Because of the poor economy, you may want to reduce your expenses and skip vacations. Follow these tips if you are a money conscious traveler.
When going abroad, write down your important information. Include the contact information and address of your embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. You might find it necessary to contact the embassy should trouble arise. Your embassy can assist you with any issues you may encounter.
Rather than exchanging cash for local currency while traveling in different countries, withdraw some pocket money from an ATM. Banks will get better rates for exchanging currencies than you would be able to get. This will save you a lot of your money over time.
If you have a child, keep a color photo of him or her in your wallet in case they get lost. It can be terrifying to lose your child. Though it certainly feels devastating, it is a reality for many. If you have a good quality photograph to show the people at your location, or the police, it can make getting your child back that much easier, and faster too.
Once you know where you’re traveling, you can take some time to learn about where you plan to go. Find a map of the country or city that you are visiting. Remembering a little about the area will make navigation easier when you get there.
Watch out for faux cops or faux government officials in foreign countries, as they may be criminals. Do not let anyone have your personal documents, such as your passport or license. If you are asked to go to an office with them, walk. Do not get in a vehicle with a local who you don’t know.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, when traveling with a toddler, be sure to bring along lots of activities to keep him occupied. Keep some of their favorite items on hand. You may also look into purchasing something new for your child to keep them occupied much longer as they get used to their new toy.
When you plan your next trip, pick a digital camera that will suit you on that particular trip. If you’re going backpacking, a camera with a rechargeable battery might not be the best idea. You’ll want a model that you can turn on and focus quickly to allow you to catch every shot.
Family Member
When you travel to foreign countries, watch the taxis you enter. Prior to getting into a taxi, be sure it is legit. It is not hard to put up a taxi sign on a car; if you get into the wrong vehicle, you don’t know where you will end up.
Make sure a friend or family member has a copy of your itinerary. That way, a family member will know where you’re supposed to be at all times. Stay in touch with that contact to maximize your own safety. They won’t worry if you stay in touch with them.
Check the alarm in your hotel room when you arrive. Some travelers find themselves awakened at three or four in the morning by alarm clocks that the previous occupant of the room set. In order to start your vacation in a relaxing fashion, make sure to shut the alarm off or is set to a time when you actually want to get up.
If one has their motorcycle license, a motorcycle can be a good means of travel for road trips or day trips. Motorcycles offer a fun way to enjoy a scenic ride without using a ton of gas. A trip on a motorcycle is often a lot of fun.
Clothespins can be very helpful when travelling. They are often forgotten, but they actually can prove to be very useful.
If you want to rent a car, usually you must be 18 years old and some require that you be 25. Chances are a rental agency will charge an under 25 driver a higher rate, and also a credit is needed. It’s important to note that senior citizens cannot rent a car in certain cities. Find out about age issues before you arrive.
Check the carrier’s website that you are most interested in to make sure you are getting the best price. There are many sites that offer low prices on flights, but sometimes the best prices are found on the sites actually belonging to the airlines.
When taking a long trip by plane, bring along some snacks to eat. A bit of fresh fruit is a great idea, because it will feel healthier than the heavy offerings the airline may provide. You’ll save a lot by staying away from the pricey airport food, and you’ll have something to talk about with your seatmates when you pull out your awesome snacks.
Always remember to wear light, comfy shoes for air travel – shoes which you can slip off easily. When you are boarding a plane you will need to remove your shoes during the security check. Also, being comfortable is key during travel, to keep you from getting too tired and stressed. Most of the time during air travel is spent sitting, not walking, so you don’t need a lot of foot support. Wearing sandals like flip flops or Crocs is a great way to stay comfortable on your flight.
Quickly Adjust
Ask about renovations when reserving your room. It is very frustrating to be awoken from your slumber early due to construction equipment while on vacation. Just don’t book during those times.
If you want to quickly adjust to another time zone, you should aim to keep yourself awake until around 8pm local time. Even if you are tired, going to bed too early can prolong jet lag by keeping your body in your home time zone. If you can quickly adjust to the new time, you will beat jet lag.
Try taking a mild sleeping aid during your red-eye flight. It can be really hard to get good sleep on a plane, with the strange surroundings, the unfamiliar noises, and the cramped seats. Take a mild sleeping pill to get you through the flight. Nothing too strong, but enough to make you drowsy. You do not want to take the pills right before you take off, because if there is any type of problem or delay, you need to be alert.
