Travel can be a lot of fun, and there are so many ways you can improve upon your traveling plans. No matter if you want inexpensive ground transport or nicer hotels, the tips below can help you get what you need.
When flying, be sure to wear loose fitting clothes and slip-on shoes. This will ensure that your flight is comfortable. Not only that, it won’t take as long to get through security if you can quickly take your shoes on and off. Loose clothing will allow for any short term swelling that you may experience due to air pressure in the plane’s cabin.
When you are traveling to a foreign country, learn something about its customs ahead of time. It will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes in local etiquette. It can also help you understand and appreciate the culture a little better. In a way, you will be representing your country in a foreign land, so you would want to make a good impression.
Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport. You can save on cab fare and long term parking fees. Many people will be happy to perform this favor for you, especially if you are willing to reciprocate later on down the road, when they are taking a vacation.
Make arrangements for your pets while you will be away. Have a neighbor or friend come over to feed, walk and check in on them, at least once per day. They will feel more secure knowing that they will have fresh food and water and will be less stir crazy than if they were left alone for a long period of time.
When being serviced by a smaller airport, look into all the different airlines that have flights. Some of them will offer charter flights that you can’t see when searching for deals, and they might be able to get you a good price.
If you’re purchasing souvenirs as gifts while traveling, be creative. You can use a local newspaper as gift wrap to give it a special touch. This works especially well if the newspaper is in a foreign language or has photographs. Other low-cost souvenir gifts, include matchbooks, coasters and clean napkins.
Long driving trips can be fun and economical, but the cost of stopping for meals every few hours will add up, especially for a family. If you are planning a longish car trip, make sure you have plenty of car food available in advance. You may be able to get away with skipping the hourlong lunch stop, which will not only save you money, but will get you to your destination sooner. If you have a second adult in the car, that person can serve as “lunchmaker,” handing around sandwiches, cutting fruit, and making sure everybody gets their midday meal on the road.
If the hotel you’re staying in doesn’t offer free wifi, try asking for a room on the first or second floor. Most of the time in cities, there are tons of cafes around that offer free wifi and you can pick those signals up when you’re on the lower floors.
Wear dark sunglasses throughout your entire flight if you want to be left alone. Most people will assume that you are either trying to sleep or nursing a migraine, and will behave as such. If you want politeness and courtesy, leave the glasses on. It’s an easy way to have a relaxing flight.
If you have a laundry list of questions to ask about the hotel that you’ll be staying in, call the front desk in the late evening or overnight. Hotels are significantly less busy during these times, and you are more likely to speak with someone who isn’t especially rushed or trying to check five people in all at once.
Before you begin thinking about where you would like to travel next, subscribe to get emails from major airlines, hotels and rental companies. It will increase your amount of “junk” mail, but these newsletters often include information about last-minute hotel deals or flights that will allow you to use your frequent-flyer miles. Since these deals go quickly, finding out about them first is essential.
There are many large families that would like to travel to popular vacation destinations, but are afraid they cannot afford it. You can book trips with time sharing and save money each year by already having the lodging. If you plan trips when gas prices are low, you will also save money on your travel expenses.
If you plan to travel more than a few weeks, you will want to make sure you have paid up all your obligations prior to leaving. This will ensure that you do not come home to discontinued services. Travel lasting longer periods of time can result in reconnection fees when you return if not planned in advance.
When you are traveling by plane, consider bringing bottled water and hand sanitizer in your carry-on bag. Sanitize your hands after you wash them in the plane’s bathroom and make sure to drink as much water as possible. Both of these things will help to keep you from getting sick. Also remember not to touch your face and not to get ice included with your drinks. The water on planes has a lot of bacteria.
When buying airline tickets, purchase them as far in advance as possible. Two months in advance is when the cheapest flights are available through the airlines. If you know you are traveling for the holidays, it is especially important to buy your airline tickets as early as you can to get the cheapest tickets.
When traveling internationally with disabilities it is best to check which countries best accommodate disabled citizens. Many countries are well equipped to offer travelers with wheel chair ramps, scooter ramps and have hotels that are equipped to deal with disabilities. Unfortunately, every country is not so well equipped to support travelers with disabilities.
Traveling lets you experience new things and grow as a person. You may already have some knowledge on how to plan a trip, but you can always improve your travel plans. Whatever your reasons for traveling, these tips are here to make any trip more enjoyable.