We can all benefit from a smoother travel experience – here's 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. You can load my list using this link.
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.