When you think of travel, do you see it as something that takes a long time to plan which location to the next you will be traveling to? If so, then you have a narrow view of it. Traveling is so much more and it can be customized so that it works with you. Read on to find out how.
Use vacuum bags to pack more into your carry-on luggage. Trying to fit everything you’ll need for your trip into a carry-on-sized bag can be challenging. To maximize the space, try using travel vacuum bags for your clothes. You insert your clothes, zip the bag, and roll it to remove the air. Just be sure to unpack as soon as you arrive at your destination so that your clothes have time to return to their normal shape.
When considering the purchase of travel insurance, check to see if you might already be covered by your own insurance provider’s policy. Some benefits to look for that might be exclusive to travel insurance are cancellation reimbursements, coverage for interruption of the trip, ambulance coverage, and coverage of your lost belongings.
Don’t get carried away with taking too many photographs on your trip. Some people get so caught up in taking pictures of everything that they forget to experience the culture and landmarks. Take a few pictures, but also make sure to spend enough time outside of the lens to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
If you qualify, use an international “discount” card. Teachers, students and youths, all qualify for international identification cards and these cards have special benefits. The cost is small, but if you can find the right places to use them, the fee is negligible. Get them for your children, to get special offers.
When buying airline tickets, purchase them as far in advance as possible. Two months in advance is when the cheapest flights are available through the airlines. If you know you are traveling for the holidays, it is especially important to buy your airline tickets as early as you can to get the cheapest tickets.
You can save yourself a lot of time and avoid hassles by traveling as light as possible. If you just take carry-on luggage and don’t check any bags, you won’t have to waste your time standing around the baggage carousel after your flight and you’ll never have to worry about the airline losing your bags.
If you need a rental car for your trip, ask your travel agent which car rental companies are available while on your travels. There are different companies that serve different cities in the world. Using your travel agent will save you the effort and time, calling around, trying to find the best car and rate.
If you’re visiting a museum or other tourist attraction, make sure to ask about any special discount rates for which you might be eligible. Many attractions have discounts for seniors, children, and students. Getting a discount rate will help you save money and travel on a budget while still enjoying the local sites.
When traveling by air, always plan to arrive at the airport at least one hour before your flights (two for international flights). Parking, checking in and getting through security, can take time. Busy lines can make the wait longer and arriving late might mean that you will miss your flight.
When packing toiletries for your flight, try using small bottles to pack them in. These handy little containers are durable, mostly clear or see-through, sturdy and even include waterproof varieties that makes them easier to pass through airport security. They are also great for packing shampoo and lotions, so that you can avoid needing to carry your big bottles.
Make sure that when you are not the driver in a car trip, that you are getting sleep when you can. It is of utmost importance that everyone who drives is alert and well-rested since many crashes and deaths are associated with drivers who have fallen asleep behind the wheel.
A great and simple travel tip is to brush your dog off before you put him in the car to go on your road trip. Brushing your dog off first will get rid of all the excess fur which means there won’t be a huge mess of fur inside of your car.
Bring along friends to save money. Many destinations offer discounts for larger groups. You can save a great deal of money on anything from dining to airfare simply by getting a group rate. See if any of your friends want to go.
When you are traveling overseas, make sure that you have multiple copies of your passport in different locations. This will allow you to maintain the most security possible in the event that you were to lose your passport. Always have backup for important documentation when you are planning to travel.
When you are traveling, make sure that you always bring a first aid kit in the event of an emergency. It is always safe to carry Neosporin and ibuprofen, especially if you are going to be traveling into unknown territory. Always exercise caution when you are traveling with a quality first aid kit.
After reading through all of that, do you still see traveling in the same way? Do you now see that it is so much more and that there are very simple things that you can add to your plan to help enjoy your trip more? It’s not a ton of work; it’s whatever you make it.