Everyone wants to be a smart traveler who gets more for their money and books the best trips. Traveling seems to be getting more and more expensive and navigating all of the internet sites and travel agencies can get confusing. Here are a few simple tips to help you along.
Luggage is often a large problem when people travel. While it might seem like a good idea to buy your children small size luggage, remember that they are entitled to a full size carry-on on most major air carriers. This extra luggage space can often save you from checking an extra piece of baggage. This will save you from $25 to $50 on most airlines!
When traveling in foreign countries, beware of police officers who ask for your ID. Make sure you ask them for their ID to prove they’re actually a cop. Instead of showing them your real passport, show them a photocopy instead. You don’t want to risk a thief running off with your passport.
If you tend to travel a lot, a great thing to do is buy a postcard from every new location. Collect your postcards in a photo album (they are the same size as the average photograph) and write the dates on the back when you went there. Doing this will make your trip memorable and give you some nice pictures to look back on.
When packing for a long trip, limit yourself to about two colors of clothing. This will help to ensure that everything you bring to wear on your trip will match with everything else. It will also limit the number of shoes and accessories you need to match with your outfits.
If you are traveling by air and have to make multiple stops in airports, take a look around at some of the bookshops. Many airport bookshops now trade in used books. You can take that paperback you just finished on your last flight and get a new one to read, while you wait for your upcoming transfer.
If you are traveling by airplane, be sure to bring along your own headphones. Most in-flight entertainment systems today require that you wear headphones. You may be able to buy them in-flight, but it will be at a greatly inflated cost. Headphones are also a great way to create ‘white noise’ to block out your neighbors and/or the plane noise.
Learn to take it easy. You do not have to follow a strict schedule when you are traveling. If you feel like you must schedule out your vacation, at least pen in a little “nothing” time, where you are free to follow up on anything that has interested you, or just lay by the pool with a drink.
When it comes to destinations unknown, online bloggers are a veritable treasure trove of local information. There’s at least one in every city, in every country – someone who is passionate about their surroundings and loves discussing the things that make each place particularly wonderful. Blogs are also generally written in a completely user-friendly way, which is often easier to read than complicated rating systems on review sites.
Travel can really help a marriage. It does not have to be an expensive vacation to an island resort. A simple weekend travel adventure to another state or even in your own city can be just what you need to feel reconnected. Spending time alone with just one another can help couples feel good again.
Pack a multi-tool knife in your luggage. The scissors can cut through zip ties, and the corkscrew is perfect for impromptu wine tastings. When you reach your destination and unpack, make sure this multi-purpose tool goes with you wherever you go. Don’t put it in your carry-on though, as the airline won’t allow it on your person in flight.
Sort out your desintation’s visa requirements as quickly as possible. Acquiring a visa can be a lengthy process, so do not wait until the last minute to apply. If you don’t have the correct visa, you won’t be allowed to enter some countries.
Looking at airport websites can help you find deals on airfare that you might otherwise miss. The airport will list all the carriers that fly in and out of it, including any charter flights that won’t be listed by flight searches online. Also, be sure to check out low-cost carriers who may offer even lower fares.
Make sure to make the best of your road trip and enjoy it. Don’t get so caught up in schedules, lists and how long you’ve been driving during the trip. With road trips, it’s not so much getting to your destination, as it is enjoying the trip on the way to your destination.
In this article, we have discussed traveling smart and remaining budget conscious. We have also reviewed several internet sites and go-to guides that can help you along the way. Follow these tips and you’ll be traveling like a pro, enjoying your trip more and saving money while doing so.
