please…

5) And I know this was posted earlier, but a) have all key phone numbers in your phone already so you can call the Club/hotel/airline/rental car and make alternate reservations; b) remember that the people trying to rebook you are NOT responsible for equipment failures/weather, etc; and c) [here's the new part of the tip] you can do a lot to help other, less experienced, travelers if you share your knowledge and wealth. I’ve called my fave hotel chain, asked for hotel closest to airport I’m about to be stranded in, asked how many rooms they had and best price for a block, then make an announcement: “I’m on the phone with a hotel who’s got rooms at $xy for tonight, and will have a shuttle in baggage claim in 10 mins – anybody want a reservation?” I count hands, reserve those rooms, and just watch the anxiety ratchet down several notches in my fellow travelers. One woman even sent me flowers the next week, telling me that it turned her trip around from “OH NO!” to ‘oh well’… and she could live with ‘oh well’. Bonus: you’ll also get a rush of endorphins, and be able to sleep like a baby that night…

This was an outstanding idea; thanks for sharing it.

Number one, go to swansonvitamins.com (best inexpensive source I have found)and get some Elderberry syrup. Elderberry does not prevent you from getting the flu, but coats the virus particles so they cannot replicate well. So duration and severity of flu are dramatically reduced. Works against ALL flus; the Israelis have tested their version, Sambucol, and say it is 99% effective against the bird flu virus. At the levels you travel, you’re going to encounter it sooner or later; I’d be taking a maintenance dose. Both for now, and when it mutates in the fall.

Two, get a bottle of Pente ( ( http://www.pentawater.com/_pw/index.php ) or other oxygenated water at any health food store, and drink it as your plane is touching down. The extra oxygen in the water will clear your head and give you a bit of energy for what’s ahead.

Three, drink some Acai juice before a flight. Skip the hype you see about Acai and weight loss. What matters is that this will combat some of the radiative oxidation you get on airplane flights, and it gives a bit of energy as well.

Finally, while most of your travel is by air, I would recommend you and any other commenters here post tips for road warriors who are traveling a lot by car from town to town…

Peter, when I was traveling frequently I found it hard to keep up with my hotel room number (“What floor am I on again?”). But even worse was upon returning home trying to remember where I parked my car in the airport and where I stashed my car keys in my mad dash to the terminal. I chose a parking section that was easy to remember (4U) and ritually parked there even though I sometimes passed more convenient open spots. I also put a latch on my key chain that snapped into the front pocket of my laptop backpack so they would never be lost again.

Another top tip that my first boss and mentor taught me: always carry a stash of ones in your pocket for tips and fold them individually so you can grab them easily without having to count out how many you want in front of others.

Love, love, love all these travel tips! However, I am struck and shocked by what short shrift most are giving fitness and wellness while traveling. (The germ related tips are awesome and have freaked me out with things I’ve overlooked.) The body is put under incredible stress while traveling including but not limited to crappy food, cramped sitting conditions, lack of activity and poor sleep. Sustainable fitness and wellness are created through a lifestyle approach. If you travel frequently you must address this specifically and intelligently for peak performance and well-being.

Remember, the brain is an organ within the body and needs to be nourished and cared for to stay smart and work at it’s best. If you can’t access the motivation to change your traveling lifestyle to maintain health, than think of it as an investment in your business success. Stop thinking you can make up for it later. You can’t get good results living one way and then making heroic efforts to get a different result. How many business travelers are overweight? If you can’t see your belt when you are seated, then you have a health/weight problem.
My profession is as a Wellness and Lifestyle Fitness Coach, and a yoga and meditation instructor. I have not been travelling much recently as I’ve been busy and ‘grounded’ opening a premium service wellness and training studio in Virginia. One of my specialties is coaching travelers as to how to stay fit and relaxed on the road. Many of our client-partners travel as frequently as you Peter, so my expertise as grown as a natural result of serving our “A” List clientele.

Hotel Fitness Options:

OMNI Hotels – They offer an “Ideal Living” program to address the reality of hectic flights, long meetings and eating on the run. their aim is to ” help you maintain a healthy attitude and lifestyle while you’re traveling”. Their Ideal Nourishment Program provides you with healthy meal options, and their Get Fit Rooms are set up for a private, in-room workout.

WESTIN – As part of its Westin WORKOUT program, select Westin locations have an on-staff running concierge, who will lead you on three-mile jogs or power walks three mornings a week (some hotels even offer jog strollers). If you would rather go solo, stop by the front desk first to get your customized trail map of nearby running routes designed and certified by the editors of Runner’s World and Bicycling magazines. Even if you opt to stay fit in your suite, you can break a sweat thanks to in-room yoga and Pilates routines available on the hotel TV channel.

MARRIOT – Available at select locations, Marriott’s Great Health, Fit For You , The BodyWedge 21 (uses an incline wedge to target your abs, chest and lower body) and the Traveling Trainer (a resistance band workout). Do your own workouts or follow instructional videos available on in-room TVs. program offers three free workout options delivered right to your room. Check out the BodyRev.
Marriott Dulles Suites offers free access to the neighboring Worldgate Sport and Health Club. This full service gym offers a huge array of fitness options from swimming, the classes, to cardio equipment and strength training.

WYNDHAM – They have launched a “Fit to Wyn” virtual trainer program. Part of their new Blue Harmony fitness center and spa, the program lets you customize 20-, 30- or 40-minute workouts based on your fitness goals and desired results. You can then workout in their fully-equipped gyms or opt for a private session on your hotel room’s TV. Another health rather than fitness bonus with Wyndam is that Blue Harmony facility features eco-friendly elements like furniture and fixtures made from sustainable materials, energy-efficient lighting, and robes made from organic cotton.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont is giving away free Adidas apparel, but they also lend yoga mats, MP3′s, and other equipment. If you love the stuff, you have the option to buy it upon check out. To get the fitness goods, you have to join Fairmont’s President’s Club first – but, like the fitness gear, the membership is free, too.

A great way to find hotels that offer fitness amenities is through http://www.healthytravelnetwork.com/

Other Fitness Resources:

A website for runners on the go in another city is http://www.runtheplanet.com/

And for those looking for a yoga studio or class while traveling, http://www.yogajournal.com/ and http://www.yogafinder.com/ are two great resources.

Travel Friendly Foods and Snacks:

Any thing from Kashi brand : granola bars, crackers, oatmeal packets, cereal – all delicious and actually, truly nutritious
Miso soup packets
Individual packets of salad dressing (now in the supermarket)
Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain pilafs and blends no fridge, microwaveable, filling and nutritious

Here’s to peak performance travel! cheers!

best workout travel advice I ever got – always workout within 30 minutes (30, not 45, not 60, but 30 minutes) of checking into your room. otherwise, it’s too easy to get sucked into email, phone calls, and just plain tiredness.

thanks for the great tips! i wish i didn’t need so many of them… ;-)

Wonderful ideas, all. I never leave home without a fully loaded iPod (new music, “The Moth” and “This American Life” podcasts, meditation music to sleep by), a nice big, soft pashmina (easier for women than men, admittedly) and plenty of listerine strips, because they work, they take up no space and don’t rattle annoyingly. And plenty because I enjoy sharing them with fellow travelers..hint hint.

Some interesting recommendations (I especially like all the tech ideas!). I’ve got over a million in-seat miles on just one airline, so there’s a bunch of stuff i’ve learned during all that travel.

