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TIP! If you have known food allergies, be very careful about food when traveling in foreign countries. If your food allergy is particularly bad, make sure to express this in their language.

Traveling is a very enjoyable activity, even if you have to travel for the sake of business. Traveling can be expensive, though, when you combine airfare, hotel expenses and other costs. This article will help you keep your expenses to a minimum.

TIP! Be vigilant when dealing with local police or other officials, in case they’re not who they claim to be, but instead are imposters. Don’t give anyone your original passport, because this could set you up for theft.

Planning ahead is the number one rule of flying. If an airport is in a major city, it can be quite difficult to get to, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its heaviest. Pack your suitcase the night before. Do not procrastinate preparing for your flight. Missing your flight can be a very devastating experience.

TIP! Even if you are taking a long flight, bring your own comfort supplies and don’t rely on airline personnel to provide them. Be sure to bring a blanket, headphones or pillow if you think you’ll need them.

Create a list of what to pack. As soon as you know you’ll be traveling, start a list of everything you will need to pack. Even if you put off packing until the last minute, you can look at your list to avoid taking too much, or worse, forgetting something vital.

TIP! Hit the gym before you board your flight. It’s boring having to sit through a long flight.

Make sure you are careful about any food allergies you may have whenever you visit a foreign land. If you have food allergies that tend to be severe, it is important for you to learn terminology for words pertaining to foods and their preparation so that you can prevent an allergic reaction. This will give you the ability to alert your waiter or waitress of the foods that you have an allergy to so that they can be kept out of your meals.

Throw a few clothespins into your suitcase. While you may not usually think of packing clothespins, they can be very useful.

TIP! Taking sleeping pills will help you get through a long flight. For many people, sleeping on a plane is almost impossible, between the uncomfortable seats and the noise level.

Hotel etiquette calls for tipping the bellhop and housekeeping staff. For bell hops, tip a dollar for every bag they carry. With housekeepers, leave between two and five dollars for every day they care for your room. If you can tip these people appropriately, you will find that you will have a better relationship with the hotel staff during your stay.

TIP! Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Many countries have rules in place about passport expiration.

When traveling by air, wear lightweight, comfortable shoes that can be easily slipped on and off. This makes security checks easier since you can easily slip them off. Comfort is paramount. Although you can end up walking a lot, you will also end up sitting a lot, so shoes will full coverage and support aren’t required. Wearing sandals like flip flops or Crocs is a great way to stay comfortable on your flight.

TIP! Find out if you are going to need a visa. Visas might take a while to process, so give yourself enough time to apply and receive it.

Utilize travel to educate your family. Even developing countries can be perfectly safe if you plan carefully for safety, and it’s an awesome learning experience for your children. Traveling far afield is a wonderful method of exposing yourself to new lifestyles and cultural backgrounds.

TIP! Getting a pass to the National Parks is a good idea if you frequently visit the parks. The cost is only 50 dollars and good for admission to all national parks for the one year time frame.

A desert contains lots of interesting places to look at as well as animals most people never get to see in their lives. No one should live their entire life without at least once experiencing the desert and its austere majesty.

TIP! If you want to have a personal touch in your room when traveling, pack scented candles. Choose scented candles that will make your room have a nice aroma.

Taking sleeping pills will help you get through a long flight. A lot of people find it hard to sleep on planes, because the seats aren’t beds, and there is a lot of external noise in unfamiliar surroundings. You may want to take a sleeping medicine if you will be on an extended flight, so that you may rest comfortable while flying. Importantly, wait on taking the pill until the flight has taken off; this keeps you mentally aware in case there are delays or changes in the schedule.

TIP! Staying awake until about 8pm in local time will help you to adjust better in the new time zone. If you go to bed early, even if you’re tired, it can make your jet lag stay longer because you keep your body in sync with the time zone from home.

Join airline mailing lists. Their online newsletters often include last-minute discounts, special offers and other promotions not offered to any other consumers. While you might think that these e-newsletters are just extra clutter filling up your inbox, it will be worth it if you save money.

Travel Sites

TIP! When you are trying to maximize your travel enjoyment, do not underestimate the power of weather. Check the local weather forecast for your destination before traveling.

These days, you can do almost all of your vacation planning on a single travel site. Online travel sites will assist in planning your travel itinerary. Make the most of your travel budget by booking air travel, rental cars and hotels online. Reviews and pictures of hotels are easily at your disposal. You can also save a good bit of money and make last-minute plans on the cheap by using travel sites.

