Everyone knows traveling comes with its own set of trials and tribulations. The juxtaposition between storybook moments and major meltdowns is unfortunately just the cost of admission. And while it’s the beautiful blend of highs and lows that make the journey memorable, I believe we could all live with fewer pitfalls of passage.

Whether you’re embarking on a weekend trip or a world tour, a little advice from someone who’s “been there, done that” can go a very long way. Oftentimes it’s the information you didn’t know you needed which can prove to be the most valuable. Below, 21 female travel bloggers (and travelers) from around the globe share their best travel tips to help make your next journey smoother and even more enjoyable:

1

Go with someone you love, whether this is a friend, a spouse, or a family member. Seeing places from more than one person’s perspective can be a very powerful and enriching experience.
– Lauren Basart

2

Always pack some underwear, a toothbrush, toothpaste and maybe some extra clothes in your hand luggage. It’s not funny to arrive in Melbourne on a Tuesday night, wearing flip flops, shorts and a thin sports jacket, in 8 degrees and rain (loads!) with your luggage having been left behind in Singapore.
– Marete Worm

3

ALWAYS carry peppermint oil on you to INSTANTLY suppress any feelings of nausea. Whether it be a turbulence filled plane ride, a bumpy and curvy bus ride or a fast ride on the high sea all it takes is a dab under the nose or a couple of sniffs. I swear this tip changed travelling for me in the best way possible!
– Chantel Loura 

4

Shave your legs with hair conditioner instead of shaving cream –> one less item to pack + you get a super smooth result!
– Yishyene C. 

5

I have picked up endless amount of useful travel tips….. the lifesaving one to make packing easier is to use a compression sack to squish your clothes into a tiny, tiny space! And also that there are some incredibly useful apps out there to make travel easier, like Google Maps and My Maps, Google Translate, XE, Trip Advisor, SkyScanner, Duolingo, most of which can be used offline which is very handy while you’re traveling!
– Josie Acland  

6

I learned to travel with a large tote bag almost empty. If by any chance my luggage is overweight, I will take some pounds of it and put them inside there. I recommend to always pack a swimsuit. Even if you are not traveling to a warmer place, you may need it for the spa, hotel pools or even on occasion for hot springs. Also, I always carry face wipes to remove make-up (since it’s not good for your skin to go to sleep with make up on), an external battery charger (life saver), sewing kit, aspirin , grooming kit and personal hygiene products (floss, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
– Olga Maria 

7

Take a roll of toilet paper with you wherever you go – no matter what. It never fails to come in handy.  If theres a restroom available – use it! You don’t necessarily know where/when the next one will be! (This is generally also where the toilet paper roll comes into play, but it can be useful for lots of other things as well!)
– Rotem Shahar 

8

Pack clothing all in the same color palette so you can mix and match. If you’re backpacking, bring clothing you would be okay with throwing away. Halfway through my two month backpacking tour, it was simply too heavy and I ditched a bunch of clothes. On that note, arranging destinations from coldest climate -> warmest will let you ditch clothing along the way and make room for souvenirs.
– Rachel Medlock  

9

Learn basic local language and customs before arriving. Definitely mind your manners and be open to learning about different lifestyles. Have a happy-go-lucky, humility, and play by ear disposition so if and when something goes wrong, it will not ruin your day. Also, take screenshots of maps, save PDFs of train, bus timetables, other maps and useful info on your smartphone for offline retrieval. Dropbox, Evernote, google drive can help with that and syncing your content to multiple devices.
– May Suen 

10

Always ask …. an upgrade, a sea view, a table in the garden, an extra ___.  Be nice and always ask. All you risk is a no, but quite often you may get a yes. That is my best tip and it doesn’t only apply for traveling.
– Hafsa Chergui 

11

Learn how to speak hello, thank you and goodbye in the local language. Don’t over-plan and leave room for adjustment. Keep one day for doing nothing (it helps you stay sane sometimes) and one day of getting pleasantly lost (it gives you the best surprises). Bring a journal and write it all down. And most of all: stay open.
– Meryl Anne Algenio 

12

Always trust your instincts. And if you need a rest day, take it!
– Heather Marie 

13

Take a picture of your passport and visa and save it to Evernote. Also, don’t plan way to ahead, visit place A, talk to local in place A and decide where to next.
– Prestine Davekhaw

14

Other than “just go!” I would say make sure you take an open mind and learn a little about the place before you go. (e.g. basic language and customs.)
– Shanti Burton  

15

Pack a power strip in your carry-on. You’ll make friends at the airport!
– Angela Surratt 

16

Pack a sarong. Its not only light, pretty, it’s multi purpose.
– Arnette Arn  

17

If a non-English country learn to say, hello / thank you / goodbye and your child is beautiful. The last will endear you to half the world.
– Trace Tee  

18

Use a binder clip to wrap and secure headphone wires so they remain untangled when not in use. You can also use a binder clip to cover the head of your shaving razor to prevent accidental nicks.
– Desiree Kristina

19

Always keep a positive mindset, no matter what goes wrong or who may not be as kind to you (on a flight, on the street, wherever). Staying positive truly can make a difference between a bad travel experience and a good one. While not everything is in our control, we can control how we choose to deal with it!
– Sarah Ashley 

20

I always take little gifts from my country along. As quite often people are so giving when I am away and I have nothing in return to say thank you
– Persia Shakari

21

Shampoo, Conditioners, Hairdryers, toothbrush, toothpaste, travel iron, soap- don’t carry and save on baggage weight. Hotels give them for free and if they don’t – especially with toiletries, you can buy them from a store at a small price.  Pack your clothes in plastic zip-locks- it helps get rid of the excess air and creates space for more clothes/other things.
– Ashima Sharma 

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Shout out to the AMAZING ladies of the Girls Who Travel community for sharing their knowledge and travel tips!