But, there’s one thing that’s made more difference than anything else I’ve tried or purchased.

Be nice.

I know, stupidly simple. But if you fly, you know that it takes a heckuva a lot of folks to make that happen (including a seat-mate you can live with). The one tool that you will need, and need over and over again, is a grateful and moderate attitude.

I’ve gotten out of every jam, every over-booked-no-we-don’t-have-any-and-yes-I-know-we-confirmed-that-we-had-one-there’s-not-another-one-for-two-days-trying-to-get-into-this-country-without-the-proper-visa-means-another-10-years-of-getting-stopped-in-customs sort of problem with that one tool.

As simple as is sounds though, it’s definitely not easy. I’ve spent time considering words/language I’ll use and thinking through what impact I want to leave on others – and I continue to spend time on this. I consider it a bit of zen-like practice to think through how I will interact with others. And I find this practice to be very beneficial to my consulting practice as well.

(I offer this in a bit of self-interest as well! It makes a big difference to other travelers when we are in such close quarters and under very stressful conditions, when the people with around us can simply ‘be nice’ to each other).

Peter, thanks for the great suggestions and I may use a few of them on future trips! Now here are a few tips based on my travels:

1. Global Entry… just as you mentioned, it’s unreal. I signed up here in Miami in December and only 200 people in Miami have registered (that’s how unpublished it is down here)… last trip I had I took my printed receipt from the kiosk and the Custom’s agent said “oh so that’s what one of these looks like…” Definitely worth it. I would love to do the same for Nexus with Canada but I believe it requires an interview up north… not doing that anytime soon… but if you do a lot of Canada travel, well worth it! Also, when traveling internationally, it’s always a good idea to register your trip with the local US Embassy in-country so they know where you are in case there is some emergency in the country you are visiting (i.e. the Mumbai attacks or a natural disaster). You can do this easily from the State Department’s travel website… travel.state.gov.

2. Bose QuietComfort headsets… and how to sleep with them – If you do a lot of international travel and are fortunate enough to get that upgrade to the lie-flat beds (I do all my travel on AA), it’s nice to be able to lie on your side and try and get some sleep… but when you have these bulging headsets on, they can start to hurt pressing against your head. Personally i have the QC2′s (the BEST purchase ever). So my recommendation… take an inflatable neck pillow (you know you have one… you prob wont admit it) and you can use that as a headresting pillow. Place it on its side so that the open area is towards your face… lie your head down with the headphone inside the hole. The rest of the pillow supports your neck and head so it’s still comfortable.

3. For cheap yet reliable car service in NYC go with Carmel Limo. Their phone number is a bit ominous (1-866-666-6666) but the price is right. Personally I fly more into LGA so a one way from the airport to mid-town runs me $28 plus tolls and tip. As fast as a taxi and a better price. Rates vary by airport and type of car you want, but are still great. http://www.carmellimo.com.

4. Travel chargers are a must and I have found NOTHING better than Kensington’s. They have the best and lightest wall/air/auto adapters for laptops and tons of other stuff. I have used at least 4 different ones and this one is the best. It’s the Ultra Portable and it’s ultra thin… the adapter itself it only a 3/4 of an inch thick and is about the size of a hand. This is the one I recommend: http://us.kensington.com/html/13874.html

5. One note on the AmEx Platinum access to lounges… they are only good for the airline which you are flying on. So if you are traveling on American and the airport you are at doesn’t have an Admirals Club, you will not be granted access. And at least in the AA AC’s, wi-fi is only free for Admirals Club members… or if you have a Hotspots account with T-Mobile.

6. To really find out anything and everything there is to know about what’s going on in the world of frequent travelers, check out the message board on FlyerTalk.com. Careful what you post though as some people get fesity if you repeat a question that has already been answered and you didn’t bother searching the archives. But you will find PLENTY of information in archived posts from just about any airline, hotel and car rental company as well as general travel advice.

7. Learn to pack things tightly… and learn to iron. Like you, I never check a bag. I haven’t checked a bag in at least 4 years. My Tumi carry-on fits everything just right for me and i pack up shirts and pants nice and tight. I managed to travel 9 days to Argentina once with just my carry-on and at 6’4″, I dont have small clothes. I unpack the items as i need them and iron them the day I am going to use them or the night before. And if your hotel doesn’t offer irons (as many in Latin American dont stock them for various reasons), the steam from the shower tends to do the trick! I have tried those travel steamers and they are junk.

8. If you’re a foodie and want to try whats hot (or not) in different cities around the country, getting an online subscription to Zagat’s is worth the $25/year. Much cheaper than buying all the different guide books and offers reviews on restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, attractions, etc. http://www.zagat.com

Those are the tips I have for now and I am sure there are many more.

Thanks for the great info Peter!

-Eli

hey peter — great tips. i’ll backtrack this to my blog as well. you should mention berocca tablets. only online because the fda won’t approve for some reason but the defacto wake-up, feel good, all natural effervescent tabs that the English enjoy. It’s like Emergen-C, but better.

Two kinds of tips — electronics and packing light. I don’t go anywhere without my iGo — and all the little tips that turn one cord into a power source for dozens of electronics. The iGo even has adaptors for your laptop that are much less awkward to carry than the standard laptop power cord, and you can charge your mobile at the same time. Add a universal power adapter and you can go anywhere in the world with a minimum of extra gear. And I’m not even a sales person! I just needed an extra charger for my house and stumbled on this gadget. Info is at http://www.igo.com

Now, about packing light. Experienced travelers know to keep it simple. Stick to one color scheme — black and white, navy blue, whatever basic color you wear best. Accessorize with splashes of color — a stunning tie and a crisp shirt no one will notice you wore the same suit yesterday. Men should think along the lines of breaking that business suit up when not in meetings: blue jeans, cashmere sweater, a button down shirt and a charcoal grey business suit mean multiple casual to dressy options. Jeans and a blazer, grey trousers and a sweater, shake it up. And women need to keep it simple. Stop packing complete outfits for everyday. The same mix-it-up philosophy works for women business travelers, too. A scarf or pashmina is a traveling girl’s best friend. You can use it instead of those airplane blankets, you can tie a tired toddler onto your back at the end of a long day, you can swirl yourself in a bit of color and no one will notice you’ve just got off the plane and are rumpled and tired. Stuff it into a bag in case the restaurant is cold. Wrap a scarf around your hair and jump into that meeting… the shower can wait.

A few weeks ago I got off the plane in London, hopped on the underground, and hit my meetings running, four days straight, 9AM to midnight. Dinner events, concerts, casual meetings and meetings with trustees. All out of a little bag about the size of a small back pack. It felt great to travel so light.

I havent had a chance to read all the comments Pete, but before i forget and with regard to The Paddington Express , this costs around $24 each way, and takes 15 minutes non stop – However, the The Paddington Heathrow Connect takes 25 mins (it leaves from the same platform and gets to the same station) and is less than $10 each way, so for a round trip you save $28! Take it from me – and i’ve flown from NYC to London 40 times in the last 3 years it adds up!

ok – heard you mention in previous emails the highly improved chances of catching something on the plane – well I have a great solution for you! Essential oils kill bacteria and viruses- so I use a combination of a few and it really works!!!
Just put some drops directly into your nose before boarding the plane! Your chances of getting sick are greatly reduced…..Preventative Medicine rocks!

