Have you heard horror stories about traveling from your family or friends? Chances are, whatever misfortunes they experienced could have been prevented had they done their homework on traveling. In the following article, you are going to be given advice that could save you from having a horror story of your own.
When traveling, whether it’s for a day or a month, don’t advertise your absence on social media sites. If you do, this lets people know that you’re going to be away from home and that most likely your house will be empty. This significantly raises your chances of being robbed while you’re out of town.
If you are planning a trip abroad, make sure you get your passport well in advance. Many people underestimate how long it takes to get a passport for the first time and are left scrambling and paying extra fees to get it expedited. Plan for your passport to take six to eight weeks to arrive, especially in peak travel season.
Save on money and calories during all of your travels by packing snacks, meals and beverages ahead of time. You can make healthier choices when you plan ahead of time, and you will be less likely to overspend on a sugar or fat filled snacks that are grossly overpriced.
When considering traveling, it is important to think of the best mode of travel. Traveling by car can offer many more sights and opportunities for side trips. Traveling by train can offer a chance to relax and get some work done if they wanted. Planes can cover ground fast but don’t allow much movement and one cannot get off the plane in flight. Each mode of travel has it’s own advantages and disadvantages to be considered.
If you need to find a travel destination, you should watch some documentaries about foreign countries and perhaps look at some travel guides. This should give you a better idea of what kind of landscapes and monuments you can see in different parts of the world. Choose what interests you the most.
If you’re planning on travelling internationally any time soon, make sure you’re prepared for customs inspections and the forms you’ll have to fill out. Have your social security number memorized and keep your passport handy at all times. Find out before you leave your destination what you aren’t allowed to bring home, as your gifts can easily be confiscated.
If you’re going to use the safe in the hotel, it’s recommended that you wipe off the keys before use. And once it’s locked, press all the keys. Some hotel staff have been putting a powder on the keys that when a light is shined on them it lights up which ones you’ve pressed and they’re able to take things out of the safe.
Don’t miss the bus. If you need to travel a moderate distance to your next destination, use the bus instead of more expensive taxis or rental cars. Many buses, especially in major cities, are quite clean and modern. Not only will you save money, but you will get an excellent chance to people-watch and get to know the locals.
Eliminate the middle man when purchasing travel tickets. When you book direct with an airline or train line, 90% of the time you will get a better deal than if you use a booking agency. Many booking agencies are now reducing their fees, but if you have time to book direct, nine times out of ten you will save money.
Compare and contrast multiple flight options using a mega-search website like kayak.com. Sites like kayak.com save you a lot of time by pulling intelligence from the biggest travel sites into one convenient location. More importantly, it can save you a lot of money by making sure you get the best price possible for your tickets.
Leave some of your toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap at home. When you reach your destination you can buy these items at a local store. It is a fun way to get a taste of how the residents live when you are buying the same items as they are. Plus, you now have an inexpensive souvenir.
It can be difficult to eat healhty while traveling. Skip the roadside restaurants, but instead bring your own food. Pack your cooler with fruits and vegetables, crackers, yogurt, granola bars and cheese. These things are easy to pack, and easy to eat while on the road. Don’t forget the water, it will help you stay hydrated as you drive.
When packing a backpack for your trip, try to pack it smartly and securely. Try placing lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones at the top. This will cause your backpack to feel lighter on your back and shoulders. It is also a good idea to place things that you will use or need on the top. Dirty clothes can be easily placed on the bottom too.
When you enter your hotel room, check for bed bugs. Even though this is probably the last thing on your mind, it is an important factor. These pesky bugs can get into your luggage and attach themselves to your belongings, meaning you can end up bringing them home with you.
When going on a car trip, make sure that you treat it like any other drive and wear your seat belt. Also make sure anybody traveling with you wears theirs too. Things can still happen on a trip that can harm you or other people while driving. Road safety doesn’t take a vacation.
A great traveling tip is to wear sunglasses if you want to be left alone when you’re on a plane! Most people will simply mind their own business and not try to talk to you if they see you wearing sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses during a flight can be a great way to get some peace of mind.
In conclusion, traveling stories can be hard to hear sometimes. If the person you heard these stories from had taken the time to learn more about traveling, it is possible these experiences could have been prevented. Now that you have read this article, you are more prepared for your next traveling adventure!
