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Travel hacks for a stress-free holiday in Thailand
Travelling to Thailand is fun, but small hassles like getting your phone wet during a beach day or taking wrong turns can ruin your trip in a second. Therefore, to make your trip hassle-free and more time-efficient (and cheaper!), we’ve compiled some of the best travel hacks you can use on your next trip to the Land of Smiles!
Choose your airport carefully
Your hometown might have an international airport, but it might be worth it to look up several other airports in your area. Different airports might have different flight fares, so the closest airport to your home might not be the cheapest. The same goes for the airport at your destination. You might want to visit Phuket first, but a flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok may be cheaper (and the cost of travelling between the two is typically very affordable).
Pack smart to save space
Does it seem like there’s never enough room in your luggage when packing for a trip? Good packing skills are essential. The first thing you should do to avoid a messy suitcase is to choose your outfits wisely and bring only what you need. We understand that it can be tempting to pack everything you might need before a trip, but try to convince yourself that you don’t need fifteen outfits for your one-week vacation. Once you’ve chosen what to bring, learn to roll your clothes instead of folding them. Rolling your clothes into a small tube will not only save you a great amount of space but also prevent ugly creases and wrinkles.
Find a street food stall with the longest queue
Want to try Thailand’s famous street foods? The best way to find delicious street food in the country is to choose a stall with the longest queue. If everyone is queueing, the food is most likely to be good. In addition, a long queue usually means that the food will be cooked fresh!
Invest in a reef safe sunscreen
When you’re shopping for sunscreens for your beach vacation, you’re probably looking for something water-resistant, with at least SPF 30 and a broad spectrum. There is, however, a new essential detail you need to add to your sunscreen checklist: reef safe. Protecting the ocean is just as important as protecting your skin. Reef safe sunscreen is gentle on coral reefs and ocean life, so you can have fun in the water without harming the marine ecosystem. If you’re looking for mineral (or physical) sunscreen, look for something with “reef-friendly” or “non-nano” on the label. As for chemical sunscreen, you should find one that doesn’t contain octinoxate or oxybenzone in the ingredients. Besides getting the right sunscreen, it’s also essential that you reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, particularly when you’re jumping in and out of the ocean, or you’re constantly in direct sunlight.
Email yourself a scan of your travel documents
Although you’re sure you’ll never lose or forget your passport, bad things do happen. To be safe, email yourself a scan of your passport and other important travel documents. Doing this will make sure that you have a copy of your passport whenever you need it. While keeping a digital copy may not seem important, it can actually save you from loads of trouble in the future.
Carry a portable charger
We can’t deny that our phones play a big role in our lives today – it’s your guide, your source of entertainment, your friend, your camera. Since you’ll be on the road a lot during your trip, carrying a portable charger (Power Bank) and a power bank with you can be a lifesaver. Imagine carrying around a dead phone without a charger… Sounds a lot like a nightmare.
Don’t forget to protect your tech
Planning to go on a beach vacation? If you can’t live without your phone and intend to bring it to the beach, then be sure to protect it from salt water, sand, and the sun. Remember that even if your smartphone is advertised as water-resistant, it can still suffer from water damage. The easiest way to protect your phone and other electronics from salt water and sand is to put them in Ziploc bags when not in use. If the bag is thin enough, you may be able to use the touchscreen without having to take the phone out of the bag. Alternatively, you can buy a waterproof phone pouch, which might be safer and more practical. A waterproof phone pouch will allow you to use your phone and the camera without worry. Keep in mind that phones and other electronics can overheat if they sit in direct sunlight for too long. This can trigger a forced shutdown, drain your device’s battery, and even damage its hardware. You can easily avoid this problem by keeping your electronics out of the sun. Keep it in a shady place when you’re not using them, such as in a bag or under a beach umbrella. You can also wrap it in a towel or place it in a cooler that’s free from liquids or ice.
Book overnight flights and buses
When travelling long distances on a budget, using overnight flights or buses can save you both your time and money. Think of it like free lodging: you start your journey from Bangkok at dusk and wake up in Chiang Mai at dawn with the full day ahead. You’re on the move while you sleep, so you don’t have to waste your precious daytime on the road, and you don’t have to pay for a hotel for at least one night. It seems uncomfortable, but all it takes is a cosy sweatshirt, great earplugs, and an eye mask. However, before you sleep, ensure that your passports and electronics are secure. It’s unlikely that you’ll be held up by armed robbers, but petty crimes can happen.
