20 Essential Travel Tips
Here are 20 travel tips we have accumulated over
the years. These have worked time
and again for us and other travelers. Most importantly,know your destination,
plan ahead and "visit like a native". With proper advance planning and some
patience along the way you'll always have a great time!
1. Use ATM machines and take only a small amount of cash on a trip
All major airports have ATM
machines. When you land, you can withdraw local currency at an ATM machine
while waiting for your luggage, or after leaving Customs. Be sure you have
money in your bank account! There
should be an ATM machine near the luggage carousels or right after leaving
Customs.
Use ATM machines, NOT
"Currency Exchange Service" machines. Exchange services charge a fee
(usually 2% - 5%), while an ATM machine is a direct transaction with your
home bank and there is no exchange fee (there will still be a small transaction
fee though.)
If you decide to bring U.S.
dollars and exchange them at a bank, or if you use your credit card
(rather than your ATM card) at an ATM machine, you will incur those foreign
exchange fees.
2. Keep a low profile. Tourists are targets for thieves
Dress like the locals. Look
at pictures online of people in the cities where you'll be visiting to see
how they dress.
Do not wear a fanny pack or
new, white sneakers. These are red flags that you are a tourist.
Leave all valuable jewelry at
home. That includes the nice watch
and rings.
You do not want to look like
a tourist. Act confident like you really know where you are or where you're
going, even if you have no idea.
3. Use a Money Belt
- One of the best methods to keep your money and
documents safe and secure. Keep all of your spare cash, passport and other
documents in it while you keep today's money and credit cards in your wallet or
pocket.
4. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Stay alert
Remain conscious of what's
going on around you. Be aware of
individuals that might be watching you.
Especially on trains and in
crowded public areas, hold your bag close to your body with two hands.
Do not keep valuables in the
rear pockets of your pants.
Don't travel afraid - travel
aware.
5. Travel light
- This topic is covered in another
article on our website ("Travel Light and Travel Right"), but for goodness
sake, do not take more than one piece of luggage plus one small carry-on bag or
backpack. Your luggage should never be larger or weigh more than you can carry
or roll around comfortably by yourself.
6. Carry a day's worth of clothing on the plane
- If you are checking in
baggage, pack a day's worth of clothing and toiletries in your carry-on in case
the checked baggage is lost or delayed. Always carry your medicines onboard
with you.
7. Learn some language
- Before traveling to a foreign country, learn a few
basis phrases in their language. Such as "Good morning",
"Hello", "Thank you", "Good evening". A few
phrases will make a world of difference in your contact with locals and they
will be a lot more friendly when they see you trying.
8. Consider Travel Insurance
- Especially when you book a non-refundable
trip or package, such as a cruise, safari, adventure or specialized trip, or
other major pre-paid activity. Travel insurance will cost about 3% - 5% of the
trip cost and might be well worth the cost.
It has paid for itself twice over for us.
-
You do not have to purchase trip insurance from the same
place that you made the reservation. AIG
has good plans in their "Travel Guard" program and the cost will usually be
less if you purchase independently of the reservation.
9. Keep phone numbers with you
Record in your cell phone the
phone numbers for all airlines, trains, hotels, tour operators, etc.
If a flight is canceled, call
the airline on your cell phone even if you are waiting in line at the
airport to speak with a reservationist. You might get through quicker on
the phone.
10. Make copies of travel documents
Copy all reservations and
tickets. Give the copy to your travel companion to hold for security.
Passport and driver's license
- scan and email a copy to yourself or to someone you can reach while
away.
Credit cards - email your
credit card numbers to yourself or give a list of the numbers to a close
family member at home. Put your credit card company phone numbers
(domestic and foreign numbers) on your cell phone.
11. Know what you are reserving. Research your
destinations
Be familiar with your hotel,
hotel rooms, rental car, airline, cruise, adventure trips, private tours,
etc.
Call the hotel and ask about
the location, rooms, etc. Research the hotel on their website and at
travel websites. Be sure the neighborhood, the hotel and the room type are
what you are expecting.
Some online travel
communities for traveler comments and ratings:
12. Fly early in the day to arrive on time
- Flights
between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. are the most likely to leave and arrive on time. Try
to depart on an early morning flight, especially if you have one or more stops.
13. Do your fine dining at lunch
- Fine dining can be expensive. So fine dine at
lunch when you are traveling. You'll receive the same high quality food and
service but at a much lower price. And you might get better service and less of
a wait for a table. This really works!
14. Reserve your airline seat at the same time you make the reservation.
You will get the best
available seats if you reserve them when you make the airplane reservation
Go to www.seatguru.com to see the good, the
bad and the ugly seats on the aircraft for most airlines. Seatguru has a seating chart for each airplane that shows you
what to expect in each seat. It is invaluable.
When you arrive at the
airport, ask the reservationist or the gate attendant if there are better
seats available than what you reserved. Airlines will sometimes hold
preferred seats until the day of travel and it might be released to you.
15. Use a GPS if you will are driving - Especially in a foreign country
- This
applies anywhere you travel! A GPS will save you time,
effort and frustration. You will actually look like you know the city you
are in, and you will drive safer and more efficiently.
If you purchase a GPS, be
sure it is pre-loaded with maps for the country you will be traveling.
16. Travel in the off-season or shoulder season
- Crowds and prices will be lower than high season rates. Shoulder seasons are
the 2-3 months in between off-season and high season.
17. Reserve directly from company websites
-
If you are using consolidator websites like Expedia or Hotels.com, check the
same deals on the company's website. You might find better prices or deals on
the company website.
18. Join Loyalty (Frequent Flyer) Programs
You will accumulate points for free travel, hotel stays, discounts and upgrades. These programs really work and miles accumulate quickly! Airlines, hotels, car
rentals, cruise lines, restaurants, etc.
Most hotel chains have
loyalty programs. Ask when making a reservation or at check-in.
19. Buy
Museum or City passes
- Reserve
museum times before you leave home. Wait lines at popular museums
can be more than an hour. If you made reservations ahead of time you go
right in.
Museum or City passes usually cover several
museums. The prices are discounted, and you get to skip long lines. Check it out before traveling.
20. Stay Flexible. Have Patience. Confirm reservations.
Travel plans will need
tweaking and changing along the way. Flights can cancel, weather can get
bad and other unforeseen circumstances will arise.
Confirm all reservations a
day or two before travel, including the return flight!
Have patience, remain
calm, be friendly and stay flexible!
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