Do you need to travel soon? Learn about traveling if you want to have an enjoyable trip. But there is always something to learn about travel in order to make the best of each trip.

Make sure you don’t pack too much stuff, and also do a checklist for your major essentials. When you carry less items with you, there is less of a chance of having items stolen or losing them. Pay attention to the number of shoes you bring, they tend to be large and heavy.

Get a good workout in before leaving on a flight. Longer flights can be hard on your body. Sitting without being able to move can make both your back and your legs cramp up. By having a speedy workout, or even stretching before your flight, you are reducing your chances of getting these cramps.

Try to wear comfortable and light shoes when air traveling – shoes that you can slip out of easily. Most of the time, airport security will ask you to briefly remove them. Shoes that you find comfortable are critical. The ideal pair of shoes should also be as light as possible for the long hours you will spend sitting. Instead, wear something lighter, like sandals, for more comfort.

Keep a book of matches or the business card of the hotel you are using on your person while out. If you are on the streets in a strange city and become lost, this will be quite useful when getting directions from the locals or a taxi driver. This is useful for people that do not quite understand the language.

Make sure that your insurance covers you on vacation. You might be already covered for cancelled flight that get charged to the card. Engaging in a bit of consumer research beforehand can really pay off.

Take a rain coat when you travel. The weather can change at any given moment. That coat can also serve as protection on a windy afternoon or even be used as a robe around your hotel room.

Check the expiration dates on your passports. Many countries have rules in place about passport expiration. If your passport is expired or close to expiring, some countries won’t allow you to enter. The lead time might be as little as three months, but it can go as high as a year in some cases.

When taking a trip and using traveler’s checks, it is important that you cash them before eating or shopping. Some places may accept these check, but they’re hard to work with. You could feel shorted when using them, so try being safe and obtaining local currency before spending.

Jet Lag

No matter what the time is in your home-land, make sure you stay out of bed until 8pm local time. This will help you assimilate to the new time zone much quicker, and help to ward off jet lag. Going to bed too early can keep you set to your natural time zone; that will make jet lag worse. Adjusting to local time is best way to defeat the effects of jet lag.

Consider drinking only bottled water if you are traveling to another country. In many countries, potable water has not been thoroughly cleaned, and can be responsible for a wide range of ailments. Bottled water is important even for tooth brushing purposes. Avoid putting the local water in your mouth at all.

It is not a good idea to exchange currency while in a different country. There are better ways to get your hands on foreign currency. A better way to obtain currency in the new country is by using ATM machines. Bank ATM’s tend to have better exchange rates and are generally less expensive than an exchange.

Make sure to tip generously. When you board the boat, give the steward twenty dollars. Chances are, the same people you see working when boarding are the same workers through the cruise. They will treat you better if you are generous with them.

Don’t forget to pack your child’s car seat when you hire a rental car. Bring your own car seats if you want to ensure the safest option for your children.

If you are taking small children on a road trip by car, it is important you take along plenty of snack to be eaten during the trip. Try to pack more than you initially think. This helps them stay busy, nourished and happy. Even a little junk food won’t hurt just this once.

Check to make sure the alarm works before setting it for the morning. You have no way of knowing what the person who was staying in the room last had it set to.

Ask your friends to join you in your overseas travels if you are looking for a creative way to save money. Many travel spots offer discounts to people traveling with large groups. This usually equates to big savings, whether it be in the form of dining discounts or airfare specials. Find out if any of your friends are interested in a similar trip.

If you are going on a trip and you wear eyeglasses, put an extra pair in your luggage. This provides with a spare pair if your current pair breaks on the plane. Put them in your luggage in case your purse or carry on bags were lost or got stolen.

When hiking or camping, always carry a map of the area on your person, even if you’re only leaving camp for a few minutes. Better yet, bring your compass or GPS to use if you get lost in unfamiliar woods.

Now that you understand travel better, you can take on planning a great trip. You can create great travel experiences for yourself and your companion by being shrewd. Doing your research and preparing appropriately, then, is crucial.