It is just so nice to be able to stay within the comforts of your own home. You really just do not feel like going anywhere when you think of all the stress that is involved with traveling. However, it does not have to be that way. The following tips will help make traveling a lot easier on you.
When you’re traveling, if you’re going to use a public computer, make sure you don’t use it for anything sensitive like banking or checking your credit card balance. There is a keylogger that takes your information as you type.
Luggage is often a large problem when people travel. While it might seem like a good idea to buy your children small size luggage, remember that they are entitled to a full size carry-on on most major air carriers. This extra luggage space can often save you from checking an extra piece of baggage. This will save you from $25 to $50 on most airlines!
Write down your travel plans and leave a copy with friends or family. It is always wise to prepare for the unexpected. Should you go go missing, someone is sure to notice much sooner this way. Knowing what your plans were will also be very helpful to the authorities.
When planning to fly for a trip, don’t forget any frequent flier miles you might have racked up. It does you no good to hang onto those once you’ve already gone on your big vacation. Even if you don’t have enough miles to cover the whole trip, many airlines will allow you to discount your rate using your miles.
Be flexible. If your travel dates can be tweaked by a day or two, try using the “flexible dates” feature of most online travel search engines. This allows you to search departure and return dates within a given range. By just changing your dates by a day or two, you may be able to score huge savings on airfare.
Make sure to pack your vitamins when you travel and remember that vitamin C is a great energy and immune booster. Taking a vitamin supplement can help you prevent or lessen the effects of jet lag on your body, strengthen your immune system against the multitude of germs you will come into contact with, and generally make you feel better. Clear any supplements with your doctor before taking them if you have underlying health issues.
Driving far in a car means consistently changing radio stations for ones that a clear. To solve this, make CDs or tapes with all of the group’s favorite songs so you can jam happily without distracting yourself by trying to find a clear station while driving. This also allows for you guys to listen to music non-stop rather then sit and wait for commercials to end.
Don’t tempt robbers! Especially when traveling abroad or in unsafe areas, don’t make your belongings look tempting to steal. Instead of carrying around shiny new backpacks and gear, use older things. If you don’t have any older gear that will work, stick some duct tape on your new pack to give the impression that it is older.
If you’re going on a cruise, it’s advisable to bring your own alcohol. While food is unlimited on the ship, alcohol is not. They won’t charge you anything right then and there, instead you’ll just swipe your room key. But come check out time, you may find you’ve racked up hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of alcohol if you and your family like to drink.
Bring your own adapters, unless you want to buy over-priced ones. Many foreign countries have differently shaped and sized outlets. Buying adapters while you are still at home is much more cost-effective. Businesses in these countries have learned to take advantage of travelers who forget that the plugs are quite different from back home.
Talk to your bellman. The man who helps carry your bags to your room is usually one of the most informed people in the hotel. He can tell you the best and worst places to eat, drink, and be merry or relax. Tipping him can bring you a wealth of information, so don’t be stingy!
Bring your own comfort items on the plane. With airlines trying to recoup costs wherever they can while keeping ticket prices low, many have resorted to charging for many of the comfort items that used to be free. A travel pillow, blanket, music and headphones can save you precious money that is better spent on your vacation.
Be sure to acquire travel insurance prior to taking a big trip, especially if your vacation is in a foreign country or includes adventurous activities. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. Travel insurance can cover you for any medical evaluations, issues or procedures necessary while you are traveling.
If you travel with a lot of electronic devices, be sure to pack an outlet strip in your bag. Many hotel rooms have a limited number of outlets, and they are often behind furniture or in inconvenient places. By using your own outlet strip, you will have plenty of room to plug in all of your various chargers.
When traveling do not bring large amounts of money with you. You also do not want to appear to have a lot of money. This will make people think they can take advantage of you.
As you can clearly see, traveling really does not have to be filled with stress. These tips can really make a difference and help make you feel right at home when you are traveling. So take a deep breath and pack your bags. It is time to take a relaxing trip.