When you’re in a hurry to catch your plane or drive to your next destination, you may be forgetting some important factors of traveling. Travel is not always a rigid thing. The following tips will help you plan your next trip.

List what you intend to take with you on a trip. You can start your list anytime before you travel. By having a detailed list of what you need, you will take the stress out of packing. This will enable you to pack only the things that you really need and it can also ensure that you will not leave anything behind.

If you are staying in hotels, especially in countries that are less developed and you worry about a break-in at night in your room, take a doorstop along. A doorstop can ensure your door stays closed.

Sign up online for a price watcher. This feature offered by many websites lets you enter in destinations you travel to frequently and it watches them for you. When hotel or airline prices drop, the website will send an email to alert you to the price change. This will help ensure you don’t miss a savings opportunity.

When traveling by car to a port prior to cruising, search for lodgings where you can park at no cost and make reservations for the night before departure. Ask the hotel’s staff about any parking deals they may offer.

First thing to do when you get into your hotel room is to check the alarm clock. Whether the previous occupant was a very early riser, or the kids thought it would be a fun prank to set the alarm to scare the next occupant, you don’t want to be rudely awakened. Waking up at the time of your choice is ideal for your vacation.

Exercise before you get on the airplane. It’s boring having to sit through a long flight. Sitting without being able to move can make both your back and your legs cramp up. Getting a good workout or stretch in before your flight can leave you feeling relaxed and reduce the chances of your body stiffening during your flight.

Always tip the housekeeper and bell station. Tipping the bellhop around $1 per bag and the housekeeping staff around $2 to $5 per day is certainly not excessive. You will find that this simple act will make your stay overall that much better, and the people who work there will go out of their way to please you.

A motorcycle is a great way to go on a road trip. You can get underway quickly and enjoy the ride with ease. Traveling by motorcycle can be a fun experience.

Rush Hour

Avoid driving in rush hour traffic when setting out on your trip. If you have to be out and about then, stop for a meal or a stretch break. Rush hour is a great time to grab a bite to eat or get out and stretch your legs.

What will you do if you lose your passport? The US Department of State has a website (usembassy.state.gov)with the contact information for the United States Consulate or Embassy at the country you’re visiting. Bring the information along as you travel. In the majority of cases, a passport replacement is ready within a couple of days.

If you use traveler’s checks, try cashing them before eating or shopping. While it is true that most places accept traveler’s checks, they are difficult to work with. You could feel shorted when using them, so try being safe and obtaining local currency before spending.

Pack travel candles in your luggage if you plan on staying at a hotel. This can make the scent of your room more appealing. The smells can be relaxing, the lighting romantic and it can help you feel more at ease in an unfamiliar hotel room. You can buy these candles in miniature sizes, and they are usually drip free.

When taking a long plane trip, bring some edible snacks in your bag. Fresh snacks will be better on your plane ride than the food they offer. You’ll save a lot by staying away from the pricey airport food, and you’ll have something to talk about with your seatmates when you pull out your awesome snacks.

Service Stations

When taking a long road trip, it is important to know where the service stations are. You never know when you are going to hit a long, isolated stretch of highway. Plan your route around repair places that can fix your car if need be. Make sure all important service stations numbers are kept handy.

Consider alternate modes of travel, such as trains, buses and subways. Bus travel has changed a lot. Buses are often inexpensive, clean and convenient methods of travel. There are often deals with some bus lines to simplify your travel planning.

Nothing is worse than experiencing travel plans that have issues. You may not be able to get the rental car you want or your flight may be delayed. It’s up to you to deal with the problem, along with your agent. Make sure that you work to solve the problem, otherwise it could be bad. Stay both polite and calm. You can get more accomplished this way.

Think about the next trip and your areas of improvement. The piece you read here is a great place to get started and learn more. Jot down some notes, and prepare yourself for the next time you need to travel. Use what you can from what you’ve read here to improve your experience.