I have two sets of suggestions:

1. The Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes and Folders are a lifesaver when packing your luggage, especially for long trips. They’re various sized zippered cubes and literally folders that help you really organize both your checked and carry-on luggage. It makes for unpacking in the hotel room easy (you put the cubes in the drawers, not each individual item), going through security is easier because they’re not riffling through your stacks, and you’d be amazed how much more you can fit in your suitcase when it’s organized!

2. My other must-have is a little zippered pouch of traveling accessories. It includes lotion and chapstick (since planes are so dry), individual baby wipes, a nail file, a selection of pills (tylenol, dramamine, immodium, zantec…all the pills that when you really need them, you really need them), bandaids, an inflatable travel pillow, extra batteries, and some spare cash just in case. These seem like really basic things but we always forget at least one of them. Having them together in a pouch you always take with you saves you a lot of time!

Great article and love the ideas given!

As a travel agency owner, I often exchange travel tips with my clients.

One bit of advice I give is always pack a sense of humor! It will get you through the most trying traveling hiccups along wtih some deep breathing. I keep a journal when I travel as well.

Jenny Reed
Owner, http://www.OurCruisePlanner.com

Twit: http://www.twitter.com/thetravelexpert

These suggestions are great! I’ll be passing them on to everyone I know who travels for business.

I’m a big believer in vitamins – big doses of Vitamin C and an Airborne (yeah, yeah, they may not work that great)!

always have a sandwich
Britsh Air offers clean, fabulous, private shower rooms for when you arrive from an onvernight long haul (6am), can’t check into your hotel until afternoon.
Arrrive at your meeting fresh & clean.

Hotel room – they say the tv remote is the germ-iest thing in the room. Pack a zip lock bag, put the remote inside & use it then.
NEVER use the bathroom phone……I won’t even tell you the story

These are some AMAZING travel tips. THANK YOU!!!

My two travel must-haves are that silly little neck pillow that looks like a horseshoe (the first time I was EVER able to sleep on a plane was after I caved and bought one), and a 1 cup coffee French Press. I am a serious coffee drinker, and coffee in hotel rooms sucks. I bring along my own brew, make hot water in the coffee maker, and can pour it right into my French Press cup. Great cup of coffee in the morning!

If you’re traveling with kids (which I sometimes do) I also bring cups with lids and straws, which is ESSENTIAL on an airplane. There are never lids for cups, which means you and your kids will invariably be wearing whatever they’re drinking, unless you’ve brought cups with lids and straws. I get them from the toddler’s section of Target, even though my kids are well beyond that age.

I also like to travel with a wheeled backpack. I bought one that has a sleeve for my laptop, and I can fill the rest of the pack with my (rolled) clothing. Then, I can wheel my bag on sling it on my back when necessary. VERY convenient when traveling with said children above, and both hands are required to hold little hands.

Keep up the great work. You rock! :)

Jennifer

I use extra contact lens cases to put small quantities of my toiletries in. It is the perfect quantity of moisturizer and hair gel for a one or two day trip and they easily fit into the ziplock in my carry-on.

The best tip for every situation is SMILE.

Works wonders!

When I traveled for business all the time (in my life before kids), I always kept a toileties bag only for travel so I never had to go through my bathroom stuff searching for deodorant, make-up, etc. I also loved my inflatable neck cushion. And don’t forget the Immodium, antacids, and other things to take care of an upset tummy while on the road.

While I traveled I also learned several strategies for making the hotel room as dark and quiet as possible. Here are the ones I can think of now: carry clothespins to keep the curtain closed in the middle; lean books or chairs (or anything) against the edges of the curtains to hold them against the wall; put sticky notes over the light on the smoke detector and/or back-lit HVAC control panel; close the bathroom door so you don’t hear your upstairs/downstairs neighbors as well; lean an extra pillow (from the bed or the sofa) against the bottom of the room door to block out the light from the hallway (but still leaves space for when the hotel slides your bill under the door).

When I drove, I would take my own pillow so that I would be comfortable and have a pillowcase that I knew for sure was clean. Take your own pillowcase if you can’t take your pillow – doesn’t take up much space in your bag and can be used as a laundry bag on the way home.

This might be old-school, but it can come in very handy: a copy of your driver’s license or passport, both in paper and on your Blackberry or iPhone. In the unfortunate event that your originals get stolen or lost, the backup will be invaluable in getting you back home with the least possible hassle.

Great tips, Peter and everyone! My fascination and passion is to look at travel from a very different perspective than most–the psychology of travel–simply stated: What people look at but don’t see; what people listen to but don’t hear; in a word: What’s going on around you that you don’t perceive. This is certainly not as easy at it might seem… in this netherworld of unawareness are all sorts of nasty things going on that we don’t know about, and, no doubt, would be anxious about if we were aware! We carry our own psychological baggage (right along with our physical baggage) out of our first world culture into third world cultures and could / would / should be a whole lot better off if we could just tap into more of what is really going on around us. How can I or you or anyone really learn / become more aware of the unseen / unknown psychology? Well, my method has been to try to uncover insights by interviewing more than 1,500 travelers over the last 30 years or so. And I really try to keenly observe more of what is going on in my own travels as well–not so much as Mr Spock would do during his contacts with various alien species (I would if I could!) but whatever I can glean from my own travel behavior and the best (and worst) experiences from all these interviewees I have encountered throughout my worldwide travels.

As one simple example that might suffice as a suggestion or tip having to do with the subject of travel awareness, let me give you this: Imagine you are in a lecture hall and I’m speaking of travel safety and security. Ooops, I fumble with my keys and a notebook, whereupon they fall right to the floor. Silence. All eyes gaze downwards to my stuff, now scattered on the floor. I feign embarrassment; I regain my items and my composure. I now ask the audience (and I am asking you to pretend that you are there). “Hey, (with a show of hands) how many of you looked at my keys when they hit the floor? Now, tell the truth. Did you look at my keys?” Of course, I know the answer. I know from 100s of interviews and a few lectures where I actually tested this out, that most of you did look at the keys. This simple, simple truth is that you were DISTRACTED. This makes both you and I potential pick-pocketing victims. It is human to be distracted, and this is the number one tool of the trade of thieves! Most people, while comfortably within their own space–and the space that they bring with them while traveling–while feeling relatively safe and secure–are still running on that same ‘automatic’ as they mostly do back home. Now, this is not rocket science, but only, as I say, a very good example of the simple way that we are largely closed to much of what goes on around us and, therefore, are potentially vulnerable to what comes from what we don’t know.

If Peter would let me, I would love to ask you, the HARO audience, to submit to me travel stories of your own examples of travel psychological self-discovery while traveling in other cultures (as well as your own). While you will not win a prize for your contribution, I will gift you with a complimentary copy of the book or eBook that results from your sharing with me.

Save a lot of weight in your backpack, briefcase, and/or suitcase–leave all your wall chargers at home except your notebook’s, but be sure you have one of each type of USB synch/charging cables with you. My USB-Mini B cable charges my smartphone (AT&T Tilt) and bluetooth stereo earphones (Cardo S-2). I also carry just the USB charging cable for my bluetooth headset (Jawbone II), and I have a small, light charger for my camera batteries that’s powered from a USB port.

