I’m still getting over jet lag as I’m writing this (I literally just got back from Taiwan), but after 7 countries in the last 3 months and over 30 flights last year, I wanted to share the travel tips that actually make travel easier in 2026. I’m talking the practical stuff I do every single trip—like what I always keep in my carry-on (passport, toiletries, pajamas, clean underwear), why I take a photo of my checked bag, and how Asian airlines often weigh carry-ons if they look like a suitcase. I also share the money tips that save you from unnecessary fees, like withdrawing in local currency and not letting the ATM convert it to USD. I also get into the “save your sanity” prep: screenshot your hotel name/address/phone number for arrival cards, scope your neighborhood on Google Maps satellite view, and plan airport-to-hotel transportation before you land. For long flights, I prep entertainment like there won’t be any screens—Kindle loaded, shows downloaded, Spotify offline, even Google Docs available offline if I need to work. And yes, I’m a big fan of TSA PreCheck (then Global Entry, then Clear) plus AirTags in every single bag. My last tip is honestly the biggest: be flexible when things go sideways—closed restaurants, delayed bags, plot twists—because it’s part of the joy of traveling, and it makes a funny story later.