Hints for solving a variety of travel issues, especially problems that require experiential knowledge to solve or are not covered by traditional travel books or resources.
40
votes
7answers
2k views
Long term travel without being wealthy - how is it possible?
Some people are practically most of the time traveling, from country to country, for a very long periods and sometimes even years.
How could one be able to travel for a long period of time, over ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
How to prevent “Delhi Belly”?
Montezuma's revenge, Aztec two step, mummy's tummy, or Cairo two-step in Egypt, Kurtz Hurtz in Uzbekistan, Bombay belly or Delhi belly in India.
A case of the sh-- or Hershey Squirts or The McSh-- in ...
45
votes
7answers
2k views
Tactics to avoid getting harassed by corrupt police
In Uzbekistan I was stopped, searched and questioned six times in one day.
At the border with Tajikistan, one official tried hiding my paperwork to elicit something from me.
In Kyrgyzstan, I was ...
43
votes
6answers
1k views
How can I avoid or minimize jet lag?
From my personal anecdotal experience, I've found it worse when travelling east around the globe. I also tend to stay awake most if not all of the flight, so sleeping time doesn't tend to matter as ...
117
votes
8answers
12k views
OK we're all adults here, so really, how on earth should I use a squat toilet?
OK so for anyone that's travelled beyond North America and Western Europe you know what I'm talking about.
Left: Romania, last year. Right: Turkey, last night.
They start popping up in the Balkans ...
32
votes
12answers
2k views
What techniques, tricks or otherwise have you used to get upgrades on flights?
I've travelled a lot. Living in New Zealand or the UK means anywhere is likely a flight, but I've always flown economy. Twice between LA and Auckland I managed to get the exit row after talking ...
13
votes
4answers
6k views
Free / cheap ways to get airport lounge access?
Until recently, I had a complimentary Priority Pass card. Although the Priority Pass lounges aren't generally great, they are better than nothing when travelling on an airline where you don't have ...
2
votes
1answer
353 views
How to calculate stays against 90/180 visa rules?
Some destinations have a "90/180 rule" which says you can come and go but you must not spend over 90 days out of any 180 days in the area. A recent question asked by a new contributor concerns this ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some tricks you use to buy cheap airline tickets in Europe?
I have been flying with Wizzair, Ryanair and Easyjet for some time already and have found that there is really a lot to be learned about how to achieve the lowest prices. It was not uncommon for me to ...
27
votes
6answers
3k views
What can I do to prevent passport stamps being put on blank pages?
I'm running low on blank passport pages which are sometimes needed for full page visas such as those issued by Armenia, India, and Vietnam.
When I crossed the border into Turkey the other day I got ...
24
votes
6answers
954 views
What to do with your valuables on a low-cost holiday while swimming/diving?
I am planning to go to central America (Costa Rica + Panama) for a rather budget holiday, and I am wondering what people usually do with their documents, money, cameras, etc. when staying in a budget ...
18
votes
3answers
665 views
OK we're all nerds here, so really, how on earth should I use a Japanese toilet?
OK so for anyone that's travelled to Japan you know what I'm talking about.
They're devices that are a textbook example of excessive featuritis.
But I want to use something other than the flush knob ...
18
votes
7answers
911 views
Is there any trick to checking in more weight on planes?
I soon have to move from France to Spain, one way no coming back. And as with most of the airlines carriers in Europe I am allowed at 23Kg checked-in and 10Kg on board with me. Packing lifetime stuff ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
What tips or tricks can you use to get “upgraded”/better hotel rooms?
(Inspired by this question on flight upgrades),
Most non-budget hotels have various categories of rooms - perhaps larger rooms, "Executive" rooms, suites, and so on. What tips or tricks can you use ...
19
votes
6answers
12k views
Best way to make my ears pop?
What is the best way to make my ears pop when landing on a plane? The hold-your-nose-and-pitch method is very painful; are there any other methods to pop ears?
10
votes
3answers
389 views
Are there any tricks to book multi-city international flights?
Generally, multi-city air fares are much higher than round trip fares. Let's say I'm getting these flights (A->B->C->B->A) and I am staying in first B and C. It is actually a round trip with ...
6
votes
2answers
141 views
What tips or tricks can you use to get an upgraded/better hire car?
(In a similar vein to this question on hotel room upgrades and this question on flight upgrades...)
Most regular car rentals agencies have various categories of car - Budget/Economy, Compact, ...
63
votes
8answers
6k views
How to avoid drinking vodka?
This summer I spent some days in Moscow and St. Petersburg. There I also visited a friend at his home. We were there with its family and traditional they drunk a lot of vodka during the meal. We as ...
39
votes
8answers
2k views
How should I deal with beggars in India?
I heard that it is unsafe to show some money or help for someone in India.
Is there any rules I should respect not to get into trouble?
20
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the most efficient way to pack a bag?
On trips of four days or less, I try to travel with a shoulder bag containing my laptop, electronics, etc. and a rolling, carry-on bag for everything else.
What is the best technique for packing as ...
13
votes
4answers
276 views
How to assess whether a restaurant is good on the spot?
You just arrived hungry in a new city and are in a desperate need of finding a good place to eat. And you need to do it without a guidebook or recommendation. There is one restaurant popping after ...
13
votes
6answers
377 views
What do you do when you're on-the-road and you cannot shower?
Let's say you're backpacking and you're staying at a super-cheap hostel. Either because you have a lot planned for the day or you're catching long distance bus / train, you've to get up really early ...
14
votes
2answers
316 views
Trick to breaking down air routes
For example, last year I was looking at Bogota, Colombia to LON. This was quite pricey, but it turned out if I bought separate tickets - Bogota to Orlando, Florida, and then an Air Berlin flight to ...
10
votes
4answers
290 views
How to avoid getting motion sickness?
My travel mate has a big problem when we are traveling together. He gets travel sick very fast. Obviously there are medicament which you can take to avoid it, but aren't there any other ways to avoid ...
10
votes
5answers
188 views
How to choose a guide book for your next trip?
So I have decided which country I want to visit next and go down to the local travel book store. On the shelves they have over ten different travel guide books about the country.
How do I choose ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What are some camping tips in general and at East Coast Park in Singapore?
What are the good tips while planning for camping for 1 or 2 nights near a beach. I am talking about East Coast Park in Singapore. We pretty much have nothing to fear there, but I would still ...
16
votes
1answer
442 views
Tips for getting a visa when there's no embassy in one's country of residence
I'm looking for general tips about how to get a visa cheaply when there are no embassies in one's country of residence. This has prevented us from getting visas more than one time. Think e.g. non-EU ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
Changing unusual foreign currencies in London
I've just returned from several unusual countries in Asia, and annoyingly despite being told I'd have no problem, I'm unable to find anyone in London to change back to pounds.
I've tried Travelex in ...
7
votes
3answers
196 views
Can you suggest cheap ways of traveling? [closed]
I used to book travels via agency all the time and used to stay at resorts and hotels. I had to compromise on few things to be able to do some of my last travels, as they were quite expensive, so I ...
3
votes
2answers
202 views
First time in Paris - decent questions regarding transportation and tourist attractions [closed]
About my journey:
I will be travelling to Paris in the beginning of March with my girlfriend and staying for 3 days.
We are landing at Paris Beauvais Tille Airport. I have unfortunately found that ...
3
votes
6answers
2k views
What can I use instead of a corkscrew? [closed]
When travelling, we may want to obtain some wine, but I don't want to have to bring a corkscrew with me. What can I use instead?
