So we asked our staff, our CEO to our students, to give us the best advice in gold they could collect on the road. Philosophically the funny, the serious to the ridiculous, here is a list of things we learned while traveling through the world.
Tips and practical tips
1. Carry less stuff
You should try to travel with only hand luggage. Do you really need six pairs of shoes and irons? If you take less, you will travel cheaper (no baggage fee), faster (no waiting to retrieve your bags) and easier (a bag means less to carry around). Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner
2. Forget your travel guide
Rather than take your Routard or Lonely Planet, photocopy the pages you need and recycle them when you no longer need. This allows you to save space and weight. James Teideman, marketing and communication framework at Skyscanner
3. Avoid the security file where there are children
Take the one where people are well dressed. This goes much faster. Alistair Hann, Director of Technology at Skyscanner
4. Never put thongs (on a plane)
Before I worked for an airline, and we were told never to wear flip flops in a plane. In the unlikely event of an emergency, it is best to wear sturdy shoes that will protect you from heat and sharp objects. Matthew Smith, responsible for partnership with Skyscanner
5. Shake yourself (some)
If you are afraid of flying in turbulence, try to stir a little your body when you arrive in an area where it shakes. No one will notice because everyone moves because of the plane’s movements. Maybe it looks a little crazy, but your movement will counter that of the plane and you feel less turbulence. It works! Jamie Wortley, PR Consultant at Skyscanner
6. If possible, choose well your place.
If you can choose your seat, do not sit next: Baby and groups of friends who are chatting.More: Skyscanner reveals the preferred seat on a plane _Evodie Fleury, market development assistant at Skyscanner France _
7. Learn a few words
Memorize a few words of the local language, and have the courage to use them! It’s amazing how a few words can do it for many. People tend to prefer those who make the effort to communicate with them in their own language. More: 7 Secrets to learn a language quickly Rachel Evatt, Director product at Skyscanner
8. Close your mouth
If you are in a country where water is not healthy, keep your mouth closed in the shower. Suzanne Morrison, Project Manager at Skyscanner
9. Forget hotels
Ditch the expensive hotels and hostels filled with noisy travelers. Apartments or rooms in private house are prized by discerning travelers. Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner
10. Drop your friends
Traveling solo can seem intimidating at first, but it gives you a real chance to immerse you in your journey. Traveling solo, I made friends for life, learned a new language and makes amazing experiences. _Victoria Bailie, Director PR at Skyscanner _
11. Always travel with a hoodie
Even if they have become the uniform of young teens in lack of discipline, hoodies are great clothes for travel. Put your hood and take retirement from the world of sound and light to sleep on a flight / seat / airport bus. Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner
12. Choose the Asian-vegetarian menu
You are served first, you avoid fatty and heavy dishes (which help with jet lag problems, apparently) and I am sure that some few meals are better because facts into smaller groups. Victoria Baillie, PR Director at Skyscanner
13. Bring earplugs
If silence is golden, so earplugs are worth their weight in platinum. Being able to sleep in an airplane or hotel noise is a significant advantage, not to underestimate traveling. Laura Wilson, Marketing Research Manager at Skyscanner
14. Pre-book an airport lounge
If traveling long haul, book an airport lounge in advance. There is a fee to be paid in advance, but it allows you to enjoy a quiet environment with free drinks, things to eat, magazines, newspapers, WiFi, etc. When you go, bring a few bottles of water. It is an affordable and enjoyable way to start your trip. Philippa Waygood, training coordinator at Skyscanner
15. Carry a device with an Internet connection
If you make a long trip, take a device that connects to wifi, as a smartphone or tablet.Before, I did not do it because I was afraid to take something expensive trip, but it proved even more costly or impossible to use internet on site. There is free wifi everywhere, and you’ll quickly realize that you often need to go to your bank account or check your booking. Eileen Ogg, layout artist at Skyscanner
16. Take a jacket in rab
When you fly (especially long-haul) always allow extra jacket as the covers that they give you are not very thick and it can be cold on the plane. Clare McMonagle, Graphic Designer at Skyscanner
17. Pack a pareo
Pareos are lightweight and multifunctional: to lie on the beach, to cover you when it’s cold, to turn into a towel, curtain, skirt, dress, and even emergency bandage. Suzanne Morrison, Project Manager at Skyscanner
18. Carry a DVD player for the kids
When you are flying with young children, bring a laptop / DVD / tablet reader. Cartoons and other films used to pass the time during flight and allow parents to take a break too.More: Traveling with baby: 5 things to take Mary Porter, Director PR at Skyscanner
19. Invest in a noise-canceling headphones
For the perfect trip long-haul, buy a good noise-canceling headphones. The price may be high, but they are worth it to not hear the baby crying, the neighbor who snores or teens who gossip. Rachel Evatt, Director product at Skyscanner
20. Kindle are made for traveling
I never travel without my Kindle. No need to lug around several books hoping to exchange them with other travelers. It was perhaps a “charming” way of traveling in the past, but not when you end up with books … in German! Eileen Ogg, layout artist at Skyscanner
21. Take a look behind you
Whenever you go somewhere, be it a chair at the airport, café or bar, you always go back to make sure you have not forgotten anything. Suzanne Morrison , project Manager at Skyscanner
22. Roll your clothes
Once it starts rolling, one wonders why they broke the head to bend. More: Awards for “jackets luggage”: forget the additional costs Louise McCloy, marketing research manager at Skyscanner
23. Use your body language
When there is a language barrier, shouting in his native language does not help much. So use your body. It is the international language of the world. And remember to punctuate with a smile. Tika Larasati, market development manager at Skyscanner Indonesia
