Traveling doesn’t have to be a large undertaking. If you have the proper steps in place and knowledge about what to do and what to look out for, you can become a seasoned travel pro in no time. This article will look into the types of things that you need to know, in order to be prepared for all your trips.
Scan your passport and email a copy to yourself. It rarely happens, but in the chance that you lose your passport during your travels, this will be a lifesaver. Getting a replacement passport can be a headache and having a copy can make the process much faster and less traumatic.
If you’re going on a road trip but don’t have space to keep a cooler, there’s a simple way to make sure you have ice cold water on you trip! The night before you leave, fill some water bottles (but not all the way to the top!) and put them in the freezer over night. Take them on the trip with you the next day and they’ll slowly melt over the course of the day, leaving you with ice cold water.
When traveling, the savvy tourist will always be on the lookout for local restaurants. A chain restaurant, even one belonging to a foreign chain the traveler does not know, will never be as colorful as an independently operated eatery. Not only are locally-owned restaurants more memorable, they are frequently cheaper than more generic options.
Use soft-sided carry on luggage, instead of a hard-sided case. When trying to cram your luggage into the overhead bin, soft-sided cases will have more give and be more easily stowed. There is no chance that a hard-sided case that is too big will ever fit. It will have to be gate checked and you won’t be able to access it until you deplane.
Get in touch with someone who runs a local blog in your destination city. Most often, these bloggers are highly knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their city, and are happy to share tips or tricks, helping you get the most from your trip. Make sure to actually read their site, so you can comment or compliment them on it before asking them for help.
Joining a hotel’s loyalty program can provide you with many different traveling perks. Members of these programs often get special bonuses that are not available to the general population. Some hotels offer free internet access or a free drink every morning for breakfast. Others will iron a few items of your clothing for no charge. Loyalty programs are a way to make your hotel stay a little more pleasant.
Traveling with children is very different than traveling alone or with adults. Young children in general do not have the social skills to always behave as they should. Be patient with children, bring along a lot of healthy snacks and even a few unhealthy ones to help their temperament. Be sure to have lots of easily accessible activities handy as well. Try to avoid travel when your child is extremely sick if at all possible.
Make good travel plans and leave a copy of this itinerary with a friend or family member at home. You do not need to plan out every minute of your time away, but you should have a rough idea of what you will be doing and when. List any flights, tours, hotel reservations, and reservations for dinners or shows.
Join the loyalty program at the hotel you are staying at. Even if you are only staying that one time, it will provide you with added amenities that you would likely be charged for otherwise. Read the fine print when signing up for these because there may be a hidden charge in some cases.
Roll your shirts in your suitcase so they take up less room and you will be able to pack more or bring more goodies home! Folding shirts takes up more room and can lead to wasted space, especially if you are going on an extended trip and desire to pack light.
Planning is one of the most important aspects that you will need to consider when you are traveling. Make sure that you always arrive at least an hour and a half before your flight so that you have ample time to get yourself situated. This will help to give you peace of mind.
Plan out your budget prior to your trip and do your best to stick to it. Don’t bring extra cash with you “just in case” because that just in case will become an extra added souvenir that you just couldn’t leave without. Have some safety money set aside in case of an emergency, but keep in mind that it is just for emergencies!
When booking flights you should make sure to give yourself enough time between flights in case the first flight is delayed or arrives late. Typically, an hour or two is the perfect amount of time for a layover. This gives you some room to breath in case a flight is delayed. It will take a lot of the stress out of travelling.
Before you leave, give friends, family members and work colleagues a copy of your travel itinerary. If there is a problem or emergency they will know where to contact you. Additionally, if you go missing it will be easier for your contacts to help find you if they have some idea of where you were heading.
If you want to put a lock on your suitcase when flying, buy one that is TSA approved. A TSA approved lock can be opened by any TSA agent. If the lock is not approved, chances are good that your lock will be broken if your bag needs to be inspected.
Now that you have an understanding of what it takes to successfully travel without any hassles, you can go ahead and plan that next trip. Just remember the tips and advice that you were given here and you should have no problems taking a relaxing and stress free trip, next time around.