Your dream trip can turn into a nightmare if you don’t do the proper research beforehand. Use the Internet to find reviews from persons who have traveled to the destination previously. This can prevent you from visiting bad parts of town and staying in a disgusting hotel.
If you’re leaving your car at the airport while you’re away, reserve your spot in advance if possible. Booking this ahead of time will save you a lot of money. If you live close to the airport, see if taking a taxi is cheaper that it would be to pay for airport parking.
Because road trips can be quite boring, it is a good idea to plan things to do along the way. When you split up the boredom of a long drive with anything other than meal and restroom breaks, you add a little fun to the trip. Provide your children with a map and schedule of your activities.
Many people think you only have to be 18 to rent a car; however, there are rental companies that require you to be at least 25 years old to rent one. Additionally, many car rentals charge a higher rate if you’re under 25, and most require a credit card to be on file. Certain locations don’t let senior citizens rent cars. When you book a car, ask about any age requirements.
To make sure your flight won’t be delayed, take a flight early in the day. Chances are that if one flight is delayed, the flights immediately after that flight will have to be delayed. Thus, the earliest flights will suffer from the fewest back-ups.
Sign up for the email alerts that some travel sites offer. It will keep you up to date with the cheapest way to travel. It also emails you when the flights you like have dropped in price.
Make sure you carry small pillows and blankets when traveling. No matter your mode of transportation, these items make things more pleasant. Airlines can provide them, but many run out. By bringing your own, at least you know your blanket and pillow are clean.
Make your luggage look unique from other bags. Decorate it colorfully. Try using paint and markers for drawing on it, or you can use stickers. You would hate to have someone grab your bag by mistake.
When traveling, it is important that there are copies of any important documents you may have. Keep these copies of passports, insurance information, and any other pertinent documents in a safe place as backups for the originals. It is wise to have a relative or friend hold onto a set too in case your documents turn up missing.
When you are traveling with a large group or even just one other person, it’s a smart idea to divide the belongings among different bags. This provides insurance against lost luggage. If someone’s luggage is lost, they will at least have some of their belongings. Make sure to keep an eye on luggage at all times.
Try not to be too regimented when it comes to time when traveling by car, particularly in terms of bathroom breaks. You need not be so rigid that a 10-minute restroom break destroys your itinerary. This will also help you avoid grumpy or whiny travelers on the trip.
When traveling, particularly on business trips, the temptations will be plenty. Instead of eating at a buffet, visit the hotel’s gym. This will help you to stay fit and feel energetic on your trip.
When you are planning on bringing small children along for a car trip and are using a rental car, make sure you pack their car seats. When you rent your a car, it is unlikely that you will have a good car seat, so bring your own.
If you are traveling out of the country, make sure that have the currency traded before your trip. Sometimes exchanging currency can be a difficult task, so it’s best to get it done before you truly need it. Generally, larger banks have access to all foreign currency and will be happy to exchange with you while you are still in your country. By doing this, you will be able to start buying things and having fun the moment you land.
If you intend to plan an unusual or exotic journey, think about getting travel insurance meant to pay for emergency situations. The farther from civilization you plan to be, the more grateful you will be to have this type of insurance.
Before you travel, it is a good idea to research local customs and regulations. You may have to face consequences for doing things that are viewed as offensive or illegal, despite you thinking otherwise. You should be on your best behavior and show respect for the local authorities while traveling.
Always bring an extra pair of glasses on your trip. This way you will have a spare, should your main pair be accidentally damaged or lost. You may not want to keep them in your carry on bag, in case something happens to that bag while traveling.
Utilize contact lens cases to make it easier to bring along lotions and gels when you travel. These containers have a leak proof lid that screws on, are made to be portable, and hold up to a week’s worth of product. You can find them very inexpensively at any drugstore and many grocery stores.
As previously mentioned, tight economic times may have caused you to feel as if you cannot afford a vacation this year. Use these ideas to take a vacation without breaking the bank.
If your plane has arrived in your destination, but your checked baggage has not, stay calm. Locate the lost luggage station, and be prepared to present your flight documents, as well as identification before filling out the required paperwork. Usually they will find your luggage and forward it to you as soon as a driver is available.
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