If you’ve been feeling the financial pinch, you may be thinking of cutting vacations out of your budget to save money. Follow these tips if you are a money conscious traveler.
Use an ATM when you are in a distant country. Many times banks get better exchange rates, meaning an ATM can save you money. This can save you a ton.
Purchase tickets on the Internet in advance and print them at home when you have a specific destination, like a theme park, in mind. There is generally a fee associated with an online ticket purchase. However, it is a small one, and the trade off for skipping long ticket lines is a big advantage. Some parks now have tickets that contain a specific time in order to avoid lines.
Often, when we leave home, we end up taking much of home with us. Try not to take along so many things. Make a list containing what you need and use through the day. Pack other valuables on your trip, as well.
Travel can be a very educational experience for every member of the family. As long as you’re cautious, the developing world can be a good place to visit, and it can show your kids how life outside of your home country is. Traveling to other countries is a good way to better understand them and the world as a whole.
Avoid Rush
Avoid rush hours of any city when travelling by car. If it’s not possible to avoid rush hour, take a break during that time. This can be a great time to relax and get a bite to eat, or maybe let the kids out to burn off some energy.
Make sure your passports are up-to-date by checking the expiration date. Most countries have explicit rules regarding your passport. If your passport is expired or close to expiring, some countries won’t allow you to enter. Typically this date is around 6 months, but some countries demand up to a year.
Make sure that you are the legal age to rent a car. You may pay more and have to use a credit card if you’re not at least 25. Some cities prohibit senior citizens from renting cars. It’s essential to ask about restrictions on age before making a reservation.
When you cross time zones, you’re likely to suffer from jet lag. To help prepare for this try to get a few extra hours sleep before leaving on your trip. Try to get some sleep when you are in the air.
Write reminders for yourself. Notes on the mirror are hard to miss, while notes jotted down on a piece of paper can be lost. Clean up is simple; just use a tissue.
Never underestimate the effects of the weather when you travel. Be sure to check the weather for your planned destination as your trip date approaches. This way, you can prepare for unpleasant surprises and plan alternate activities if the beach is too frigid or the ski slope is sweltering.
Remember to bring your medication. This is something that can be easily overlooked. You may not have access to this medicine in another country.
Tip generously. When you board the boat, give the steward twenty dollars. You’ll probably have the same crew members for the entire cruise, and if they get the feeling that you’re going to be kind to them, they will likely make sure you’re well cared for.
Should you travel by air, going luggage-free is an option. This can save you time and effort. When bringing anything, just ship your luggage via FedEx or UPS. This may be costly, but the price is worth it.
If you are going on a road trip, bring your favorite music to listen to while you ride. As you travel further away from your home, you may experience annoying static and poor reception from your favorite radio station; bringing your own music solves this problem.
Any time that you buy travel insurance, make sure that you’re honest with the provider. Share information regarding sickness. If something goes wrong while you are out of town, you won’t get any money if you didn’t let them know of your pre-existing condition. This will leave you with a large medical bill to play.
Travelling on long distance flights really puts a lot of strain on your body once you experience jet lag. In order to avoid this, look for a flight arriving around the same time you would wake in the morning. A good way to relax and fall asleep quick is to take a Tylenol PM which will have you asleep quickly. ) and rest as much as you can on the plane. Wake up refreshed and be ready to go!
If you are traveling with others, it is wise to place some of each person’s belongings in the bags of traveling companions. This is done in case one person’s luggage is lost. If someone loses their luggage, they will still have a few things available to them. Each person should also bring along a spare change of clothes inside their personal carry-on bag.
Be sure to carry valuables with you during bus layovers. Passengers are able to get on and off of the bus at many of these stops and this gives the the opportunity to steal things.
Check your local discount electronics store before you depart overseas, and check for a voltage converter or adapter for your appliances. The adapters available near the airport and hotels will certainly cost far more money.
When traveling, it is vital that you have all the required visas to pass from country to country. Getting a visa doesn’t mean that you can just enter a country as there are various visas; it is important to do your research. Your travel agent should know about the documents that are needed to enter certain countries.
As discussed in the article, you may feel as though you should pass on your yearly vacation because of the economy. If you use the advice that was provided to you in this article, you are taking the first steps of planning an affordable vacation.