We all have our little tricks and tips for getting through the day—but what about when that day requires tackling a whole lot of logistics in a short amount of time? Getting from Point A to Point B by train, plane, car, or public transportation is always prone to mishaps and moments requiring quick-thinking pivots. And the truth is, you can never have enough tools in your box to help make the act of traveling a little bit easier on the body and brain. Ahead, read some of the newer additions to our editors’ playbooks.
Soften the landing of coming home.
I always focus on the going and leaving of travel—the books I need to order days before heading to the airport, the Criterion Collection films to download just before take-off, the friends wherever I’m headed to furiously text in the final moments before the pilot commands me to go on airplane mode. I’m a human hurricane on departure, and then I return, as a shell of myself, to an apartment that reflects the pre-travel chaos. I tried to break the cycle this year: In addition to packing the WEEKEND before a trip (you heard me!), I put leftovers into the freezer, I clean the apartment, and I drag my partner to the laundromat even if we have enough socks and underwear to get through the trip. We come home to clean sheets, good food that will be ready faster than delivery, and I can, finally, truly rest. —Megan Spurrell, associate director of articles
Stock up on magnesium butter.
OK, this isn’t the most inventive or path-breaking habit, but I’ve started traveling with my magnesium butter wherever I go. I’m a restless sleeper in the best of times—and a sleepless one when jet-lagged—but I prefer not to ingest sleeping aids. A few months ago, I was seduced by an Instagram ad (this, I’ll admit, is a regular occurrence) for a magnesium butter that promised more restful sleep and deeper, longer REM cycles, and I folded. I’ve been using it ever since, rubbing it into the soles of my feet and my calves, and I definitely feel like my sleep has improved. So much so that I’ve started traveling with it—I transfer it into one of these toiletry travel capsules—and even if it doesn’t dispel jet lag completely, it does wonders for both reassurance and that comforting feeling of bringing a piece of home with you. To take that further, I’ve also started carrying sachets of lion’s mane mushroom “tea”—another relaxation ritual that centers me when I return to my hotel room. —Arati Menon, global digital director
Don’t just pack snacks, pack meals.
I know this one sounds daunting, but this has been a real game-changer for me. Yes, plane food has its allure, and I do think that sometimes it is actually good, but as a passenger, you have no control over the timing that food comes out, what’s being served, and what you can eat based on certain dietary restrictions—and not all flight routes have meal service, of course. Enter: the meal you are so grateful you packed in advance. If cooking or preparing a tuna sandwich, rice bowl, PB&J, or anything else is truly unfeasible, just pick something up earlier that day from your favorite local spot, like a bagel sandwich or a falafel bowl—it’ll be reliably good, way better than anything you can find in the airport, and will probably save you lots of money. Plus, you’ll arrive at your destination much less cranky and ready to take on the day. —Emily Adler, associate social media manager
Getting married? Invest in a garment bag.
2025 was the first (and last!) time I have ever had to travel with a wedding dress, and alas, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge I will never use again about flying with a ton of tulle. If you’re ever in this situation, you need to go straight to your airline and see what your options are. I flew Delta and was told that I could bring it on the plane as an extra piece of hand luggage (they didn’t charge me, which was lovely), and ask the flight attendants to stow it in one of the closets near the cockpit. If the closet was full, a spokesperson told me, I would have to hold it on my lap for the entire flight—so I could also buy an extra seat for it if I wanted to be truly prepared. Luckily, it fit in the front closet with no issues, and I tell every flying bride I know that they should invest in an Olivet wedding dress garment bag. I got the brand’s ivory Bridal Bag—embroidered with my wedding date—and it kept my dress safe, smooth, and so easy to carry all the way to Italy. —Hannah Chubb, senior commerce editor
Negotiate your Airbnb rate.
This trick doesn’t work every time, but when it does, it’s totally worth it! Before I book an Airbnb, I like to message the host first to see if there’s any chance of securing a lower rate. I’ve found that most of the time, the hosts are accommodating! The worst response I’ve ever gotten was, “Hey, Mercedes. No harm in asking, but sorry, can’t do that! Good luck to you.” I usually say something along the lines of “Hi, beautiful home! It’s a bit outside of my price range, and I was wondering if you’d be flexible on the price? We’re looking at [insert number] nights, and hoping to keep the price closer to [insert budget].” —Mercedes Bleth, global associate director, social media
Make your own in-flight amenity kit.
The reality of this job is that for some trips, you are flying in some of the nicest first-class cabins in the world, and other days you are stuck in the back row of economy. This year, I started packing my own in-flight amenity kit with travel-size toiletries, an eye mask, and socks that I’ve pocketed from various business class flights (my favorite so far has been American Airlines’s Raven + Lily leather pouch with skincare by Joanna Vargas) so that no matter what class I’m sitting in, I can treat myself to a little luxury. When armed with Aesop, the middle seat becomes slightly more dignified. I’ve also recently added a light-weight cashmere scarf (I like this one from Quince) to my in-flight uniform: it is chic, extremely packable, and doubles as a blanket in the air. —Hannah Towey, associate editor
Stock up on local apps.
Ask your concierge what the best local apps are to install on your phone for the duration of your trip. Google Maps isn’t going to help you much in South Korea, but the Naver app is solid and reliable. Use alternatives like Gojek in Southeast Asia for ride-sharing instead of falling back on Uber. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director
Pack an IKEA bag for souvenir overflow.
One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to visit as many antique and thrift stores as possible. My apartment is filled with ceramics, candlesticks, books, framed art, records, and an especially adorable pink pendant light, carefully curated from many trips abroad. And while I might be pretty great at packing, a suitcase certainly has a limit. One thing that has helped me get around this is by including a Frakta bag from IKEA on my packing list (the zipper is key!). Sure, I may have to pay for an extra checked bag, but it’s far cheaper than international shipping costs. I try to keep breakable items in my carry-on, but you can line the Frakta with clothing to create a buffer if absolutely needed. —Erika Owen, contributor
