With over 50 years of travel, the author still does not recognize the unique privilege he is in, and how inappropriate his tips are for most of the population.
Maybe they do, and it's okay to write from experience.
50 Years of Travel Tips
191–200 of 217 posts
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#192One travel technique that has worked very well for me takes place the day before my trip: using a pre-travel prep-and-packing checklist. I created this checklist about 15 years ago and still refine it occasionally. This list has three sections: A) Preparation tasks: Like printing essential travel documents, saving a backup to my mobile phone, buying foreign currency, activating data roaming, etc. B) Packing list: Min…
Sounds very well thought out. Care to share your list as a starting point for others?
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#193One travel technique that has worked very well for me takes place the day before my trip: using a pre-travel prep-and-packing checklist. I created this checklist about 15 years ago and still refine it occasionally. This list has three sections: A) Preparation tasks: Like printing essential travel documents, saving a backup to my mobile phone, buying foreign currency, activating data roaming, etc. B) Packing list: Min…
I’ve stopped caring about packing. Now I only pack the very basics, medication, laptop and chargers toiletries for shaving etc and a few clothes. Anything else I will most likely purchase or won’t need at all. I avoid checking bags, just a small carryon and my backpack. To me the more important items are travel requirements, road conditions, directions, etc.
Same!
If I stay at a hotel instead of an airbnb I will not bring my toiletries.
I’ll ask the front desk and so far 100% of the time the hotels I’ve stayed at will have a shaving kit and a toothbrush and toothpaste.
I don’t live a minimalist lifestyle by any means, but when I travel with family, friends or solo I try to pack as little as possible. Sometimes no carry on, just a small backpack for a quick trip
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#194Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’ve stopped caring about packing. Now I only pack the very basics, medication, laptop and chargers toiletries for shaving etc and a few clothes. Anything else I will most likely purchase or won’t need at all. I avoid checking bags, just a small carryon and my backpack. To me the more important items are travel requirements, road conditions, directions, etc.
I've started to prefer small checked bags over large carryons. Boarding a plane is more pleasant when you don't need overhead space for you bags. And you don't need special travel versions of stuff to get around carryon restrictions. The backpack should also be small. I find 20 L the ideal size, but your needs may be different. If your backpack is too large, you'll be taking more unnecessary stuff with you everywhere…
Airlines are a disaster.
Having luggage lost is such a PITA, especially on short trips. Carry on only. I buy the smallest carry ons I can find so the carry on police at the check in counter don’t make me ever gate check.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#195One travel technique that has worked very well for me takes place the day before my trip: using a pre-travel prep-and-packing checklist. I created this checklist about 15 years ago and still refine it occasionally. This list has three sections: A) Preparation tasks: Like printing essential travel documents, saving a backup to my mobile phone, buying foreign currency, activating data roaming, etc. B) Packing list: Min…
Don't buy foreign currency. Take it out of the ATM in the country, and spend it before you leave. Leave the currency in the place it belongs.
Depends on where you are going. We did a trip to India and we got charged several fees when withdrawing from State Bank of India. It would have been even higher if we had allowed State Bank of India to the currency conversion. Do your research before heading to a different country.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#196Earlier quoted context omitted.
Certain countries? Maybe. I have ordered a hotel limo in Bangkok but certainly not the norm and probably a bit extravagant.
Countries where you're likely to be kidnapped (or driven to a bad neighborhood, and charged a lot of money to get back, etc.). Russia, Brazil, Mexico, etc. I don't travel to Russia anymore, and won't go to Rio or Mexico City without private security.
If I felt that way about a country, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't travel there.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#197Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some SE Asian cities are OK except for the heat/humidity like Singapore, Penang, and Hong Kong. But, yeah, most of the big SE Asian cities are pretty horrible to get around and certainly aren't pedestrian friendly except very locally.
Hong Kong is one of the most walkable of them yep. But if it is "lists of coveted cities", idk how coveted it is;)
I'd say Hong Kong is pretty coveted, albeit expensive.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#198Earlier quoted context omitted.
telling people to crash random weddings? Telling people that all food is hygienic? Oh please, stop with this victim nonsense. Your personal experience can be personal while also admitting that you come from tremendous privilege. You can REALLY tell that this "list" was written by a white male.
So what if it was? All of our tips are always aimed at people in a similar position. Just consider how your travel tips don't even apply to most of the world who can't travel. This just sounds like sour grapes to me. Like getting worked up because someone didn't start with a land acknowledgement.
Just ask how often the author is inviting the local homeless in his city to meet his mother and crash and his weddings.
Probably close to Zero. But he expects to be treated like a special when he is traveling.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#199Earlier quoted context omitted.
If that happens, aren’t you pretty much walking to the closest mobile phone store? A basic device that’ll give you access to the internet, mail and maps is basically a commodity the same way a toothbrush is.
The thing I haven't figured out (mostly because I haven't sat down and done so) is how I'd access mail and such—without my password manager on my own phone, I don't have access to anything.
this is where i'd use the keepassxc password manager. Put a password archive at a URL you can remember, and download it somewhere if you need it.
Or have a 2nd email without 2fa and use it to contact a friend to help you get your keepassxc archive.
Re: 50 Years of Travel Tips
#200I travel 300+ days a year for work. For two years I didn’t have a place to live because I was traveling so much. I’ve been doing this for 7 years now. 1) use uber, unless public transport works well(Nordic countries, Switzerland). 2) lock everything expensive up in the hotel safety box, otherwise eventually your shit will get stolen 3) have multiple methods of payment with you, leave one on the hotel. 4) I travel mos…
In Asia use Grab instead. Uber either won't work or will just be less popular.