If you desire to see new places and enjoy new experiences, travelling may be just the thing for you. Despite the many advantages of exploring the world through travel, downsides include the cost and the time commitment. Follow these suggestions so you can use the time you have on vacation to have fun and save money.
If you are squished for space while traveling by air, take advantage of every inch. Take the magazines out of the pocket in front of you and move them instead to the overhead bin. Depending on the size of the magazines, you could have bought yourself a couple of extra inches.
If you are traveling with kids, have them bring toys and games for the ride. When kids are bored, not only will they bother you with constant questions about when you will get to the desired location, but you will also find yourself making more stops for bathroom breaks and fast-food, as they try to find ways to entertain themselves.
If you are traveling to a developing country and are afraid of flying into the middle of nowhere, there are alternatives. You can land at a Western-style airport and use ground transport, such as the train or bus, to arrive at your final destination. This may be safer than flying through the bush but will still allow you to enjoy your exotic vacation.
In addition to making a photocopy of your passport before you leave on an international vacation, write down your passport number and place of issue. Store this information in your money belt or wallet, separate from you passport. The more copies of this information you have, the easier it can be to recover lost or stolen passports.
Hotel stationery is a great souvenir, and hotels do not charge you for taking it. The hotels realize that their stationery is a form of advertisement for them, so if you take it and use it, you are doing them a favor. Most higher-end hotels have beautiful stationery, so snap it up! They don’t mind.
Be aware of the opportunity to get travel credit and continue to watch the price of your flight even after you make your reservation. Many major airlines will give you a credit for future travel if the price of your flight goes down after you have purchased your ticket. You could save money on a future vacation by being aware of the price fluctuations.
Long flights are notorious for cramped quarters. If you stay cramped in your seat for the entire time, there is the possibility you could develop deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to blood clotting in your legs. Take some time to walk around and stretch your legs at least once every hour.
Verify that you have included new destination tags on your luggage. Many people fail to replace old tags from previous trips, see them on the luggage and mistake them for current tags. This is a major reason airlines deal with lost luggage. The best rule of thumb is to remove tags upon returning from your trip.
If you travel with multiple people, distribute everyone’s items across multiple suitcases. Usually every person has their own suitcase, but by packing each one with a little of everyone’s items, you can be sure that nobody will be left without all of their belongings if one of the bags is lost.
When traveling a long distance by airplane, try packing your own non-liquid snacks. Fresh fruits will boost your mood and help your digestion. You will save lots of money by doing this too.
When traveling by car, bus, or train always dress comfortably. You might find that you’re on the road for a few days and a comfortable outfit can make the trip more pleasant. You will also be able to sleep better if you are dressed in a relaxed fashion.
If you are on a special diet, call your hotel or other accommodation and tell them so. These days, many businesses aim to keep their customers happy. If you let them know in advance that you require certain foods, chances are they will make sure they have the food available for you when you arrive.
You can easily use your trip as an opportunity to teach your children about financial responsibility by allowing them a souvenir budget if they are old enough. They can then pick things that they want and learn about spending and saving. When it’s all gone, avoid caving in and giving them more.
If you have booked a cruise that has “drive-up ports,” consider booking a hotel for the night before your departure. You may find that the hotel will allow you to leave your car there while you are on your cruise, which will save you a lot of money in parking fees, making it easier to be sure to make your departure on time.
Tip generously to those who make your trip special. Tip your steward $20. These crew members will most likely be helping you for your entire cruise. Treating them well may ensure that you receive quality service.
When you are on vacation, do not bring more money with you on a day trip than you need. By having more money on you, you are just going to have the urge to buy more things. Also, you do not want to risk having all of your money stolen.
When you are packing, try to develop a system that facilitates where each of your items will be stored. This will help you to pack in an efficient manner so that you can reduce the stress of getting ready and save valuable time. Stay organized to maximize your packing experience.
Bring everything you need when you travel. An airline might not provide you with a good pillow or a warm blanket. Make sure you bring these items, as well as something to entertain yourself. Bring your music player or even a DVD player in case the entertainment provided by the company is not that interesting.
Whether your next trip takes you abroad or just up the interstate, these tips should make your travels more enjoyable. Traveling can be enjoyable and full of surprises, so get going and start enjoying what the world has to offer.
