Invaluable tips

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

Please ADD any invaluable travel tips to this thread.
Tips about customs, traveling w/ luxury goods, traveling w/ children, etc. . . .

[Nat]

This is a great site with tips for air travel: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm

[Nat]

Tips for traveling abroad (the US): http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

[Nat]

Air travel tips for families flying with a baby or small child: http://www.flyingwithkids.com/travel_tips.htm

[Nat]

Custom regulations in Europe: http://www.visiteurope.com/ccm/travel_information/customs_regulations/?nav_cat=238742&lang=en_US

This website also contains very valuable information about airports, public transportation, bank and public holidays etc. by European country.

[rbaby]

I hope these tips are appropriate for this thread...
I always check tripadvisor.com and read the reviews before booking a hotel. I also love fodors.com for their "best of" in 3 days section.

[louis loves fendi 818]

I have learned this lesson the hard way quite a few times. If you think you suitcase might be over the weight limit put it on the scale and CHECK! And remember to leave some leeway for the difference in scales. And if you plan on buying clothes/bags/souveniers leave some room and/or bring/buy a second bag. A LV keepall of large tote that folds flat is a great option as it can be stored in you checked bag and then your purchases can be put in it for the return trip.

[purly]

- Always leave a bag of q tips and a bag of tampons in a side pocket of your bag so that you don't have to think about packing them
- If you wear stockings, pack a nail file
- If you're sick and you have to fly, take a sudafed during boarding and suck on ice during altitude changes
- Always bring a spare pair of socks and a spare pair of underwear
- When traveling international, you need to be checked into the airport two hours early, so try to get there three hours early.
- International travel has different luggage requirements, so check first.
- The local exchange rate is always going to be worse than what you read it is on the internet
- Smile and be polite to the TSA, they're less unpleasant when you're nice to them

I have tons more but I just realized it's 1 am.

[Glamorous_girl]

-put tape on the caps of liquid bottles, otherwise they may come open and leak (happened)
-Pack anything that might leak in a ziplock
-roll fragile things in your clothes (so you don't have to waste space with packing materials)
-bring socks in the carryon
-being polite to the staff makes the whole airport experience much smoother
-if carrying on your laptop, pack it so it will be easy to get to when you have to take it out for security
-buy a unique patterened ribbon to tie onto your suitcase handles so you can find it quickly (i have zebra striped ribbon and i can always spot mine a mile away)
-dressing nice can help you get an upgrade (but there are other requirements as well)
-if it's a long flight pack lounge clothes in your carryon and items to freshen up before landing like a toothbrush, face wipes, makeup, deodorant etc. Freshening up and changing clothes so you don't wear the same ones the whole trip really makes you feel better when you get off the plane.
-drinking water, tea and juice instead of soda and alcohol will make you feel more hydrated and thus feel better on the flight.

[Trolley-Dolly]

PACKING
-All liquids must be in a zip-lock clear bag, (if it does not fit in the bag it does not go through security)
-Always pack your own bag, or someone you trust.
-Do not lock your checked bags, otherwised if choosen to be checked the lock will be burst open.
-Do not overpack, screeners will have a bad job if your bag is inspected. Closing will be hard and it may resort to lost belongings.
-Carry all cameras/films/expensive/delicate items onboard with you.
-Pack all items you do not want strangers to touch in clear plastic bags.
-Be aware of baggage restrictions.
-Do not pack books on top of eachother, pack them one beside eachother and spread them out among your luggage.

[Trolley-Dolly]

AT THE AIRPORT


-Always arrive at least 3 hours before your flight.
-Try to get your boarding passes online if you can.
-Have your tickets/boarding passes/passport ready when it is necessary.
-Respect staff.
-Outwith Europe, do not smoke in places that are not designated smoking areas.
-Once you are thru airport security, it is best to buy anything you may wish for flights.

[NY_fashionista]

Information about tax refunds: http://www.globalrefund.com/

[wantmore]

Pack hand wipes in your carry-on along with a 2 oz. Purell. They come very handy.

[Odette]

To save space use the spacebags that you roll to remove the air, keeps them from being touched by security if they have to open your bag and keeps things organized. Good for keeping dirty laundry in at the end of the trip too.

[Glamorous_girl]

Originally Posted by ImASadGiraffe

To save space use the spacebags that you roll to remove the air, keeps them from being touched by security if they have to open your bag and keeps things organized. Good for keeping dirty laundry in at the end of the trip too.

ahh this reminded me of a very handy tip thats great for traveling.
Even if you are not using one to pack your stuff to go on your trip throw a space bag or 2 in the pocket of your luggage. It is excellent for dirty laundry, and it will make more space for any items you buy on the trip. If you expect to be doing alot of shopping pack a collapsible duffle bag to bring things back in (if your airline allows you to have more than one bag-always check baggage allowance beforehand to avoid extra fees and hassle)

-Never pack anything you can't afford to lose in your checked baggage. Keep it in the back of your mind there is a chance your luggage may be lost and not returned. Also don't pack anything that an untrained eye can tell is expensive by looking at it.

-when they warn you that the plane will be landing soon (but before they turn on the seatbelt sign of course) you should be getting everything together so when the plane lands you can just grab your stuff quickly and get off the plane. The faster you get off the plane the less time you have to wait on the shuttles (if they use shuttles at that airport) and the less people you have to wait behind in immigration/customs/ etc.

-rolling your shirts takes up less space IMHO.

-check your seat and the pockets in the seat infront. I have on more than one ocassion left something in the pocket infront, thankfully it was nothing of value.

-On a long flight you should keep hydrated and try to eat. Trust me if you barely eat anything on an 8 or more hour flight you will feel even more awful, and probably sick, when your land.

-If you travel a certain route all the time I find it's a good idea to find an airline you can tolerate and stick with them. IMHO it's more relaxing and you know what to expect.

-In general it does matter what airline you travel in terms of the quality and experience of the flight. Of course they should all get you from point A to B but not every airline is the same. If you are going to have a long flight and can choose your airline it DOES pay to check out airline reviews online, I have been on some of the worst and best airlines. I know so many people who just pick the first one they see and they are always complaining about how horrible flying is. I fly all the time, and it can be enjoyable with the right airline (even in economy class!).