I save a pile of clothing I am ready to get rid of (starting to wear thin, tired of them, not my color anymore, got new ones, etc) and pack for trips from this pile. I take discarded t-shirts from my son (to work out), socks that I’m replacing with new ones (for one last wear), sneakers I’ve just replaced, outfits I’m tired of–you name it–and pack them to wear them one last time and then leave them behind. On long trips it’s especially great to come home with hardly any laundry! On sightseeing trips it’s great to have plenty of room in your bag for souvenirs. Men, this is the chance to get rid of all your old underwear (finally!) and leave it behind–bring home no laundry and buy new fresh clean ones that will be waiting for you when you come home :)

75% of my travel time is spent on long flights to Asia. For those trips Ambian is the one thing that gets me on track quickly. one for the flight and one at normal bedtime upon arrival and no jet lag.

Most of the posts concern business travel. Here’s a suggestion for traveling with spouse or spouse and kids if you need to check more than one bag. Mix up the contents. Don’t pack one bag for dad, one for mom and one for the kids – mix it up. That way if a bag is lost, everyone has at least something to wear and won’t start off the two week vacation to Italy in a foul mood.

Eating healthy when always on the road can be a challenge. Juice Plus is 17 fruits and vegetables in a capsule.

I know you guys are high tech, but one of my favorite travel gizmos is real low tech – a traveling laundry line. Essentially it is a double elastic cord wrapped around itself with hooks at either end. (Takes up no space in your kit bag.) You stretch the cord and hook it up wherever you can and then hang your laundry between the two strands of elastic line – so no laundry pins needed. It has saved me a number of times when I was out of clean socks and the like.

Packet(s) of instant oatmeal.

I just remembered a couple more. First, I second the suggestion of a travel blanket. Not only do most airlines not give them out anymore, but those that do don’t wash them between flights.

Use the Urban Spoon app on your iPhone to find great local food. The “near me” feature is awesome. When you’re standing on a random street corner in a strange city, just open the app, choose “near me”, and it will list everything nearby based on your GPS location, with distance way, and ratings.

And I always stash a few granola bars in my bag. You never know when you’re going to end up hungry with no viable food options.

Awesome tips. I can’t wait to utilize them!!

I flew home last weekend — and my best tip is to “wear socks and dress in layers!”

I just always get so grossed out thinking of what is on that floor. Socks and slip on shoes I was behind a guy wearing sneakers and I wanted to be like — really — we are so past this buddy. Join the family line.

And please, for the last time — can everyone please quit smoking. It is not cool, never has been. I sat next to a smoker, and she reeked! I felt bad for her.

Three things:
1) In addition to the TiVo to go, maximize your Netflix subscription. When I was doing weekly trips from Seattle to Atlanta, I would get through at least two DVDs on the flight out (did anyone mention a second laptop battery as a must-have? though I guess more flights these days do have power hookups). Those would get put in the mail the second I landed, and I would immediately change the address in my Netflix account to the hotel’s address, so that I had two more new movies for the flight home on Thursday night. Of course you have to nail the timing and this really only works for people who stay in one place for multiple days, but it was nice to have new movies.

2) Febreze. Carrying a small bottle of it has helped me to freshen up many a piece of clothing and allowed me to get everything I need into a carry-on.

3) Maximize your day with airline clubs. When I’d fly to Atlanta from Seattle, I’d take the last afternoon flight out, which left around 2 pm. I’d get to the airport early in the morning and start my day at the airline club so I could get a concentrated chunk of time to work right up to flight time, rather than working for a few hours, breaking for a couple hours to get to the airport and get through security, then trying to get a tiny bit of work done before the flight.

Verizon is delivering on May 17 a personal 3G wifi access attachment and service – “MiFi”. You can buy on a 2 year contract or on an as-needed basis. Nice to be to setup your own wifi hotspot for up to 5 users at any Starbucks, Airport or Mountain Top, Park Bench.

As a former road warrior (comedian) w/the entertainment industry record of 106 straight-weeks on the road, I gotta few things to add to a host of already good ideas (and I need to remember them now that I plan on getting into motivational speaking, so the timing of this post is ideal):

1) Decide ahead of time what you want from where you’re going for that week. You don’t have to lay it all out but have an idea–i.e., hitting Colorado Springs, want to hit Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods. This way you’ll make time for them. What’s the point of traveling if you’re not going to see the things you really want to see? Sometimes this will mean you’ll have to take a day or two out of your own pocket to see what’s around, as a client may only be covering you for one day. It’s well worth it!

2) Always leave some time open. Why? You need to ask locals what’s best to see in the area. They’ll know out of the way spots or certain types of foods (i.e. the “Garbage Plate” in Buffalo–gotta go there if you want to know what it is). You’ll need a little time set aside to pick and hit from what they suggest.

3) Go to where you’ll make the contacts you need for the week and make ‘em. For example, I like to play tennis. Day one or two of arrival, depending on how draining the trip was, I spend sometime at the local Sports Authority or other sports store, sifting through tennis equipment. When people pop into the aisle to buy balls, I ask ‘em where the best place to play is. Does it have a backboard to hit off? Usually, I pick up a match or two for the week… sometimes even with a cute, single woman. This is much more effective in-person than on-line and keeps your people skills honed… or builds them if you have poor people skills.

4) Best advice I ever got came from another comedian: Always unpack, even if you’ll only be in the place for a day. Put your clothes in the hotel drawers. It makes you feel like your somewhere; not living out of a suitcase. It works wonders for keeping you from getting drained. Trust me; it sounds silly but it’s huge. It’s the little things, man!

Hi Peter,
I live near you (49th Street) and I am SHOCKED that you did not mention the inexpensive and FAST way to get to Newark: the Coach buses that leave from 42nd/43rd Street (right at Port Authority). They leave every 15 minutes, cost $22 round trip (at least last time I flew). I have done door-to-Terminal C in 50 minutes. That means me walking down to 42nd Street, getting on the bus and getting off at the airport. Usually figure about 60-70 minutes. http://www.coachusa.com/olympi.....irport.asp

I know you are extremely busy and on a tight deadline at times, but this certainly beats going down to Penn Station and changing trains twice. It also costs less.

Re: your garmin 60cx-

i use one of these for dirtbiking, and theyre brilliant. the best part though, in my opinion, is getting home, and then ACTUALLY being able to see where i went. i’m sure you’ve got this figured out already, but if you don’t, you can convert your .gpx files to .kmz files to open in google earth!

check it out, on your mac, use garmin’s “road trip” software to grab the tracks from your gps and manage them on your computer – http://tinyurl.com/6razqa – then convert your imported .gpx files to .kmz (google keyhole) files using this genius website i found – http://tinyurl.com/pe456a with these settings –

then open the .kml file in google earth and you can do a fly-by of your trip!

awesome. html is disabled, haha, use these settings –

http://farm4.static.flickr.com.....5622_o.png

There are some wonderful suggestions on this list! Here are a few of my must do/haves for traveling:

Take a bottle of your own conditioner. I have very long hair and that combo stuff in the hotel just doesn’t make the grade, especially in dry staticky places like Vegas.

Bandaids. Put a couple in your wallet or purse. Great for fending off that developing blister or that paper cut that just won’t stop bleeding. Plus if you don’t have them and you need one, you’ll end up paying $8 for a box of 15 at the hotel “convenience” store.

