With all that goes into planning a major trip for yourself or your family, it is no wonder that many people find the process overwhelming and extremely stressful at times. Fortunately, a little preparation goes a long way. For your consideration, here are the very best travel tips and tricks out there.
Study up on the language of the area you are planning to travel to before you leave. Language barriers can be tricky. Obviously, you can manage in a foreign country without speaking the language. Even so, it is always a good idea to brush-up on important words like “police” or “hospital.”
If you are traveling with any kind of prescription medication, including birth control pills, you need to keep them in their original containers with labels. It can also be helpful to get a letter from your doctor stating that you have a medical need for the items. This way, you cannot be accused of drug smuggling.
Before departing on a trip, the wise traveler makes sure at least one person back home knows where he will be. This “home base” contact should also be updated with any unplanned changes the traveler encounters on the way. Someone who knows where a traveler is – and where they should be – can be a great help in the case of trouble on the road.
Don’t be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your traveling and spend the miles you’ve earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than travel, so check out your options and get to spending.
Take the first travel photo” of your luggage. If you do end up checking your luggage, take a picture of it before you turn it over to the airline. In case of a problem, this will document what the luggage looks like and its condition when you left it. Also keep your baggage claim ticket in a safe place or snap a picture of it, too, so you have all the information necessary in the event that your luggage is lost.
When traveling by airplane, look for shops in the airport that have swap shelves. These shelves are for travelers to brings books and exchange them for other books. So if your flight is delayed and you finished your book already, head over to a swap shelf and exchange it for one you’ve been wanting to read!
When you’re taking a trip that requires a passport or any type of paperwork for that matter, make sure that you have a second copy available. Go to your local photocopy shop and make a copy of all of your documents. This is a great way to stay safe, even if you lose your original documents or if they are stolen.
When traveling by air with small children, pack a couple of toys that they have never seen before in your carry on baggage. Traveling can be stressful and difficult for a very young child. A couple of new toys can provide a much needed distraction. It also helps to prevent that over tired, or over anxious, crankiness that children sometimes experience.
So whether you are planning a getaway for one person or for the whole clan, chances are good that you could use a little help in making arrangements that will go off without a hitch. Remember the advice in this article to keep things going smoothly during the course of your travels.