Welcome
to Travel+Experiment!
Regardless of your travel methods there are always several ways to make traveling easier for you. Here
are the practical and smart travel tips that I can offer and share with you.
1. Plan Ahead
1. Plan Ahead
For international travel such as
Europe and United States, booking with at least three months ahead before the departure
date will be cheaper airfare ticket than booking a few weeks before
the flight date. On the other hand, for example in Asia; budget airlines have
advance airfare ticket on sale a year before the flight date that are significantly cheaper than listed price. This can save you a lot of money when it
comes to airfare ticket which you can enjoy your savings in shopping instead. Also, booking
at least 30 days in advance will ensure you have widest range of
hotel room options available at your disposal. Room prices can varies in leading up to a
particular date, and the availability of room choices will be limited. Hotels offering complimentary includes free; breakfast, WIFI and cancellation, so make sure to keep look for it.
These added elements will save you a few dollars when it comes to settling the
bill.
2.
Know Your Airline's Baggage-Fee Policy
When
you book flight tickets, make sure to read first at your airline's website and
read its baggage policy especially if you're set on bringing a checked bag or
two. For international flights, most airlines permit travelers to check in at
least one bag and one carry on. Reading and understanding the airlines
baggage-fee policies is a key to any budget-minded packing strategy and will
save you from any unwanted fees.
3.
Never Check Essential Items
Never
keep your valuable and essentials belongings in your checked luggage. Always put it in your carry-on bag. Your passport, identification, money, credit
cards, jewelry, electronics, wallet and other valuables should always be
brought onto the plane with you. At least you’ll not end up regretting if the
airline loses your luggage or if a TSA agent gets sticky fingers.
4. Stay Layered for Warmth/ Cold Weather
When
you travel in a four seasons countries make sure you are wearing in
layers. Your on-the-road wardrobe should
feature plenty of layers, which will help you jet set through multiple climates
in style and comfort.
5. Pack
Light
Packing
lightly is essential for traveling because you do have to pack your luggage
around while traveling and you may be subject to fees at airports if your bag
is overweight. Keep
the item light to avoid piercing shoulder pain when running from gate to gate
to catch a flight.
Make a checklist whatever you think you might forget; eye glasses, socks, lip balm, a pair of flats, chargers, compression socks, toiletries, make-up, vitamins, phone, scarf, hat, etc. Writing things down will help you to coordinate outfits. It takes time and experience to realize what you may really need to bring when traveling.
Pack in advance
Start packing things around two
weeks in advance to take the time to narrow it down to only the essentials. It
helps a lot to think what those things needed and missing than packing at the
last minute will inevitably lead to frantically packing extra things that you
don't really need.
Pack only for the number of days
you'll be gone
It's tempting to pack a lot of extra
clothes for those "just in case" scenarios. The result is that you
end up bringing back a lot of clothes that you never wore.
Rolling your clothes
It is highly recommended that rolled
clothes take up less room and maximize suitcase space better than folded
clothes.
Wear your bulkiest shoes, jackets,
coats or other heavy items on the airplane, if you are flying and save your
self’s precious suitcase space. Carry your jacket on board even if you don’t
plan to wear it; jackets take up a lot of room in your suitcase.
Pack small items inside the shoes
The key to packing is to capitalize
on all available space. Inside shoes is a great place to pack socks or other
small items.
6. Bring
Extra Healthy Food and Water
Before
leaving for your trip, go to your local grocery store and buy some healthy
snacks such as dried
fruit, whole-grain crackers, power bars, protein bars and whole meal biscuits
are all great options. Packing along food throughout your
travels can save you time and money. There may be a flight delay or
cancellation or if you have long travel days, taking more stops just makes the
travel day longer and don’t have the option to eat but it’s better to prepared.
An emergency snack
to get through at least the first leg of a flight can ward off disappointment
when the airline doesn't even provide peanuts.
7. Pack the Right Backpack
A bag should be lightweight but durable that when packed its
weight is still easy enough and are roomy with smart compartments like an
exterior accessible laptop section for simple removal, waterproof and
replacement are both functional and security-line friendly.
This backpack is a hand carry bag and your personal go bag. Travel
can be unpredictable, so you should be prepared. You’ll need something to carry
maps, snacks, passport, medicines, bottled water, etc. while you explore. Electronics and
chargers, valuables like jewelry and travel documents should live
here so they're
close at hand, extra safe and you can carry it as necessary.
