Here are 12 travel hack shortcuts for airline passengers in 2025.
These 12 travel hacks are systems, methods, and time-saving strategies that you need.
I have divided these travel hacks into shortcuts according to packing, planning your outfits, and proceeding through airport security. Travel hacks are any system or strategy or item that helps me as a passenger save time, pack less and therefore have less stress.
Number One
My husband, who is an airline pilot flying weekly, uses travel hack number 1.
Have 2 of every travel electronic:
- Blocks and cords for phone, ipad, ring, watch.
- He has a power bank in that travel case too.
How does that save time? He does not have to make sure he has the correct cords for the right technology. AND he will not forget it as a pilot or as a passenger.
Travel hack for cords for technology: Put matching washi or decorative tape on the block as the cord, so you can tell them apart in your travel case.
Number Two
He uses the same hack with liquids.
He has duplicates of a toothbrush (sonicare) and toothpaste for travel.
I have 4 duplicates for trips in the outer pocket of my backpack.
- In a small medicine-type bag, I have these waterproof stretchy band-aids packed.
- My fingernail travel case is ready to go.
- I also have my reading glasses cleaning Peeps that astronauts use
- RFID blocking wallet
For a flight I have these:
- Antibacterial wipes and
- My AirPods’ no-tangle cord is in my airplane seat pouch.
Number Three
Travel hack 3 is that he just uses hotel shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. I cannot do that because my hair and skin are sensitive.
The only duplicate I have is my travel toothbrush that folds and mousse
Number Four
Number 4 is two-fold. Save your shower cap that you get at some hotels to use it as a shoe bag, especially after a sandy beach trip.
You can also use a produce bag for a shoe bag.
Do not miss the summer sandals for travel video that just came out!
Number Five
One travel hack is to pack small essentials in ziploc type of bags.
2 Benefits of using plastic bags instead of pouches:
- Saves time because you bring your box of baggies and fill them up. It does not matter which color pouch you use or if it is a toiletry kit or a zip-up pouch.
- Using Ziploc bags adds hardly any weight.
Number Six
Number 6 is for packing shortcuts.
You may think that a shortcut is to just throw it all in. But I have some packing strategies that will help you in 2025.
One shortcut for me is to plan shoes first based on 2 things: weather and excursions.
If you know it will be raining on the day you are going 4-wheeling, pack at least one pair of water-resistant shoes. Then think of other outfits those shoes can be worn with.
Now choose two more pairs of shoes and make every outfit versatile enough to be worn with at least two pairs that you have chosen.
Number Seven
Travel hack 7: You will open up space if you wear the bulkiest shoes in the airplane.
My next shortcut is to lay out the bottoms and tops with the sandals for that trip.
If I lay them all out, I can make a list of outfit ideas so on my vacation, I know what I will wear that day.
Number Eight
The 8th travel hack is to pack a scarf because it is multi-use.
In the airplane you can cover up with it. This super soft one is silk and cashmere but thin. Cashmere regulates your body temperature too and is efficient in keeping you warm if needed.
Number Nine
Hack number 9 is to tie the scarf around the tray table bar. If it is too long of a loop hanging down, twist it and put your feet in periodically to keep the blood circulation going.
Number Ten
Travel hack 10 is to pack a rectangular scarf. Tie each short end to make two holes. Drape the middle of your scarf over your shoulders so that now the scarf covers your arms if you need to have modest attire covering your arms and shoulders to enter a museum or church.
Number Eleven
Here are some methods to help me not forget the travel essentials.
Travel hack 11 is to use a list for every single trip.
Making a packing list makes sure you do not forget the travel essentials. Pilots use a checklist before every flight. It is a standard operating procedure so that the essentials are checked every single time.
Number Twelve
A method or hack I use two days before my trip is that I leave my liquids needed for makeup on the bathroom counter. The makeup brushes and hair tools are separated from each other but still on the counter.
This helps me not forget them when it comes time to put them in a travel case or a liquids bag!
Bonus Tips
- A travel hack for airport security is to wear a vest with your valuables or extra weight you do not want in your baggage.
- Lay the full vest in the gray bin and then wear it after screening.
- This bonus travel hack could save your life. All medicine is packed in a personal item bag, NOT checked luggage. I also have the pills in one place, so I always know where they are to help me get through airport security.
- Liquid medicine is allowed in large quantities- the TSA website just states that passengers must declare to them that they have liquid meds. In Honolulu, I said to the TSA officer, “Hey, I have some liquid prescription shampoo. Do you need to see it?”
- Some airports will want them in the gray bins for extra screening and some screening machines do not need them out of your bag.
- Checking the weather helps you pack only what you need. That is the hardest part of every trip that is longer than 5 days. The weather can be unpredictable. One system I have in place is I could carry my tiny but mighty travel-sized umbrella or a poncho.
If you do want my ultimate packing list with 75 items you might need for the different types of travels this year, just click HERE.