Before you set out on your next trip, be sure to read the tips and advice written here in this article. Whether you are leaving for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, they are sure to help keep you organized and prepared for whatever adventures your upcoming travels may bring you.
If you don’t mind the inbox clutter, sign up for airline and hotel mailing lists when planning your trip. These lists will often tell you in advance about promotions or offer coupon codes – and they’re always free. These kinds of deals will go quickly, so seeing them right away gives you an edge when booking.
If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.
If you’re going to be going on a road trip, bring an extra car key! You don’t want your trip ruined if the driver accidentally loses the only key to the car. So instead, get an extra key and keep it in your wallet so that you’ll always know where it is.
Make your travel plans without locking yourself into advance booking. While you can get a good deal this way, you are asked to pay in advance for the length of your trip, and you don’t have the flexibility to cancel or change the dates of your trip. Particularly if you know that your plans could change, pay a little more and stay at a hotel that will let you adjust the dates of your stay up until a day before your arrival.
Be sure to acquire travel insurance prior to taking a big trip, especially if your vacation is in a foreign country or includes adventurous activities. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. Travel insurance can cover you for any medical evaluations, issues or procedures necessary while you are traveling.
Prior to traveling abroad, take some time to familiarize yourselves with the local laws of the country you are visiting. Laws can be very different from country to country. Consulates cannot step over local laws, so if you do break one, even if you were unaware of it, you will be held accountable.
When flying, always try to pack light. Mix and match outfits and pack only the essentials when possible. Packing just one suitcase means less baggage to carry through busy airports and security. It also means more cash in your pocket, with the rising baggage fees most airlines charge.
When packing your bags for a trip on an airplane, always remember 3-1-1. Regulations now limit the amount of liquids and gels passengers can have in their carry on luggage. When you take your bag through security, they will make sure you only have your travel-size toiletries which are less than three ounces and fit into a one quart zip top bag and only one bag per passenger.
Traveling during the holidays can be a stressful experience. Long lines at the airport and traffic congestion can cause you to arrive late to your destination, or even worse, miss your flight. Allow yourself plenty of extra time by leaving earlier than normal. This will save you from rushing, and allow you to enjoy the holiday season.
If you are taking a long plane ride, bring along snacks that you can eat during the trip. Snacks like bite-sized fruits serve as a distraction during the flight as well as a welcome alternative to airplane food. Not only will you save a bundle by not buying that expensive airport food, but you will have a great conversation opener with any nice-looking neighbor, eyeing your snacks!
Pillow cases can serve many functions during your trip, so bring one or two. If you need a bag for laundry, grab the pillow case. If you need a towel for a quick clean up and none are available, grab your pillow case. If you need a clean or more comfortable pillow case, you just happen to have one available.
Buy travel insurance for your vacation package. You never know when something can happen! If someone was to get ill or injured, and you had to cancel your plans, you would be out all of the money you have invested into it without the purchase of travel insurance.
Avoid getting an illness while you are traveling. Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose and be sure to bring along some hand sanitizer. Use it after you wash your hands in the lavatory. Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water. Avoid ice from the airline as it is teeming with bacteria.
When traveling to a country where you do not speak the language and you have diabetes, it is important to learn a few key phrases to in the language of the country or countries where you will be traveling. Learn the phrases “I need sugar,” “I have diabetes,” and “I need a doctor.”
Make sure that you bring an actual map on your car trip. Don’t just rely on a talking GPS navigational system. Sometimes these make mistakes and a mistake could cost you a lot of time that could be used for enjoying your trip. Always bring a physical map to double-check your navigational system.
Check over your homeowner’s insurance policy and your credit card insurance policy to see if your baggage is covered during travel. If it is covered under either of these policies you can exclude it from your travel insurance policy to save a bit of money and may make the claim process easier.
While traveling to new places and even old familiar places is fun and exciting, we can all use a few good ideas to keep the trip on track. If you use the tips give to you here, you should have no worries for wherever you are headed to next.