8. Put Carry-on Bags in the Opposite Overhead Bin in
the Airplane
Resist the
temptation to put your carry-ons in the overhead bin above your head. Instead,
put it in the bin across from you so you can clearly see it and know no one is
going through it. Plus it’s easier to see if someone is trying to move your
bag.
9. Compressed
Everything
This
smart space saver can mean the difference between fitting one week's worth
of clothing in a carry-on, or two.
·
Roll
your clothes. To do this, lay each item out, pull it at top, bottom and sides
to eliminate wrinkles, fold it in half and roll it up. Surprisingly, your
clothes won’t get any more wrinkled than they would if you had packed them
flat, and they will take up less space.
·
Tuck
socks, underwear, belts and accessories into shoes. Insert shoes into plastic
bags (grocery bags are fine) before you pack to keep your other items from
rubbing against the soles.
·
Use
travel-sized toiletries and toothpaste, if possible. Store them in a Ziploc bag
in case they leak during travel.
10. Stay
Secure
When
traveling it is always essential to have emergency cash on you, cash as in
bills, not travelers cheques or vouchers. If your bank cards decide they do not
want to work while you are traveling abroad at least you will have something to
hold you over until the problem is solved. Buy a money belt or undercover holster that fits nicely under your clothes
and is not noticeable.
Keep your passport and emergency
money sealed in a waterproof Ziploc bag where you put in the money belt. Safety
is vital as much as travel demands. Pickpockets are everywhere and quick. Save your backpack
and purse for items you can afford to replace, such as maps and water bottles.
11. Bring
First Aid Kit
Medical supplies and a first aid kit
are essential! You don’t have to pack your whole luggage full of these types of
supplies but it is definitely important to bring some essential items. Bring small
amount of alcohol if possible, bandages, and moleskins for
blister, anti-diarrhea tablets, anti-inflammatory tablets, pain and fever
medicines, burn gel, anti-itch ointment, antacid to treat upset stomach,
anti-nausea medicine to treat motion sickness, Antihistamine (one brand name:
Benadryl) to treat allergies and swelling and any prescription drugs you may be
taking.
12. Travel in Comfort
As much as possible never check
luggage. Hand carries bag and laptop bag under the seat. Make sure electronics are
charged before the flight. Eat healthy before, during and after plane. Eat
salad, juice, fruit, veggies, and drink tons of water. Sign up for hotel
points. Get airline status where you can and TSA Pre-check status or Global
Entry if applicable.
13. Personalized Toiletries
13. Personalized Toiletries
Invest in smaller items for short
trips. Many items now come in travel sizes, not just shampoo, toothpaste,
toothbrush, sunscreen, insect repellent and other personal items in which you
can bring on your own. Leave behind that
are adding spaces in your carry-on bag.
On the other side, use hotel
toiletries.
All hotels provide basic toiletries.
Hotels are good for lotion, soap and shampoo, and personal items. You can also save
space and money; you'll make your trip through airport security easier. Skip
the hair appliances. These take up a lot of space in your suitcase, and most
hotels provide a hair dryer.
If you’re flying, carefully review
the TSA rules.
Be sure you pack restricted items in the correct checked suitcase or carry-on
bag. Put items you know the TSA will want to see, such as liquid medications,
into separate plastic bags and keep them at the top of your carry-on bag.
14. Limit the footwear
Only pack two pairs of shoes
Most trips don't require fancy
footwear. Limit yourself to the pair you wear on the plane and one pair in your
suitcase for emergency and you'll save yourself a lot of space.
15. Wear Comfortable Shoes
15. Wear Comfortable Shoes
It is also important to travel along with you a pair of comfortable walking shoes with solid support. If you’re not wearing comfortable shoes, your feet will hurt after a few
hours of walking, and chances are, when your feet hurt you’d want to take a lot
of breaks - which cuts into your fun time - and you won’t enjoy the rides as
much since you’re in pain. These can be a walking rubber shoes, ballet flats or
supportive sandals.
16. Use Luggage Locks and Covered Luggage Tag
16. Use Luggage Locks and Covered Luggage Tag
As
a safety precaution, do not put your home address on your luggage tag. Thieves
have been known to break into homes after learning, via luggage tags, that
their owners were going on vacation. Use another local address, such as an
office, to tag your bags for your return trip.
17. Download Map in your phone/ bring a Map with you
It is safe to bring a map or guide book with you in your
travel. You can also download it in your mobile phone but just in case your
phone has an empty battery at least you still can enjoy your travel with your
map in handy. Do some research about the places you’ll visit and the hotel
where you’ll be staying. The knowledge of basic geography can improve your
travel experience. In this way, it will be easy for you to navigate the map in
case you’ll get lost.
