Travel planning involves a lot of decisions to be made. Preparing for a trip can actually be fun sometimes. Below you will read many helpful tips to planning a fun and stress-free trip.
Always keep important information on hand when you travel abroad. Know where your embassy or consulate is and how they can be reached should you need to get into contact with them. You may find yourself needing this info. They’ll aid you if you run into any issues.
Create a list of what needs to be packed. Some time before your trip, write down everything you need to bring with you. Even if you end up packing at the last minute, this will help you remain organized and avoid unnecessary clutter.
When you travel, do not overpack. Try not to bring bulky items that take up a lot of space. Limit the pairs of shoes you carry, as they are often the largest and heaviest items you will be bringing on your trip.
Purchasing tickets online and printing them at home can be a real time saver, so look into this option if you are planning on seeing a specific attraction or amusement park. Sometimes there is a ticket fee, but already having your ticket means you don’t have to stand in long lines, so the fee is totally worth it. If your destination offers timed entry, printed tickets can also be used to get around the admission line.
Check the alarm in your hotel room when you arrive. Lots of travelers have had the unpleasant experience of being awoken by an alarm set by someone else. If you want to ensure a relaxing start to your vacation, make sure the alarm is off, or at least, set to when you would like to awaken.
While you should always have a luggage tag on the outside of your bags, be sure to place identification inside as well. External luggage tags can accidentally be removed during transit. Placing identifying info inside your luggage can ensure that it is returned to you in the event it becomes separated from the luggage tag.
Keep your business card or some identifying information from your hotel when venturing out. If you get lost in a strange city, this small thing can be extremely useful when asking a local or taxi driver for directions. This is particularly true if you don’t know the language very well.
As you travel overseas, you should find out the types of insurance coverage that your credit card company makes available on your account. You might be already covered for cancelled flight that get charged to the card. Before you leave, it is worth your time researching this a bit.
Early in your trip planning process, check whether you’ll need a visa for any of the locations you’ll be visiting. Sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, so allow a lot of time for the host country to process your visa paperwork. If you do not have a visa and your destination requires it, then you will not be able to enter.
Cash in your traveler’s checks before shopping or dining. Although traveler’s checks are accepted in most places, they’re hard to deal with. You may be in a strapped situation financially if you rely on them.
Jet Lag
Many people get jet lag when they travel to different time zones. If you get a lot of sleep leading up to the trip, you’ll experience less jet lag. In addition, do your best to get some sleep during the flight.
Try getting the “local” rate at the hotels when you travel. Many hotels give people living in the area a special deal in order to try to fill their rooms. Talk to people who have traveled to your destination. You can save a lot this way.
If you are going on a road trip, factor in time for service stops. You never know when you are going to hit a long, isolated stretch of highway. While planning your route, look for service stations that offer mechanic services. Keep their phone numbers close at hand as you travel.
When you fly with your kid, try not to put him on the aisle. Either you or another adult should be between the aisle and the child. When the beverage cart is being pushed down the aisle, your curious little one could get hurt by reaching out for it. They will be less prone to running, also, if you are there to block their way.
Try going luggage-free when traveling by air. The idea here is to save money, lessen your efforts and reduce the worry we experience when our luggage gets lost. You can use FedEx or UPS to ship your items. This will be worth it over the long run even though it may cost a little more.
Prior to traveling, all important documents must be copied. You will want to keep your passport copies, insurance, and other miscellaneous documents in separate places then the ones you will have with you. Also, have someone you know keep a set of copies, too. This helps if all copies in your possession are lost.
Don’t lie when applying for travel insurance. If you’re sick, let you provider know. This will help you to get the money that you deserve if you get sick. Unfortunately, you will end up paying the rather large bill.
Travel should be fun! Use the advice you learned here to keep your trip fun from the day you start planning until you return home.