When you travel for either business or pleasure, you must know how to plan the trip. The following tips will help.

Don’t bring a lot of valuables on any trip. Valuables attract attention and increase your risk of being a victim of theft.

After choosing a destination, spend some time learning more about where you plan to travel. Find a map of where you will be visiting and study it for locations you plan to visit. Memorizing a few facts about where you will be visiting will make navigating much easier once you get there.

Make a packing list. You should make this list around a week to a couple months in advance so that you absolutely know what needs to be packed. However, even when packing at the very last second, this list will assist you in staying organized, and you can avoid any excess clutter.

Most people live and die by reserving the seat next to the window; however, you should consider one on the aisle. While you can see well out of the window seat, that is about all it does for you. Sitting on the aisle allows you to reach your luggage and easily get up to go to the bathroom.

Try signing up for travel price watcher. This is offered by several websites and lets you input your most traveled destinations, and it keeps an eye on them for you. You will receive a notification if a hotel or airline reduces the price to your desired amount. This takes the work out of your needing to check the prices everyday.

Look for a hotel that offers free parking and stay the night before leaving from a port city, on a cruise. Ask hotel staff about any parking deals if there aren’t any published.

When taking a road trip or flying with small kids, make sure to bring things to keep them entertained along the way. Their favorite toys are a must when packing. You may even consider purchasing a few new toys to grab his attention.

Always go out of your way to tip any bell station and housekeeper appropriately. For bell hops, tip a dollar for every bag they carry. With housekeepers, leave between two and five dollars for every day they care for your room. This will help ensure that you maintain a good relationship during your stay.

Wear simple slip-on shoes for flying. Security checks at airports now require you to remove your shoes. Your comfort is the most important factor here. In airports and on planes, you will not walk that much, but you will sit a lot; therefore heavy-duty support isn’t necessary. Flip-flops or sandals are ideal air travel footwear.

Avoid driving in rush hour traffic when setting out on your trip. If you have to be out and about then, stop for a meal or a stretch break. It is often a great opportunity to grab some food or allow your kids to escape the car and run around a bit.

United States

If you travel abroad, it is a good idea to be ready in case the worst occurs, including the possible loss of your passport. The United States Department of State has a website (usembassy.state.gov)with the contact information for the United States Consulate or Embassy at the country you’re visiting. You want to have this information on hand when traveling. You will get a replacement in a few days.

Look at when your passport expires. Every country has their own set of laws regarding passports. You may not be allowed into their country if your passport is expiring in a certain amount of time. These periods usually range anywhere from a year to three months.

Booking your travel plans online is virtually a one stop shop for your vacation planning. The site you book your travel through should offer sample itineraries for your convenience. Just use your home computer to book your flights, make hotel reservations and arrange for a rental car. You can even review pictures and critiques of hotels online. Travel sites can help you find great discounts on your traveling costs.

Weather is a powerful consideration when planning any trip. Keep a close eye on the forecast and check it regularly until the moment you actually depart. Nothing ruins a trip faster than going to a freezing cold beach or ending up at a sweltering hot ski slope.

Consider drinking only bottled water if you are traveling to another country. Because other countries do not purify their water, you can get many illnesses from drinking it. Bottled water is important even for tooth brushing purposes. You can get sick from the tap water this way, as well.

Email Alerts

Make use of email alerts such as e-tracking when you book travel through online travel sites. This can keep you updated on the cheapest travel methods. You will receive email alerts if the flight that you have booked or shown interest in has dropped the price and is available at a cheaper rate.

When you make the decision to take a trip, the quality of your planning will determine how comfortable your travels actually are. You will be more prepared and relaxed when you have your plans made.