Travel can be fun, even when you are traveling for business purposes. However, few things dampen your enjoyment like paying way too much for travel needs. Read on to find out how you can minimize your travel expenses and still get where you want to go.

When you travel to other countries, try using an ATM for withdrawals for pocket cash instead of exchanging your cash for the country’s currency. Banks usually have better exchange rates that are significantly better than those available to individuals. You can save a lot of money later by doing this.

TIP! If, to get to your cruise travel port, you need to drive your car into a city, consider arriving the day before and finding a hotel with free parking. You can check with staff at the hotel for unpublished parking deals.

Keep written notes of key information if you are traveling abroad. Know where your embassy or consulate is and how they can be reached should you need to get into contact with them. You could possibly need this information while you are abroad. They’ll aid you if you run into any issues.

Build in some flexibility about where you go when planning a vacation. Going somewhere different may be more relaxing and memorable. Finding an alternate destination can save you a bit of money when you are on a tight budget.

When traveling abroad, be on the lookout for criminals who may be posing as law or government officials. You should always check credentials, and avoid releasing your passport or official documents to these individuals. If they want you to come with them to a police station, make sure that you walk there. Make sure that you do not get into an automobile with somebody that you do not know, especially if they are acting oddly.

TIP! When you are going to some type of attraction, print online tickets in advance. Sometimes you can get a good deal, or even if you don’t, the small fee you pay is worth it, as you will get to skip the long admission lines.

When deciding on a camera to take on your trip, consider your needs. If you plan to do some backpacking, you might not want a rechargeable battery. This will save you a lot of time and hassle on your trip.

Anytime you are going to be driving to a different city before going on a cruise, check to see if there is a hotel that has fee parking, and get there the night before. Ask the staff at the hotel where you stay about parking deals they may offer.

Take some clothespins along with you on your trips. While not on your typical travel list, a handful of clothespins can prove very useful.

TIP! There’s no reason you can’t bring your dog with you on the right type of vacation. Vacations that are pet friendly are becoming quite popular, and many hotels even offer special deals for those traveling with their furry companions.

When to travel by plane or car with a toddler, make sure you have enough fun things to keep them occupied. Consider taking along some of his favorite play things. You can also buy a couple of new toys for the travel because this will offer him enough distraction to keep him busy.

When making hotel reservations, inquire about any type of renovations that may be going on. Few things are worse travel experiences than waking up too early to the sound of construction noise. The noise is something that the staff will not be able to do anything about, so it is better to avoid visiting that hotel during the dates in question.

When you are packing light for an extended trip, bring along a rain coat with a soft lining. You just can’t tell how the weather will be too far out. You can also use it as a robe or windbreaker.

TIP! Always tip the housekeeper and bell station. Generally speaking, it is about a dollar for each piece of luggage, and between $2 to $5 for cleaning the room.

On a red-eye flight, sleeping pills may be helpful. A lot of people find it hard to sleep on planes, because the seats aren’t beds, and there is a lot of external noise in unfamiliar surroundings. If you have trouble sleeping while flying, feel free to have a sleeping pill shortly before your flight in order to help you relax and possibly get a nap in during the trip. However, do not take the pill before takeoff, just in case there is a problem or delay that requires the plane to return.

Pre-book your airport parking space in advance. You should save money this way. If you don’t live far from the airport, consider whether taking a taxi would be cheaper than paying for parking.

Using these tips and making wise choices will cut down on your travel woes. No matter where you are going, you will always have more fun when you know that you got a good travel deal.