My Top 4 Travel Hacks 2026
After more than 60 countries, a few years of vanlife, countless backpacker hostels, and working as a WeRoad Travel Coordinator, here are my current top four favorites for every trip: tried, tested, and approved.
Philip Hoheisel
Founder of slickpostcard · 60+ countries · Backpacker, Vanlife, Travel Coordinator
direct to the topics
Tip 1 · Connectivity
Travel eSIM vs. local plans
Honestly, I always insist on taking the cheapest option and buying a local SIM card. My best SIM shopping experience ever: Helsinki, a small electronics store in a suburb. 20 euros for 30 days of true unlimited data; the owner greeted me with a cappuccino, and then we talked about outdoor camping for an hour.
Morocco was the exact opposite: four store visits, showing my passport, maxing out the translation app – and the card I bought ran out of data after three days.
For those who enjoy such stories, I still recommend buying a local SIM. If I stay somewhere longer, I definitely won't give that up myself either.
However, if I'm traveling for a shorter time or on business and don't have time for four store visits, it's convenient to turn on my phone on the runway and be online immediately. The eSIM market is huge – but at the latest when reading the fine print, I've often stumbled over the data-harvesting frenzy of some providers. Saily* acts differently here: The company belongs to Nord Security – the same company as NordVPN – and comes with corresponding privacy tools, including an integrated VPN. Sounds nerdy, but is actually relevant, especially in autocratically governed travel destinations.
Saily with $5 promo code
Using my personal promo code, you get a $5 - $10 discount on your plan right at checkout on your first booking.
Just copy the code and enter it as a coupon at checkout.
* Transparency: I receive a small commission in the form of Saily credit if you order using my promo code – at no extra cost to you.
Direct Comparison Travel eSIM Providers
| Kriterium | Other eSIM Providers | |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Privacy tools & integrated VPN (Nord Security) | Often pure data selling without a protection layer |
| Setup | Seamless in the app, done before the flight | Sometimes complicated profile settings |
| Coverage | Over 150 countries | Coverage varies heavily by provider |
Häufige Fragen
What is the best travel eSIM?
Is Saily reputable?
How can I continue to use WhatsApp with an eSIM?
Do I have to change my WhatsApp number with an eSIM?
Tip 2 · Finances
WISE – The perfect debit card for traveling
Another SIM adventure – this time from Brazil. I wanted to switch to a local plan after a few days of eSIM. After 20 minutes of passport checks and using a translation app in a telecom shop, I suddenly had to sign a contract.
I actually got WISE* because my traditional bank quietly and steadily increased their fees abroad over the years – foreign currency surcharge here, withdrawal fee there. WISE* does it differently: real mid-market exchange rate, no hidden markups, no subscription model. I see exactly what a transaction costs before I confirm.
Back to Brazil: In the WISE app, you can create a virtual card in seconds – own number, own expiration date, any limit. I used it for the contract, asked nicely when the first deduction would occur, and simply deleted the card shortly beforehand. Problem solved. The virtual card is useful anywhere you have to enter card details where you don't completely trust the recipient.
Get a free WISE credit card
Using my friend link, you can get the physical WISE debit card delivered for free (otherwise a one-time fee of ~€7) or transfer up to €500 once without fees.
* Transparency: I receive a small commission if you sign up via my link – at no extra cost to you.
Direct Comparison Travel Account
| Kriterium | Neo-banks (e.g. Revolut) | Traditional Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | Real mid-market rate, no markup | Usually own rate with spread | Markup of 1-3% common |
| Fees | Transparent & minimal, no subscription | Often subscription-dependent | Regularly high, sometimes hidden |
| Virtual Card | Yes, instantly creatable & deletable | Available depending on provider | Mostly unavailable |
Häufige Fragen
Which travel credit card is the best in 2026?
Does WISE offer a real credit card?
How much does the WISE credit card cost?
Who is behind Wise?
Is WISE reputable?
Tip 3 · Memories
Surprise: my favorite hack is postcards
I am constantly on the go and my family and friends at home often miss out. For a long time, postcards were my way to make up for that – and with real effort: looking for authentic cards locally, finding the right stamps, and then hoping the card actually arrives. The more love I put into the search, the more disappointing it was when it didn't arrive.
Online postcard services sound like the logical alternative. The problem: I didn't find one that really gives me full control. Most print their own note on the card, some even force a QR code on you to enable a digital reply to your analog message. That pretty much ruins the charm of a real postcard.
So I built slickpostcard.com myself. No app, no registration, no credit system – and most importantly: full control over the front and back without third-party advertising. Upload a photo, write text, enter address, pay, done. As easy as a WhatsApp, but it stays.
Direct Comparison
| Kriterium | Other Online Postcard Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Branding on the card | None – full control over front and back | Often self-promotion or forced QR code |
| Registration | Not required | Mostly mandatory |
| Payment model | Direct payment, no credit system | Confusing "credit" systems common |
Häufige Fragen
Best online postcard service in 2026?
mypostcard.com or simplycards.com – which is better?
Are there online postcards without branding or advertising?
Tip 4 · MacGyver-Kit
Duct Tape & real travel hacks
In the Langtang region in Nepal, after a long trekking day in a small mountain hut between two passes: Upon arrival, there was a heated discussion around an old tube TV. A guide explained to me that the satellite dish outside was broken – and with it, the evening Bollywood movie for the whole hut was canceled. Honestly, not bad news; those movies had already brought me close to delirium on 12-hour bus rides. But I couldn't resist the proud use of my tapes. Twenty minutes later, everything was running again.
Tanzania, in the middle of the Serengeti: Our old Toyota Land Cruiser broke down – an electrical problem, a loose connection, no spare part far and wide. You know how it is.
Wrapping a meter of duct tape around a lighter costs no space and no weight. Here are a few more hacks that really take up no room in your luggage:
- Duct Tape – wrapped around a lighter (classic duct tape, ~50 cm is enough)
- Cable ties – ideally in different sizes
- Lighter – allowed in carry-on luggage (max. one lighter, no spare fuel), forbidden in checked baggage
- Pocket knife – only in checked baggage, don't forget before heading to the gate
- Sewing kit – thread, needle, two buttons. Has saved my pants more than once