If you want to become an expert traveler, or even just make sure your future trips all go smoothly and efficiently, there are plenty of ways to transform any travel experience from a merely acceptable one to a great one. Read the below tips to find out how to make your trips effortless and enjoyable.
When traveling, if you have to use a public computer for anything, whether it’s to check your email, your Facebook, or your bank account, make sure you log out! Don’t just close the browser like you might do on your personal computer, make sure you click the log out button. This will prevent anyone else from accessing your data.
When planning to travel to a country that uses a very different language or even alphabet than your own, it’s a good idea to get precise, up to date information about exactly how to travel to hotel bookings or sites of interest ahead of time. Often, maps or travel guides won’t go into the amount of detail necessary, so make sure to have a custom map which shows everything you’ll need.
If you are arriving in a new city and don’t yet feel comfortable there, consider asking if your hotel provides an airport pickup service. This will allow you to avoid the pitfalls of baggage porters and taxi lines which trap many first time travelers. It also ensures you don’t get lost in the city and go straight to your hotel.
Taking a train can be an attractive mode of travel for many reasons. For one it does not require effort from the individual beyond sitting in their seat. A person is free to do whatever they want to do while they are en route. There are also many other reasons why traveling by train is enjoyable.
When you know you will be on an airplane for an extended amount of time, make sure you dress for the occasion. Wearing tight jeans will not be comfortable and will make you miserable by the end of the ride. Try sweatpants or a loose fitting cotton dress.
Be on the lookout for handy amenities whenever you have to spend time at an airport. While all modern airports have shops and restaurants, many also feature free services you can use to make your trip more relaxing. Take note of these opportunities in case you ever find yourself revisiting the airport. If you are a record-keeping kind of person, consider jotting down a few notes.
Try using a racing belt to thwart pickpockets. Getting robbed can ruin your entire vacation. To lessen the chances of this happening, consider investing in the storage belts racers use to store their keys, money, and such. This will keep your valuables close to your body where they are less likely to be stolen.
Keep a photo journal of a beloved stuffed animal When traveling with kids, make great memories and an awesome souvenir by taking pictures of your child and the stuffed animal doing fun things throughout the trip. At home, you can collect all the pictures and make them into a photo adventure book to remember your trip.
If you’re going on a cruise, pack a tackle box and keep your valuables in it. Cruises often have a lot of thieves aboard them and you don’t want to risk losing something important to you. Thieves will often ignore something like a tackle box, leaving your valuables safe.
If you are planning a long cruise, consider selecting a cruise line that offers self-service laundry. This will reduce the amount of laundry you need to bring along when you pack, and is also significantly cheaper than asking the ship’s crew to do your laundry for you. Longer cruises require more clothing, so a laundry is very useful.
Wear dark sunglasses throughout your entire flight if you want to be left alone. Most people will assume that you are either trying to sleep or nursing a migraine, and will behave as such. If you want politeness and courtesy, leave the glasses on. It’s an easy way to have a relaxing flight.
Travel can really help a marriage. It does not have to be an expensive vacation to an island resort. A simple weekend travel adventure to another state or even in your own city can be just what you need to feel reconnected. Spending time alone with just one another can help couples feel good again.
When packing your bags for a trip on an airplane, always remember 3-1-1. Regulations now limit the amount of liquids and gels passengers can have in their carry on luggage. When you take your bag through security, they will make sure you only have your travel-size toiletries which are less than three ounces and fit into a one quart zip top bag and only one bag per passenger.
If you are traveling with small children, visit a small hospital beforehand. They can give your child an identification bracelet so that if your child gets lost, their personal information is available. If you are traveling to another country, get the identification tag in the language of the country you are visiting.
When renting a car for a trip, try renting one from a location away from the airport. Many times the car rentals at an airline include items like taxes and additional fees that can really jack up their prices. Usually the off-airport car rentals will send a shuttle to pick you up in, which may be faster and more convenient.
If you want to optimize the quality of the food that you eat on the plane, bring hot sauce with you. Most of the meals are not going to have a lot of spice and may be dry, as this additive will help to inject flavor into your meal.
People who travel for a living learn to use a lot of little tips and tricks, like the ones above, to make sure all their trips are simple, pleasant experiences, whether they’re leaving home for a day or a month. With these insider tips, you’re well on your way to being an expert traveler, too.