TIP! If you are taking children with you on a trip where you will be driving a rental car, do not forget to bring their car seats. Bring your own car seats if you want to ensure the safest option for your children.

Make sure you don’t fall asleep before eight pm so you can adjust faster to a different time zone. Even if you are tired, the earlier you go to bed, the more difficult it will be to get settled into your new time zone. The quicker you get used to local time, the quicker jet lag will fade.

TIP! Contact lens cases are a great thing to take whenever you go on vacation. The lens case is ideal for carrying small amounts of gel or lotion.

Some travel websites off e-tracking options that you can use. They will give you the most up-to-date information on travel fees. You can get email alerts for booked flights or even for dropped prices on transportation that you are interested in.

TIP! When changing currency, wait until you have arrived at your destination. Waiting to exchange your money can often times get you a better exchange rate.

Road trips are a great excuse for bringing your favorite music along, so you can enjoy the ride. Bringing music along gives you a constant source of enjoyment, unlike the radio which can have interference at times.

TIP! Glasses are important for you to be able to see. Do not forget to pack an extra pair before you go on a trip.

If you are going to be traveling for a long period of time, make sure to periodically get up and stretch your legs. You can hurt your muscles and perhaps get a blood clot if you sit in the same position for too long.

TIP! You should write all of your contact information inside your luggage, include your name, address, and home and mobile phone numbers. This will help you get reconnected with your luggage should it get lost and have missing external tags.

Always bring an extra pair of glasses on your trip. This way, if your glasses break on your flight or on your trip, you have a spare pair. Pack them in checked luggage rather than your carry-on to reduce the chances of theft.

TIP! If you decide to have a camping trip, remember to bring maps that you can carry along with you. You should also buy a GPS in case you accidentally get lost.

Inside your luggage, attach a tag or label with your name and contact information. If your luggage should get lost and the exterior tags are gone, your information will still be available. It’s a simple precaution that could save your luggage.

Beware of emails concerning travel deals. If you know for a fact that you did not subscribe to a travel agency’s mailing list, do not open any travel-related messages.

TIP! Check into local laws and customs before you head to any destination so you don’t get caught confused. There’s a possibility that the locals may find your actions offensive and in some cases illegal, even if that is not your intention.

Following these tips should make your traveling adventures smoother and more enjoyable. When you save money, and don’t have to worry about the cash you are wasting, the entire trip is more fun. You can just think of what a smart traveler you really are.

You may feel guilty about attempting to take a vacation in this economy. This article is the perfect starting point for the economical traveler.

TIP! You should know that some criminals pose as police officers in dangerous cities. Don’t give anyone your original passport; you will probably never see it again.

When traveling by air it is important you have a plan. Major airports are in big cities much of the time, so getting through traffic and to your gate on time can be a challenge. Have your luggage packed the night before. It is crucial to have everything planned out in advance. By being prepared, you will reduce the risk of missing your flight.

TIP! Do not expect an airline to cater to your whims when you are flying. And items you may need, such as a pillow or blanket, should be packed before your flight.

If traveling with children, keep a recent, color picture of them with you at all times, just case they become lost. It can be terrifying to lose your son or daughter. However, it can occur. Keeping a picture of your child on hand can really help a lot if they ever get lost.

TIP! Take clothespins when you travel. While they may not be something you would normally pack, clothespins can come in very handy.

If you have known food allergies, be very careful about food when traveling in foreign countries. If you have had severe reactions to certain foods, learn all the foreign words for those foods. This will help you ask locals about foods you want to avoid. Also, if the worst happens, you’ll be able to tell a doctor about your allergies.

TIP! Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. The bell boy should get a bare minimum of $1/bag, and housekeeping should get at least a couple dollars a day.

If you travel to an amusement park or other specific attraction, find out if online tickets are available, and print them beforehand. There is generally a fee associated with an online ticket purchase. However, it is a small one, and the trade off for skipping long ticket lines is a big advantage. If the park uses a timed entry system, you won’t need to wait in line to enter, either.

TIP! The markup on these small products is ridiculous. Try folding your clothes in innovative ways that will take up less space.

Tip the staff at the hotel appropriately when you are staying at a hotel. An appropriate tip is considered $1 for each piece of luggage you have, and $2-$5 per day for the housekeeping service. Tipping the people who assist you during your stay will help to develop a relationship with the staff, and entice them to provide you with optimum service.

Deserts have great views and interesting plants and animals. Everyone should experience the majesty and austerity of the desert at some point in their life.

TIP! It is not always necessary to travel to far flung places to enjoy a vacation get-away. There are plenty of vacation spots in your state or perhaps one that is close by.

