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.
When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.
Protect your liquids from spilling when you travel with a homemade bottle stopper. Before screwing the cap on your travel-sized toiletries, cover the top with a small piece of plastic removed from a plastic shopping bag. This will both protect your clothes from the liquid and keep the liquid inside its container.
If you’ve got a long flight coming up, it may be tempting to take a sleep aide to make the travel time go faster. But wait until your plane is up in the air before you take it. If you doze off before it’s in the air, you may miss important announcements or worse, be asked to disembark to switch planes.
If you have a laptop, bring an A/V cable with you on your trip. Most hotel rooms come equipped with a television, and many now include free wireless internet as well. By hooking your laptop up to the hotel television with an A/V cable you instantly have access to many more entertainment options, whether streaming a movie from the internet to using the laptop as a DVD player.
If you know you have to fly, do yourself a favor and wear shoes requiring minimal effort to take off. Don’t pick that day to wear your eyelet wingtips with hard-to-tie laces. Women can wear clogs or slip-ons; men should choose a casual shoe style that can be easily slipped on and off with one hand.
When traveling to a new location, consider packing old clothing that you no longer care about. If you can discard old clothing along the way, you will have more room in your luggage for new clothes or souvenirs that you buy while on your travels. Also, travel is hard on clothes and can wreck new ones.
When going on a cruise, wear your room key around your neck, on a lanyard or similar item. Losing your room key on a cruise ship can cost you greatly, not only in money, but in lost time. Keeping your key with you wherever you go can insure that you, and your belongings, will be safe.
Joining a travelers club like AAA will help keep money in your pocket through discounts and specials. Many hotels, restaurants and other organizations will offer moderate to steep discounts to members of travelers clubs. With little research and questioning, you can target companies that offer these discounts and save a bundle.
When planning a trip that involves a long car ride, try to plan some fun stops along the way. It will help break up the trip for you and make the drive feel a little less burdensome. It will allow you to experience something new, plus it will give you a chance to stretch your legs.
When traveling with small children, try to bring some food, drinks, and snacks that they enjoy. Most children do not like the food and drinks that the airline offers. Also, make sure to bring toys, games, and activities that they will enjoy for the whole flight so they will be entertained.
Always carry a little cash when you’re traveling. Credit cards and travelers checks can be very useful, but you will find that some places don’t accept them. You might not be able to purchase a meal on the airline with plastic and that little, out of the way restaurant that you find, likely won’t take it either. Cash is always accepted, no matter where you are.
Avoid getting an illness while you are traveling. Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose and be sure to bring along some hand sanitizer. Use it after you wash your hands in the lavatory. Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water. Avoid ice from the airline as it is teeming with bacteria.
If traveling with a baby, you can use their diaper bag as a carry-on too. It’s not only great for all of your baby gear, but it is a great way to pack your valuables. These types of bags are generally less likely to be targeted for theft. You can also carry waste bags in these that are great for little ones and for use when you are not at a toilet that can flush.
If you travel with children, have plenty of easy to eat snacks on hand. Children often get bored and cranky when traveling, especially on boring stretches of road. This is magnified if they are hungry, so pack a snack pack that includes easy to eat foods such as pre-sliced fruit, juice boxes or small bags of cereal.
When you are packing for a trip, put smaller objects, like shampoos and medications, in see-through plastic bags. This will make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. It will also help save time if you are traveling internationally and customs wants to look through your luggage.
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.