Just about everyone has to travel somewhere at some point in their lives. While some business or pleasure traveling can be enjoyable, some journeys can be boring, dangerous, expensive and full of hassle. This article contains some tips to make your travel experience better, and help you avoid some of the common pit falls.
If you are a student planning travel to a foreign country, consider getting an international student identification card before you leave. Many restaurants, museums, and tourist stops offer discounts when you show student identification. Although the card costs money to obtain initially, the savings you achieve are often far greater than the base cost.
Don’t judge a hotel by its name alone. Look for the year it was built or last renovated, which can be very telling. Hotels can take a beating and a newly built budget hotel, may be much nicer than a luxury brand that is showing a lot of wear and tear from not being renovated in years.
Traveling light can make the difference is a great vacation and a tortuous experience. Think about it. If you don’t take it with you can almost always buy it there. There are exceptions of course but even with those just a little bit of thought while packing can greatly reduce your load and make your trip much more enjoyable.
No matter what your intentions are, you should always join the airlines frequent travel club. Even if you never fly again, you may receive a perk just for joining. On the other hand, you may fly with them a few times and you will receive benefits every time that you do.
Remain vigilant while you are traveling. It is no secret that tourists are often the mark of pickpockets and con artists. Whether you are vacationing or traveling on business, remain vigilant. Pay attention to your surroundings. Being cautious and wary of others who might wrong you is the very best defense against them.
If you are leaving children with friends or relatives while you are away on a trip, make sure to leave important papers like health insurance cards and a notarized letter, stating that their caregiver has your authority to make medical decisions. They made need this information if there is a medical emergency.
If you want to attempt to get an empty seat, there are some tricks to try. Ask for a seat near the back end of the plane, because these generally fill up last. If you are not comfortable with that, ask for an exit row seat. These seats come with extra responsibility, that not many are willing to accept.
Securing travel insurance should be a priority for your upcoming vacation. Unforeseen accidents, travel hiccups or even weather anomalies, can strike at any time during your trip. Protecting yourself with insurance can relieve much of the distress involved with these types of occurrences and give you some peace of mind.
The newsletters of major airlines are great sources for travel deals. You will be the first to hear about discounts, special deals and last-minute offers through these e-newsletters. Yes, they will probably clutter your email, but you’ll save a good amount of money by putting up with this small problem.
Auto rental companies usually require renters to be at least 25 years old, although some rent to drivers as young as 18. You may pay more and have to use a credit card if you’re not at least 25. Some cities do not allow senior citizens to rent cars. Find out about any age restrictions when reserving a rental car.
You can travel internationally and save money. Travel to destinations where the U.S. dollar is the closest to the local currency in value. All inclusive packages are also a great way to save money when traveling. Last, talk to your travel agent and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
If you travel with a lot of electronic devices, be sure to pack an outlet strip in your bag. Many hotel rooms have a limited number of outlets, and they are often behind furniture or in inconvenient places. By using your own outlet strip, you will have plenty of room to plug in all of your various chargers.
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.
The next time you need to travel somewhere, be it a quick local trip with your family, a business trip or a long distance journey abroad, consider referring back to the tips in this article. By utilising some of the ideas and advice mentioned, your travelling adventure could be cheaper, easier and safer.
