Contact lens cases are a great thing to take whenever you go on vacation. The case sizes make excellent containers for any creams you may want to take with you.

Give your bellhop and maid a nice tip. You should tip the bell hop around one dollar per bag that they carry. If you can tip these people appropriately, you will find that you will have a better relationship with the hotel staff during your stay.

Avoid having to exchange currency with a bank when you travel to a different country. Getting foreign currency can be done in a better way. You can obtain the foreign currency from an ATM in a bank. Bank ATM’s tend to have better exchange rates and are generally less expensive than an exchange.

When traveling, you must constantly stay alert as to the location of your valuable belongings. Keep your purse tucked 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. Always consider these things before purchasing your travel bags.

Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. Never hand over your original passport, as you might not get it back. If an officer or official asks you to come to their office, do so on foot. Don’t enter a vehicle with a local you don’t know.

Before you land at your destination, you should do some research on the local laws and customs. There’s a slight possibility you could do something illegal without even knowing, which can cause many problems on your travels. Don’t cause trouble and respect local officials when you are in a foreign country.

Avoid panicking if you’ve gotten off a flight but your bags have not arrived at your destination. Locate and approach the lost luggage desk and obtain the proper paperwork to file a lost luggage claim. More likely than not, your luggage will return to you safe and sound.

If you are traveling to a country with low water quality, don’t forget to pack bottled water. Some countries do not purify or distill their water, and as a result it is rich in dangerous bacteria. Use bottled water to brush your teeth with. You may get ill from using the tap water.

Try explaining the security in an airport to your kids. Explain why you are going to the airport, what will happen there, and how they are expected to behave. A good idea is to also make sure one adult goes in front of the children, so they know what they can expect. Be sure that you stay close to the children so they are comforted by your presence.

It is important to purchase a voltage converter if you will be traveling outside the United States. These can be purchased at electronics stores or travel stores before your trip. If you wait to buy one while you are traveling, you will probably pay much more money than you would have at home.

Work off your flying anxiety with a jog before you head to the airport. It’s boring having to sit through a long flight. Sitting the same way for a long time can cause your legs or back to cramp. You can have more energy at the end of your flight when your warm up and stretch before takeoff.

Taking a sleeping pill can make a red-eye flight much easier. Sleeping on a plane can be difficult due to the uncomfortable seats, the strange atmosphere and the sounds of the aircraft and other passengers. If you feel anxious about flying, think about taking a sleeping pill. Importantly, wait on taking the pill until the flight has taken off; this keeps you mentally aware in case there are delays or changes in the schedule.

Now that you know how to travel smart, you’re ready for smooth sailing. No matter what your destination is, you will have fun and enjoy yourself more if you can sit back, relax and think about the money you have saved yourself.