Preparing for travel has a lot to do with your budget, and finding low cost options for your trip isn’t impossible. While you prepare to get going, you want to know that you are making the right decisions, from your transportation to your accommodations during your trip – all of which can be found easier if you use this article and the tips that are given to you.
This may seem like common sense, but one important thing to be sure of when you are traveling is that you’re reservations for hotels, flights, visits to attractions and monuments, etc. are correct. Double-check confirmation e-mails and contact customer service if anything seems amiss. You don’t want to miss a flight, an attraction, or spend a night wandering around town because the reservation was not what and when you thought it was.
For more exciting, memorable travel experiences, consider cutting down your budget. Traveling on a shoestring, exposes you to novel situations and will show you people and places that you might otherwise miss. Restricting your spending to the bare minimum will allow you to get a realistic impression of the way locals live, at your chosen travel destination.
Bring an empty water bottle. We all know that bringing a full bottle of water through security is a big no-no. If you don’t want to be stuck paying a premium for bottled beverages after security, bring along your own empty bottle to fill at a water fountain. If the tap water is less than appealing to you, bring a single-serve packet of drink mix to add to the bottle.
If you know you have to fly, do yourself a favor and wear shoes requiring minimal effort to take off. Don’t pick that day to wear your eyelet wingtips with hard-to-tie laces. Women can wear clogs or slip-ons; men should choose a casual shoe style that can be easily slipped on and off with one hand.
If you are taking your car to the airport and leaving it there, always make a note of where you parked it. You should write it on a piece of paper or put it on your phone. Most likely when you return from your trip, your memory will not be enough to find it.
When you arrive at your hotel location, check out the local brochures. A lot of brochures offer fun and affordable activities within the area. Some travel pamphlets even offer coupons for more than one person and have little maps to guide you in the right direction. Local brochures can be a fun way to explore a new area.
A motorcycle is a great transportation for short travels. The quick movements, efficient gas use, and overall enjoyment will give the trip a great start. You can have a lot of fun traveling by motorcycle.
If you know in advance that you will be passing through some less-than-desirable neighborhoods or areas of town en route to your destination, don’t rely solely on your in-dash GPS system. Map out alternate routes using MapQuest or Google Maps, so you don’t end up in a bad part of town, in the middle of the night, with bad directions.
If you know you will be storing your car at the airport, call ahead and reserve parking. Parking reservations made the day you plan to leave will be costly. If you live near the airport, find out if taking a cab is cheaper than airport parking.
Take earplugs for flights and hotel stays. With the right level of noise blocking you can eliminate the volume that accompanies airplane travel. Also sleeping in hotels in an unfamiliar location can be hit or miss as far as the outside noise level. These earplugs can be the difference in a good night’s sleep or a grouchy morning.
To exchange currency for traveling abroad, it is best to wait until you are at your destination. International airports will have kiosks to exchange your money for the country’s currency. Exchanging at your own bank often comes loaded with extra charges. Using a credit or debit card abroad incurs high fees as well. Withdraw cash before you travel, and exchange it at the airport before you start your adventures.
You don’t have to stretch the bank to travel with safety and fun, and you can prepare the best when you are aware of what decisions are appropriate. As you make your plans, keep these tips in mind so you can make the best decisions possible regarding travel to anywhere in the world.