Invaluable tips

[Glamorous_girl]

Oh here is another one...
You should get a passport even if your not planning any upcoming international trip. They are good for a relatively long time and can also be used as ID. It doesn't hurt to have it and its not a big deal to get one. But it can save alot of stress if you do decide to go somewhere. They take a few weeks to get and there is no "set time" it will arrive on...it can vary depending on if you get it before a high travel season or not...and I know so many people who are pulling out their hair before a trip because they forget they needed a passport or its a week before the trip and the passport hasen't arrived yet! It's just one of those dumb things thats so easy to forget, but it can become the biggest PIA!

[redney]

Print your flight itinerary, black out any personal info (like credit card #, home address, etc), write your name and how to contact you (mobile phone #, email address, etc) and make 2-3 photocopies. Put a copy inside your suitcase and a copy(-ies) in exterior pocket(s) of your suitcase.

In the event your baggage tracking tag or ID tag falls off, your name, flight and destination info are readily available. It will also help return it to you if your luggage gets lost somewhere.

Instead of a lock, I attach a small ziptie through the zippers of my suitcase. It's not a "lock" per se but can be enough of a deterrant (spelling?) against anyone who might open suitcases looking for valuables.

[finzup]

- When travelling outside of your contry, always keep a photocopy of your passport in case your passport gets stolen -- it will be easier to replace if you can show a photocopy

- Whenever you travel write down the phone numbers (not the 1-800 numbers as they might not work from all countries) for your credit card companies in case you need to get in touch with them.

[kimalee]

This might sound dumb, but make sure all important documents are still valid (passport, cc's, ID). I recently went to Aruba with a couple of friends - one of them didn't notice that her passport had expired until we got to the airport. Obviously, she couldn't go.

[esiders]

- Travelling in US: if you MUST lock your checked luggage, use a lock that can be opened by TSA officials. If they need to search your bag, TSA can open the lock without breaking it.

- always pack an empty 2 gallon ziplock bag in your luggage...handy for messy things: wet/dirty clothes or wet/dirty shoes.

- travelling with toddlers? Invest in a backpack, especially one with lots of compartments. You can pack all your carry-on items in the backpack and still have your hands free to take care of the kids. If you need to travel with a stroller, don't check it. Use it to maneuver around the airport and just as you are getting on the plane, gate check it on the jetway.

- Open a FF account for your child, the first time you have to buy a ticket for them. My 6 year old has 40,000 miles in his OnePass account!

- maximize your time by mapping out an intinerary ahead of time. If you want to do a lot of sightseeing, figure out the best days to do it. Find out the days and opening hours of museums...most museums are closed one day a week.

- MONEY SAVER: If you are going to a major city (London, Paris, Rome NYC)...DON'T buy a guided tour package, where you are escorted and scheduled every day of the trip. Even if you don't speak the language, most major cities are very easy to maneuver on your own. Save money by buying an independent air+land package. Buying the guided tour package will add at least $700-1000 to the price of your trip because you are paying for the guide, the motorcoach, the busdriver.

- If you are going to a major city, DON'T rent a car. Finding on-street parking will be a pain and many hotels charge crazy fees for parking. Walk or use public transportation when you can. If you need to rent a car, only rent it for the days you plan to drive it (if you have an itinerary, you should know when you will need the car). Having the car parked at the hotel while you are sightseeing, is a money waster.

[esiders]

One more tip - in the old days, before general boarding of the plane, the flight attendants would announce that people travelling with small children could board at anytime (ie, early - before their row was called). The last couple of times I've flown with my 6 year old (to Italy, Puerto Rico, Georgia --- all different airlines), the flight attendants did not make this announcement. But from past experience, I knew that the policy was still in place, they just don't announce it anymore (why? I don't know).

SO...if you are travelling with small kids, you can board the flight anytime AFTER the first class passengers have boarded. When it doubt, ask the gate agents...they will tell you exactly when you can board early.

[NY_fashionista]

Originally Posted by esiders

- MONEY SAVER: If you are going to a major city (London, Paris, Rome NYC)...DON'T buy a guided tour package, where you are escorted and scheduled every day of the trip. Even if you don't speak the language, most major cities are very easy to maneuver on your own. Save money by buying an independent air+land package. Buying the guided tour package will add at least $700-1000 to the price of your trip because you are paying for the guide, the motorcoach, the busdriver.

As the owner of a travel business, I disagree. A packaged tour can be a substantial savings over doing it yourself, particularly if you're planning on going to a place where the dollar is not strong (and if you don't speak the language, a tour escort can be invaluable in some cities). While I would never book a tour that allows no free time, I've sent hundreds of clients on tours that they've enjoyed very much and considered to be excellent value.

[sonya]

Packing tips:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20..._light_packing

[esiders]

Originally Posted by NY_fashionista

As the owner of a travel business, I disagree. A packaged tour can be a substantial savings over doing it yourself, particularly if you're planning on going to a place where the dollar is not strong (and if you don't speak the language, a tour escort can be invaluable in some cities). While I would never book a tour that allows no free time, I've sent hundreds of clients on tours that they've enjoyed very much and considered to be excellent value.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. A package tour (air+hotel+transfers) IS a good deal...you definitely save money over arranging these things seperately. But buying one of those tour-guided packages to places like Paris, Rome or London, even if you don't speak the language? Total waste of money. I've done all these places armed with a map, a basic understanding of the language and it was a breeze.

The only place I would consider doing a tour guide package is a country that doesn't use the Latin alphabet (ie: China, Russia, some Slavic countries). Yes, English is spoken "everywhere" but I'm apprehensive any place where I wouldn't be able to reading basic street signs.

[clearstatic]

Thanks swanky for making this!

[jillybean307]

Always keep a little notebook & pen with you. It's great if you want to write down the name of a restaurant you like for future visits, or if you meet a new friend and want to exchange email addresses.

[Longchamp]

Eagle Creek Pack it Folders--I swear by them, best way to pack!!!


http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessorie...lder-18-40154/

[VPT]

Time zone converter:

- use this when arranging for overseas meetings for business travelers while in home country
- use this when planning itinerary
- use this for listing on ebay, or whatever.

Almost all online time converters only let you convert the current time. This one lets you set any time overseas and convert it back to your own location time.

Clicky!

[ProfNot]

Eyewitness travel guides are the best for traveling to big cities, especially Europe.

[ProfNot]

If you are not traveling with your husband take only panties that are well worn. Wear twice then discard. This leaves room in your suitcase for goodies and presents!
Lots of very fashionable ladies do this.

If you are traveling with your hubby, then wear your most romance-inspiring panties!