Samantha Brown Shares Her Best Travel Tips For A Hassle-Free Getaway

Planning a trip? If so, you're probably at your wits' end trying to get everything ready. There are hotel reservations to be made, tune-ups for your car if you're driving, humble requests for your bestie to drive you to the airport, and dozens of other details to sort. You probably have packing lists all over the house and no idea how everything will be done in time. Luckily, travel expert Samantha Brown not only has some fantastic travel tips for a hassle-free getaway, but she also has a great sense of humor. In an Instagram post, Brown tells her followers all about some of her favorite 1970s stars while travel tips appear on the screen. They go by fast, but there are some real gems in there worth noting for your next vacation.

Some of Brown's tips focus on safety, like protecting your data when using public Wi-Fi and preventing accidents when traveling with kids. There are ideas about how to keep yourself and the family going when everyone is tired from a long day of travel, whether you're in a car or on a plane, and a brilliant idea about how to find things to do. She even mentions one product that you're going to want to pack, no matter where or how you're traveling. Trust us, you're going to use these more than you think!

Staying in a hotel can be a blast, especially if you have kids with you. It's a whole new environment, and even the act of hitting the sack at night in a new bed reminds you that you're not dealing with your humdrum, everyday life. Someone is cleaning up for you, and that alone can be worth the trip. However, you may not know how to thank housekeeping. In her Instagram reel, Samantha Brown says, "Tip housekeeping 3-5 dollars a day, more if you have a suite." That's especially true if you have kids with you who may leave extra mess. Speaking of kids, they (and all their stuff) can take up a lot of space, and you may need a spot to organize things. Brown's idea for this is genius: "The hotel ironing board gives you 4 feet more counter space." Simply set it up, then lay out all the shoes, toys, games, and other bits and pieces you have there.

If you're at a hotel with a gym, and you actually end up using it, the pro traveler says to make sure you fill up your water bottle there before you leave for the day. You're probably bringing it anyway, and you've just saved yourself the cost of a bottle of water. She adds that, if there is fruit in a bowl there, grab a piece. It can be help combat the hangries later in the day. Traveling safely is also important, and that includes keeping your personal information secure. Brown says, "Avoid public or hotel Wi-Fi, especially for banking." The headache you're in for if cyber criminals get your data far outweighs the benefits of a quick login.

Traveling can be a wonderful experience for kids, whether you're visiting family in the next state over or flying across the world. It gives them a new perspective, as well the opportunity for unique memories the family can bond over. However, taking the kids along can make things a bit more complicated. Safety is even more important in this case, and Samantha Brown says in her Instagram post, "Have children? When you enter [a] hotel room, Airbnb, [or] cruise cabin, check first that every window is closed." Make this a habit, no matter where you go.

You're also likely to be making more stops for bathroom breaks, and Brown advises that you should have everyone hit the restrooms each time you leave a location. This includes restaurants, museums, hotels, and even parks if they have public restroom facilities. It will save time and tears later on.

The TV host also suggests building in a break between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. because this is when everyone is most likely to get cranky. Of course, you want to pack fun into every second, but in the end, our bodies do need rest. If it's a road trip, Brown is a fan of hitting regional rest stops to try out new snacks, like Wawa on the East Coast or Wally's in the Midwest. If you're sightseeing in Europe, look at local parks where you can sit and enjoy some people-watching or have a picnic. Everyone will be better for it, and you'll have more energy for the rest of the day.

Getting to the airport is always fraught. Will you find parking? Will you make it on time? Did you leave enough leeway to get to Los Angeles International Airport only to find that driving between terminals is going to add on another 40 minutes because of construction? (True story.) Samantha Brown advises us, "Base getting to the airport on the boarding time of your flight. Not the departure." You're generally looking at boarding around 45 minutes before your departure time on domestic flights and around an hour (or more) before international flights. That way, you're not freaking out while waiting in the security line or running like mad to your gate. 

Not all of Brown's flight tips are so serious, though. She also reminds us that pies are not considered liquids and can be taken on a plane. Indeed, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website says that, while the final decision rests with the TSA officer, pies (and cakes) can be brought in your carry-on. Of course, when you get on the plane, there are other things to think about. In her reel, Brown ruled on the age-old armrest question, saying, "Middle row gets both armrests." While you may not be able to enforce that with strangers, it's a good rule for families flying together. You can have kids draw straws to pick window, aisle, or armrests. 

You'd think that would be enough travel wisdom for one video, but the travel guru has more for us! First, we've all been on those road trips where you've been in the car for hours and your neck starts to hurt. Samantha Brown's solution? "A roll of paper towels makes a great neck pillow for the car." It's kind of genius, and if you have kids in the car, it's pretty likely you have a roll with you anyway. If your car or plane trip is taking you to a state you've never been to before, Brown suggests you visit its state tourism website. ("Hipsters forget they exist," she says.) These websites have a ton of resources. For instance, VisitCalifornia.com has newsletters; trip inspiration; a holiday events guide; family-friendly adventures; and ideas by city, activity, regions, and more. If Europe is your destination, Brown advises that you travel by train because renting a car can be a hassle.

She's also got two great packing tips. First, she says, "Never pack more than two pairs of shoes. Flip-flops, flat sandals, and ballet flats don't count." Plus, flat shoes are always more comfortable than heels. If it's cold where you're going, she also recommends packing garments made of merino wool. Perhaps her best tip, and something that goes beyond travel, is to "Always trust your gut, like always." If something feels wrong or off, pay attention. Your instinct's only job is to warn you, so if it does, listen to it. Finally, Brown says, "A small roll of [duct] tape can solve many travel woes." With it, you can keep drape cords out of reach of kids, cover pointy corners, fix a broken shoe, or any number of things.