Postcards for the kids. Most of my traveling is repetitive, same place every couple of months or conferences that don’t move year after year. Buy a couple of postcards before you leave and toss them in your bag. Before your next trip to the same location, make sure they have the correct postage and take them with you on the plane. Write them while you fly and mail them from the airport (check the back of the inflight mag…the airport Post Office is usually marked in the terminal layouts), that way your kids will get them before you return. Makes them feel important and remembered and you avoid the guilt of forgetting.

Take a pair of black flats. They go with just about anything and you never know when your feet will decide to swell from the flight, you break a heel or you discover that even though you’re staying at the same hotel as your conference, your room is at least a half mile from the actual conference location (Rio Hotel, LV!! arg.) and by day four of that trek the stilettos aren’t happening.

Prescriptions. I have a severe allergy that requires I carry an epipin. Not a big deal to carry it around, but it contains both a liquid and a sharp point and that overzealous TSA agent will get you everytime. Make sure your liquid meds are labeled or you have the paper that comes with the thing. Saves big time on the headache at security. Also have your doctor’s number in your phone in case you need an unexpected refill on something.

LogMeIn. I’ve found it this to be a lifesaver and sanity saver more than once. There is a free version if you are just looking to share access between two computers, but their paid version is a great bargain if you have a parent, friend, or other family member that is constantly calling you with annoyingly simple computer questions that would take you 5 minutes to fix in person, but 45 or more over the phone. Install the app on both computers, share the logins and bingo, you have remote access without having to deal with VPN setups etc etc. They have both PC and Mac versions available too. A must have. (http://www.logmein.com)

Netbook. I recently switched to a netbook for travel and now I just laugh at all the people lugging those behemoth laptop bags around and struggling with them at security. Sure, the screen is smaller, but it does everything my desktop does and it fits in my purse. I just toss the files I need onto it before I leave and with LogMeIn, if I forgot anything I can always grab it from the road. Add a usb travel mouse and you’re all set.

Need tiny containers for carry-on cosmetics? Get your stuff at Saphora, and ask for samples while you’re there. Samples come in these great little plastic pots with a double-seal system (pop-on cap plus screw-on lid), and you can easily print out labels (Brother label maker – it’s da bomb) for the top. Re-fill them from your own bigger containers.

Hi Peter, I’m going to do a shamless plug for SANYO Rechargeable batteries (I’ll be up-front-YES I’m their PR consultant).

1. Anyway, you can’t get a better charge out of SANYO’s eneloop battery. Even if not used for a year you still have 85% of the charge left. So, like one of the comments mentioned to keep essential things in your suitcase always packed, you can keep these there and they’ll be charged and ready to use when you need them! Also, eneloop has a USB charger so you can charge batteries through the usb of your computer if you’re at the airport, etc.

2. Also, the eneloop Mobile Booster is awesome as it has input AND output – so you can charge your laptop, iPhone, iPod with this charger even if there’s no power outlet available! us.sanyo.com

3. Put TeleNav on your phone. TeleNav is GPS on mobile phones so you always have GPS with you! You can even use it while walking around the city! It’s great. You can search for businesses, get directions, find traffic problems without the hassle of having another device to carry. It’s a must-have travel gear. telenav.com

Au revoir! Happy Travels

Fantastic tips, thanks! Hard to find something missing between your tips and the replies. I’ve to get one of those travel vests and both Ogio bags, I’m an organization freak and these items seem to be right up my alley. If not working I always make sure to have a few great audio books on my iPod. And, when I’m not traveling for biz I’m that mom refusing to give my kids vodka… Actually, here’s my tip for you – Benadryl is safer for the kids and makes them tired, and you might have better luck convincing the moms of giving them that!

Hey Peter!

One of the special things I do for traveling is called bundle wrapping. Bundle wrapping allows you to fit more into a smaller bag. I wrote up a piece on how to do it and included a diagram – http://voices.mysanantonio.com.....gag-1.html

Cheers!
Nan

Don’t like the small keyboards on the laptop so I got a True-Touch Roll-up keyboard that is a full-size keyboard with raised keys. It is a full 104 keys in the standard QWERTY layout and is so easy for travel because when done it just rolls up.

Second I always, always put a pair of undies and bra into a platic sip bag and into my handbag, briefcase or laptop bag for those times they lost your luggage. You can rewear those outer pieces but undies for two days (even when washed at night) jsut aren’t the same as fresh ones!

I love this discussion and all the tips! Here are mine:
Women – traveling in Donna Karan is like traveling in your jammies – so comfy!
The only thing I would add to all the lists of meds to take is saline spray. I once managed to beat back a sinus infection with just steady doses of saline spray and aspirin.
When you pick a book to take with you, pick one that is set in the place you’re going. I read all of Tony Hillerman’s books on trips to Arizona and Nevada. For shorter breaks, load your iPod or smartphone with MP3 audios short stories from Sniplits (www.sniplits.com) – full disclosure – I founded Sniplits. I also created a playlist of “bedtime” music for my iPod which I listen to at home and abroad. I take a tiny portable iPod speaker for the hotel.
One of my favorite bosses taught me on my first trip to Paris that it is essential to see something of the city/country you’re visiting. Even if you only have an hour, ask a taxi driver or concierge how you should spend that hour. For years I used much of my vacation time adding a day or two to international trips. I not only added rich experiences to the trip, but those days gave me a chance to recharge and I came home refreshed instead of harried. I have a leather daypack that has traveled the world with me. It looked nice enough to wear anywhere, was soft enough to use as a pillow, and just made more sense than a purse. Learn at least something about the place and people you’re visiting. I’m a shopper, so I often pack clothes/shoes that are nearing the end of their life and jettison them as I go. I also take reading material (reports, magazines, etc) that I can toss as I go. I NEVER take confidential material on trips. If I’m going somewhere that I’m likely to pick up a lot of material, I take pre-filled Fex Ex labels with me and have an account # so I don’t need to worry about paying for it on the road. I use my BlackBerry to keep track of important travel info, like limo/hotel confirmations & phone numbers. I keep a running list of places I’d like to see/shops/restaurants and other local tips I read about by city/state/country and then when I get ready for a trip I just check it to see if there’s anything relevant. If there is, I just copy and paste it to an email I send to myself and then I can access it from either my computer or BlackBerry. Rather than worrying about converting currency on my way home, I just keep it in an envelope labeled with the country name and the next time I visit I’ve got taxi/tip money at the ready. To help stave off jet lag, the minute I get on the plane I change my watch and mindset to the time zone I’m traveling to and never allow myself to fall into the “at home it’s six o’clock” game. Also, no matter how tired you are that first day in a new time zone, stay awake until it’s the local bedtime. Happy trails!

Hi Peter,

I am a Management Consultant and have been traveling almost every week for the past 15 years. Just like you, I have lots of gadgets and processes for packing and living on the road.
The very best suggestion I have for people who travel a lot though, is to just stay calm and pleasant. I tell myself this when a plane is delayed, I have a problem with a connection, the hotel room isnt quite right, the cab is horrible, etc….I find that staying calm and working things out causes ME far less stress than yelling and getting upset at someone. The people who are helping me (gate agents, Admirals Club, hotel desk clerks, etc) for the most part, will also respond positively and are willing to get the problem solved.
I end up feeling less frustrated, stressed and tired. Most people think they have to cause a scene to get problems resolved, but this type of behavior just makes everyone crazy and doesn’t resolve anything.

As a frequent traveler myself, one thing I always recommend having on hand before a flight is a decongestant. A dose before hitting the air keeps your ears from popping, and keeps your head nice and clear. Which, in my books, is always a bonus.

