Travel tips
Roll your clothes when packing
Once you roll, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered to fold. More: How to travel with hand-luggage only Louise McCloy, Skyscanner Search Marketing Executive
Kindles are made for travel
I never travel without my Kindle. No more lugging multiple books around whilst waiting to exchange them with other travellers. This may have been a ‘charming’ part of travelling, but not when every book exchange turns up nothing but books in German! More: Will Kindle kill the paperback? Pros and cons of e-readers Eileen Ogg, Skyscanner Artworker
Invest in noise-cancelling headphones
For the perfect long-haul trip, invest in some good quality noise cancelling headphones. The price tags are hefty, but they are worth every penny to tune out the crying baby, snoring man, or chattering teenagers. Rachel Evatt, Skyscanner Product Director Listen to our ‘How to Make Flying Fun’ podcast: https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/71682657&?
Bring a DVD player for the kids
When flying with small children, bring a laptop/DVD player/tablet. Cartoons and movies while away a sizeable chunk of the flight and allow parents some downtime too. More: 10 tips for flying with kids Mary Porter, Skyscanner PR Manager
Always bring a sarong
They’re light and multifunctional: something to lie on at the beach, a cover for when you’re cold, a towel, a curtain, a skirt, a dress, even an emergency bandage. Suzanne Morrison, Skyscanner Project Manager
Bring an extra top on board
When flying (especially long haul) always travel with an extra top as the blankets they provide are thin and the plane can get very cold. Clare McMonagle, Skyscanner Graphic Designer
Bring an internet ready device
If travelling for a long time, take your own device that can pick up wifi, like a smartphone or tablet. We didn’t do this because we didn’t want to bring an expensive item backpacking, but it turned out to be incredibly expensive to use the internet, or impossible to find any. Yet there is free wifi in places all around the world, and you quickly realise how often you need to tap in to things like bank accounts or travel bookings. More: 10 ways to cut your smartphone roaming costs Eileen Ogg, Skyscanner Artworker
Pre-book an airport lounge
If you’re flying long-haul, pre-book yourself into an airport lounge. There’s an up-front fee, but it provides a quiet environment with complimentary drinks, food, magazines, newspapers, WiFi etc. When you leave the lounge, take a few big bottles of water. It’s a cost effective and relaxing way to start your journey. Philippa Waygood, Skyscanner Training Co-ordinator
Bring ear plugs
If silence is golden, then ear plugs are worth their weight in platinum. Being able to sleep in a noisy plane or hotel room is a very valuable skill, not to be underestimated whilst travelling. Laura Wilson, Skyscanner Search Marketing Manager
Choose the Asian-vegetarian option on the plane
You get fed before anyone else, you avoid anything too greasy and stodgy (helps the jetlag allegedly) and I’m convinced the more niche meals are much better quality as they’re made in smaller batches. Victoria Baillie, Skyscanner PR Manager