Millions of people from all around the globe put in hard work around the clock and can’t wait to take their vacations. If you’re planning on traveling, this year on your vacation or for any other reasons, read up on some great travel tips you can use on your next trip.
Keep important things in your carry on bag. You definitely do not want to lose your passport, prescribed medications or any other necessities you can’t afford to travel without. Make sure you put these things aside, either on your person or safely inside a bag that you can bring aboard the plane with you.
Don’t be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your traveling and spend the miles you’ve earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than travel, so check out your options and get to spending.
Always research before booking travel. Look for websites that have user reviews of the places you are interested in visiting. Get advice from friends who may have traveled there previously. Doing your own research will help you decide.
When traveling by airplane, look for shops in the airport that have swap shelves. These shelves are for travelers to brings books and exchange them for other books. So if your flight is delayed and you finished your book already, head over to a swap shelf and exchange it for one you’ve been wanting to read!
Traveling to a foreign country can be fun, but not knowing what the locals are saying is not. Carry a small book of common phrases and translations to help you on your trip. This can really help when you need to ask for directions or book a hotel room for the night.
Give your bellhop and maid a nice tip. It is usually acceptable to pay $1 for each bag that you have, and about $2-$5 each day for housekeeping. Doing this will not only show that you appreciated the work they did, but it will also foster a good relationship with them.
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.
When staying at a hotel, remove the top quilt or comforter from the bed. Often, housekeeping is not responsible for washing the top comforter, which means it can be harboring dirt, bedbugs, or other remnants of other guests. If there is a spare blanket in the closet, use that one instead.
Flexibility pays when it comes to booking your plane ticket! If your arrival or departure dates aren’t set in stone, you can often times find better deals on tickets. Likewise, if you’re willing to depart from a variety of airports in the area, you can often save big bucks.
Bring several clothespins! One of the notorious issues with hotels is the fact that their curtains never close all the way. To prevent that beam of light from hitting you in the wee hours of the morning, simply pin the curtains shut before you head to bed. It’s a cheap and effective way to better your sleep.
Before booking a trip, be sure to check whether a country requires a visa for entry. Different countries have different document needs and it can take some time to receive the proper ones. Please be aware that even with a visa in hand, it does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the country.
If you are taking a short trip, it could be in your best interest to travel in the middle of the week as opposed to the weekend. Not surprisingly many companies, mainly hotels, may charge more for their services on the weekend when they experience increased volume. If the time of week does not matter to you, choose the cheaper option.
Traveling long distance in a car with children can be challenging. Take along a variety of activities for the kids to play with such as coloring books, crayons, toys, etc. It is also fun to play games with the kids such as trying to find license plates from all the states, or playing I Spy.
If you are looking for a place to eat while traveling, ask your cab driver. They know of all the good local food joints that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to eat at. You can also just look to see which restaurants have cabs parked in front of them. That is a strong indication that the establishment has good food at a low price.
When you are traveling and want to purchase a souvenir, focus on things that you can use to decorate your home. Too many people bring back items that clutter their rooms and eventually get thrown away. Instead of buying a lot of little things, invest in one or two nice items that you will enjoy decorating your house with.
Keep prescription medicine in their original bottles. While space is often at a premium when packing, it is important to keep your medications in their properly labeled containers, especially when traveling internationally. Each country’s drug laws can vary, and if you are prescribed a narcotic (which are more closely regulated), get a letter from your doctor to avoid potential legal troubles.
A great traveling tip that can save you a lot of money is to book your cruise sooner rather than later. Cruise lines tend to offer better deals to passengers who book their cruise ahead of time. You can save up to fifty percent or more on your cruise this way.
No matter where you’re planning on traveling to, you need some great tips to use once you get there. You just never know what kind of troubles you’ll encounter on the drive, on the plane, at the hotel, or at any other stop along your journey. Use the tips above to help you out when traveling.
