No matter where it is you are going it can be great fun. With a just a bit of planning, you can enjoy a trip that is fun and stress-free. Before you leave, be sure to have all the necessary documents and keep these tips in mind.

Always write down everything you need to pack in the form of a list. Between one week and three months before you leave for a trip, sit down and write down every item you are going to take with you. If you are delayed in beginning your packing, having a comprehensive list will make the task quicker, easier, and with less clutter.

Digital Camera

When you plan your next trip, pick a digital camera that will suit you on that particular trip. Rechargeable batteries won’t work on a camping trip, for example. Try to find a digital camera you can turn on and focus quickly. You don’t want to miss anything memorable.

When taking a cruise that you have to drive to the port city of, stay in a hotel or motel, that provides free parking, the night before. Inquire about reduced-rate parking at the hotel, regardless of whether you have seen any advertisements.

Get adequate exercise before a long trip. Being on a flight for a long period of time can be tiresome. Sitting the same way for a long time can cause your legs or back to cramp. Exercise or, at the least, a session of stretching prior to a flight can minimize your cramps and eliminate sore muscles.

Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. Generally, you will give one dollar per piece of luggage, and anywhere between two and five dollars a day for housekeeping. If you tip well, you are more likely to get good service and be on good terms with hotel staff during your stay.

When traveling by air, wear loose, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily. Security staff at checkpoints will ask you to remove them. Comfort is paramount. You will be sitting a lot, so a great deal of support is unnecessary. The best shoes for flying might well be sandals or flip-flops.

Luggage Tag

While you should always have a luggage tag on the outside of your bags, be sure to place identification inside as well. A tag hanging from your luggage may easily fall off during transit. Placing identification and contact information inside your luggage can ensure that it is returned to you in the event it becomes separated from the luggage tag.

Make sure that your insurance covers you on vacation. For example, will they cover a cancelled flight? It will be worth it to do this research prior to your trip.

Rush Hour Traffic

Plan road trips so that you do not get stuck in rush hour traffic. It’s better to just take a break than to drive in rush hour traffic on vacation. This can be the optimal time to go grab a bite.

If you are taking a road trip with children, bring along a cookie sheet or two. Utilize the cookie sheets as a surface on which your kids can play cards or rest their coloring books. If your kids are small, bring magnetic numbers and letter for some educational fun.

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Most countries have passport regulations with which you must comply. Depending on the expiration date of your passport, a country may not let you visit. The lead time might be as little as three months, but it can go as high as a year in some cases.

Cash your traveler’s checks before going shopping or eating. Traveler’s checks may be something that you will want to avoid. You may get shorted when you use them. Instead, have them converted to local currency previous to shopping.

Sliding Doors

Whenever possible, inquire about staying in a room on one of the topmost floors of the hotel. Ground floor rooms are easier for thieves to access. Be sure to also ask for quarters which do not have sliding doors. It is less difficult to enter through sliding doors than other ones.

Do not exchange your money at the airport. Exchange rates are high because of the convenience factor. Before you leave for your destination, find banks nearby that offer currency exchanges because you will be able to get much better rates there.

Make your luggage different than everyone else. Add color to your bags so that they do not blend in. This prevents someone else from mistakenly taking your luggage.

Invite friends on your trip next time. You may get discounts for having larger groups. You can save a ton of money with airfare using this. Find out if any of your friends are interested in your trip.

When planning a hunting or camping trip, always be sure to have an accurate and up to date map of the places that you will be visiting and keep them with you. A hand-held, portable GPS or a compass is a must to have on you when you are out and about as they are very useful if you get disorientated and lose your bearings.

Having knowledge makes traveling exciting; this article gave you that. The advice you’ve read is going to help you make the most of your journey. Now all you need to do is relax and try to enjoy your trip. When you travel, the world is like your oyster. Go crack it open!