Say it with gestures. Watch the video below:
24. Bring a banana and a portfolio
And this for two reasons: if you steal your bananas, you can safely get out your wallet and continue your holiday without much hassle. If you make friends there and want to buy a round, use your wallet because this could be insulting to see you rummage in your banana. David Wilson, chief software engineer at Skyscanner
25. Do not change your money at the hotel
But seek the best rate. Find a credit / debit card that does not charge you for purchases abroad, and do not bother with travelers checks. _cat McGloin, PR Assistant at Skyscanner _
26. Do not take (too) cash
I do not think I went the last ten years a country that has no distributor. You do not really need to take more than two days of money. Charlie Pank, chief software engineer at Skyscanner
27. Take a pack of cards
A deck of cards is not only useful to pass the time when there are delays, but it is also a good way to start an intercultural dialogue. Andy Sleigh, Managing Director for APAC Skyscanner
28. Take a guide
When you visit a cultural monument, always take a local guide. You will discover a lot more than if you go it alone or read your travel guide. Andy Sleigh, Managing Director for APAC Skyscanner
29. Be flexible
More travels preparations are flexible, you will save money (you can travel at cheaper times and get better rates). Use the monthly tables Skyscanner good practices to find the cheapest flights during a given month. Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner
30. Sync your sleep
To avoid inconvenience due to jet lag, try to synchronize your sleep rhythm with the new time zone immediately. More: Jet lag: Avoiding jet lag? Kirsty Donnelly, recruitment assistant at Skyscanner
31. Take a travel insurance
Always travel insurance (and do not rely on the insurance of your credit card). This seems obvious but many people do not and end up losing a lot of money when things go wrong. Philippa Waygood, training coordinator at Skyscanner
32. Be true
If you want to be upgraded, take the airline’s loyalty card. Even if you are at the lowest level, you will be rewarded first. More: How to upgrade? Lesson practice 15 points! Ewan Gray, Director Sales and Business Development at Skyscanner APAC
33. Tiger Balm is a gift of the gods
This Singaporean balm not only makes wonders on sore muscles, but also functions as an insect repellent. Louise McCloy, marketing research manager at Skyscanner
34. Understand that you can be understood
The fact that this man is white does not mean that he speaks French. And the fact that this lady is Asian does not mean she does not speak French! Beware when you backbite in a language which may be understood around you. You never know who has what. Tika Larasati, market development manager at Skyscanner Indonesia
philosophical reflections on the trip
35. Recognize that we are all the same
It’s traveling you realize that corporations are also fragmented and pluralistic in their views than yours. Gareth Williams, CEO of Skyscanner
36. Avoid all
If you really want to think outside the box, buy Backpacker and avoid all the places therein. Sam Baldwin, Travel Editor at Skyscanner
37. Do not plan anything
It’s always a little trying to provide every step of your trip in detail, but the free days are often those that leave the most lasting memories and dearest. Rachel Evatt, Director product at Skyscanner
38. Enjoy life
Be open minded and enjoy life. Trips can be frustrating, but you repenserez there and you will remember all your life. Dave Boyte, Development Manager at market Skyscanner Australia
39. Prefer handmade trips
If you really want to discover a new country and culture, rent a car and plan everything yourself. The freedom to do what you want when you want to create the best trips. Dean Cornish, software engineer at Skyscanner
40. Slow down
Travelling is like life: it is the journey that is fun. Do not reach their destination as quickly as possible. Traveling more slowly and you will discover more. Ben Hardy, Technical Support at Skyscanner
41. Take the hard road
More travel is difficult, it is gratifying. Go by car to Kazakhstan was a crazy experience; go by plane would have just been a “journey”. Charlie
42. Sitting is tiring
Travelling by air is tiring, even if you’re always sitting in a comfortable seat.
43. Go
If you have a strong desire to “go on a journey,” even if it’s just to see a particular place, start saving and get going! Do not be too long. Do not see. Do it, or you’ll regret when you are too old / too busy / too busy to travel. Laura Wilson, Marketing Research Manager at Skyscanner
44. Do not be paranoid
Be wise and prudent, but try not to be paranoid. I once traveled with a guy who could not relax because he was convinced everyone was there to steal his money or scammed. One day he lost his car keys and started accusing the family that had welcomed us for a night in the desert. He eventually found the keys at the bottom of your sleeping bag. More: 10 costly scams to unwary travelers Charlie Pank, chief software engineer at Skyscanner
less serious tips and advice
45. Hide your guide
You are in London, you look for your route and everyone ignores you: hide your travel guide and map. You are in Glasgow and everybody gives you advice permanently: hide your travel guide and map. David Hamill, designer of the main interface at Skyscanner
46. There has always Toblerone
Have you finished your holiday but you forgot to buy gifts? No problem ! It’s a mathematical certainty that Swiss chocolate shaped mountains will still be available in duty-free worldwide. Sam Poullain, Skyscanner PR Manager at APAC
47. Do not get upset
No need to spend your energy on getting agitated against travelers who do not stay at one meter carpet for luggage, story that everyone can see the luggage arrived. I have not succeeded, and it annoys me always as much. Annica Jansson, market development manager at Nordic Skyscanner
48. The steak tartare, this is not a steak with tartar sauce
I discovered it against my will. Charlie Gildawie, senior software engineer at Skyscanner
49. Cut your toothbrush
To save space and weight, saw your toothbrush in half. Additional 3cm3 can be used to take one more sheet of paper (see tip # 2). James Teideman, marketing and communication director at Skyscanner
50. Pretend to sleep
If you fart in flight, pretend to sleep. Harold Aparte, Market Development Manager at Skyscanner Philippines