We can all benefit from a smoother travel experience – here are some tips to make that happen.
I travel a significant amount, usually with work but often for personal trips too. This includes a variety of planes, trains and automobiles. Through this, I've developed and identified what I believe are some burden-removing essentials for any trip. I'll continue to edit and add to this list when appropriate. I hope it helps make travel that little bit easier for you.
Logistical Tips
If you don't have a packing list for each trip, start there. I use Things 3 to generate and tick-off my list.
Alternatively, build your own in Apple Notes or Google Keep. It doesn’t matter what tool you use - what matters is reducing the mental load every time you pack.
What to Pack
- Vapur Water Bottle – Rolls up compactly, doesn’t leak, clips to bags.
- Mu Duo Charger – Sleek, foldable charger with two USB ports.
- Short Apple Watch Charger – Keep a spare short cable for easy packing.
- Outlier Futureworks – Stylish, versatile trousers for all settings.
- Woven Fabric Belt – Airport-friendly and flexible comfort.
Packing cubes are a must; AmazonBasics works fine. They help maximise space and separate clean/dirty clothes.
Roll your clothes to save space and reduce wrinkles, especially with packing cubes.
Airport Tips
I rarely check bags. Backpacks fit under seats, leave hands free, and make travel faster. Lost luggage is not worth it.
- Consolidate loose items into a jacket/backpack before the tray line. Speeds up reassembly and prevents loss.
- Use a permanent liquid bag for toiletries. Saves hassle and prep time.
- Always fill your water bottle post-security—ask staff if there’s no fountain.
- Try Messenger bots for live flight updates (e.g. LCY, EDI).
Train Tips
- Set an arrival-time reminder so you don’t forget things in overhead bins.
- Use Trainline for live seat availability to find quieter carriages.
Apps
- Foursquare – Smart recommendations and current tips.
- Citymapper – Best-in-class local navigation app.
- Hilton & British Airways apps – Great digital keys and check-in flows.
This is a living guide and will be updated when I find a better option or new solution. I hope it proves useful and lightens your load when travelling.