Travellers have shared their go-to travel hacks for hotel stays and journeys on public transport – as one rail passenger reveals their ‘genius’ tip to prevent being pickpocketed.
In a recent discussion on the popular Reddit page, over 700 seasoned travellers were prompted to share their top tips after one holidaymaker asked: ‘What’s your number one travel hack that sounds stupid but is actually genius?’
The anonymous user continued: ‘We all know the standard advice like “roll your clothes” or “pack a power strip.” I’m looking for the weird, counter-intuitive, or just plain silly tips that have saved you.’
They went on to share their own trusty trick, which involves crushing flat a small, empty Pringles tube and using it to store fragile souvenirs or posters on the way home.
One contributor shared their fool-proof plan to prevent pickpocketers from having access to personal belongings when travelling by train or coach.
They wrote: ‘When sleeping in an open air compartment of a train, and worried about pickpockets while you sleep, put a small scrunched up shopping bag in your pocket that must be removed first.
‘It’s impossible to remove a shopping bag without making a lot of noise.’
For travellers journeying with backpacks or bags on their person, another Redditor further advised to ‘make sure your leg is wrapped through the loops of the strap’.
A seasoned traveller has shared their fool-proof plan to prevent pickpocketers from having access to personal belongings when travelling by train or coach – using a single plastic bag
They continued: ‘Something like a wallet, phone, passport, you can sit on it. Just don’t forget when you get up to the bathroom or to leave.’
As for everyday items that could come in useful in a range of scenarios, one Redditor revealed they always travel with safety pins attached to their bag, adding: ‘They’ve saved me more than once over the years.’
They also urged travellers to pack a small plastic or reusable bag that can be folded up as this serves as extra, separate storage for dirty or wet clothes during a trip.
Another contributor insists they never travel without a back-up mobile phone that is significantly cheaper than the device they use on a daily basis.
They explained: ‘It’s frightening how much of your holiday revolves around one single device, so that if it’s stolen or goes on the fritz, at least you have an alternative.’
One contributor went the extra mile and shared multiple tips, starting with the clear bags that can usually be snapped up free of charge at airport security.
They claimed that these bags are especially handy as they can be used to cover small items that are regularly handled by guests in hotels but might not be thoroughly clean, such as TV remotes.
The Redditor continued: ‘If hotel has apples or something, always grab one. You never know when you’ll need a snack.
A contributor urged hotel guests to snap up free clear bags from airport security and use them to cover TV remotes in their rooms
One Redditor advised hotel guests to brew a cup of coffee after checking in as this creates an inviting, pleasant smell in the room
‘Pack a small scented candle and matches. The one I have is in a small lidded tin.
‘Helps with “other people” smell in rooms, practical for power failures (happened more than once!)’
They also advised brewing a cup of coffee shortly after checking in to a hotel room, as this helps create an inviting smell.
For their final tip, they warned hotel guests to ‘never let the bedspread or bare duvet’ touch their body, while sharing their concerns for how much a black light would reveal on soft furniture.
