Whether for business or pleasure, traveling can be a fun experience. Traveling can be expensive, though, when you combine airfare, hotel expenses and other costs. Read on to find out how you can minimize your travel expenses and still get where you want to go.
Create a list of what to pack. Create this list either a few months to a week before your trip. This can especially help you if you are in a rush to pack, as it will prevent you forgetting things or including unnecessary items.
In the event your child wanders off, make sure to have a recent picture along with you to help locate him or her. It can be terrifying to lose your son or daughter. Children can sometimes become lost when traveling due to the crowds or the unfamiliar location. When you have a photo of the child with you, it can make a big difference in finding them fast if they become lost.
In some countries, criminals will pose as the authorities to get the jump on you. Do not give anyone your actual passport. If you are asked to travel to any offices, insist on walking. Don’t enter a vehicle with a local you don’t know.
There are always ways that your pet can head off on vacation with you. Pet-friendly hotels are becoming more and more popular. You may find cat spas, doggy day-care facilities and cruises that welcome pets. Find out where you can take your pets and feel free to do so.
When taking a road trip or flying with small kids, make sure to bring things to keep them entertained along the way. Do your best to include some of the child’s most beloved toys. Try buying a new toy for your trip since this can keep their attention for long periods of time.
It is not uncommon to provide the housekeeper and bell hop with a tip. The bell boy should get a bare minimum of $1/bag, and housekeeping should get at least a couple dollars a day. Doing this will not only show that you appreciated the work they did, but it will also foster a good relationship with them.
Remember to carry a book of matches or a business card from the hotel your are staying at with you at all times. If you are venturing out around town and you get lost, you can show the card to others who can direct you to the right place. It is particularly useful for those who haven’t mastered the language.
A motorcycle is a great way to go on a road trip. Motorcycles offer fuel efficiency and a fun way to travel. Traveling by motorcycle can be a fun experience.
Before renting a car on your vacation, be sure you are familiar with the terms of your own vehicle insurance. Rental agencies want to try to get you to buy additional insurance that you may not even need. In several cases, the insurance policies on these vehicles include basic coverage for any third party liability. It is important that you look over your insurance policy before leaving.
Bring an extra passport picture with you. It takes quite awhile to replace a stolen or misplaced passport. Carrying a photo with you can speed the process up. You’ll also want to carry copies of the documents required for passport replacement.
Bring along a few pairs of earplugs, particularly if you have trouble sleeping. Some places have rather thin walls. Good earplugs will keep you from hearing the noise that could keep you up at night.
Be sure to allow for changes in weather, as it can completely change your plans without notice. By using available weather forecasting sites, you can determine projected weather conditions at your destination. Freezing rain on a Florida beach, or unseasonal sunshine on an Aspen ski trip, will ruin the best laid travel plans.
Make sure that you bring your medications. Medications are a commonly forgotten item by travelers. It can be almost impossible to get a prescription filled in a foreign country when you are on vacation.
If there is hotel room available on a floor that is higher, you should request that one. It may not seem like a real issue, but thieves can access ground-floor rooms quite easily. Do not get a room that has doors that slide. The doors make these rooms easier for thieves to enter.
Try not to be too regimented when it comes to time when traveling by car, particularly in terms of bathroom breaks. The last thing that you want to do is be in a time crunch. This can also prevent whiny or grumpy travelers on your trip.
Invite friends so you can save money. You can get group rates at many destinations. Group rates can save you a lot of money, whether it’s dining or airfare — or even a hotel. Make sure you network to see who can join your cause.
Affix a label containing key contact info to the inside of your luggage. This label should include your name, your cell phone number, and your address. If the outside luggage tag is lost along with your luggage, the inside tag could get the bag back to you. If your luggage ever escapes your sight and gets lost, this can identify your property and provide information on where to return your luggage.
Now that you know how to travel smart, you’re ready for smooth sailing. Whereever your final destination may be, it will be more enjoyable when you can sit and relax and reflect on all the cash you have saved on the trip.
