Traveling is a hassle, there’s no question. Very few of us have the resilient brand of wanderlust that allows us to enjoy “the journey”. Especially not in the age of TSA pat-downs and rising gas prices. However, there are some pieces of advice to make both the travel and the destination a more streamlined, enjoyable, and stress-free experience. After all, there’s no worse feeling than going back to work feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. The following tips, gleaned from Lifehacker, may serve to make your vacation what you first imagined it would be.

1)    Baggage fees are garnering airlines hundreds of millions in extra revenue (supposedly to offset the higher price of fuel). To avoid the spendy habit of checked luggage (not to mention the hassle of check-in lines and baggage carousels), try doing carry-on only for trips of a week or less. How do you fit a week’s worth of clothing and toiletries in a carry-on? Pack more efficiently by rolling your clothing. It actually condenses the fabric better (and with less wrinkling) than simply folding, and it allows you pack more tightly, leaving more room for those extras. If you’re really looking for a challenge, try this ten-day vacation in a carry-on tip.

2)    When you shop, either domestically or abroad, exploit the retailers. Particularly at big retailers it may be possible to ship the things that you buy to your house. By shipping, you not only alleviate the hassle of stuffing more in your luggage (and possibly getting that dreaded “overweight” fee), but it may also save on taxes is you’re shipping out of state. Also, many of the larger stores will issue special “tourist” discount cards. Ask at the customer service desk, and show them your out-of-state ID or passport, and you could save as much as 11%.

3)    Prep your smartphones, laptops, and tablets for the trip. There are hundreds of apps out there for travelers; everything from flight-trackers so that you’re aware of delays before you get in the cab, to translators that allow you to speak into the phone, and have your words translated in real-time. Using GPS, you can use many map apps (like Google Maps) to predetermine a tour of a quaint neighborhood, or to plan your route around a city or island for maximum sight-seeing efficiency. One of the best apps I ever downloaded was a currency-calculator that allowed me to quickly figure change from purchases, tips for services, and help me to manage my spending money during trips. Ever tried figuring rupees-to-dollars on the fly in the middle of a crowded market?