Make sure your passports are up-to-date by checking the expiration date. Many countries have rules in place about passport expiration. Many will not allow you entry into the country if it expires soon. Time frames can run anywhere from three months to a year.

TIP! If the site you are using offers an online tracking feature, use it. Use it to keep up with the least expensive way to travel.

Sort out your desintation’s visa requirements as quickly as possible. Some countries have an extensive process to grant visas. Apply for the appropriate visas long before your departure. Keep in mind that some countries will refuse to allow you into the country without the proper visa in your possession.

You should get the National Parks Pass if you go to these type of parks often. For fifty dollars, you can visit all the parks all year long.

TIP! Road trips are a great excuse for bringing your favorite music along, so you can enjoy the ride. It is frequently difficult to find appropriate or clear local radio stations as you drive from one place to another, so having your own source of music is a good idea.

A vacation does not mean that it has to be far from home. You may enjoy yourself right around your home or in a neighboring state. You can stay close and support the local economy, while you also save money. There are often many undiscovered attractions closer than you think.

Exchange Rates

TIP! When you go on a trip, don’t forget your contact lens case. The lens case is ideal for carrying small amounts of gel or lotion.

When going to a different country, stay away from exchanging currency. Check with your bank before you leave, and notify them you are traveling overseas. They will help you find the best way to purchase and also let you know the exchange rates for using your credit card or ATM overseas. The best way is to use an ATM at a bank to get your foreign currency. ATMs usually offer better exchange rates, and are more convenient than going to a currency exchange anyway.

TIP! One thing you can do on an international trip to make things easier is get your money exchanged before you depart. Exchange rates at airports can come with some hefty fees, or it could be difficult to find an exchange office that is open if you arrive to a country at night.

Do not forget your car seats. When traveling with smaller children, bring your own car seats, and forgo the ones provided by the rental company. Rental cars will probably not come with high quality car seats, so it is better to bring the ones you already own.

Wait until you reach your destination to save money on your currency exchange. Waiting to exchange your money can often times get you a better exchange rate.

TIP! Keep in mind that hotels can accommodate a lot of people. When you are at the hotel, do not slam doors, nor be so loud that you disturb others.

Put your personal information on a label inside your bags. Include your phone number and address along with your name. This way, even if your luggage gets lost and external tags are detached, your luggage may still find you. Placing labels on the interior of your bag can help to ensure that you will get your belongings back, regardless of how long they are out of sight.

TIP! If the hotel that you want to stay at is booked, ask if they have any rooms that are out of service. If a room needs minor changes to be made, a hotel may classify it as not being in service.

Use these types of cables to connect your computer to the T.V. in your hotel room. Instead of paying out the nose for hotel movies, you will be able to enjoy the best that Netflix and other similar services have to offer.

TIP! When traveling by car and have more than one licensed driver on board, it is a good idea to take turns driving. If you drive too much, the other driver will be forced to stay awake alone while you sleep.

Be aware of any visa that you may need if you are flying through multiple countries. Obtain the correct visas for each country you will be visiting. Some visas will not give you access to certain countries. Call the embassy in the country you will be visiting, or simply ask a travel agent.

TIP! Don’t let your cruise be the first place you realize that you get seasick. This can be devastating to your cruise adventure.

If a hotel is full, try asking for an out-of-service room. Peeling paint or a dirty rug are not likely going to turn you off enough to avoid to staying in that room!

TIP! If you’re bringing gifts along on your airplane trip, leave them unwrapped. Security is paramount, and the TSA will not hesitate to unwrap a gift to inspect its contents.

Reduce discomfort on your flight by selecting a specific seat on your plane. Often, you can choose or request a certain seat or seat-type on airplanes, but not always. Make sure to take this option if at all possible. When you choose your seat instead of settling for whatever is available, you can avoid uncomfortable seating assignments, such as the middle seat.

TIP! When you are getting ready to travel, you should attempt to pack as many dark-colored clothes as possible. Darker clothing is better at hiding wrinkles and dirt, and both of those are common when traveling for an extended period of time.

If you will be flying leave the gift wrap home. It is a waste of time to wrap the presents because the TSA may have to open them anyway during inspections. Instead, wait until you get to your destination to wrap the gift.

TIP! Know the current political status of your country’s interaction with a country you may be considering visiting. You can check the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for current updates on any situations developing abroad that may cause problems for travelers.

As discussed in the article, you may feel as though you should pass on your yearly vacation because of the economy. Apply the advice from this article and you will be on your way to budget friendly travels in no time.