Traveling somewhere new is wonderful, but it may be stressful, too. Fortunately, with a little planning and preparation, any trip can be made easier. Read through the following tips so that you have fun traveling.
If you are traveling through a smaller airport, check their website to see every airline that they service. Often, there will be charter airlines, and they might have great prices available.
If you are flying or driving with a young child, it is vital that you bring along things that will keep your toddler entertained, especially if the traveling is long. Keep some of their favorite items on hand. It is also nice to purchase at least one new toy for the trip, since this will be a complete novelty and will keep your little one’s attention, for a longer period of time.
You should know the tipping conventions for the bellboys and housekeepers. Generally, you will give one dollar per piece of luggage, and anywhere between two and five dollars a day for housekeeping. If you treat the staff well, then they will treat you well.
Carry matches or a business card from the hotel with you. In the event that you get lost while meandering about, this info will help you find your way when using a taxi or other service. It is very important, especially if you are unsure of the local language.
Credit Card
When you travel abroad, find out from your credit card company what type of travel insurance you already have. For instance, you may already be covered for cancelled flights that are charged to your credit card. You should do your research before leaving.
For your morning coffee, melt ice overnight. If you are worried about the taste of tap water, melt a bucketful of ice overnight. Upon awakening in the morning, you can use that water to make fresh coffee that does not have an offensive taste.
Bring a few cookies sheets with you when going on a road trip in which your children will be with you. These are great for providing the flat surfaces needed for coloring or playing games. If your children are very young, bring along magnetic numbers and letters to provide an educational activity.
When using a traveler’s check, exchange some before going shopping or out to eat. Though most places will accept these checks, they can offer difficulty when used. You may get shorted when you use them. Instead, have them converted to local currency previous to shopping.
Auto rental companies usually require renters to be at least 25 years old, although some rent to drivers as young as 18. 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. Find out about any age restrictions when reserving a rental car.
If you are traveling to a different time zone, you may experience jet lag. You can’t really do anything about it, so you should try and sleep as much as possible before you leave. In addition, do your best to get some sleep during the flight.
If you don’t sleep deeply, earplugs are a good thing to have. The hotel you stay at may not have sufficient walls to keep out noise. Earplugs can prevent any disturbances from other rooms keeping you awake.
Whenever you enter a new country, avoid changing your currency. There is an easier way to obtain your foreign currency. The easier method is getting your currency from an ATM. An ATM’s exchange rate is usually much better, and it is usually a lot less expensive than using an exchange to get your currency.
Make copies of anything important before you travel. Passports, insurance, and confirmation numbers will all need to be kept in at least two places while you travel in order to ensure you always have a copy available. You could also leave a copy of everything with a friend or family member as a backup.
If traveling overseas, invite your friends along to help keep your costs down. Often, you can receive group discounts. You can save a ton of money with airfare using this. Ask your friends to find out if any want to accompany you.
If you are traveling and wear glasses, remember to take an extra pair with you in your luggage. 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.
If you are traveling with others, divide your belongings among the luggage. This helps avoid lost luggage. If anything is lost, they still have a few of their belongings. To guard against not having any clothes should something go wrong with the luggage, carry an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag.
A lot of the time, you can save by simply booking a flight that has a connecting flight. That said, consider your layover time wisely. If the layover isn’t long enough, you may miss the flight that is connecting. If it is lengthy, you may spend hours at the airport with nothing to do but wait.
Do not allow what could happen on a trip prevent you from enjoying yourself. Just keep these suggestions handy while you travel and you can better enjoy your trip the way you want. You can avoid worrying about what could go wrong and focus on the memories you are making along the way.