Oh, and one more: smile and be nice to everyone, everywhere. When there’s a problem and only a limited number of solutions, you have a much better shot.

Shel Horwitz, FrugalFun.com and FrugalMarketing.com

I don’t travel nearly as often as you do, but when I do, my main concerns are: 1) surviving the dehydration of long flights and 2) making my hotel room feel less impersonal.

1. Dehydration is a big issue for me, as I’ve had flights where I started out with no sinus congestion whatsoever, drank as much water as I could, but still got dehydrated enough that I was congested by the descent and had excrutiating pains in my temples (same problem flying with a head cold). Lately I’ve been using a neti pot to manage head colds, and it’s been amazing. I haven’t tried using it on a flight yet, but I’ve started packing the pot and a small jar of equal parts salt and baking soda (use 1/2 tsp per 1 c. water) for the saline solution. My plan to hydrate my sinuses, next time I have a long, drying flight, is to get a cup of hot water from the flight crew, add my salt mixture, let it cool to just lookwarm, and then do the neti routine.

2. Every year my company has an annual meeting, usually out of town, which means nearly a week in a hotel room. To make the stay more comfortable, I usually bring a small votive candle, a few bags of peppermint tea, and my favorite slippers from home. They don’t take up much room in my luggage, but go a long way toward creating continuity with my at-home routine.

Lots of great tips! For me, avoiding the incessant inane chatter of news, announcements and people is key, so I always have some kind of music with headphones. As long as I’m near the gate and have the volume tempered so I can hear my name if I need to, I’m good.

The other one is a whole slew of related tips to stay hydrated. I tend to get DRY skin while traveling, so I load up on moisturizer ahead of time. Time permitting, I shower, exfoliate *well*, and lotion up at home, then put on lots of lotion ahead of the TSA checkpoint, focusing on hands, feet, arms and calves. The amounts that they let me take through on a carry-on never quite cut it, so this helps me to be a lot less cranky. I combine it with:
- carrying through an empty water bottle to refill at the water fountains
- avoiding caffeine as much as I can
- bringing grapes or apple slices (coated in orange juice to avoid icky browning)
and it usually does the trick.

This blog post and the comments are so helpful! My travel tip is to use the shower caps that hotels give away to cover the soles of shoes when you’re packing. That way the shoes don’t get your clothes dirty. I just leave the shower caps in my suitcase between trips.

Add a dose or two of Kaopectate to your on-the-go medicine chest, and I think you’re there, my friend. You only need to need that stuff once to remember to pack it for the rest of your life.

Since I usually travel on Southwest, I am always careful about the seat I pick. Too many times, I grab a nice, fresh, open window seat in an empty isle, only to find an extra extra large person grabbing the seat right next to me. I’ve had too many flights crammed against the opposite armrest of my seat praying that we either land or I pass out because having somebody’s spare tires or super flabby and sweaty arms compress me into my chair is not my idea of a good time.
SO, my solution…even if there is a plethora of completely open aisles, pick one where there are already 2 people (nicely sized). This way, you can ensure you won’t be sitting next to another female Russian shotput national champion like me.

Great tips everyone! Below are the top 10 travel tips I could think of on the spot:

1.) Instead of packing both brown and black shoes, belts, purses, etc. – try to coordinate your clothes and accessories by just brining one color. You’ll tremendously cut down on the amount of items you pack/weight of your luggage and you won’t constantly be switching your credit cards, passport, medicine, etc. from bag to bag, upping the chances of something being misplaced and saving yourself time.

2.) Women will benefit from a good, oversized pashmina. It can be used as a blanket on the plane, as a shawl for chilly weather or to make an outfit more modest, and can also be used as a scarf in cold destinations. They are lightweight and can be worn when you travel so it doesn’t take up space in your luggage/carry-on(s).

3.) Before I lived in NYC, I would always save my parking section and row information in the notes program on my phone. I never had to worry about not being able to find my car when I returned home. Also, if your main airport doesn’t have a lot of long term parking lots – automatically drive at least one third – halfway back in the lot before looking for a spot. The shuttle has to go all the way around the parking lot anyway, so you aren’t losing any time. I always found it easier and more convenient to be closer to shuttle stop than to be at the front of the lot.

4.) Several people have mentioned packing extra Ziploc bags, which I always do. They are great for packing carry-on essentials so you can see what is in each bag without having to open it and everything is not floating around your bag … i.e. medications in one, make-up in another, etc.) I also pack my shoes in plastic grocery/drug store bags (no need to spread germs to my clean clothes!) so I throw an extra one of those in just in case. Also, I find carrying a trash bag is perfect for packing your dirty laundry in for the way home. It weighs virtually nothing and takes up less room than a laundry bag. Added perk – if any of your clothes are wet – i.e. a bathing suit or you got caught in the rain – the trash bag will prevent the rest of your belongings from getting wet as well!

5.) In addition to or instead of hand sanitizer, I also like to carry antibacterial hand wipes – they can clean your hands and are safe to use on your face. They can also be useful to sanitize armrests, airplane trays, the phone in your hotel room, etc. I also carry Garnier’s face cloths – they can replace a face wash in a pinch and are great for removing make-up. If you won’t have time to freshen up once you land, these work wonders for making you feel refreshed and ready to go before you land!

6.) There have been lots of posts about snacks. Unless you have an allergy to nuts, I find them to be the best snack for traveling. They aren’t covered in sugar (don’t buy the honey roasted ones!) and you can buy lightly salted or unsalted ones so you don’t feel more bloated after flying. Since they aren’t full of sugar and carbs, they will keep you satiated longer and are better for you!

7.) I’ve recently realized how amazing the perfume samples you inevitably get a million of every time you buy a perfume actually are! They don’t leak, they are tiny and have plenty in them for your trip – much more practical than taking one or two large bottles of perfume!
8.) Even if you detest the shampoo/conditioner in your hotel bathroom. Save the containers. Once you return from your trip fill them up with your regular products at home. It will save you tons of money since you won’t have to keep buying the over-priced travel sized products at the store! Plus, you’ll be helping the environment by recycling the containers! It’s a win-win situation.

9.) For those that travel by car frequently, consider buying a small cooler. You can take sandwiches, fruits, veggies, etc. with you. You’ll be thankful you have something nutritious and delicious with you when your only options seem to be the choice between three fast food chains.

10.) Whenever I travel internationally, especially to a country where I don’t speak the language, I keep the phone number and address of where I am staying as well as other important phone numbers on a piece of paper separate from my wallet, passport and phone just in case something is stolen. If your passport happens to be stolen, you will really be thankful you have the U.S. embassy’s number so you can immediately start the process of getting new documents underway!

Great tips everyone! Below are the top ten travel tips I could think of on the spot:

1.) Instead of packing both brown and black shoes, belts, purses, etc. – try to coordinate your clothes and accessories by just brining one color. You’ll tremendously cut down on the amount of items you pack/weight of your luggage and you won’t constantly be switching your credit cards, passport, medicine, etc. from bag to bag, upping the chances of something being misplaced and saving yourself time.

2.) Women will benefit from a good, oversized pashmina. It can be used as a blanket on the plane, as a shawl for chilly weather or to make an outfit more modest, and can also be used as a scarf in cold destinations. They are lightweight and can be worn when you travel so it doesn’t take up space in your luggage/carry-on(s).

