8 Travel Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind

Stop everything! Before you pack up your troubles and take off on your next vay-cay, we've collected some of the best travel hacks that will make your life a whole lot easier.

From emergency solutions when you've forgotten your phone charger to the dilemma of using your phone at the beach, these travel tips will blow. your. MIND!

1. Save Google Maps for offline use

Ever been stuck without international roaming and wished you could use Google Maps offline? Turns out you just have to know the magic word!

Find the area you want to capture in Google Maps, clear the search bar and type “okay maps”.

A prompt will appear for you to download your map and use it even when your data is turned off. It’s better than a screenshot, allowing you to zoom in and out. Simples!

2. Use a shower cap to wrap your dirty shoes

Start stockpiling those free hotel shower caps! At the end of your holiday after your shoes have done their duty pounding the pavement, you don’t want those grubby soles rubbing up against the clothes in your suitcase.

The solution? Pop those dirty shoes inside complimentary hotel shower caps which, let’s face it, you never use anyway!

3. Invest in a see-through toiletries bag

It’s easy to forget what a pain security at international customs is, especially the part where you have to gather up all your carry-on toiletries and pop them in a SINGLE zip-lock bag.

Save time and stress by investing in a see-through beauty bag so all your carry-on-approved liquids, gels and aerosols are ready to go through security. 

4. Take an empty water bottle to the airport

Splurged on a bottle of airport water before heading through security? Fool move. If it’s over 100ml, it’s going in the bin. Instead, pack an empty water bottle in your carry-on and fill it after you’ve passed security.

Most international airlines have bubblers in the cabin too, so you can stay hydrated while in the air.

5. Know when to ask for a late check-out

That 10am check-out time can feel more like 6am when you’re on holiday. Your likelihood of scoring a late check-out depends on how booked up the hotel is. Sunday mornings are usually your best bet as hotels are often at their lowest occupancy.

Every hotel is different, but calling the front staff first thing in the morning (even if you're still in bed), using your manners, and potentially flaunting any loyalty program status should buy you a few extra hours.

6. Use the USB port on a TV to charge your phone

We’ve all been there. You’ve got a stockpile of phone chargers at home from every time you’ve forgotten to pack one on holiday, but somehow you still. haven’t. learned.

If you do have your USB cord handy, however, most TVs have USB ports at the back so you can give your phone the breath of life.

7. Protect your phone at the beach with a sandwich bag

You want to take token beach selfies (#hotdogsorlegs), but don’t want to get your phone covered in sand and sunscreen; talk about your first world problems!

Pop your phone in a sandwich bag and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a waterproof case! You can actually use your phone through the plastic. Genius AND cost-effective.

8. Pack a powerboard to save fighting over sockets

Sometimes it can be a struggle to find a well-placed power point without rearranging the furniture, and a nightmare if there’s just one socket and you’re travelling with a crew.

Whether you have a lot of electronics or a lot of travel buddies, pack a powerboard and you’ll never have to struggle to charge your devices again. This has to be one of the best travel tips for backpackers.