What our travel expert brings on every trip
I’ve spent months on a ship, a week straight on a train, and many nights on buses. But, I’ll admit it, traveling this week (the busiest of the year!) still kind of stresses me out. My strategy—and my advice to you—extends from my travel day straight through Thanksgiving dinner: Plan ahead, be patient, and cultivate a Zen-like acceptance of what you can’t control. It’s an approach improved by a few low-cost day-savers that are useful both en route and at your destination. Because, sure, you probably already have your beloved travel pillow, a trusty suitcase, and your boarding pass—but it’s often the smaller stuff that can go the furthest in helping you keep cool. Here are a few things I bring with me on every trip:
A few more travel tips: I like to bring along a book I’ve already started, so I’m hooked before I hit the road. I also pack my phone with pre-downloaded podcasts so I can listen even when Wi-Fi is spotty. And my backpack is always full of snacks. They’re good for morale, plus who wants to spend $5 on airport M&Ms? Good luck out there. Our ultimate guide to the very best travel gear→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
If you find yourself dealing with the droopy-eyed, nausea-inducing side effects of jet lag long after you’ve landed, we get it—it’s awful. This app promises to make all that a thing of the past by using your daily routine and travel details to create an individualized jet lag-banishing plan. The idea is that by slowly adjusting your habits before your trip, you’ll arrive at your destination good as new. But does it work? We asked nine testers to use the app on trips of varying lengths and destinations. Over the course of several months, they packed their bags and flew all over the world. They found it easy to use, and were a little less sleepy, but … It might not work for everyone. Here’s why→
As you head into memory-making season: Don’t forget to pack a camera you love. For Maria, it’s this (highly giftable!) instant camera that takes nostalgia-inducing photos. “This instant camera is my antidote to digital picture malaise,” she writes. “Every print has the gravitas of a moment deemed worthy of a shot.” Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
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