In today’s struggling economy, money may be tight for you and your family. You make think that this year’s vacation is out of reach. This article is filed with useful tips you can use to save money while traveling.
Don’t bring extra valuables that you don’t need. If you decide to bring valuables, you could lose them, or they could even be stolen.
Create a list of what needs to be packed. Well in advance, you need to craft a clear list of everything that you are going to need. Creating a list is a great way to stay organized, and even if you procrastinate, it will be useful to get packing done quickly.
Create a list of all the things you need to pack before a trip. Put together a list of things you must take with you. You can start doing this a couple of months out, but should be finished about a week before your trip. Even last minute packing won’t be as stressful, when you have a list to reference. It will also take the panic out of forgetting anything.
When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Don’t give anyone your original passport, because this could set you up for theft. Walk or drive your own car to a police station if you are asked to. Never, under any circumstances, get in a car with an unknown local.
Do not hope that an airline will make you as comfortable as necessary on a flight. Bring your own pillow, blanket and headphones if you think you will need them. You may also want to pack along a few snacks so you can have something substantial to eat during your flight.
Arriving the night before is essential. Staying over at a hotel that customarily allows their patrons to leave their vehicles there during their cruise is a smart move. Ask hotel staff about any parking deals if there aren’t any published.
There are some criminals in foreign cities that pretend to be police officers, so be careful. Be sure your passport is in your possession at all times, and never give it to anyone. Also, if you have to go somewhere with this person, be sure to walk along with them. Do not get rides with strangers.
Hotel staff like room service staff and the bell hop are paid meager salaries and tips are very much appreciated. Standard tips are generally $1 for each piece of luggage, and $2-$5 for the housekeeper each day of your stay. You will find that this simple act will make your stay overall that much better, and the people who work there will go out of their way to please you.
When preparing for travel abroad, check when your passport will expire. Most countries have specific guidelines concerning expiration dates. If your passport expires soon, many countries will refuse you entrance into their country. As long as the passport is not set to expire within the next six months, you should be fine for most countries; however, certain countries require eight months, or even up to one year.
If you are a frequent National Parks visitor, it might be worth purchasing an annual pass. The pass is $50, and it can be used at any of the parks for a year.
Look for a hotel that offers free parking and stay the night before leaving from a port city, on a cruise. Check with the hotel staff about parking deals even if none are published.
Traveling a great distance from home is not always necessary for a fun getaway. Your own area can often give you a great time. You could always save money by staying in local areas and helping out local businesses. You can find fun activities you didn’t even know existed.
Never underestimate the effects of the weather when you travel. Use the Internet to see what the weather will be for the area you plan to visit. Having a weather-sensitive vacation like a beach or ski trip ruined because of a random weather event would be a miserable experience.
If you are going to be traveling for a long period of time, make sure to periodically get up and stretch your legs. Sitting for too long is not only bad for your muscles, but it can cause blood clots.
When you travel, you always need to keep up with your belongings. If you have to carry a purse, remember to keep it firmly tucked under your arm. Avoid choosing a bag that is easy to open, as they will be easier for a thief to open and steal your valuables. Always consider these things before purchasing your travel bags.
Before heading out on your next trip, make sure you have made extra copies of any essential documents you need. Keep these copies of passports, insurance information, and any other pertinent documents in a safe place as backups for the originals. Keep an extra set with a relative or friend so they can send you copies if yours are stolen or misplaced.
Car Seats
Any time you plan a trip in a rental car, with children that are under eight years old, be sure to plan to bring their car seats. The car seats that might be available with your rental car will probably not be as good as the ones you already have, so just bring those along.
Sleeping pills can help get you through a long flight. It is often hard to get much rest on airplanes, given the cramped seating, machine noise and people milling about. Try using a sleeping pill for going to sleep, so that you can have an easier flight. Don’t take these prior to takeoff, as there may be a delay or problem that requires a return.
As was discussed in this article, due to the poor economy you might be wanting to put off going on vacation this year. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it takes a lot of effort and consideration to create an effective travel plan. Failing to make arrangements for even one element of your trip can result in a loss of time, money or enjoyment. Use the tips and hints in the above article to ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable trip from start to finish.