Travel Hacks/Tips

[clazman]

Travel hacks on the AC newsletter 100 of the World’s Best Travel Hacks | Air Canada enRoute

 

[Pushka]

Pushka could you clarify what you mean by OS Adaptor? I took it to mean a universal one with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. (Including Australian ins and outs.)

Yes. I didn't want a voltage converter. Just an adaptable plug I can insert Aussie three prongs into then plug it in to any wall, around the world. DJ guy told me Korjo would love to sell one but cant.

 

[TonyHancock]

Yes. I didn't want a voltage converter. Just an adaptable plug I can insert Aussie three prongs into then plug it in to any wall, around the world. DJ guy told me Korjo would love to sell one but cant.

OK that is slightly different from what I thought you meant. You should be able to get one of those at most electrical stores, as per the link posted earlier in the thread by Medhead.

I thought you wanted something like this:



I think these multi plug inputs are not sold by major stores, well I couldn't find one when I was looking a while back. They are available on eBay etc and in many inflight duty free catalogues.

 

[SeatBackForward]

In my experience, most of the multi adapters are either bulky, or themselves too heavy to hang off a wall socket. Despite trying various solutions, I find the best solution is to carry these type of adapters, and just make sure I have one for each country I know I'll be visiting:

 

[Cynicor]

In my experience, most of the multi adapters are either bulky, or themselves too heavy to hang off a wall socket. Despite trying various solutions, I find the best solution is to carry these type of adapters, and just make sure I have one for each country I know I'll be visiting:

I do the same, but have occasional need for a multi-use adaptor, especially when visiting multiple countries in one trip if HLO or limited weight. I have a long tower of the single-fit ones and they are so cheap too!

 

[Pushka]

OK that is slightly different from what I thought you meant. You should be able to get one of those at most electrical stores, as per the link posted earlier in the thread by Medhead.

I thought you wanted something like this:

View attachment 55252

I think these multi plug inputs are not sold by major stores, well I couldn't find one when I was looking a while back. They are available on eBay etc and in many inflight duty free catalogues.

I would have bought one of those, or even the basic model that I asked for, but couldnt even buy that at DJ yesterday.

 

[chelzmalee]

Large Ziploc bags are great for undies and socks - poor man's space bags!

Always carry a pen in your cabin luggage - the cabin crew really don't like parting with theirs.

Ladies - on long flights fem wipes can be your best friend.

Be nice to the cabin crew.

That's all I got.

 

[clazman]

Gastro stop and melatonin

 

[Denali]

Absolutely yes to wipes, even the handy pack wetones are great.

And a roll of duct tape. Even a tiny roll, good for everything from fixing a broken bag, picking lint off your outfit to sealing a walmart plastic box holding that special bottle of personally engraved Woodfords you got on the Bouban Trail during Derby season that has to go into check-in luggage.

 

[A330]

Antibacterial wipes to clean the tray table and IFE / seat controls. Also useful for the TV remote in hotels - it never gets cleaned by housekeeping.

 

[Pushka]

Gosh I don't wipe any of these items and don't get sick either.
(The Med cruise we went on in August had noro on the previous cruise. I purchased all sorts of cleaners to take onboard. We boarded late as the ship underwent a deep clean. Never used the cleaners - couldn't be bothered. But I never touched the doors on the loos, using paper if I needed to push a door open but most are operated by buttons which you could use your elbow. Lift buttons - elbow. No self serve in the buffet. Cleaners used bio hazard suits. Paper removed from every cabin. No salt and pepper shakers etc. Eventually the code red was lifted. Our cruise ended fine as did the next cruise. But the one just ended there were over 300 cases.)

 

[Milboo]

Daver6 bet me to it with the hotel slippers being used for toilet visits on the plane!

Always carry ziplock bags - the ikea ones are perfect - in a couple of sizes, perfect for damp clothes, isolating liquids etc. I invariably use at least 2-3 or each trip.

To avoid data roaming charges, while in the hotel, I'll plan routes on google maps then screen shot it and use that picture later for navigation.

Take a photo of your hotel's card on your phone to show to a taxi driver if required.

This one is a good idea, not that I ever do it though! Make sure the first photo on your memory card in a camera is a piece of paper with your name and address in case you lose your camera.

 

[Cynicor]

To avoid data roaming charges, while in the hotel, I'll plan routes on google maps then screen shot it and use that picture later for navigation.

Take a photo of your hotel's card on your phone to show to a taxi driver if required.
.

You need CityMaps2go, Maps.me or any of the thousand other offline map apps, pronto!

You download the map on wifi then it uses GPS only to allow you to navigate. I like maps.me and it even has offline navigation ability. Obviously it can't take traffic into account but it does a decent job still. They have landmarks and hotels and all sorts built in and are mostly quite easy to use. I always "pin" my hotel as a landmark and then can zoom right out and see if:
1: the taxi (or me) is heading in the right direction
2: where a specific sight is in relation to the hotel, to plan the next sight or visit etc.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I am ordering this off Amazon, they can deliver this to AUS, I'll report back on it after my next trip O/s

VCT VM-80USB Universal Power Strip with USB Charging ports and 2 Universal AC Outlets - Electrical Multi Outlets - Amazon.com

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I am ordering this off Amazon, they can deliver this to AUS, I'll report back on it after my next trip O/s

http://www.amazon.com/Simran-SM-80U...DMMEQR3F&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Pow...efinements=p_n_shipping_option-bin:3242350011

slightly cheaper otpions.

Will be interested to hear how you go as they all look ideal for travel.

 

[mjgriffo]

Belkin do make a very similar model with AU adapters, though only two power sockets I think.

P-BST201

Edit to Add: Ive tried to understand why the above Belkin product is called "International Travel adapter"..nothing seems to suggest you can change the socket plug, or that when you buy it contains adapters...anyone have this or know this product can enlighten?

Yep I've got one of these, although the front is grey rather than white (as shown), they do indeed have various adapters for the back, as can be seen here:
Buy Belkin World Travel Surge Protection Mains Adaptor | Read Reviews | Dick Smith Online Shopping

 

[Mattg]

In any non-English speaking country, always have the name and address of your hotel written in the local language in case the taxi driver doesn't speak English.

 

[Boca68]

In any non-English speaking country, always have the name and address of your hotel written in the local language in case the taxi driver doesn't speak English.

I do this one.

But I also ask one of the hotel staff to teach me how to say "Good morning/afternoon , I would like to go to (hotel name and address)" If my attempt is so awful, show them the note. Tends to get a laugh.

 

[Mattg]

I do this one.

But I also ask one of the hotel staff to teach me how to say "Good morning/afternoon , I would like to go to (hotel name and address)" If my attempt is so awful, show them the note. Tends to get a laugh.

I once even had a receptionist in Rio de Janeiro teach me how to order a meal at a nearby restaurant. I can't say I managed to order in fluent Portuguese once I got there, but top marks to the receptionist for effort!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Yep I've got one of these, although the front is grey rather than white (as shown), they do indeed have various adapters for the back, as can be seen here:
Buy Belkin World Travel Surge Protection Mains Adaptor | Read Reviews | Dick Smith Online Shopping

View attachment 55416

Thanks for the picture, helps understand the product. I also found this on the Dick Smith Site $45:

Buy Worldwide Double Adaptor | Read Reviews | Dick Smith Online Shopping