18. Rain Gear
Invest
in a tiny travel umbrella, water-repellent jackets, and folding hats make all-weather travel bearable. You can always
put it in your backpack just don’t forget to check in with your luggage.
19. Travel Voltage Converter and Plug Adapters
If
you’re traveling overseas and use plug-in appliances or electronic equipment, be
sure to buy a ‘universal’ adapter. Check the label on each item you plan to
bring. If it says “Input 100V-240V 50 / 60 Hz,” the item is dual voltage and
only needs a plug adapter. If you don’t find this information on your
appliance, never plug it directly into a foreign wall outlet. You must use a
voltage converter to “step down” the 220-volt current. It’s cheaper to buy
these before you leave than at the airport, and look for one that’s as small
and light as possible.
20. Check your Travel Destination’s
Weather before You Go
Checking the weather forecast for
your destination before you leave will eliminate the need to pack for all
different weather scenarios and save you space.
21. Document Your Belongings/Backup Documents
21. Document Your Belongings/Backup Documents
Before you travel, make a list of all
the items (or at least the expensive ones) you will pack. Make copies of your
passport and tickets and keep them in a safe place in your luggage. Take photos
of your packed suitcase, inside and out, to document your belongings and to
show what your luggage looks like in case it gets lost. It’s a good idea to
have multiple copies of the plane ticket, hotel reservations, credit card’s
rental car insurance coverage information, IDs (one for the return
trip, at least, just in case the airline lost your original) depending on your
destination.
22. Know where the Embassy is
located
It’s
always a good idea to have an emergency plan in place when you travel. Be sure
to know where the nearest embassy located and jotted it in your travel map just
in case of emergency or in case you lost your passport.
23. Dress Properly
It
is important to wear appropriate clothing when you travel. Wear natural fabrics
and wear layers which will protect you more in case of intense heat or fire and
cold temperature when you arrive at your destination.
24.
Learning How to Haggle
Haggling
or bargaining is a way to convince a seller to negotiate a price that everyone
can agree on. You can haggle prices from souvenir items to real quality goods. Haggling
can be everything from flea market goods to closing a real estate deal. Make a low but reasonable offer. Asking for
25%-50% discount is usually considered reasonable as an initial counteroffer. Continue
negotiating until the seller reduces the price below in your target budget.
25.
The Importance of Travel Insurance
Travel
insurance and emergency assistance services for trip cancellation, lost
luggage, and medical emergencies. The first and most common is Trip
Cancellation/Interruption coverage. Most of these policies cover cancellations
due to weather, sudden illness, death and emergencies whilst at home or abroad. Another common type of travel insurance is for medical emergencies. This type
of coverage is particularly useful if you plan on traveling to underdeveloped
countries, or for individuals with an ongoing illness that might require
medical attention at some point during the trip. These policies will reimburse
you for the cost of doctor visits, medication, and sometimes even medical evacuation
out of the country. It's best to check with your insurance provider regarding
the details, as travel health coverage policies vary widely.
26. Do Your Research
Research is the key and you should be
sure to check out as many options as possible. Knowing where to eat, where to
shop, which neighborhoods to visit or stay in, which days you might pay
discounted entry fees to parks or museums, and how to navigate your destination
are all critical skills of a seasoned budget traveler. There are hundreds of
sites there that offering different rates and options. You'll find the best room rate every time, guaranteed
and track prices of what your trip should cost and identify an opportunity to
save when a flight or other big-ticket expense goes on sale.
27. Travel Off-Peak Season
Understand the peak seasons and the
low seasons, and the events that will be occurring in the city you are
travelling to at that time. These factors will affect the rate from flights and
accommodations to meals, rental car prices and availability of hotel rooms. Try to book on weekday. It's cheaper to fly
on a Tuesday or Wednesday than any other day of the week (unless that Tuesday
or Wednesday happens to fall on or near a major travel holiday like
Thanksgiving or Christmas Day). Flexibility with your travel dates will allow
you to take advantage of fluctuations in room prices. Rates change and you may
find that it's cheaper to stay at a hotel from Saturday to Tuesday than from
Wednesday to Friday. For a less hands-on approach, subscribe to a
fare-alert service for flights to your destination so you'll be automatically
notified when the price drops.
Happy
Travels!
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