3.) Before I lived in NYC, I would always save my parking section and row information in the notes program on my phone. I never had to worry about not being able to find my car when I returned home. Also, if your main airport doesn’t have a lot of long term parking lots – automatically drive at least one third – halfway back in the lot before looking for a spot. The shuttle has to go all the way around the parking lot anyway, so you aren’t losing any time. I always found it easier and more convenient to be closer to shuttle stop than to be at the front of the lot.

4.) Several people have mentioned packing extra Ziploc bags, which I always do. They are great for packing carry-on essentials so you can see what is in each bag without having to open it and everything is not floating around your bag … i.e. medications in one, make-up in another, etc.) I also pack my shoes in plastic grocery/drug store bags (no need to spread germs to my clean clothes!) so I throw an extra one of those in just in case. Also, I find carrying a trash bag is perfect for packing your dirty laundry in for the way home. It weighs virtually nothing and takes up less room than a laundry bag. Added perk – if any of your clothes are wet – i.e. a bathing suit or you got caught in the rain – the trash bag will prevent the rest of your belongings from getting wet as well!

5.) In addition to or instead of hand sanitizer, I also like to carry antibacterial hand wipes – they can clean your hands and are safe to use on your face. They can also be useful to sanitize armrests, airplane trays, the phone in your hotel room, etc. I also carry Garnier’s face cloths – they can replace a face wash in a pinch and are great for removing make-up. If you won’t have time to freshen up once you land, these work wonders for making you feel refreshed and ready to go before you land!

6.) There have been lots of posts about snacks. Unless you have an allergy to nuts, I find them to be the best snack for traveling. They aren’t covered in sugar (don’t buy the honey roasted ones!) and you can buy lightly salted or unsalted ones so you don’t feel more bloated after flying. Since they aren’t full of sugar and carbs, they will keep you satiated longer and are better for you!

7.) I’ve recently realized how amazing the perfume samples you inevitably get a million of every time you buy a perfume actually are! They don’t leak, they are tiny and have plenty in them for your trip – much more practical than taking one or two large bottles of perfume!
8.) Even if you detest the shampoo/conditioner in your hotel bathroom. Save the containers. Once you return from your trip fill them up with your regular products at home. It will save you tons of money since you won’t have to keep buying the over-priced travel sized products at the store! Plus, you’ll be helping the environment by recycling the containers! It’s a win-win situation.

9.) For those that travel by car frequently, consider buying a small cooler. You can take sandwiches, fruits, veggies, etc. with you. You’ll be thankful you have something nutritious and delicious with you when your only options seem to be the choice between three fast food chains.

10.) Whenever I travel internationally, especially to a country where I don’t speak the language, I keep the phone number and address of where I am staying as well as other important phone numbers on a piece of paper separate from my wallet, passport and phone just in case something is stolen. If your passport happens to be stolen, you will really be thankful you have the U.S. embassy’s number so you can immediately starting getting new documents underway!

Outstanding tips from everyone — but I still haven’t seen anything regarding circulation issues or those of us with short legs who struggle to sit comfortably on a plane, train or bus.

A solution that works beautifully for me in these travel environments is the Redema Ottoman Footrest. It fits nicely under even an economy seat with one chamber inflated, which will take the pressure off the back of the legs and help you sit back instead of forward. You’ll be able to rest, read or work more comfortably. Think of it as the neck pillow for your legs and feet.

The Redema has a carrying strap, large tote pocket to hold a travel blanket, sweater or book, and it looks great, too. It looks like it weighs a lot with its soothing microsueded surface, but it is practically weightless when inflated. It has also doubled on many occassions as a mini-desktop for my laptop during layovers, or provided support for that nap that is so needed wherever you may be — airport, hotel room or just being somewhere waiting.

I use my Redema everywhere I go now after searching for years for a solution to provide personally selected comfort and support for my often swollen, but always short legs. I’ve loved having it especially for long international flights — it may be a lifesaver for some of us to assist with circulation concerns, too, as it offers four different levels, with the highest being at or above chair-level. You can enjoy that almost-armchair feeling anywhere, and turn any chair into an easier chair.

You can now always travel in style and comfort, even if you do have short legs or circulation concerns.

I am loving all the tips. Great ideas!

When traveling, especially to third world countries, I like to line my suitcase with garbage bags. The content of your luggage is protected from rain and snow in transit, and the bags can be used for many other things during your travels. Use them for dirty clothes, ground cover for a picnic, to sit on a bench after the rain, to carry muddy shoes or wet beach clothes, make into a impromptu rain jacket, and so much more. I carried extras when I went to the Peruvian Amazon for a week in a jungle camp. By the end, they had mostly been given to fellow travelers who had not come so well prepared. I was very popular!

I also pack my clothes in large zip loc bags. Each catagory has its own bag: pants, tops, sweaters, under clothing/swim wear, skirts, electronic equipment, grooming products, and one for each pair of shoes. As you wear clothes, put them back in their respective bags or in the dirty clothes bag. Then you always know where to find everything. Looking for a top for those jeans? Grab the appropriate bag and start browsing.

The zip locs can also be squeezed while closing to compact your contents. They are thinner and cheaper than buying special bags at the luggage store, and can easily be replaced when worn out. Carry extra smaller zip locs that you can slip into your purse or briefcase. Buying a sandwich to carry onto your flight or have left overs from the restaurant that will be perfect for a midnight snack? Why carry that big styrofoam box? Slip it into the bag and keep it airtight and compact.

Great suggestions! I’ll add three more…

Started carrying the silk Cocoon (http://www.designsalt.com/inde.....eName=home) from my backpacking gear when I traveled frequently to small towns with hotels that were a little sketchy (read: no stars), but now I find it essential pretty much everywhere I go. Hotel sheets: Ewww.

Staying connected at home is essential, so we have multiple webcams. Ours are Panasonic, and they generally work well, but not on BlackBerrys. Logitech has written software to allow its customers to access cameras with Verizon BlackBerry devices. (Hello, Panasonic…??)

Finally, here’s a tip to avoid the slow-speed road rage and TSA grumps at the kiss-and-fly area: Take time to find the “super-secret” entries at your favorite airports. For example, at my home airport (IAD), underground walkways leading to daily garages also offer a couple of sets of elevators and stairways to the hourly surface lots across from the main terminal. Even on the most crowded travel days, these walkways are deserted, well-lit, climate-controlled, etc. Parking is abundant where the elevators come up in the hourly lots and free for the first 30 mins. Ya, you’re going to walk a little farther, but it’s a better overall experience for traveler and driver. I even think it’s worth it to pay the higher hourly rate to park here when leaving my car for day trips. Sweet.

Awesome Travel article. Have you ever used a snuggie on a plane. Think it’d be perfect for working. (insert token snuggies are funny joke) Also, you should totally submit it to a travel mag or outlet. Or do an episode with Samantha Brown. You travel enough that you could make another career writing about it.

PS – Can someone in Kansas City FedEx some Fritters to me! yum!

Great tips…and funny, too. Some of these tips I’ve not heard of, so I’ll have to try them out. I use Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs and Mack’s Eye Shades when I fly. Along with a good pillow, I sleep the flight away and arrive at my destination refreshed and ready-to-go.

