Traveling to a new place can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very dangerous! There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and you need to keep them all in mind when planning your trip. Read on for some tips on traveling safely.
If you know that you are going to have a long layover in a city, check what there is to do beforehand. A 3 hour layover in Washington D.C. can easily turn into a quick tour of the Washington Mall or a long sit in Minneapolis can become a quick shopping trip to the Mall of America!
Keep hand sanitizer in your purse or pocket. When traveling, keeping hand sanitizer with you is a great idea. If you go through a lot of it, considering buying small reusable bottles. Buy one of the larger sizes of hand sanitizer and just continue refilling the small, reusable bottle.
Bring a bag-of-fun for your kids. Make sure to have enough supplies to keep your kids entertained for the duration of the flight. There’s nothing worse than an, “Are we there yet,” ten minutes into a three-hour flight. Card games, special coloring books, and puzzles work well and, if you can afford one, pick up a portable video player. The hours of entertainment value are well worth the cost.
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 in your phone. Most likely when you return from your trip, your memory will not be enough to find it.
When you get to your hotel, check the alarm clock. In some cases, the last person who stayed in the hotel will have previously set the alarm. If you do not wish to be awakened at four in the morning, you may want to double check the all the alarms.
Bring several clothespins! One of the notorious issues with hotels is the fact that their curtains never close all the way. To prevent that beam of light from hitting you in the wee hours of the morning, simply pin the curtains shut before you head to bed. It’s a cheap and effective way to better your sleep.
Before you begin thinking about where you would like to travel next, subscribe to get emails from major airlines, hotels and rental companies. It will increase your amount of “junk” mail, but these newsletters often include information about last-minute hotel deals or flights that will allow you to use your frequent-flyer miles. Since these deals go quickly, finding out about them first is essential.
Many people are born, raised, live their entire lives and die in the same place. If one is afforded and allowed the opportunity to travel and explore the world outside of their hometown then the advantage should be taken. Learning about new people, places and things allows one to grow and learn about different lifestyles, ways of living, ways of viewing the world.
Make the traveling process a little easier by ensuring that you always reserve your seat when you book your flight. If you aren’t allowed to, keep going back to the airline or booking engine until you can. You may not like your choices but still select a seat and keep going back to see if you can change it. Also, keep in mind that you are more likely to get an exit-row seat if you check-in early at the airport, because they are not available online. Following these steps will help you get the seat that you desire for your flight.
Weighing your checked bags before you arrive at the airport can save you money and frustration. Many airlines charge an extra $50 or more for checked bags weighing over 50lbs. This can result in spending more money, or having to leave items behind. Put your luggage on a scale at home before you head to the airport to save yourself a headache!
When packing your luggage for a flight, affix a card with your name, phone and address inside the bag in the event the luggage is misplaced and tags are lost. Often the airlines will inspect the inside of lost luggage when the tag is lost, in an effort to find some identifying information about the owner.
Carry meal replacement bars with you when you travel. You never know when an unexpected delay will prevent you from eating a meal. Meal replacement bars are compact and easy to carry. An additional benefit of these bars, is that it will allow you to keep your typical meal schedule. This can help reduce jet lag, and keep your spirits up when faced with irritating delays.
Try to find and wear clothing that has hidden pockets. Not only is this convenient for you because you have room to carry more items, but it is helpful for keeping things from thieves and pickpockets. They will never find your valuables in a hidden shirt, pants or jacket pocket.
If you’re traveling with an infant, remember that it’s not necessary to pack every piece of baby equipment. Most hotels will lend you a portable crib if you ask. Almost every restaurant that is child friendly has high chairs available. Packing a million pieces of equipment is heavy and cumbersome. Pack only the essentials and you’ll enjoy your trip more.
When you travel, take a look at the train schedules that are available to the destination to which you want to go. This is a great idea to avoid the high fares that you would pay if you go by airplane. Alternative forms of transportation can save you a lot of money.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about to stay safe when traveling, whether you’re planning a trip or are already at the destination. Make sure to keep this article as a checklist so you can be sure not to forget anything you need to stay safe.
