When you are ready to travel, you need to be sure to have copies made of each of your vital papers. You want to have copies of your passport, insurance, and other vital documents. Put them in some safe place other than with you. It is also a good idea to leave a set with a friend or relative in case all the sets you have are lost or stolen.

Be sure to bring along your children’s car seats if you are planning to get a rental car for your trip. Bring your own car seats if you want to ensure the safest option for your children.

If you are bringing any electric appliances with you on an international trip, check their power standards and, if necessary, purchase an adapter. If you have to buy one at the last minute, you will pay a premium for the convenience.

To avoid issues when flying with gifts, never wrap your presents. If the TSA is suspicious about something, they will be forced to open your presents. Instead, wait until you get to your destination to wrap the gift.

Stay up as late as possible, or at least until around 8 o’clock in the evening, to help adapt to the time change. Resist the urge to fall asleep too early because this will only prolong the disorientation of jet lag. If you can adjust to the local time zone, then your jet lag will be gone.

If you want to save on currency exchange fees, don’t change your money until you reach your destination. If you know that where you’re going won’t let you exchange your money for the local currency before you land, make sure to bring exchange it before you go.

Review any hotels or resorts you plan on staying in through online reviews and travel sites, so that any potential issues can surface before you finalize your itinerary. Reading traveler reviews can give you some sense of what to expect and what to avoid. This can prevent a bad experience on your dream vacation.

There are some criminals in foreign cities that pretend to be police officers, so be careful. Do not let anyone have your passport unless you are sure they are legitimate. If they want to take you in for questioning, insist on walking. Never, under any circumstances, get in a car with an unknown local.

Leave all unnecessary valuables at home. Too many items often burden travelers with additional responsibility, which increases the possibility of these items getting lost or stolen.

When traveling by car and have more than one licensed driver on board, it is a good idea to take turns driving. If you stay behind the wheel until you are sleepy or exhausted, you increase the chances of getting into an accident. Never drive to the point of exhaustion. Develop a schedule, instead, where you and another driver switch every couple of hours. With this method you will avoid the tiredness and lack of attention that comes with long hours on the road.

Put all of your contact information on a clearly visible label inside all of your luggage. Doing this can really be a lifesaver if your luggage is separated from you, so when someone else finds it, they can contact you. Remember that your luggage and its contents are at risk whenever they leave your sight.

Due to the downturn in the economy, you may feel like you should skip this year’s vacation. Follow these tips to design a vacation you can afford.

When traveling, be vigilant about protecting your possessions. Tourists are easy marks for criminals. If you are carrying a purse, be sure to have it tucked neatly under your arm. Also, pick travel bags with secured flaps that conceal zippers and pockets, so that access is not easy in crowded or dangerous areas. Remember this when shopping for the ideal travel bag.

A road trip is the perfect opportunity to listen to playlists of your favorite music, so do not forget to bring your CDs or MP3 player with you. Since you can never count on radio reception when you are traveling, this is a great way to ensure that you have music to listen to.

When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Never give them your original passport as you may never see it again. If someone demands that you go to an office, walk. Perhaps the most important thing is to never allow yourself to enter a strange person’s vehicle.

If you plan on bringing gifts on your next trip, be sure to bring them unwrapped. The TSA may need to inspect your packages, which would necessitate unwrapping the gifts. Don’t wrap your presents in advance; either take wrapping paper with you, or buy some when you reach your destination.

When going on a trip with your pet, look for pet friendly accommodations. There are many hotels that allow pets, but see what the requirements are and if there are any added fees to let your pet tag along. You should call different hotels and find out more about accommodations for your pets.

Try to explain airport security to children. Explain why you are going to the airport, what will happen there, and how they are expected to behave. At the security check, always remain near your child, and if doable, have one of your group’s adults go through first so that your child can see how easy it is.

The use of travel agencies has declined for a reason; everyone books trips online because it is so convenient. The site you book your travel through should offer sample itineraries for your convenience. You can take care of plane tickets, car rentals, hotel bookings, and more, all without looking up from the screen. Choosing a hotel is a snap when travel sites link you to photos and guest reviews. These sites offer fabulous deals for online trip planning, like last minute traveling discounts.

As was previously stated, you can enjoy your trip even if you dislike planning it. Fortunately, planning a successful trip doesn’t have to be a headache. If you want to have a great time on your trip, then follow the tips in this article.

Don’t forget to pack clothespins on your next trip! Clothespins are not a typical travel item for many people, but should be reconsidered given their usefulness and versatility.

Photocopy all your essential documents before leaving. Keep copies of your passport, your insurance information, and any other important documents in a safe place. To protect yourself from the headaches that will happen if your documents are stolen or lost, leave a set of copies with someone trustworthy.

Planning ahead is important when traveling by air. If an airport is in a major city, it can be quite difficult to get to, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its heaviest. Always have your suitcase packed the night before your flight. Make the necessary preparations prior to flying. Nothing is worse than missing your flight.

When traveling by air, wear loose, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily. You might have to take them off quickly for security checks. When traveling, comfort is everything. When you are in the airport or on the airplane, you will sit more than you will walk, so having good arch supports is not the most important thing. Sandals and flip flops make great travel footwear.

Reserve a specific seat on the airplane to try and make yourself more comfortable. Sometimes you can select the area of the plane or even the specific seat you desire. Be aware, though, that there are times when seat selection is not offered. Make sure to take this option if at all possible. By choosing your seat, you can minimize any discomfort you might feel about flying.

Try not to exchange currency when you visit a different country. A better option exists to get your hands on the local currency. Use a bank ATM whenever possible. Often you will find that these machines have a better rate and will be cheaper overall than going to a currency exchange.

Always have a contact case handy when you are out and about. If you are only using a small bit of these products, carry them in one of these containers.

Arriving the night before is essential. Staying over at a hotel that customarily allows their patrons to leave their vehicles there during their cruise is a smart move. Inquire about reduced-rate parking at the hotel, regardless of whether you have seen any advertisements.

Keep close track of your belongings while traveling, especially important things like money and identification. Tuck your purse under your arm. Do not carry a bag with easy access to any of the pockets. When you are buying a bag keep these things in mind.

For sheer time savings, making your travel arrangements on the Internet beats the competition hands down. The effort you have to put into travel planning is minimized when you use the right Internet resources. Hotels, flights, and rental cars can all be booked straight from the computer. Many of these sites offer package deals that can save you a lot of money. You can also find deals on travel sites, and they often offer great last minute deals, too.

Road trips make great excuses for taking along some of your favorite CD, MP3 and cassette mixes to listen to and enjoy during the ride. Often your radio signal will die as you drive from town to town, but you can avoid that by having your own music with you.

Color choice in clothing can be important when packing luggage for a trip, and dark colors should be considered. Dark clothing can be more travel-friendly because it hides dirt and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, which are both common occurrences when traveling. Dark-colored clothing should be paired with bright accessories to maintain a colorful appearance.

If you travel smart, you will notice that your trips and vacations are less stressful and more enjoyable. When you save money, and don’t have to worry about the cash you are wasting, the entire trip is more fun. You can just think of what a smart traveler you really are.