Traveling to another place, whether for business or for pleasure, makes you all excited. Imagining the new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you will experience is enough to throw you into sleepless nights.

It happens to the best of us, and we don’t fault you for that. However, too much excitement might make you forget some important things that’ll make your travel much more comfortable and more fun.

So here’s a checklist (consider it hacks) to help you be on top of your travel preparations:

1. Research, research, research

Research is not just for your homework. You will congratulate yourself later for getting as much information as possible about your travel destination. One of the most important things you need to know first is the public transportation – Is there public transportation near my hotel/hostel? Which bus/train goes to this place? How many trips do they make every day and what time do they leave? How much do I pay?

Once you have that, it will be easier to map your daily itinerary around the place. Don’t forget to check the safety and security of your destination as well as their rules and regulations. It’s nice to go where the locals are, but it is also wise to follow travel advisories. Knowing local regulations and customs will also put you in the good graces of the locals.

2. Book the unpopular days

I have a friend who always got good, cheap deals for her travels. When I asked her what her secret was, she told me she always flies during the days or months that no one wants to travel. I followed that advice and save more than 50% on my airfare.

3. Get the Boeing 767 flights

Again, this tip was given by a friend who frequently travels. If you haven’t noticed yet, there are usually two similar flights on two different planes. If one flight is on a Boeing 767, choose that one, especially if you’re going on a long flight. They are more spacious and have more leg rooms than others. Then, you won’t have to suffer leg cramps or stuck elbows when you get the middle seat.

4. Update your IDs

Some airports have stricter national security, and sometimes, they will require additional identification. Make sure to update all your IDs (driver’s license, Social Security, etc.), so all the pictures and information correspond with each other. To save yourself the hassle, do this a few months before your travel date so you won’t get stressed if there are any delays or additional requirements you have to comply.

5. Email yourself a scanned copy of your passport

Imagine the hassle and the risk of taking your passport from your bag when you need to apply additional travel documents in a hurry, or you need to get a visa upon arrival.

6. Pack your clothes by schedule

Plan the clothes you’re going to wear every day and pack them separately. Place them in separate ziplock bags, and you can place the used clothes back again in the resealable bag. That way, used and new clothes are separated without cluttering your luggage. By doing this, you don’t have to unpack everything from your bag, but even if you do, you get less clutter.

7. Mark your bag as fragile

Have you ever seen how airport personnel handles bags as they haul them in and out of the airplane? Your bag will get the extra loving care when you mark it as fragile plus it gets placed on top of the pile. Thus, your bag gets out first, and you get a head start from the rest.

8. Download an offline map

Downloading an offline map of the place you’re going to visit makes it easier to find the places you want to visit. I remember using an offline map to tell our cab driver where our hotel is. We told him, just follow the arrow and our destination has a flag. We not only find our hotel quickly but we saved money on taxi fare because the suggested route was the shortcut and had less traffic.

9. Make Google Translate your best friend

Google Translate makes a very reliable translator, especially if you want to get discounts from the local sellers. All you need to do is type words or even sentences and listen to the pronunciation. If the local still cannot understand you just let him or her listen to it and voila – they understand you!

10. Ward off pickpockets with a fake wallet

Pickpockets seem to have a built-in radar that tells them who the tourists are and if you’re not careful, you can be the next victim. Create a decoy by placing a fake wallet in your pocket while hiding the real one close to you. Some travelers suggest putting some of your cash in an empty Chapstick tube. In my case, I put the money in a plastic ID holder with a thick strap and place it around my neck with the holder in my shirt.

11. Ziplocks also make good pillows

How comfortable can it get to have a pillow under your head while sleeping in airports waiting for your flight or buses? However, bringing your pillow can be really bulky. That’s not a problem! Instead of bringing your pillow, bring a lot of large Ziplock bags. Then, blow some air into it and seal – now you have a pillow!

12. Bring some detergent powder

Bringing some detergent soap will allow you to wash your clothes in case you cannot find a Laundromat immediately. Store your detergent powder in empty Tic-Tac bottles for easy storage.

13. Bring an electronic luggage scale

Whether you admit it or not, buying some souvenirs or anything that reminds you about the place is always irresistible. However, you don’t want to pay more just because you have excess baggage. Monitor everything you put into your bag, and make sure you are still within the baggage limit with an electronic scale. This was one of the little inventions I truly appreciate bringing with me when I’m traveling.

Bonus Tip: Get an AI travel guide using Google Goggles

It’s supposed to be 13 only, but I cannot resist adding this one. It is also for those who want to see everything in the area without spending extra for tour guides.

Make sure you download Google Goggles in your phone if you want to experience the best. This is similar to Google Search, but you use images instead of keywords. So when you snap a picture of a place you have visited, Goggles will immediately give you information about other interesting and exciting places in that area.

Do you have your own travel hacks that make traveling less-stressful?