Traveling is awesome for enjoyment, exploration, and getting a new perspective. As fun and educating as it is, it can be costly and chew up a ton of time. These tips will help you minimize the amount of money you spend without compromising the quality of your vacation.
Once you know where you are going, put in some time to learn your destination. Find a map of the country or city that you are visiting. The more you know about the environment, the easier it will be to get around when you are there.
Provide yourself with what you need to be comfortable on a flight rather than counting on the services of your airline. Travel with your own blanket, pillow and entertainment if you believe that you may need them. Additionally, it is a good idea to bring something to snack on.
Join a price watcher for travel. This will take the work out of finding deals. You will receive a notification if a hotel or airline reduces the price to your desired amount. This helps you avoid the hassle of always having to check.
Amusements parks and other attractions have options of printing tickets out online before you leave for your destination. The long lines and wait times you can avoid make a service fee for this process well worth the money. You can also often skip the admissions line altogether.
When traveling by car or airplane with a small child, make sure you have plenty of interesting things to occupy them during the trip. Take a few favorite games and toys. A new toy may keep their attention even more.
Hotel etiquette calls for tipping the bellhop and housekeeping staff. You should tip the bell hop around one dollar per bag that they carry. Tipping will show your appreciation for their work, and will help you maintain a good relationship with hotel staff.
Using a motorcycle may be beneficial on day trips. The quick movements, efficient gas use and overall enjoyment will give the trip a great start. It can be very enjoyable to travel by motorcycle.
If you’re leaving your car at the airport while you’re away, reserve your spot in advance if possible. The cost of parking is higher if you don’t pre-book. It might save even more if you just take a taxi to the airport.
Your vacation can be eco-friendly if you use environmentally responsible services. Do business at hotels that use green energy and offer recycling. Tour providers, car rental agencies, restaurants, and numerous other travel services are finding new ways to help travelers stay green.
If you want to rent a car, usually you must be 18 years old and some require that you be 25. If you’re 25 or under, you may pay a slightly higher rate and may need to give a credit card. Senior citizens are not permitted to rent vehicles in some cities. When you book a car, ask about any age requirements.
When you cross time zones, you’re likely to suffer from jet lag. To help prepare for this try to get a few extra hours sleep before leaving on your trip. You should also make an effort to sleep during the flight.
Write reminders of things you don’t want to leave behind in your room when you depart by using a dry-erase marker on the bathroom mirror. A paper note can easily get lost, but a note written on a mirror is hard to ignore. This is a great approach, and the markers easily wipe off.
If you are taking a cruise, get to know your fellow passengers at dinner. Most cruise ships seat people together at a large table, even though they don’t know each other. Relax an enjoy talking with those that you meet along the way. The friends make on board can end up being life long friends.
Bringing your own bottled water to countries with dubious water supplies is recommended. Many foreign countries have drinking water that is not purified leading to illness. Bottled water is important even for tooth brushing purposes. Using tap water can get you sick, no matter how you use it.
No matter where in the world you have chosen to travel, these tips have probably prepared you for a safe, rewarding travel experience. Regardless, if you plan ahead, your trip is sure to be fulfilling, interesting and something that you will never forget.
