Greatest Ideas for Touring and Flying, From Flight Attendant of 10 Years

I labored as a flight attendant for 10 years. Even after I left the job, I continued touring the world and have been to greater than 74 nations.

As I’ve globe-trotted for work and leisure, I’ve realized a factor or two about tips on how to make journey as seamless and gratifying as attainable.

Listed below are 10 suggestions I realized throughout my days as a flight attendant and nonetheless use after I fly.

Keep awake till bedtime the day you arrive in a brand new time zone

After an in a single day flight, I am at all times tempted to break down into my lodge mattress. Nonetheless, as somebody who’s gone straight to sleep after touchdown and struggled to regulate to a brand new time zone, I like to recommend staying awake.

I used to have a rule that I would let myself take a brief nap if I landed within the morning, but when I arrived any time after midday, I would power myself to remain up till the night. 

Powering via the primary day till bedtime helps me regulate to a brand new time zone, get the absolute best evening’s sleep, and beat jet lag. 

When it is lastly time to snooze, you should definitely set an alarm so you do not sleep via the morning.

Ditch your checked bag and go for only a carry-on as a substitute

Once I was a flight attendant, I obtained into the behavior of touring with only a carry-on suitcase and a tote bag.

This methodology permits me to have my belongings with me always and lowers the chance of shedding baggage midway all over the world. Touring with solely a carry-on additionally means I can keep away from ready in lengthy check-in strains and losing time at baggage declare.

Most airways enable passengers to convey a carry-on plus a handbag or small backpack into the cabin, however you need to nonetheless test the baggage coverage earlier than arriving on the airport.

If you happen to’re making an attempt to pack all the pieces in a carry-on, I counsel releasing up house in your bag by carrying bigger objects, like coats and boots, on the aircraft. 

Put a shoe in your lodge protected to recollect any valuables

Leaving a lodge and realizing that you simply left your most dear, vital possessions within the protected is horrible.

I’ve a easy resolution to assist keep away from making this error. Whenever you put your entire objects and paperwork within the lodge protected, place one among your sneakers in there too — ideally one that you will put on the day you try.

You are in all probability not going to move out of the lodge carrying one shoe, so the trick is an effective method to ensure you keep in mind to empty the protected earlier than you allow.

This was the primary piece of recommendation one other crew member gave me after I was a flight attendant. I discovered it so useful that I’ve handed it right down to numerous different crew members and aircraft passengers through the years.

If you happen to test a bag, put money into a baggage tracker and packing cubes

Moveable trackers and packing cubes are recreation changers for vacationers who test baggage. 

I want transportable monitoring units, like Apple AirTags, had been round after I was a flight attendant. They’re straightforward to pop into your suitcase to assist find misplaced luggage.

Packing cubes had been my finest pal after I wanted to take numerous objects with me for lengthy journeys.

The cubes divide your belongings into separate sections and assist preserve them organized. If you happen to’re in search of a specific merchandise in your suitcase, they prevent a ton of time.

Look into last-minute jet charters — they is perhaps inexpensive than you suppose 

Flying non-public could seem to be an extravagant possibility (and it normally is), however jet charters could be surprisingly economical relying on the place you are touring — and particularly for those who’re flying with a bunch. 

Many working corporations supply discounted charters for last-minute, empty-leg sectors. If a jet is scheduled to fly to or from a vacation spot with out passengers, the businesses will attempt to fill it shortly beforehand for a cheaper price. Corporations comparable to Lux Aviator and Daflo Jets typically promote these open sectors on social media.

You can too e-book a single seat on a semi-private jet slightly than having to constitution a whole plane with airways like Aero.

Obtain a translation app earlier than you arrive at a world vacation spot

Earlier than your flight lands, obtain a translation app, like Google Translate, within the native language so you should use it offline.

This tip has served me nicely on journeys to locations the place English is not extensively spoken and web entry is spotty. Even when the interpretation is not excellent, the app helps get your message throughout.

I additionally suggest downloading currency-convertor apps forward of arrival so you should use them offline too.

Contact lodges on to ask for the very best room price

Most individuals suppose that hotel-booking platforms present the most affordable lodging costs, however that is not at all times the case. If you wish to keep at a particular lodge, name or e mail the property on to ask for a inexpensive price.

I have been amazed on the variety of instances this tip has labored for me. Generally it is even gotten me an improve to the next room class.

For vacationers intent on getting a restful evening’s sleep, name the lodge and request a room that is in a distinct a part of the lodge than the pool or leisure space.

Not all lodges have irons, however you’ll be able to nonetheless take away clothes creases with out them

Many lodge rooms all over the world do not have irons, which wasn’t superb when my flight-attendant uniform needed to be pristine and wrinkle-free. 

To keep away from paying for an ironing service or ready for a communal iron, I pack a small journey steamer to take away creases from garments.

If you do not have one, crank the hair dryer in your lodge room to the most popular setting and blow the air near your garments. 

Alternatively, you’ll be able to hold your clothes within the rest room, run the bathe on the highest temperature, and shut the door for 10 minutes. In my expertise, the bathe steam smooths out the creases.  

Pack sufficient medication to get you thru the journey, and embrace further in case of emergency

Simply because you should buy sure over-the-counter and prescription drugs at dwelling does not imply they will be available while you journey.

Each time I put together to fly, I make a primary journey pack with sufficient drugs to get me via my journey. I additionally suggest bringing a backup provide in case you lose some or prolong your travels.

Simply make sure that to do your analysis about drug legal guidelines within the locations you go to, as some medicines which are authorized within the US are banned in different nations. 

Take into account getting a pay as you go journey card that will help you follow a finances

Once I was a flight attendant, I’d at all times get a pay as you go journey card, which I loaded with a set sum of money.

It helped me follow a tighter finances and allowed me to withdraw cash within the native forex.

Some pay as you go journey playing cards include charges, so make sure that to do your analysis as you put together on your journey. That means, you’ll be able to work out whether or not a pay as you go journey card, a debit card, money, or a bank card is the most suitable choice for you. 

This story was initially printed in September 2022, and most just lately up to date on Could 6, 2025.