Whether you are traveling by boat, train, plane or car, there are lots of things to think about when you are taking a trip. Get out your notepad and get ready to write these tips down, because we’re about to tell you how you can take a great trip without the headaches.
When you sign up for your passport, make sure you fill in the emergency information. You should always prepare for the worst and the unexpected. Should something happen to you while in a foreign country, it is important to have this sort of information available to contact friends, family, or loved ones.
Before buying a travel guidebook, look online. Much of the information available in expensive guidebooks is also free online. You can print out this information and carry it with you, saving both money and weight in your baggage. This method also allows you to pick and choose which pieces of information are vital for you, and only carry those.
When traveling by air, purchase your airline tickets as early as possible. Airlines that offer very low fares, like Southwest Airlines, have a limited number of seats available at the lowest price. By purchasing your tickets early you are assured of getting the best possible rates for air travel.
Be on the lookout for handy amenities whenever you have to spend time at an airport. While all modern airports have shops and restaurants, many also feature free services you can use to make your trip more relaxing. Take note of these opportunities in case you ever find yourself revisiting the airport. If you are a record-keeping kind of person, consider jotting down a few notes.
Traveling with groups can be frustrating to say the least. Who wants to miss their flight because one or more member of the group can’t be located. One solution is to make everyone wear the same color of brightly colored t-shirts or maybe even visors that can be take off once you are in the air.
If you have questions about the hotel, the best time to call is around midnight. The people working the desk most likely aren’t busy and will be able to give you their full attention. If you call during the day, most likely they’ve got people there in person and others calling on the phone to distract them.
When staying at a hotel, remove the top quilt or comforter from the bed. Often, housekeeping is not responsible for washing the top comforter, which means it can be harboring dirt, bedbugs, or other remnants of other guests. If there is a spare blanket in the closet, use that one instead.
If you’re going to be driving to your destination, especially if it’s a long trip, try to travel at night. There’s a lot less traffic on the roads so you can most likely get their faster. And if you’re traveling with kids, they can curl up in the back seat and sleep the drive away.
When visiting America’s National Parks, don’t just drive around the park. Get out and explore by foot. It is a great experience to visit the park, and see all that it has to offer. The only way to do that is to find a hiking trail and explore the area.
Always have a copy of your passport available, and keep it a different location than your actual passport. In the event of a stolen or lost passport, having a copy will make replacing it much easier and faster. You can tuck a paper copy into your shoe or scan your passport and keep a digital copy on a small flash drive you can keep on a key chain or lanyard.
Whenever taking a long flight, there are a few things that should never be forgotten. To combat a noisy baby or boisterous snorer, earplugs are a tiny life-saver. To combat the cold, a pair of socks and a sweatshirt that doubles as a pillow in a cinch are worthy investments in your carry-on. Finally, for a nice pick-me-up after a long flight, a small travel-size toothbrush and tube of toothpaste can be life-renewing!
Creature comforts can make the difference when you are traveling. Bringing your preferred brand of tea or coffee can help with relaxation and help you decompress. Detergents, shampoos and soaps can also be of benefit to avoid using products that will leave you wishing for the feel of home.
Before you fly anywhere in the world, check both the weather forecast for your the airports of departure and arrival. If you see some lousy weather in the forecast, check the airport websites too and make sure they haven’t already made an announcement. Weather delays are no fun and they’re made even worse if you don’t prepare for them.
Hopefully you have now made yourself and checklist or to-do list about traveling. The advice set forth here should serve you well in the future as you travel whether it be for business or for pleasure. Taking a trip should be fun and exciting and now it can be with this information.
