International Travel Tips (Hacks)

A suggestion made with love as a UK person with beloved US family- Americans talk a lot more loudly and clearly than we do and it means you stand out more. My US family that has visited the UK a lot knows to turn the volume down. My US family that hasn’t visited a lot, didn’t realise. And yes, I know it works the other way around for us when visiting the US.

Wow, in UK we get 30 mins before departure for international flights IF WE'RE LUCKY, sometimes less. However, I have mobility issues, I could ask for a chair but I'm too stubborn and don't ask or if offered will just say "no thanks, I'm fine" (and depending on the airport, regret my choice later!) but I am always there like 6+ hours early and check in as soon as allowed (usually about 3 hours) and I don't hang around, I go straight for security, and then, depending if I'm familiar with the airport or not and know how long it takes me to walk to a gate, I may go grab a drink or I may head right to the gate and just hope there's a good store near my gate (although I also do the "empty water bottle then fill after security trick so I mean I have water if I REALLY need a drink!). Although, despite being too stubborn for a chair, I will take the priority boarding (ngl, one of the reasons I will do that is to secure an overhead bin space)

I travel a lot and recently moved all my cloud files to my iPad instead of taking my laptop… recently when leaving Costa Rica I held up a line for at least 15 mins getting my laptop out for TSA… I swore then no more. The iPad and iPhone fit in my carry on purse tote rather than having an extra laptop bag and the extra weight. 3 trips later it was the best decision.

Laurie, what waterproof jacket/coat for London end of March first week of April? Thanks

Can i hand carry the travel fan?

If you got TSA fast track or priority

You get in out in 5-10 minutes

Hi Laurie, thanks so much for your helpful information. I have been watching your videos since I discovered them! What is your best advice for a flat iron that will work in Italy. I have a converter but read that is not enough.

Please properly disclose affiliate links.

Hi Laurie what is company re suitcase carry on

I am looking for the packing list I know I’ve seen it and I copied it once and I gave it to my sister and now I need one for myself and I can’t remember where it was. We are going on Viking cruise mid November 2023, and I’m trying to pack light and figure out, what I can put in my suitcase, my carry-on, and my personal item without getting in trouble with the TSA lol.

Is the level8 carry on still your favorite? I’m worried it won’t fit in the sizers

You are AUsome! Especially “Bloopers”😂 Thanks for taking the time.🛬😎❤️

Great 👍 information 👏
I will be traveling internationally in the near future.

One tip for people flying into an EU country. If your plane is delayed you may be entitled to compensation. It's on a sliding scale & airlines don't like telling you this. My daughter & I last year our flight from London to Norway was delayed by 4 hours. We got about £200 back each & our flight were only about £80 return. Took a few weeks but worth it. A friend had a delayed flight to France this summer & also applied for compensation & got it.

Hi! My name is Maija. I live in a small town east of Toronto. I've flown number of times to different locations in the Caribbean but never a really long flight. We are looking into a one month trip to the Philippines in January.. quite a few hours flight.. I'm rather concerned about it.. straight from Toronto to the Philippines. crazy, eh?! So, when you talked about a video you did about blood clots, I tried right away to find it. I could not. I read about the exercise ball looked for a video on clots. I didn't find one specifically on clots. I'm not concerned about that but would have like to find the video one you referred. Ive been searching for what to pack, to pack light I plan to wash clothes while there, so I can still pack light. The person I am travelling with would 'prefer' if i only took carry on bags. Jeepers! For a month! I will be checking with my Doctor beforehand.

What a workout - rolling your suitcase on cobblestone!!!

Finally a international travel hack video with good basic info! Thanks! ❤

What is the brand of the neck pillow?

The name of the brand for carrion luggage plz

Eccos are wonderful. I find a Josef Seibel shoes are really comfortable, too.

I’m flying to Australia in about 6 weeks, staying 28 days, and I’m not checking a bag. I’m choosing clothes that will fit in my carry on, plus I’m taking an under seat bag that will hold an outfit, meds, makeup and electronics. I’m staying with friends, so can wash clothes. These tip videos are great.

Laurie, please help! We are traveling turkish airlines and the requirements are in inches 9.0 X 15.7 X 21.6. for carry-on size. After watching your videos, the suitcases that you recommend do not meet these requirements. Can you recommend a good carry-on within this size range? Please and thank you in advance!

If i have my vaccination card printed out or screen shot on my cell ph, is that ok?

Vionic KILL my feet. If you can’t wear vionic I recommend Olukai.

very great, tips, thanks for sharing. We gained some extra tips again, thanks a lot

Pack a HEALTHY snack!

Hi Laurie! Thank you for all your tips. Can you advise where I can find info telling me the difference between an adapter and converter? Loved your outtakes! Your videos really so smooth, would never know you pbfffft as much as I do!!! ❤ 😊

Hi Laurie

👍🏽🌸🌸

Hi Laurie, have you ever tried a Trtl neck pillow for support? I've used mine on several international flights and swear by it. This is coming from a person who has spent a lot of time getting chiropractors adjustments. 🙂

Carryon only

I also wear hearing aids. Do you need to use a voltage converter when charging them in Europe? I have the plug adapters.

I bought that neck rest you recommended because of your review of it and have it to this day. I've never had to use it yet but you never know. It's super plush. Thank you for your tips and tricks and fun videos. By the way I noticed we have the same Conair curling iron. Lol don't see that one often haha. Loved the bloopers you add at the end now 😂. God bless! 😊

I used to travel a lot when I lived in the Middle East. Best tips - use baggies lots, make a packing list and keep it in your suitcase. My partners said book every third line. Having now been back home in Australia for 10 years and going to travel to Europe in 6 months your videos have been very useful. Thanks.

Great advice! While we have made international trips many times, I learned a lot.

I am going to Japan. Do I need a converter or travel adaptor

Hello, love your videos, my son works for a major airline and I also travel on stand by. We will be going to Japan in next month. Any additional tips specially when we land in Japan.

Great tips are as usual Laurie.

Sadly, the level 8 doesn't pass the Air Canada carry-on size requirements. 😢 Also, for the crossbody bag - does that count as a personal carry-on even if I put it back in my backpack? During the tsa security section - do I have to put the crossbody bag with cash, cards and passport in the Grey bin? Thank you for your wonderful videos.

One note is that I have been on domestic flights where a pair of boots with a buckle went right through the scanner on my feet on the way out, and the same boots set off the metal detector on the way home. My understanding is that different airports have the sensitivity of the scanners set at different levels. So just don’t be surprised as I was, saying, “I just went through security in these 5 days ago with no problem.” 😊

In another video you recommend soft sided carry on! I guess this is capitalism at work. I personally abhor hard case luggage for overhead storage, it is just easier to get soft sided luggage to squish in place.

The Level 8 is exactly what I was looking for but too big for Delta carry-on

I am rewatching many of your videos again as I am travelling to Paris very soon as well as London and Scotland

Laurie,
On an international flight.. if a small alcohol bottle clears TSA security on departure, can it be consumed in flight?

For the makeup what about loose powder for the face?????

Hi Laurie, United Carry-On Bags are 22in X 14in X9in... do you know if United would let me take the Level8 as a carry on? Thank you!

Carry on only

I am so happy that I found this channel. I'm going to Japan in 3 months and your vids inspire me to try carry-on only. I'm convincing my daughters to try it as well! Thank you!

Need the link to the neck pillow pls