Hide your valuables at the beach
Keeping your belongings safe at the beach can be tricky, especially if you’re travelling alone. Stash your phone, keys, and cash in the least obvious place to avoid them becoming easy pickings. One way you can hide your valuable items is to put them in a ziplock bag then subtly bury the bag under your beach towel before you swim. Of course, don’t forget to place something on top of your beach towel to keep it from blowing away. Another great way to keep thieves away? Put them in an empty sunscreen container to disguise them.
Download Google Maps to use it offline
Data connection in a foreign country can be unreliable, so having backups is always a great idea. That’s why you should download maps from your Google Maps so that you can navigate offline. All you need to have is enough storage on your phone. Search for a place you’re going to visit, for example, Phuket, then select “Download offline map,” and you’re done.
Create a water safety plan
When it comes to having a fun day at the beach, people tend to forget or underestimate the importance of safety, particularly if they’re “just” going to take a dip in the ocean. Whether you’re going swimming, boating, snorkelling, or diving, your safety should be your top priority. When swimming, be sure to avoid areas with rip currents. It’s best to swim only in designated areas where a lifeguard is present. It’s also better to swim with a friend than alone. If you’re planning to go boating or kayaking, always wear a life vest. Additionally, you may want to create a float plan and file it with a responsible person. A float plan usually includes a basic description of your boat/kayak and your travel route.
Carry water shoes/sandal
Think flip flops are the best footwear for the beach? Think again. Flip flops can’t really protect your feet from the unbearably hot sand. Lots of people get their feet burned from the sand because of this. Also, you can’t wear it when you’re swimming or surfing, but doing these activities barefoot is not safe as well. You never know what’s underwater; you could step on a sharp rock or other objects with bare feet. That’s why water shoes or water sandals are important. They’re lightweight, with flexible material and rugged outsoles to provide both comfort and protection. Besides, they are great for walking, which would be a lot of help if you are planning on exploring the beach.
Learn scuba diving hand signals
Planning to go scuba diving during your beach vacation? Then be sure to learn diving hand signals. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve done it many times before, it’s important to keep in mind that although scuba diving is fun, it can also be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Besides learning the basics of scuba diving itself, you should also learn the list of hand signals to use to communicate intentions and give direction. Proper communication with your team or instructor can help maintain safety during a dive.
Get to the beach early
If you want to spend a quieter time, getting to the beach early can be an option. You can claim the best spot before any other visitors make their way to the beach. Besides, the morning hours when the sun is at its weakest, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, is the best time of day to tan. The sun between 11 am, and 4 pm is at its strongest, which isn’t the best for your skin.
Travelling to Thailand is fun, but small hassles like getting your phone wet during a beach day or taking wrong turns can ruin your trip in a second. Therefore, to make your trip hassle-free and more time-efficient (and cheaper!), we’ve compiled some of the best travel hacks you can use on your next trip to the Land of Smiles!
Choose your airport carefully
Your hometown might have an international airport, but it might be worth it to look up several other airports in your area. Different airports might have different flight fares, so the closest airport to your home might not be the cheapest. The same goes for the airport at your destination. You might want to visit Phuket first, but a flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok may be cheaper (and the cost of travelling between the two is typically very affordable).
Pack smart to save space
Does it seem like there’s never enough room in your luggage when packing for a trip? Good packing skills are essential. The first thing you should do to avoid a messy suitcase is to choose your outfits wisely and bring only what you need. We understand that it can be tempting to pack everything you might need before a trip, but try to convince yourself that you don’t need fifteen outfits for your one-week vacation. Once you’ve chosen what to bring, learn to roll your clothes instead of folding them. Rolling your clothes into a small tube will not only save you a great amount of space but also prevent ugly creases and wrinkles.
Find a street food stall with the longest queue
Want to try Thailand’s famous street foods? The best way to find delicious street food in the country is to choose a stall with the longest queue. If everyone is queueing, the food is most likely to be good. In addition, a long queue usually means that the food will be cooked fresh!
Invest in a reef safe sunscreen
When you’re shopping for sunscreens for your beach vacation, you’re probably looking for something water-resistant, with at least SPF 30 and a broad spectrum. There is, however, a new essential detail you need to add to your sunscreen checklist: reef safe. Protecting the ocean is just as important as protecting your skin. Reef safe sunscreen is gentle on coral reefs and ocean life, so you can have fun in the water without harming the marine ecosystem. If you’re looking for mineral (or physical) sunscreen, look for something with “reef-friendly” or “non-nano” on the label. As for chemical sunscreen, you should find one that doesn’t contain octinoxate or oxybenzone in the ingredients. Besides getting the right sunscreen, it’s also essential that you reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, particularly when you’re jumping in and out of the ocean, or you’re constantly in direct sunlight.
