Have you heard horror stories about traveling from your family or friends? Chances are, whatever misfortunes they experienced could have been prevented had they done their homework on traveling. In the following article, you are going to be given advice that could save you from having a horror story of your own.

When traveling it can make a big difference to travel when it is not a holiday or popular vacation time. If one goes on a time that is unlikely to be a popular vacation time they can avoid many hassles. There will be less crowds and waits for attractions. One can have a much more relaxed time.

To help you avoid paying excess airline baggage fees on your return trip, when you are more likely to have souvenirs to bring home, pack old clothing and shoes that you might want to give away. Then, when you are packing to come home, you can leave or donate the old clothing and shoes to make room in your luggage if necessary.

If you are planning to fly, make sure that you purchase your ticket under the same exact name that is on your identification. Airport security has increased these past years and you don’t want to get to the airport and realize that you are not allowed to fly because your ID doesn’t match up to your ticket.

When you are traveling overseas, make sure that you know and obey all of the local laws. The embassies and consulates can only help you so much. If you commit a crime on foreign soil, according to foreign law, your government will be unable to override those laws and you must submit to the punishment of that country’s laws.

When you’re visiting an unfamiliar city, make sure to spend a few minutes chatting with your hotel concierge. The concierge is an expert on the area and it is his or her job to ensure that you enjoy your stay. Ask your concierge to make restaurant reservations or reserve show tickets for you. Your concierge can often get you in to in-demand places.

Destination travel to popular locations does not have to be too expensive, even with larger families or travel partners. There are many destination guides that offer discounts on larger parties for travel, lodging, as well as dining and rental of vehicles while visiting. Booking all your travel plans together can save you so much more money.

Eliminate the middle man when purchasing travel tickets. When you book direct with an airline or train line, 90% of the time you will get a better deal than if you use a booking agency. Many booking agencies are now reducing their fees, but if you have time to book direct, nine times out of ten you will save money.

Winter travel can be quite stressful. Give yourself extra time as you get ready for your winter vacation. Delays are always a possibility. Bring something with you to keep you busy, such as a book, since you may have long waits at the security line or at the departure gate. Be prepared to wait. Cities that get a lot of ice and snow, can have delays of two or three hours or more.

If your destination has a visitors bureau, call them at least three months before travel to inquire about coupons or special packages. To attract more tourists, many of these locations have made deals with local attractions and service providers to offer steep discounts and special rates to visitors. You can save a lot of money and plan your time accordingly.

When you travel by air, pack a few items in your carry on that you will be able to use if your luggage is lost or sent to the wrong location. These items should include a change of underwear, a pair of socks and an easy to pack outfit such as yoga pants and a shirt. This way you will have a back up supply of clothing in the event of mishaps with your luggage.

Keep your valuables and identity secure when traveling. Do not overlook the fact that most hotels offer a safe. Ask the hotel to use it. Pay a small fee, if any, and you can avoid any potential complication that could arise from lost or stolen items. You will usually have constant access if you should need to get in the safe.

When traveling do not bring large amounts of money with you. You also do not want to appear to have a lot of money. This will make people think they can take advantage of you.

Try to book on flights that nobody generally wants. It’s a much cheaper option for air travel. These flights are generally the ones that leave very early or the last flights of the day. They obviously vary by area, but you can generally find some great deals because they are not as popular.

Bring your camera, wallet and other valuables wherever you go. For instance, if you are visiting a beach when on vacation, do not leave your belongings on the sand if you go in the water. This makes it very easy for anyone to steal your possessions when you are not looking.

A great and simple travel tip is to brush your dog off before you put him in the car to go on your road trip. Brushing your dog off first will get rid of all the excess fur which means there won’t be a huge mess of fur inside of your car.

If you are going on a cruise, a great travel tip is to wear your room key on your wrist. It’s not uncommon for thieves to take your room key if you leave it unattended for a few moments. Having the key on you at all times can prevent this from happening.

In conclusion, traveling stories can be hard to hear sometimes. If the person you heard these stories from had taken the time to learn more about traveling, it is possible these experiences could have been prevented. Now that you have read this article, you are more prepared for your next traveling adventure!