If you’re planning a trip, you may be wrapped up in thinking about how much fun you will have when you arrive. However, there are a lot of other things to think about to make sure that your trip is safe and goes well. Here’s a list of things to think about when planning a trip.
When traveling internationally, do not keep all your valuables in one place. Separate your passport, identifying information and cash and travelers checks from each other. Unfortunately, tourists tend to keep these items together, and in the event that they misplace a bag or are the victim of theft, they lose all their essential documents.
When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.
A car’s tires should be checked before any major road travel. This includes, not only a visual inspection for leaks and flatness, but a full pressure check. Tires that are not fully inflated to their recommended PSI will hurt highway performance and reduce gas mileage. By ensuring the tires are up to snuff, the wise motorist can save real money on a long car trip.
To save money on your vacation, don’t be afraid of last-minute bookings. When airlines or cruise companies still have tickets available a few days before the departure date, they lower prices because they are desperate to sell. With a last-minute booking, you can take the vacation of your dreams at rock-bottom prices.
Carefully check out any travel package deals before you book them. Many airlines and websites put together flights, hotel accommodations, meals and activities and offer them at one price. This is designed to benefit the companies, because they can book flights and rooms without mentioning their bottom line. Some of these packages can be steals, but you should always look into the cost of each piece of the deal to make sure you are saving money.
If you are planning to travel by car, purchase an expandable file to help you organize your trip. Label one slot with each day of your trip and put any information that you need for the day in there. You might include maps, directions, hotel confirmation numbers, or attraction information. Staying organized will help make your road trip less stressful and will allow you to stay on schedule.
You should make a copy of your passport, visa, and credit cards and keep them in a safe place in your luggage. If you were to lose these important items while traveling having a copy of them can make it easier to get replacements or to cancel their services.
Allow time in your travel plans for diversion. When you are planning events and activities during your trip, separate some of these plans with an hour or two gap in between. This allows for extra time at an event or the opportunity to explore some of the local scenery that you might not see otherwise.
A useful item to pack for your flight, inside your carry-on bag, is a fleece blanket with sleeves. It can keep you warm on a cool plane, while still allowing you to hold your book or magazine. It can also be rolled up and used as a travel pillow.
Pack multiple memory cards to take with you. This is a safety net to be sure that you will not run out of room on your camera to capture as many photos of your trip as possible. Change the memory card often so you can tuck away the one that you used so that if you happen to lose your camera, you will not lose the photos as well.
To be prepared for travel, make sure you pack light. Bring just what you need, which is always less than you think. You can wash clothes on the road – at your hotel, at a laundromat, or even in a sink. Do not pack so much that your bag becomes cumbersome.
If you are traveling on an airplane, bring a set of headphones with you. When you would like to get some rest or just need a little peace and quiet, put the headphones on. This will discourage the people around you from talking, although you may need to also avoid eye contact with them.
Now that you know what to look out for when planning your trip, you can start thinking about the fun you’ll have when you get there. The first step to having a great time on any trip is to plan right. Keep these tips in mind to make sure you don’t forget anything!
