In light of the recent state of the economy, you may be feeling like you need to scale back your finances and skip your vacation this year. Follow these tips if you are a money conscious traveler.
When away from home, don’t use a public computer to access sensitive information. There could be keyloggers that take your info.
When planning a vacation, be flexible when it comes to your exact destination. Though you may have established favorites, it is always fun to mix things up with some new spots. A different destination may save you hundreds of dollars.
If you are traveling through a smaller airport, go online to see what airlines are there. One of the main reasons for this is charter flights, which often service flights through smaller airports but aren’t listed. You can find some sweet deals this way.
Pack a door stopper when you are planning to stay in a hotel. If you are travelling in a country less developed, it is important that the hotel have added security, especially at night. Put the wedge in and then put on the deadbolt and chain for extra security.
If you are traveling with a toddler, make sure they have something to occupy them. Consider taking along some of his favorite play things. It is also a good idea to buy a new toy to take on the trip because it will give your child something to associate the trip with.
While you should always have a luggage tag on the outside of your bags, be sure to place identification inside as well. Tags can fall off en route. Make sure that your identifications are on your bag so that you do not lose it.
Keep the business card from your hotel or something else with their information on it with you at all times. In the event that you get lost while meandering about, this info will help you find your way when using a taxi or other service. It is particularly useful for those who haven’t mastered the language.
Determine if you will need a Visa in order to go to the foreign country you are traveling to. Because visas may take a while to be approved, apply for one long in advance of travel. Not having a properly processed visa will mean that you will not be admitted to many countries.
If you are using traveler’s checks, cash them in before you go to shop or eat. Even though many places do accept these checks, often times it can be a complicated mess. You may get shorted when you use them; so, have them converted to local money prior to shopping.
Booking Travel
One way to do vacation planning is by utilizing the power of the Internet. Booking travel has never been easier. When you visit a good travel site, you can plan an excellent itinerary quickly and easily. Booking flights, hotels or rental cars can all be done on the Internet. Reviews and pictures of hotels are easily at your disposal. Don’t forget to look for discounts when booking travel at the last minute.
Because road trips can be quite boring, it is a good idea to plan things to do along the way. Having something to look forward to other than bathroom breaks and meals can make the trip more exciting. Give a copy of the itinerary to each of your kids so that they can get excited.
When traveling, take along a pillow and a small blanket. Whether you travel via rail, air, bus or car, a pillow and blanket can provide you with an additional measure of comfort. Airlines usually provide them, but they can run out. If you carry your own, you will also know that it is clean and sanitary.
You do not need to carry luggage when you travel by air. This will save travel time. Have your things sent to where you are going by using FedEx or UPS. While this is more expensive, it is worth the investment.
If you’re planning on purchasing travel insurance, it pays to be upfront and honest. Share information regarding sickness. A company will probably not pay your bill if they find out you already had an illness. Unfortunately, you will have to pay the bill.
Be sure you are allotting enough check out time when you’re departing your hotel. Hotels tend to charge a big fee if you don’t check out before the stated time. Always give yourself enough time to check out.
Check your radio alarm in your hotel room before you sleep. Without checking, you don’t know if the alarm has been set, and you don’t want any surprises.
You should write all of your contact information inside your luggage, include your name, address, and home and mobile phone numbers. This way, even if your luggage gets lost and external tags are detached, your luggage may still find you. Attaching a label takes only a few seconds and could potentially save your vacation.
No matter the state of your finances or the economy, you don’t need to stay at home this year. Make use of the information in the above article and you’ll get more vacation for less money.