Tightarse Tune Towels

When on the road in Asia, TightArseTravel choose to stay in Tune Hotels. We love them because you only pay for what you use; this includes towels. You could choose to use your own towel, but then you may have a wet towel when you leave. You could choose to rent a towel from the hotel, but that's hardly part of the TightArseTravel philosophy. We choose to use the bath mat supplied; best of both worlds.

Dumping at the duty free shop

We all love picking up duty free booze when we get home from an OS trip, and it can be a balancing act to run down your foreign currency to the last cent before heading home. Why not use up all those left over Ringgit, Baht, and Rupees by offloading them in the duty free shop? Most checkout registers used in duty free shops, can do all the currency conversions on the fly. I usually start with the currency I am least likely to use again, and work my way down to the $US. If there is still a shortfall, you can pay with A$ or your credit card.

Airport pickups

If someone is picking you up from the airport, why not arrange to do it from the departures area. You won’t have to pay for parking, and you'll get away from the airport quicker.

 

SmartGate Australian Immigration

If you are lucky enough to have an Australian ePassport, you can avoid the usual long immigration queue by utilising the SmartGate self processing system at certain Australian airports. Even if the system does not match your ePassport to your face, you still get through immigration quicker.

Fast-track Immigration Queues

On arrival at an immigration point with multiple queues, use the queue next to the first closed queue. If immigration officials decide to open new gates, you'll be the first to notice, change to a shorter queue and get through immigration quicker.

Air Fresheners #2

Carry a few toiletries on your flight/bus/train. You'll feel so much better if you take a few minutes to freshen up just before arrival at your destination.

Get a shave & a haircut ya bum...

If you are leaving the 3rd world on your way home, why not get a shave and a haircut on the day you leave. Not only are they cheaper than at home, you will look and feel fresher before you commence your journey. It may also help you get that illusive flight upgrade if you look smarter.

Keep your room cool and dry your clothes

If you have a hotel room where all the electrics are controlled by the key fob inserted in a slot, remove the key from the fob and leave the fob in the slot. Now you can leave the A/C running while you go out and get sweaty. Also, if you have washed your smalls they will dry quicker in the dry air produced by the A/C. You can also leave any fans on to help circulate the dry air. I put the key on a string around my neck, so I can't lose it.

Tight arse cutlery

Keep the plastic cutlery from your flight; it can come in really handy in the third world, especially in places where eating with your hands is de rigueur.

Free accomodation, sort of...

If you have a really tight arse, or are on a very strict budget, book a night flight/bus/train to avoid a night in a hotel. This is OK if you can sleep while travelling, not so good if you can't.

Air(port) Fresheners

While waiting for your flight and perusing the duty-free shop, why not 'freshen up' by using the perfume or cologne testers.

Upgrade your flight

When checking in for your flight, ask nicely for an upgrade. Unfortunately, most of the time you will be refused, but you might as well ask. Who knows, you may get upgraded on that long haul flight you were dreading. It also helps if you are dressed smartly and well presented. Airlines are hardly going to give you a free upgrade if you look like a slob.

Guide Books - on the cheap

If your trip is less than a month, borrow the relevant guide book from your local library, it's free! Even if you incur a late fee, it will be far less than buying the book. Guide books for popular destinations are published regularly, so if you are lucky, you'll get a reasonably recent issue. You can now download chapters of Lonely Planet Guide books instead of buying the whole book. LP also have  apps for the iPhone & iPad.

Taxis - How to get one quicker at an airport

At some airports, it is quicker to get a taxi from the departure area as they have usually just dropped off a fare. They are keen to backfill immediately instead of trawling or joining the back of the queue at the taxi rank. (Thanks Mr. Grace!)