In the world of traveling, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This article contains some of the best tips for helping a new traveler become a smart traveler.
When traveling in another country, be sure to clean your hands and under your fingernails often. Try not to touch your face, especially your eyes and mouth ,to prevent any bacteria or germs from getting in. This is especially important if you’re visiting a less developed country to avoid getting sick.
If you are traveling with too much luggage to carry on an airplane, take a digital photograph of your bag and the baggage tag. These come in handy if your bag is lost. The photos give you something to reference when describing your bag to the airport personnel and the tag confirms that your bag was labeled for the right airport.
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.
If you are traveling with other people check and make sure they have everything they need. Sometimes people you are traveling with can remind you of items you may be forgetting to bring. They could also give you some advice on what to bring as they too are probably thinking of what items to bring on the trip.
When travelling on a road trip, make sure you bring a bag with you for trash. Even people who don’t normally eat in the car will during long road trips, especially if you don’t want to stop to eat and add more time to your trip. A trash bag can help you keep the mess and clutter to a minimum.
The price of food in airports and on airplanes is notoriously expensive, unhealthy and of poor quality. If you have the time to spare, bring some food to eat at the airport or in the airplane, when you travel. Most drinks aren’t allowed through security, but most food is.
Always look up recent reviews to the travel destinations and hotels that you plan on visiting. The more reviews a place has, the more reliable it is and the easier you can figure out if the place is one you want to stay at. If the review has photos, even better. Pictures tell more than words can, most times.
Whether you are traveling within your own country or going overseas, it is a good idea to follow some basic safety precautions to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime. Wearing expensive clothes and jewelry can set you up as a prime target for theft. Carry credit cards or traveler’s checks instead of large amounts of cash. Keep an eye on your luggage, and do not allow strangers to leave packages with you under any circumstances, even momentarily.
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.
Before spending hundreds of dollars on a plane or train ticket, consider traveling by bus. Especially for regional trips, you may find the bus is a very economical alternative that adds very little to your travel time in comparison. Often times bus tickets are thirty dollars or less, giving you more money in your pocket to spend.
Try locating airlines that are not popular. Many smaller airlines do exist and many are great, cheaper alternatives to the larger more popular airlines. Many of these exist for international, but you can find some domestically as well. Try getting on a flight that stops at your destination, but goes a little further too.
Use the same shirt to document the most important landmarks that you go to while traveling. Either bring a favorite t-shirt or buy one while you are on your trip. Keep it handy and put it on to take a picture each time you come to a memorable place. It’s fun, and it adds a unique touch to your pictures.
A great travel tip if you’re looking to go on a cruise is to make sure you book the right room for you. Rooms in the middle of the ship tend to be the quietest. If you don’t want to climb a lot of stairs you should get your room near the main deck.
A useful travel tip for anyone venturing abroad is to give accredited or recommended hostels a try. These dorm-like lodgings offer safe, clean places to stay for those traveling on a tight budget. By touring in this way, it is possible to meet new friends, visit a greater number of different countries, and spend less money than you may have thought possible.
DRINK YOUR WATER! Why when we are traveling do we forget such simple things? Most traveler ills can be firmly laid at the door of dehydration. Keep a liter bottle of water on you, and make sure you drink it all and hopefully a little bit more. Save yourself the pain of headaches, and muscle cramps by keeping that water intake high.
After reading these tips, you can begin to understand what it takes to become a smarter traveler. There is a lot of information and you need to know how to use it. Keeping that in mind, you can refine your own traveling plans so that you can relax and enjoy your next trip.
