Sometimes the vicissitudes of modern travel can make you feel powerless. You can take control of your travel experience by preparing well ahead of time and learning some simple tricks. Read this article to learn ways you can make your travel dollar stretch further and reach your intended destination with less stress along the way.
Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport. You can save on cab fare and long term parking fees. Many people will be happy to perform this favor for you, especially if you are willing to reciprocate later on down the road, when they are taking a vacation.
When traveling to a strange city, always be aware of your surroundings. Both, extremely busy and extremely quiet streets, can carry added risk. Tourists who are busy gawking at the sights may turn around to find their wallet gone. Always check to see who is around you and pay attention, if you feel like someone might be following you.
Reach out to your network. Social networking sites make it simple to get suggestions from your friends and pick their brains for information. Post a question about your destination and you’ll likely garner many responses. These instant answers are especially helpful when you are on your trip and looking for a place to eat ASAP.
Traveling light can make the difference is a great vacation and a tortuous experience. Think about it. If you don’t take it with you can almost always buy it there. There are exceptions of course but even with those just a little bit of thought while packing can greatly reduce your load and make your trip much more enjoyable.
If you want to reduce your travel expenses, get some friends or family to come with you. You can share accommodations and have fun traveling together. Present your idea in an enthusiastic manner ahead of time and let them know exactly how much it will cost them so that they can save up enough money.
Taking time to travel to new areas while on the way to an intended travel destination can help one find new places to stay at for the next time they want to take a trip. Side trips can often yield new and exciting places for one to explore either on their trip or to book a separate trip to experience fully.
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.
When packing for your next trip, it is important to take along a light raincoat. The weather never does what it is supposed to. Also, the rain coat can double as a windbreaker in cold weather or even a bathrobe while you are in your hotel room.
If you’re going to be going on a road trip, bring an extra car key! You don’t want your trip ruined if the driver accidentally loses the only key to the car. So instead, get an extra key and keep it in your wallet so that you’ll always know where it is.
When traveling with a baby, use the hotel’s coffee machine to sterilize your bottles. Wash all the different parts to the bottles using soap and hot water. Plug up the sink and place all the bottle items in it. Allow the coffee machine to fill with water and then turn it on. Wait for the water to heat up and then pour the hot water over the bottles, nipples and rings. Repeat as necessary, completely covering the items with the water. Let them soak for at least five minutes, and your baby will have a sanitary bottle to drink from.
If you are traveling in a car, take a bike with you. A bike will help you get exercise after a long day in the car, and it can also help you learn a little about the place that you are in. You will also be able to see more local landmarks than you would have in the car. Try to fit the bike in your trunk if possible.
Pack one extra outfit in your carry-on bag. Lost luggage could leave you without a change of clothes until they are located. By having one on hand, you will at least be able to change one clean set of clothes. Make sure your spare outfit does not take up a lot of space – a simple t-shirt and lightweight pants or shorts will suffice.
The well-prepared traveler is one who does his or her research. Great bargains, faster trips, and hassle-free travel are all waiting for you. All it takes to find them is a little self-education. Once you start learning how to travel wisely, you can get more enjoyment and satisfaction out of your trips.