Traveling can be one of the most fun times of the year. With a bit of sound planning, your trip can be fun and worry-free. Bring all of the documents that you require.
If you are traveling in another country and your passport is lost or stolen, head to the nearest Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. Many times these agencies can issue a replacement in as little as 24 hours, letting you get back to enjoying your vacation quickly and easily.
Leave your additional valuables at your home. An excess of valuables will make you an obvious target for theft.
Print out directions and confirmation numbers ahead of time when you are traveling. If you have a smart phone, you can save these important pieces of information in a file in your phone for easy access later. You will be much more at ease if you know ahead of time how and where to find your important information when you need it.
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.
If you are traveling to an area that has a high level of crime, consider purchasing your own padlock for the hotel room door. These locks are more difficult to pick than the ones the hotel will have already and no one in the hotel will have a spare to let in “visitors”.
If you are traveling overseas, you may want to consult a health practitioner about what vaccinations are recommended. Different areas of the world have different diseases and you always want to be prepared for what you are walking into. There are plenty of vaccinations out there that can keep you safe.
Airlines
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!
When choosing an airline, it’s important to take more than just the price of the ticket into consideration. A lot of airlines charge money for checked bags now, and many charge other excessive hidden costs. Before ‘shelling out your hard earned money’ for what seems like a cheap ticket, do some research.
Make your travel plans more affordable by looking through the website of the airport that you will be visiting. You can get information about charter airlines that will not show up in other online flight searches. The airport will also have information on low-cost carriers. Both of these options can save you money, but make sure that you check for hidden fees.
Schedule a late night flight if you are traveling with a baby. Airlines dim lights and raise the cabin temperature on night flights so that people can sleep easier. People are also much quieter and tend to watch movies or listen to music instead of talking. These conditions will help your baby feel relaxed.
Even if you don’t have a digital music player, bring headphones on your flight. Many airlines have in-flight entertainment systems that are free to use but require headphones. Instead of paying $5 for the crummy airline headphones, bring your own and enjoy your flight in comfort and style.
Traveling can be so much fun as long as you know what you are doing. The tips located above will help ensure you a trouble-free journey. Now, just relax and enjoy yourself. As the saying goes: “The world is your oyster.” Open it right now!
