Five Simple Travel Tips That Make Any Trip Better

Katie Durie
Feb 11
2 min read

Two airplanes on a runway, one taxiing towards the camera. Visible "Airbus A330-300" text. Clear sky, airport setting with red vehicles.

Traveling doesn’t have to mean packed itineraries, constant movement, or doing everything. Over the years, I’ve learned that the trips I enjoy most are the simpler ones. If you’re planning a trip — or dreaming about one — here are five easy and simple travel tips that genuinely make travel feel better, not busier.

1. Travel Slower Than You Think You Should

It’s tempting to squeeze in as many places as possible, especially when you’ve come so far. But staying longer in one place often leads to a deeper, more relaxed experience. Fewer check-ins, fewer transport days, and more time to settle into daily life can completely change how a trip feels.

2. Pack for Comfort, Not for Photos

Comfort wins every time. Choose clothing you can walk in, layer easily, and wear more than once. When you’re comfortable, you explore more, walk further, and enjoy your days instead of thinking about what you’re wearing.

A couple holds hands while walking up cobblestone steps between white buildings. She wears a green jacket; he wears a tan one. Sunny day.

3. Walk as Much as You Can

Walking is one of the best ways to understand a place. You notice neighbourhoods, everyday routines, and small details you’d miss otherwise. Some of the best travel moments happen between destinations, not at them.

4. Use Local Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are an underrated travel experience. They’re affordable, practical, and give you insight into daily life. Even if you enjoy eating out, mixing in simple meals from local shops keeps costs down and travel feeling grounded and relaxed.

Woman buying produce at vibrant market, exchanging a bag with a vendor. Stalls filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, lively atmosphere.

5. Leave Space for Doing Nothing

Not every day needs a plan. Some of the best travel memories come from slow mornings, wandering without direction, or sitting with a coffee watching the world go by. Leaving space in your schedule allows a place to reveal itself naturally.

A yellow-striped mug on a glass table, reflecting chimney figures. Background features a white house, greenery, and an overcast sky.

Simple Travel Tips - Final Thought

Travel doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Slowing down, simplifying, and staying curious often leads to the most memorable experiences — and the kind of travel that leaves you feeling restored rather than exhausted.

This way of traveling aligns closely with slow travel — a more thoughtful, intentional approach focused on staying longer and experiencing places more deeply, which I explore in What Is Slow Travel? A Thoughtful Way to Travel.