25 Travel Tips from TCW for 2026
Okay road warriors, as travel becomes increasingly stressful, here is a list of travel tips and our favorite travel accessories as we are on the road again for campaigns and advocacy work.
- Fly early. Arrive Early Book your flights for earlier in the day. Flight data shows that the earlier in the day you fly (from 5am–11pm), the less likely your flight is to be delayed. Especially now, getting to an airport early makes sense.
- Find a shorter line. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or priority boarding can all help make travel less stressful.
Pack for delays. Having underwear, socks, and deodorant in your personal bag make a world of difference when you get stuck.
Travel with your meds. This is about not being separated from items you really need.
Update your documents. Make sure your ID and passport are in order and match your ticket.
Use airport lounges. Travel changes are inevitable. Being able to use the travel desk at a lounge is key.
Privacy screens and headphones. Folks snoop. Be careful about the docs you are working on in public places, and use privacy screens to help.
Photograph your receipts and parking spots. Do you really remember where you parked your car after being in multiple hotels? Do not count on remembering where you put all your receipts either.
Get a flu shot, a Covid vaccine, and other vaccines. I missed the flu shot this year and paid the price. First time in more than a decade I got the flu. Getting a Covid vaccine and flu shot works, so go get them.
Pack a snack. Nothing big, but you never know when a snack pack of nuts or a bag of crackers and mints will come in handy.
Maximize miles. Travel is taxing, but it can also help you get nicer trips and perks.
Bring your own markers. Always bring a Sharpie and dry-erase markers. You know that moment when you show up at a training, and there are old markers that barely work? Having a set of backup markers is a must.
VPN. Having a VPN on the road can help with security and stability as you travel.
Post-it notes. Helpful for training and organizing. I like the extra-sticky notes.
Good carry-on and backpack. Spend the money on decent luggage, you will be thankful. I found cheap luggage wears out at the worst time. It will also help your back to not carry heavy stuff around. Here is a solid brand I love.
Extra laptop. We have a training computer that is basic but works to show slides, and that allows us to run a seamless training without needing to switch out.
Small projector. Having a good small projector has been helpful for small trainings and meetings. We really like this one.
Clicker. If you do training or presenting, you need your own reliable clicker. We have been through a lot of them, and this is the one we use.
Battery pack. Having a good battery is a must while traveling. This is my favorite due to the built-in cables.
Cord bag. An organized set for your travel cords is very helpful. We like this one.
Cord blocks and dongles. Keep all the random cords you need organized.
Foldable sunglasses. I bought a pair of good foldable sunglasses ten years ago, and they have been a good backup on trips.
Favorite travel mug. Having a hot and cold mug is a must-have these days to fill with coffee or water. Here is one we love.
Deck of cards. Having a deck of cards has always served me well. Stuck in airports, have downtime in hotels? Find a way to slow down and play a game of cards. It’s good for the brain.
Exercise. Keep up your exercise on the road. Walk, run, lift, whatever you do, keep doing it.
Know what else you need. We all have personal touches we take on the road: a book or whatever works for you.
Be nice. It is not the airline employee, TSA, or maintenance worker’s fault your trip is delayed, and they are likely the person who can help ease your travel pain. So be nice to them.
TL;DR. The road can be tough, but it is also a privilege to do this work. Being nice and packing what you need to help yourself and help others can go a long way to making trips easier.
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