Given the turbulent economic times, you are probably thinking that scaling back your expenses and skipping your next vacation are good ideas. This article will give you some great ideas for the budget-minded traveler.
There are some criminals in foreign cities that pretend to be police officers, so be careful. Don’t give anyone your original passport, because this could set you up for theft. If an officer or official asks you to come to their office, do so on foot. Never ride in a vehicle with a stranger, no matter how nice they are.
Use the ATM to obtain spending cash in the local currency. Many times banks get better exchange rates, meaning an ATM can save you money. As a result, you will save money and have more to spend on other things.
When traveling around other countries, beware of fraudulent taxis. Be certain that the taxi is a real taxi before you enter the car. Anyone can put a sign that says “taxi” on a vehicle; you have no way of knowing who the person is or where you might end up.
Hold Doors
Bring a doorstop to your hotel room. These handy little wooden or rubber wedges are usually used to hold doors open but they can just as easily be used to hold doors closed.
Take a minimum of valuable items with you when you travel. The more you take with you, the higher your chances of losing the items. Even worse, they could be stolen.
If you can’t leave your pet at home, try finding a trip that lets you bring them. There are many pet-friendly vacations to experience. These can include doggy day care, a cat spa, or a pet friendly cruise. Find out where you can take your pets and feel free to do so.
Keep your young infant occupied on long trips. Take a few favorite games and toys. It’s a good idea to buy something new, so that it will be sure to keep the attention of your little one for a long period.
Travel Essentials
Planning ahead is important for any trip, but especially important if you are traveling by air. The trip to the airport requires that you give ample time to deal with traffic, rush hour conditions and other unexpected delays. Pack your bags, including your carry-on, before you go to bed. Ensure that everything is planned out and packed before your trip. Missing your flight will cost you precious time and money.
Gather your travel essentials. Don’t waste your time searching your home for plug adapters, a travel pillow, or your toiletries. Store all the travel essentials in a plastic bin. A container is great for storing many different objects.
Sleeping pills or tranquilizers can help you through those long red-eye flights. For many people, sleeping on a plane is almost impossible, between the uncomfortable seats and the noise level. Try taking sleeping pills to make your flight go by more quickly. Your best bet is to wait to take the pill after the plane takes off. If a delay should occur, you don’t want to feel exhausted before your flight takes off.
If you plan on leaving your car at the airport parking lot, it is smart to book it before the day you travel. It can be more expensive to book this parking the day you fly. If you live close to the airport you may want to take a taxi instead of paying for parking.
If traveling with children, keep a recent, color picture of them with you at all times, just case they become lost. A lost child is one of the most frightening things a parent can face. Unfortunately, it can happen. If you have a picture of your child on you then this can come in handy if they ever end up getting lost.
Take a break every few hours when driving with small children. This lets you visit the washroom and get out of the car. It is important to get kids out of the vehicle throughout the trip to avoid issues. Your trip might get longer, but you will appreciate the drop in stress.
If you need reminders during a trip, use a dry-erase marker on a mirror. It is much harder to lose or ignore a note on a mirror than one written on paper. These markers can be easily erased with a piece of toilet paper, so it is an ideal solution.
Travel candles are a great thing to pack if you’ll be visiting a hotel. This can make the scent of your room more appealing. Besides, candles are great to create a relaxing or a romantic atmosphere. Purchase small candles that will easily fit in your luggage.
Be careful when getting into a taxi in another country. Make sure you are taking a taxi that is legit. Anyone can just put a taxi label on his car, and you would not know where this person would take you.
What you thought would be a dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if not planned for properly. Search for ideas online. Their experience can help you avoid bad places.
Bringing earplugs can help if you’re a light sleeper. Some hotel walls are ridiculously thin. Earplugs can help block out noise, allowing you to sleep soundly.
Travel plans sometimes go awry. Flights are cancelled and rental cars disappear. In these situations, there are only two people who can deal with what is going on: yourself and the agent you are speaking with. In the beginning you both want to resolve the issue, but it may be easy for an argument to develop. Stay calm and be polite. You are more likely to arrive at a satisfactory resolution to your dilemma if you do so, and it will cause less stress.
Whenever possible, purchase tickets for admission to attractions online, then print them instantly or opt for will-call. The fee is worth the time you save skipping the lines. If the park you are visiting has a timed entry, you can skip admission lines too.
Make sure you have plenty of time for checking out of the hotel. You don’t want to be charged extra fees just because you’re not able to get everything together fast enough. Always allow plenty of time for checkout.
Make sure that the alarm in the room is not set. It is possible that the alarm is set, and you do not want to be awakened at some ungodly hour.
If you plan going camping or hiking, be sure to keep a map handy of the surrounding area. Better yet, bring your compass or GPS to use if you get lost in unfamiliar woods.
If you can’t leave your pet at home, try finding a trip that lets you bring them. These types of travel options are gaining in popularity. These include cat spas, dog daycare centers and pet-friendly cruises. Don’t be afraid to bring your furry pals with you- just make sure they are allowed before you do.
If you decide on bringing along a pet on your trip, call ahead to see what hotels accept pets and what their fees are. Consider all options available before you make your final decision. It is important that it is comfortable for both you and your traveling companion.
You should be cognizant of the fact that a large amount of people stay in hotels. When in your hotel room, be considerate of guests next-door and do not make tons of loud noise or slam your doors. Even if it’s noon, someone could be ill, napping or trying to sleep off jet lag. You don’t have to take it to an extreme, but keep volume levels reasonable and be considerate.
No matter the state of your finances or the economy, you don’t need to stay at home this year. Take in just a few of these ideas and your budget vacation will be more enjoyable than you could have imagined.
Always check the website for every airline when looking for deals on flights. Although low fares are found on websites like Kayak and Travelocity, often the best price is found on the official website of the airline.