Email yourself a scan of your travel documents
Although you’re sure you’ll never lose or forget your passport, bad things do happen. To be safe, email yourself a scan of your passport and other important travel documents. Doing this will make sure that you have a copy of your passport whenever you need it. While keeping a digital copy may not seem important, it can actually save you from loads of trouble in the future.
Carry a portable charger
We can’t deny that our phones play a big role in our lives today – it’s your guide, your source of entertainment, your friend, your camera. Since you’ll be on the road a lot during your trip, carrying a portable charger (Power Bank) and a power bank with you can be a lifesaver. Imagine carrying around a dead phone without a charger… Sounds a lot like a nightmare.
Don’t forget to protect your tech
Planning to go on a beach vacation? If you can’t live without your phone and intend to bring it to the beach, then be sure to protect it from salt water, sand, and the sun. Remember that even if your smartphone is advertised as water-resistant, it can still suffer from water damage. The easiest way to protect your phone and other electronics from salt water and sand is to put them in Ziploc bags when not in use. If the bag is thin enough, you may be able to use the touchscreen without having to take the phone out of the bag. Alternatively, you can buy a waterproof phone pouch, which might be safer and more practical. A waterproof phone pouch will allow you to use your phone and the camera without worry. Keep in mind that phones and other electronics can overheat if they sit in direct sunlight for too long. This can trigger a forced shutdown, drain your device’s battery, and even damage its hardware. You can easily avoid this problem by keeping your electronics out of the sun. Keep it in a shady place when you’re not using them, such as in a bag or under a beach umbrella. You can also wrap it in a towel or place it in a cooler that’s free from liquids or ice.
Book overnight flights and buses
When travelling long distances on a budget, using overnight flights or buses can save you both your time and money. Think of it like free lodging: you start your journey from Bangkok at dusk and wake up in Chiang Mai at dawn with the full day ahead. You’re on the move while you sleep, so you don’t have to waste your precious daytime on the road, and you don’t have to pay for a hotel for at least one night. It seems uncomfortable, but all it takes is a cosy sweatshirt, great earplugs, and an eye mask. However, before you sleep, ensure that your passports and electronics are secure. It’s unlikely that you’ll be held up by armed robbers, but petty crimes can happen.
Hide your valuables at the beach
Keeping your belongings safe at the beach can be tricky, especially if you’re travelling alone. Stash your phone, keys, and cash in the least obvious place to avoid them becoming easy pickings. One way you can hide your valuable items is to put them in a ziplock bag then subtly bury the bag under your beach towel before you swim. Of course, don’t forget to place something on top of your beach towel to keep it from blowing away. Another great way to keep thieves away? Put them in an empty sunscreen container to disguise them.
Download Google Maps to use it offline
Data connection in a foreign country can be unreliable, so having backups is always a great idea. That’s why you should download maps from your Google Maps so that you can navigate offline. All you need to have is enough storage on your phone. Search for a place you’re going to visit, for example, Phuket, then select “Download offline map,” and you’re done.
Create a water safety plan
When it comes to having a fun day at the beach, people tend to forget or underestimate the importance of safety, particularly if they’re “just” going to take a dip in the ocean. Whether you’re going swimming, boating, snorkelling, or diving, your safety should be your top priority. When swimming, be sure to avoid areas with rip currents. It’s best to swim only in designated areas where a lifeguard is present. It’s also better to swim with a friend than alone. If you’re planning to go boating or kayaking, always wear a life vest. Additionally, you may want to create a float plan and file it with a responsible person. A float plan usually includes a basic description of your boat/kayak and your travel route.
Carry water shoes/sandal
Think flip flops are the best footwear for the beach? Think again. Flip flops can’t really protect your feet from the unbearably hot sand. Lots of people get their feet burned from the sand because of this. Also, you can’t wear it when you’re swimming or surfing, but doing these activities barefoot is not safe as well. You never know what’s underwater; you could step on a sharp rock or other objects with bare feet. That’s why water shoes or water sandals are important. They’re lightweight, with flexible material and rugged outsoles to provide both comfort and protection. Besides, they are great for walking, which would be a lot of help if you are planning on exploring the beach.
Learn scuba diving hand signals
Planning to go scuba diving during your beach vacation? Then be sure to learn diving hand signals. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve done it many times before, it’s important to keep in mind that although scuba diving is fun, it can also be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Besides learning the basics of scuba diving itself, you should also learn the list of hand signals to use to communicate intentions and give direction. Proper communication with your team or instructor can help maintain safety during a dive.
Get to the beach early
If you want to spend a quieter time, getting to the beach early can be an option. You can claim the best spot before any other visitors make their way to the beach. Besides, the morning hours when the sun is at its weakest, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, is the best time of day to tan. The sun between 11 am, and 4 pm is at its strongest, which isn’t the best for your skin.
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