You may feel guilty about attempting to take a vacation in this economy. The ideas in this article can help you take a vacation without spending a lot of money.
Select an aisle seat on the plane. A window seat has a view, but a seat at the aisle allows you more freedom in accessing your overhead bags, restrooms, getting attention of the service staff, and free space on one side of you.
After choosing the location for your next trip, take time to learn about. Get yourself a good map of the area, and look over what is available in the area for sightseeing and other destinations to visit. Memorize the major streets and landmarks, too.
If you are leaving for your trip from a port city, stay at a hotel with free parking and get there the night before you are to leave. Ask the staff at the hotel if they offer any parking discounts even if they don’t have any published.
It is customary to tip any hotel staff that makes your stay easier. Standard tipping rates are a dollar per bag carried, and around $2-5 per day to the maid. Tipping will show your appreciation for their work, and will help you maintain a good relationship with hotel staff.
If you want coffee in the morning, you can have filtered water if you melt hotel ice. Ice is filtered and you can let it melt overnight to use for your coffee. Upon awakening in the morning, you can use that water to make fresh coffee that does not have an offensive taste.
Make sure you are careful about any food allergies you may have whenever you visit a foreign land. If you are allergic to certain foods, you should know what the name of the food is in the native language. Then at least you can warn the staff and possibly get a quicker response for medical professionals.
If you travel abroad, it is a good idea to be ready in case the worst occurs, including the possible loss of your passport. You can get steps on contacting the embassy in the country in which you are traveling by visiting usembassy.state.gov. You can go to the US Embassy website for contact information. Take this information along on your vacation. Many times, you can get a replacement passport within a few days.
Passport Expires
Always verify when your passport expires. Review passport rules for the country you are visiting. Some of them have very strict guidelines that must be followed. Many will not let you enter their country if your passport expires in a certain window of time. Many countries require that your passport is valid for more than six months after entering their country.
If you have to buy a camera for your trip, think carefully before you buy. You likely don’t want a camera with a rechargeable battery if you’re backpacking. This will save you a lot of time and hassle on your trip.
If you use traveler’s checks, make sure the cash them prior to dining or shopping. Traveler’s checks are generally accepted at most places, but they are a hassle. You may be in a strapped situation financially if you rely on them.
Rental car companies usually require renters to be 18 years old at the youngest, but many require drivers that are at least 25 or older. If they do allow younger people to rent, the rate will be very high. If you are older, you may not be able to rent a car. When you make your reservations, make sure you ask if they have any age restrictions.
See if you can get the local rate at a hotel when traveling. Look for “local” rates or deals when traveling or special discounts for certain groups such as AARP, certain professions or travel clubs. If you know anyone living in the area, have them call for you to find out about any deals. This approach can help you save a lot of money.
If you are driving to a port city before leaving on a cruise, always find a hotel that offers free parking and arrive the night before. Ask hotel staff about any parking deals if there aren’t any published.
You do not always have to travel far to experience a great day trip or weekend getaway. There are many things to do in your own home state or town. You could always save money by staying in local areas and helping out local businesses. The perfect getaway could be right around the corner.
When travelling abroad, compile a list of your food allergies in the language of the host country. This will give your server a good idea of what you are able to eat. You don’t have to worry about the language barrier if you have them with you.
Make use of email alerts such as e-tracking when you book travel through online travel sites. This option keeps you informed about the cheapest ways to travel. You will get an alert by email if the flight you want or have already booked has dropped in price.
Be sure a friend or family member has access to your itinerary while you are traveling. This will let them know your whereabouts at all times. Give that person a call regularly to let them know you are safe. If they know where you are and hear from you on a regular basis, there will be no need for concern.
Carry a pillow and small blanket when you travel. No matter how you are traveling, a pillow and blanket will make the trip much more comfortable. Some planes provide them, but there are not enough for everyone. To carry your own, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing it is clean.
You do not need to carry luggage when you travel by air. This will save you some time. Send your belongings via FedEx or UPS. Although that might cost some more money, it’s worth it.
Make sure you take along all important documents when you travel. Keep the copies of vital documents in a location separate from the ones you are taking with you on the trip. It is also a good idea to leave a set with a friend or relative in case all the sets you have are lost or stolen.
Traveling far from your home usually inspires people to take too much from home with them. Try not to take along so many things. List all the toiletries use typically use every day and you really need. Only take along the necessities and what’s important.
Bring a contact lens case with you when you are traveling. This is a good way to carry lotion and gel with you if you only require a little amount. Be sure to check with the airline regarding flight rules and regulations.
Exchange Currency
Do not use the airport to exchange currency. It is the easiest exchange, but the rates are usually very high. Before traveling, find banks nearby that exchange currency, since they will typically offer better rates.
Avoid rush hours of any city when travelling by car. If you can’t avoid being in a busy area during rush hour, plan a stop and take a break for a while there. It is often a great opportunity to grab some food or allow your kids to escape the car and run around a bit.
The economy is killing your vacation plans! But wait, don’t cancel that vacation just yet. Use the following advice for some helpful, budget-friendly ideas that will help you go on vacation.