Plan your trip ahead of time for the best results. The following advice can be very useful.
If you are a woman traveling overnight on business, be sure that the blouses and underthings you wear and bring can be washed in the sink and hung up or blow-dried. Missed luggage and/or connections can mean you arrive at a hotel late at night, with only the clothes on your back to wear the next day. Lightweight, wrinkle-free polyester or microfiber blouses and tops can be washed and hung up, and will be dry in the morning, as will all your lingerie.
Keep important things in your carry on bag. You definitely do not want to lose your passport, prescribed medications or any other necessities you can’t afford to travel without. Make sure you put these things aside, either on your person or safely inside a bag that you can bring aboard the plane with you.
When traveling in a strange city by taxi, ask an independent third party such as a front desk clerk or baggage porter what the right rate is for a trip to your destination. Also set up the rate with the driver before you get into the cab. This helps prevent you from getting ripped off.
The type of digital camera you take on your trip should be dependent on the trip you are taking. Do not bring a rechargeable battery if you cannot charge it anywhere. Make sure the camera starts and focuses quickly so you capture every shot.
If you have a choice when booking flights for travel, select an airline that uses primarily 767 jets. These larger jets have more legroom, and offer more direct flights because they can stay in the air longer. Also, the 767s have a two-three-two seat configuration, meaning there is only one middle seat per row instead of the usual two.
Try to wait until the last minute to book. It may sound counter-intuitive, but waiting until the last moment often frees up deals brought on by companies looking to fill their open slots for low rates. A hotel room with no one in it does not provide revenue, so many last minute visitors can request, and get, great deals.
When traveling by plane make sure you take every precaution you can to ensure smooth travels. You first want to make sure your luggage does not exceed the maximum weight requirements by the airlines. You also want to label all of your luggage so that there is no confusion with other passengers who have similar luggage to yours.
When packing luggage for your trip, store your socks in shoes. If you are packing more than one pair of shoes for your trip, save space back packing your socks and pantyhose inside them. Socks and pantyhose can take up a surprisingly large amount of space in your suitcase if packed separately.
Before you decide on a travel destination, make sure to read as many user reviews about the area as possible. Finding out what other travelers experienced can save you from staying in a decrepit hotel room, visiting a terrible attraction or eating a restaurant that it out of your budget.
Before leaving on an overseas vacation, ensure that there are at least six months from your planned date of travel and when your passport expires. Many airlines will refuse to allow you to board unless you meet this minimum requirement. In other cases, you will not be able to enter your destination country. In any case, it is easier to ‘be safe than sorry.’
Taking sleeping pills will help you get through a long flight. Many people find it difficult to sleep on an airplane, between the unfamiliar surroundings, uncomfortable seats, and passenger and aircraft noise. A sleeping tablet may be just what you need, so that you can sleep while the flight is in progress. The key is to hold off taking any pills until after departure so that you are not drowsy in the event you are forced to head back to the terminal.
Making long term travel plans can seem time consuming and frustrating. The best way to make sure you have all your ends tied before leaving is to make a check list of all that needs to be done. This will ensure that once you have left, you will not be left thinking you are missing something important.
When traveling overseas, do not be afraid to use your cell phone if you need to make a brief call home. You may be charged a high fee, but you can avoid the stress of trying to figure out how to use phone cards. If you need to make several calls, consider using a phone service that operates over the internet.
To avoid having to talk to your seatmate on a long flight, wear headphones, even if you don’t feel like listening to music. The headphones will indicate to your seatmate that you are busy and unavailable to chat, which will allow you to relax or get some work done without being bothered.
See what transportation options are available in the cities and towns you plan on staying during your trips. There may be no requirement that you opt for car rental. Many times public transportation is much cheaper and actually an easier method of traveling because of constant traffic congestion and the stress this brings.
When you are flying internationally, pack light. There are many reasons for this, but the most rewarding reason is that you will have room to bring home gifts from your travels. Your friends and family will love you for it. You will also save money on bag fees when you depart.
Before leaving for your trip, remember to notify your credit card companies and banks of your trip. The reason why this is important is because most financial institutions now have anti-fraud measures in place that will block transactions on an account if it is used unexpectedly in a foreign country. To prevent any unnecessary complications, inform your financial institutions beforehand.
Planning your trip will determine whether or not you enjoy it. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you’re going you will have a good understanding of what’s going on there.
