When your budget can’t handle the strain of a first-class fare, then the first 8+ hours of your trip are relegated to noxious food, cramped foot space, narrow aisles, and a bathroom shared with every other passenger enduring the same misery. After more than a decade of making multiple long-haul flights a year, I’ve learned there are a few key items that you just can’t do without. These 10 simple items will help take your long-haul flight experience from brutal to bearable.

Short-term apartment stays are a great alternative to hotels when it comes to your accommodation needs. Not only does this give you a more authentic experience in the city you’re exploring, it can help save you money in the long run. If you’ve never considered this option before, I’ll give you a few great reasons why you should keep this choice front and center on your travel radar, especially if you’re visiting Brisbane.

Paris really is a once in a lifetime experience, whether or not it happens just once in your lifetime. But all the opulence and a lifetime’s worth of expectations can make that first encounter seem a bit overwhelming. So, let’s break down a few things that will help you make the most out of your first time in the City of Light.