Be sure to take along your friendliness. Traveling is an opportunity to meet people you would not normally cross paths with. Take a minute to get to know another fellow human. Everyone has an amazing story and it gives us a chance to get another perspective on life. So, whether the person next to you is a beauty pagent contestant or a grandparent trying to set you up with their granddaughter talk to them.

WoW! This is great stuff everyone! so much to read, and so little time :)
Here is a courtesy tip from me, for whomever you are sitting beside, to avoid an elbow in the eye.
If you receive a bun with your meal, whether soft or hard crust, don’t saw at it with your knife. Insert the tines of your fork all the way around; give it a little twist, like you are unscrewing a lid; and voila! no messy crumbs and an instantly flat surface you can butter; no bruised neighbors! Hope this helps someone (or someone else heehee)

I’m with Nan on bundling (I think) lol
Women can get away with knitwear, so I roll up the clothes and there are no awkward looking crease marks… when you reach your destination, hanging the clothes up in the bathroom allows for your steamy shower to take out any remaining wrinkles (if necessary!) :D

A space-saving tip is to simplify the toiletries you carry as much as possible. I have found that one small container of shampoo can be used on the hair and body, as a shaving cream (for women’s legs/underarms — I can’t vouch for man-stubble, although my husband had used a nifty shaving oil that comes in a tiny bottle, or you can even make your own; just Google it), and shampoo can even work as laundry soap in case you need to wash dirty clothes midway through the trip.

I never travel without earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and an inflatable travel pillow; I find I feel ten times as rested when I land and have not subjected to the roar of the engines for the entire duration of the flight, and if you end up in a hotel on a loud street, all of those items can help you get some rest. I also always pack a pretty shawl to use as a blanket, a wrap, a pillow in a pinch, and to drape over something to dress up a drab, unfamiliar room.

A travel-warrior friend of mine also insists it pays not to travel in your comfiest, grubbiest sweats/jeans, even if you don’t have an appointment right away at your destination. Dressing well says you take yourself seriously, and if you have to negotiate with anyone, you will be taken more seriously as a result.

I bring my little tripod with my point-and-shoot camera, too, in case I want to put myself in a picture and there’s no one around to snap it for me.

And last but not least: A few safety-related tips: You road warriors may think you know every plane’s exits and safety info, but always, always take the time to: 1. Read the airplane safety card. (When traveling with my daughter, we now have a “tradition” of taking a photo of her reading the safety card on every flight, which serves two purposes: It makes us look at the card, and it gives me a picture of her in her travel-day outfit, in case we somehow get separated from one another and I need to show someone what she looks like and what she’s wearing. 2. Count the number of seats between yours and your nearest two exits. 3. Check under the seat to make sure the inflatable vest is really in its proper place, if applicable (on one flight, I found only empty space where the packaged vest was supposed to be and the flight crew corrected the situation immediately. Even though I didn’t need it, I felt better knowing it was there, for me and all future occupants of that seat.) 4. Study the exit map on the door of your hotel so in an emergency you know where to go, even if you are half asleep or corridors are filled with smoke. 5. Beware of requests made when there’s a lot going on around you. A friend told me that just as the plane pulled up to the gate and everyone started unbuckling seat belts, her row neighbor asked if he could borrow her cell phone. She was distracted, said “Yes” reflexively, and later found he had called Venezuela! It’s great to be nice, but first and foremost you must protect yourself.

I do not travel to the degree of anyone above, but I still love the idea’s put forth.

From now on I’ll be 2-day FedEx’ing my luggage to its desitation. I can not tell you how many times I’ve lost my luggage etc..

love all the tips.

:)

Thanks for the great ideas! I recently started using a hanging travel cosmetic bag for all my cords when traveling. It allows you to store the all in one place so you are not scouring all the pockets in your luggage. It easily fits in a carry on, you can see all the cords (label the pockets of organizer if you are really anal), and when you arrive you just hang it up at your destination.

Many Blackberry’s work as modem at no extra charge if your plan has data. You can hook up to a connection anywhere you have mobile phone coverage at no added expense if you have a data package.

See if there is a USB charger from your electronics. Only need one outlet if you can hook up to four USB chargers to your computer (cell phone/Blackberry, iPod, camera, Bluetooth). USB chargers are usually more compact the AC chargers for packing too.

I always bring a stash of multiple sized ziptop bags. They pack flat, weigh nothing and not only keep moisture in the bag when you want it but also keep moisture out when you want the contents to stay dry. Great for dirty laundry and wet bathing suits.

Keep your Frequent Traveler account #s for all the airlines, hotels and car rentals in your contacts with their phone #. You never know when they are having co-promotes. Having those #s handy can score you an extra 500+ miles (or loyalty points).

Wash out the glasses in hotel rooms before using them or use paper cups. While not green, I have seen too many of those hidden cameras on Dateline, 20/20 & 48 Hours.

Email yourself a copy of your itinerary including hotel/car rental/airline names and confirmation numbers. If you accidentally lose your smartphone or pda, you can go online and look up the information from almost anywhere.

Bring small bills for porter tips. Much easier than asking a porter for change for a $20.

Throw in 2 energy bars for the flights. Nowadays food is a rarity on flights. Make sure it is easily accessible in your carry on bag.

Download an audio book to iPod or mp3 player. A flight is a great time to get lost in a book.

Thanks for all your tips, hopefully mine will help out a few people too.

So many top tips already covered, but here are a couple of things I can’t live without:

Boots No. 7 4-in-1 Quick Thinking wipes — they cleanse, remove make-up, tone and moisturize all in one, so you don’t have that dry-skin feeling after you’ve used them. Available at Target.

Set aside two hours for yourself, no matter how tight the trip. I’ve flown 9 hours to Honolulu, put in two 14+ hour days and got up to surf for two hours before I flew out again — a highlight of my life. I do something similar every trip, and manage to feel a much better work-life balance for making it a priority.

My home is Minneapolis, so just about anywhere else is a “warm weather destination” — thus, I cannot travel without my FitFlops. Easily the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned.

Finally, when you have to check luggage, print an itinerary and slip it inside each bag. That way, if your luggage is delayed, they WILL open it and they can catch up with you quickly.

Hi Peter. I think you’ve just completed my Christmas list for the next two years. I don’t get to travel too much, but I hope your travel tips will be of much help to me in the future. ;) I definately need to get those Ogio bags.

Only someone who competes in tri-athalon could carry all those tools! -must weigh 7-8 pounds extra. I love the ideas though, thanks for the tips.

Some cool tools

Great travel article. I carry a small medicine chest when I travel too. I got sick of paying those outrageous prices for the 4 Advil they call a travel pack.

I been a customer of Scott-e-Vest since they started. I do have to say though, while the design is great, a few things they changed recently are annoying. The hand pockets now open all the way to the back which makes you have to reach all the way in and towards your back to find the item. They need to close off the hand pockets and replace the back pocket instead. Also the zipper quality has definitely declined. I had to send back a jacket because the arm zipper broke when unzipping and would not reattach and my hand pocket zipper misaligned and will not zip any longer.

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Chicago O’Hare international is as bad as Newark. Long taxi lines on the weekend but fortunately there are other ways to get downtown like hiring a Chicago limo service or taking the EL.

That is great to know that I am not the only one who likes listening to waterproof mp3 player while swimming. I love my Finis SwiMP3 because it helps me get motivated when I’m swimming in the pool.

Great article – you’ve got a lot of really good tips! Thanks!

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