While a vacation is intended to be relaxing, traveling can sometimes cause unnecessary stress. To ensure your trip goes well, proper planning is crucial. The tips that follow are going to help you when planning your travels.
Pack all your necessary belongings in a carry-on bag for airline travel. Not having to check luggage means that you can save on checked bag fees, check in for your flight at home or at a kiosk without having to wait in line a the ticket counter, and will avoid the possibility of your luggage being lost.
When planning a trip, don’t count on a single booking website to show you the lowest fares. Compare prices across a variety of sites, including meta-searchers if you can find them. Also check with the airline and hotel directly, as they may actually be able to offer you a better rate than the website.
If you are traveling by plane, make sure you have enough room in your luggage for the things you want to take back. If your bags are packed full before you get there and you want to buy new clothes or souvenirs, not only will your clothes get all wrinkly, but there could be a chance that your luggage bag bursts and you lose the old things, as well as the new.
Make sure to drink plenty of water when travelling, especially when travelling by air. During busy, hectic days of travel, many people neglect to stay adequately hydrated, leading to feelings of nausea compounded by the stress you feel when travelling. Always have a bottle of water on hand.
When traveling with children, make sure to pack each child their own bag of snacks and quiet toys. The toys and snacks will keep them occupied and satisfied, whether in the backseat of the car or on an airplane. Happy kids mean less stress for mom and dad, which means a better vacation for everyone.
As you make your travel arrangements, consider using the bidding features that are available on several websites to secure your hotel accommodations. You can bid on hotel rooms at drastically reduced prices, but you don’t know which hotel you are staying at until they charge your credit card. You can often get at least 50 percent off the regular rate of the room using this method.
Make plans to participate in a scavenger hunt if you are traveling on a cruise ship. When going on vacation with a large group of family or friends, take the time to divide everyone up into teams and challenge them to find items or information. Not only will you have a good time, but everyone will learn a lot about the ship.
Do some research online that covers all of the additional fees that you may be charged by individual airlines. These fees include baggage fees, snacks, entertainment, wifi and seat section. You will then be able to add up what everything is going to cost you including the price of the ticket itself.
When packing toiletries for your flight, try using small bottles to pack them in. These handy little containers are durable, mostly clear or see-through, sturdy and even include waterproof varieties that makes them easier to pass through airport security. They are also great for packing shampoo and lotions, so that you can avoid needing to carry your big bottles.
If you have diabetes and are traveling, plan ahead. Get a doctor’s note explaining that you have diabetes or wear a medical alert bracelet. Take enough insulin with you and even some extra, if possible. Pack snacks, such as juices, peanut butter and sugar cubes or packets, for emergencies. Dress in comfortable and loose clothing and shoes.
When making airline reservations, make sure you request seat assignment. Without it, you could be fighting with other passengers over which seat you want. Or worse, you could be forced to have to take a later flight because your original flight is overbooked. When you get your seat number, make sure it is documented on your ticket.
Separate valuables and important documents while traveling in different bags or pockets. This way, if you lose your wallet or bag, you do not lose all of your valuables or identification. Consider anything difficult to replace or necessary when deciding where to pack items. For example, you may want to pack one credit card in your luggage and another in your wallet.
Financial institutions will generally provide better currency exchange rates than local currency exchange shops. If you are traveling to a foreign country and use an international bank, you can save some money by going to your bank or using one of the bank’s ATMs in the foreign country. You might get a better rate than in your own country.
When traveling by air many people have issues with the air pressure changes. A great way to tackle the air pressure issue is to chew gum when the plane is taking off. It will help to keep the pressure from building up and allow you to have a smooth take off.
Visiting local wineries can be a fun, convenient, and inexpensive trip. Research your state’s wine industry to discover destinations you may never have even heard of! Tasting fees in many wine regions are often inexpensive and may include a winery’s entire selection. Depending on where you live, it may also be possible to visit several wineries in a single day trip.
If your credit card is not administered by one of the major companies, you should first check with your card issuer to determine whether or not the card will be valid in other countries. If it is, inquire as to whether the issuer charges additional fees for purchases made outside of the US.
While travel can be a good time for all, it can be a hassle if you don’t have the right information. Use what you’ve just learned to make your next adventure easy and fun.
