I was a flight attendant for ten years. 10 ways to travel comfortably

After changing the time zone, don't go to sleep before evening

After a night flight, the body begs you for a bed, but if you give in, you may not be able to recover for a few days. I know it from experience.

When I landed in the morning, I allowed myself a short nap. But if the plane sat in the afternoon, I didn't go to sleep until the evening.

Thanks to this, it was easier for me to change the biological clock and really rest at night. One more thing: set the alarm clock. After a dozen or so hours of travel, it is easy to sleep.

Travel only with hand luggage

Whenever I could, I avoided the granted baggage. Instead, I took a cabin suitcase and a textile bag. This simple solution has many advantages: nothing loses, you don't wait by the tape, you don't stand in queue for check -in.

Most lines allow you to bring a suitcase and an additional bag or backpack. However, before you go to the airport, check the details in the carrier's regulations.

If you want to fit in the limit, put on everything that takes the most space: coat, shoes, a thick sweater. It is better to sweat a little than to pay extra several hundred zlotys.

Always put the shoe in the hotel safe

Leaving a passport or money in the hotel safe is a classic that can cost dearly. That's why I have a simple way that has been working for years: when you hide something valuable, put one of the shoes in the safe you plan to put on when checking out.

It is difficult to leave the hotel in one shoe. And thanks to this you will remember what you left inside. I got this advice from another flight attendant and I have been passing it on for years.

If you have to give you a luggage, let it be luggage with a locator

It is not always possible to fit everything into hand luggage. When you need to give a suitcase, it is worth protecting yourself. Today I have a locator inside, even the simplest, like Airtag. Thanks to him I know if my luggage arrived at all.

The second facilitation is packaging organizers. They divide the interior of the suitcase into transparent sections, and finding anything takes a while. Perfect for longer travels and for those who do not like the mess in the bag.

Check the Last Minute charter offers. They can cost less than you expect

A private flight sounds like a luxury reserved for a few, but it does not have to ruin the budget, especially if you travel in a group or flexibly planning a route.

Carrong companies often offer discounts on the so -called Empty flights, i.e. cruises in which the plane returns or flies without passengers. Instead of leaving unused places, they try to sell it shortly before departure at a much lower price. Such occasions are published in social media by operators such as Lux Aviator or Daflo Jets.

An interesting option is also the so -called Semi -private flights. You can then buy a single place on board a small aircraft, without having to book the entire machine. Such solutions offer, among others Aero lines.

Before you land abroad, download the translator

Before landing, it is worth downloading the translating application to the phone, e.g. Google Translate, and save the language package for offline.

This solution more than once saved my situation in countries where English is not widely used and internet access is limited. Even if the translations are not perfect, they help to communicate.

It is also worth installing an application for currency conversion, which works without a connection to the network.

Instead of using reservation portals, contact the hotel directly

Contrary to popular belief, reservation platforms do not always offer the lowest prices. If you care about a specific hotel, call or write directly to the reception and ask about the possibility of getting a better rate.

In my experience, such a request often works. In this way I managed to not only lower the price, but also get a free upgrade to a better room.

If you care about calm rest, ask for a room away from the pool or entertainment zone.

There is no iron? This is not the end of the world yet

In many hotels around the world, an iron is rare, which was frustrating when my uniform had to look perfect.

The solution turned out to be a small steamer, which I always take on a journey. If you don't have it, you can use the dryer. Set it to the highest temperature and bring it closer to the fabric.

Alternatively, hang clothes in the bathroom, unscrew the hot shower and leave the door closed for about 10 minutes. Water vapor strengthens the crease almost as effectively as the iron.

Medicine? It is better to have and use than not to have and need

Just because you can buy something in your country without a problem does not mean that it will be available on another continent.

I always prepare a small pharmacy traveling with basic medications and add a supply on several additional days, in the event of lost luggage, delays or prolonged stay.

Before leaving, it is worth checking the regulations regarding the transport of medicines. Some means available without a prescription in the USA are illegal, e.g. in Japan or Singapore.

See also: Prices, technological gap or shutter sound. Here are things that surprised me in Japan

The pre -paid card will help you stick to the budget

While working in the air, I often used pre -paid cards. I poured a certain amount to them and paid them on the spot, without the risk of exceeding the planned expenses.

Such cards also allow cash withdrawal in local currency. Before leaving, it is worth comparing offers, because some are associated with additional fees. Thanks to this, it is easier to decide whether it is more profitable to use such a card, cash, ordinary debit or credit card.

The above text is a translation with American Business Insider edition