Going on holidays is supposed to be pleasurable and relaxing, but the actual travel can be anything but. When you’re trying to organise getting yourself and several others through airports, onto flights and then find your accommodation at the other end, anything you can do to lessen the burden of travel has to be a bonus. Here are some clever travel hacks which can save a lot of time and hassle.

1. Photograph or scan your documents

If you’re taking a smartphone on holiday with you – and most of us will be – spend a few minutes taking photographs on your phone of your passport, EHIC, travel insurance policy and any booking confirmations. If you don’t have a smartphone or aren’t taking it with you, scan the documents and email them to yourself. If the worst happens and you lose your case or have a bag stolen, knowing details like your passport number and insurance policy claim line number will make getting replacements much easier. If you have an accident or fall ill overseas, you’ll need to show proof of EHIC cover to public healthcare providers overseas in order to be treated at low or zero cost.

2. Research

Use your time at home before you travel to pull together a list of useful numbers and contacts for when you’re away. This is particularly important if you’re travelling independently and don’t have the services of a travel rep. Collect together details of how to contact the emergency services, where the nearest pharmacy is, where the local state hospital or health centre is, and look into opening hours for tourist attractions or museums you are thinking of visiting. Store this information on your smartphone, or print it out and take it with you.

3. Shop smart for Insurance

If you’re going to a European beach destination this summer, the first thing to do is to get your EHIC cover in place. You’ll need a separate card for each member of the family. Then when you are shopping around for additional travel insurance to cover cancellations, theft or repatriation, look for companies which offer discounts for EHIC holders. This could save you enough for a meal out or a splurge at Duty Free on the way home.

4. Hand luggage only where possible

If you’re going to a villa or apartment with washing facilities, do you really need to take your full luggage allowance with you? Some budget carriers charge up to £70 to check in a bag on a return flight to the sun, so for a family of four you could be looking at over £250. Isn’t it worth doing a bit of washing to save so much money? Having hand luggage only also means you can miss the scrum at the luggage carousel when you arrive, and go straight through into the arrivals hall. It should also make check-in quicker too, and will minimise airport stress.