Whether your business takes you away from home or you are looking for a memorable vacation, you can benefit from these handy tips on travel. While travel has tended to become faster and cheaper over time, there is still a big difference between the costs you experience as an unprepared traveler versus being a well-educated one.
A great tip for traveling is to go shopping for snacks and drinks for your lodging place in your hometown. This saves hundreds of dollars over the course of your travels because every time you stop to sleep in a hotel, the multiple trips to vending machines and the store located in the hotel that has frozen dinners and soups will leave you with a lighter wallet.
When selecting luggage, pay attention to the ease of carrying it over long distances. A rugged metal rolling suitcase is usually ideal. Some rolling bags even have straps that allow them to be worn as a backpack through areas where you can’t roll them. You and your luggage will be walking longer distances than you think.
Tip your concierge! Whether it be on a cruise or at a hotel, your concierge will be your go-to guy for reservations, directions and almost everything else! Many concierges have admitted that if someone is willing to tip them well, they will go out of their way to make sure those great tippers, have a fantastic time.
It can be beneficial when traveling to put together a large group of friends and family to travel with. In a large group, one will be less vunerable to criminals targeting lone tourists who look like ‘easy pickings.’ You will also have the added bonus of sharing your trip with the ones you are close to.
If you are going on a long plane ride and the person in the seat next to you has a lot to say, and you really don’t want to hear it, just pretend to nod off. When they see that you are sleeping, I would hope that they would get the idea and be quiet.
Always ask for upgrades. You can’t get it if you don’t ask. No one is going to offer you a free upgrade just because they like your shirt. When you check in with airlines and hotels, even car rental companies, ask if there are any upgrades available. If it is a special occasion like an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday, make sure to make mention of that.
Show your loyalty. Even if you are only planning to stay one night, if your hotel has a loyalty program, it can be worth it to join. In addition to additional amenities, such as garment pressing or free meals, a guest who is perceived as a loyal customer is less likely to be chosen if the hotel is overbooked and needs to cancel a reservation or needs to substitute a lower quality room.
Learn the tipping culture for whatever countries you plan to visit. In some cultures, tipping is automatic, while in others, it does not exist. There are still a few cultures in which tipping is considered a great insult, so mind your manners by checking the customs. You do not want to insult your server.
If your travel plans involve visiting various attractions, buy the tickets in advance whenever possible. Although it may be slightly more expensive, you will save a tremendous amount of time and frustration since you won’t have to wait in lines. Particularly pay attention to see if they allow timed entry; you can avoid both the purchasing line and the admission line that way.
You can find cruise deals at a lot of agencies. The internet doesn’t usually have deals, but it is a great place to get an idea of what is available and the type of cruise you would like to take. Cruise specialists can give you information about the cruise line and help you select the options on your cruise.
A general mistake that many travelers make on vacation is doing too much. Vacations are about relaxing and getting away from the rush of the everyday world. Planning events that encompass most hours of the day will leave you feeling rushed, stressed and tired while on your trip. Stop and relax for a couple of hours everyday to decompress.
Travelers on cruise ships should purchase any tickets, shore excursions or accommodations once they are on board. Many people feel like they should book these things ahead of their vacation, but due to unpredictable circumstances, they may not be able to use them when the time arrives. Waiting until they are on board helps ensure that they can participate and often saves a little money.
Educating yourself on the ins and outs of traveling can save you more than just money. Savvy travelers not only get to their destinations for less money, they often get there faster – and almost always less stressed out. The tips in this article are just the start of your travel education; be on the lookout for more ways to save time and money.
