5 Fantastic Tips to Enhance Your Travel Experience

One of the most exciting aspects of traveling in today’s digital era is the wealth of travel tips and hacks readily available online. From finding the best times to snag cheap flights to hotel hacks, essential travel apps, and discovering Europe off the beaten path, any travel advice you need is just a Google search away.

With our upcoming trip to the western Caribbean with Dinogo just a few weeks away, we’ve decided to compile a list of our favorite travel tips that we’ll be using on our journey. Some of these insights are lessons we've learned over time, while others come from experienced travelers. All of them, however, can help streamline your travel experience. Give them a try and let us know how they worked for you.

Navigate Airport Security Lines Efficiently

We’ve been lucky enough to be directed to the TSA PreCheck lines a few times, and each time we wonder why we haven’t applied for it yet. Honestly, we always forget to do it once we return home. However, I plan to sign up before our cruise since we’ll be flying from Boston to our departure port in New Orleans. For $85, you can ensure that for five years, you won’t have to remove your shoes or laptop. Plus, the TSA PreCheck lines are usually less congested. If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, journalist Peter Greenberg suggests that security lines with a single screener are typically faster than those with two, as one officer is likely in training. Another option for expediting the airport security process is CLEAR; for $179 a year, you can bypass the lines and head straight to the security checkpoint. The only downside is that this service is currently available in just nine U.S. airports.

If you travel internationally frequently, consider enrolling in Global Entry. It can significantly reduce your wait times when passing through U.S. Customs.

Optimize Your Packing Technique

This advice is drawn from a piece I contributed to Flight Network’s Let’s Roll blog, focusing on summer travel packing tips. While there are countless ways to pack a suitcase, the “roll” and “interlock” methods are the most favored. Typically, rolling is best suited for duffle bags or backpacks, while interlocking works better for suitcases. However, we often use the rolling method for both types of luggage, and it proves effective, especially when combined with packing cubes. For instance, in the image below, I utilize two Tom Bihn packing cubes: one for my t-shirts and underwear, and another, a backpack cube that doubles as a daypack, for my bulkier items.

We've discovered that rolling clothes is a simple and efficient way to pack both light and heavy garments, including jeans and dress pants. To properly fold a polo shirt, lay it flat on a surface with the front facing down, then tuck in the sleeves. Start rolling from the bottom hem, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go to prevent them from being creased into the shirt. If rolled correctly, the collar should be on the outside of the roll.

Travel on these two days for the best airfare deals

As noted by Stephany Zoo from Elite Day, Tuesday and Wednesday typically offer the lowest airfare, with prices being 15 to 20 percent cheaper on these days. Furthermore, she suggests that Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST is often the prime time to snag fare discounts, as this is when airlines begin their sales. Many airlines are also utilizing social media to announce these promotions, so be sure to follow your preferred airlines on Facebook and Twitter. Keep in mind, however, that these sales generally expire by Wednesday evening, so it's wise to book your flight before then.

Utilize navigation apps for smoother travels

My mom is a huge fan of Waze, a navigation app that relies on community input to suggest alternate routes and warn users of nearby police. After experiencing a road trip last month, I became a convert as well. The app’s dedicated community kept us informed about heavy traffic, road hazards, and police presence.

If you plan to use public transit and own an Apple device, HopStop is the perfect app to help you navigate the city like a local. Alternatively, you can always go the traditional route by saving public transport maps for future reference by taking photos with your smartphone or digital camera.

If you’re considering taxis, Uber is an excellent cost-effective option, now operating in 45 countries.

Eat where the locals go for the best flavors

(above: Broodje from Singel 404 in Amsterdam)

While it may seem obvious, letting hunger dictate your choices can lead to disappointing dining experiences. If you want to find a great place to eat, opt for restaurants bustling with local patrons.

We’ve noticed that restaurants with few customers often lack the trust of locals, so why take that risk? Instead, consider using Yelp and Foodspotting, which are fantastic apps to help you find dining options. If those don’t yield results and you have internet access, try searching online for the best restaurants nearby.

This article was created in partnership with Dinogo. As always, the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.