Essential Travel Tips
These are all things that you wish someone had told you before you started traveling. Being informed ahead of time can help you avoid common challenges and make the most of your journey.
✔ Make Photocopies of All Documents
Make photocopies of all documents, ID’s, etc. – IE: Driver’s license, passport, travelers checks, airline tickets, insurance and credit cards, prescriptions for medications. Keep a photocopy on your person and leave a copy with someone at home. This simplifies if things get lost or stolen.
✔ Bring Recent Pictures
Bring recent pictures of everyone in your travel party – Children especially, in case you get separated. Pictures can save time and break a language barrier, as well.
✔ Keep Receipts for All Purchases
This will help with going through Customs, and keeping all purchases in the same bag will keep you from searching should Customs ask to see them.
✔ Hang Onto Those Boarding Passes
In order to make sure you are credited the correct Frequent Flier miles, your boarding pass is your only proof of travel. So, don’t let them go until you have verified it.
✔ Make the Most of Your Carry-On Bag
Put a day’s clothing and toiletries in a carry-on bag just in case your luggage is delayed. Pack all your jewelry, camera and film in your carry-on bag. The film will be okay in the carry-on X-Ray machine but not the checked baggage X-Ray machine.
✔ Pack Healthy Snacks
Delayed flights, no food service, nothing on the menu you like… an apple, granola bar or some peanuts can come in handy.
✔ Pack a Washcloth
In many countries, washcloths are unknown.
✔ Traveling with a Companion
Pack half of your belongings in his/her suitcase, and vice versa. If one piece gets delayed, you still have some clothing.
✔ Pack a Collapsible Bag
It can be used as a beach bag, laundry bag, or extra luggage to carry home all your purchases.
✔ Take Extra Batteries
Pack extra batteries for everything, including hearing aid batteries. They can be hard to find and expensive and waste valuable sightseeing time in a frustrating search.
✔ Utilize the Safe Provided
Be it a hotel room or cruise cabin, the safes are there for the protection of your valuables. If available, use management’s safe even instead of the room’s safe.
✔ Check Out Your Room
Take a brief tour of the hotel and a quick look at your room prior to paying for it, especially in third world countries – Books and Hotels can look better on the outside than on the inside. If your room number is announced loudly, ask for a different one for safety reasons.
