It doesn’t matter where you go, planning is key to make the trip the best it can be. You will have a much better trip by using the following advice.

If you have to buy a camera for your trip, think carefully before you buy. If you are going backpacking, you shouldn’t have one with a rechargeable battery. Many people find point and shoot cameras are best to use while traveling.

Tip the staff at the hotel appropriately when you are staying at a hotel. People generally recommend a buck per bag for the bellhop and $2-5 per day for the maid. Doing so will ensure that you have a nice relationship with both during your hotel stay.

Rush Hour

Try avoiding rush hour when on your road trip. If it’s not possible to avoid rush hour, stop for a restaurant break during rush hour. Use this time to get a snack or allow the children to get some exercise.

Sometimes you will end up at a poor hotel. If you dislike the area you are stuck with, bring a rubber doorstop. You can put this under the door so no one comes in. An intruder might be able to get past the chain and the lock, but the rubber doorstop won’t be so easy to dislodge.

If traveling with children, bring a cookie sheet. They can use these sheets as a flat surface to color or play cards. You can also bring magnets to play with on them.

Find out as soon as possible whether you require a visa to enter the country you are travelling to. Sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, so allow a lot of time for the host country to process your visa paperwork. If you do not have a visa and your destination requires it, then you will not be able to enter.

Know the currency rates before traveling so you can budget. That way, you don’t have to worry about spending more money than you realize. You will have more fun this way.

Visit the websites of major airlines, and sign up for their email newsletters. You will be notified of discounts, special deals and last-minute offers. Even though these e-newsletters can contribute to the congestion in your inbox, the money they can save you is well worth it.

If you are taking a small child in a long car ride, plan on taking breaks every few hours. This lets you visit the washroom and get out of the car. In addition, getting a little fresh air can help keep motion sickness at bay. While your trip may be a bit longer, less stress will make any delay worthwhile.

If you’re taking a trip that requires a rental car, try reviewing the insurance policy of the car before you leave your home. The agents at the car rental booths are trained to sell you additional insurance that may not be necessary for you to purchase. In most cases, vehicle insurance policies will include some basic coverage for third party liability. Find out before you reserve your car.

Try to take advantage of local hotel rates when you are traveling. Some hotels offer a local rate on their rooms to decrease unoccupied rooms. If you’re traveling to a place in which you know a person living there, you can get them to check out any deals like this for you. You may end up saving some money if you find the right deal.

If you want to adjust faster to a different time zone, try to stay awake until 8pm local time. Even if you are tired, going to bed too early can prolong jet lag by keeping your body in your home time zone. If you can quickly adjust to the new time, you will beat jet lag.

Your vacation can immediately start off on the wrong foot if you haven’t planned adequately. Use the Internet, as it is an invaluable resource full of travel reviews and destination information written by experts and experienced world travelers. Reading about their experiences will help you make the best choices and avoid the worst places.

Take with you an additional passport photo when your travel abroad. If you happen to lose your passport or it gets stolen, getting a new one may take a long time. An extra picture my speed up the replacement process. In addition, carry whatever is needed to get a new passport.

If you are a light sleeper, a pair of earplugs can really help. Some hotels don’t have great sounding in their walls. Good earplugs can help block any excess noise.

Be sure to allow for changes in weather, as it can completely change your plans without notice. Keep a close eye on the forecast and check it regularly until the moment you actually depart. This way, you can prepare for unpleasant surprises and plan alternate activities if the beach is too frigid or the ski slope is sweltering.

Be sure to give your itinerary to someone you trust. Put the names of where you’re going and people that you’re going to see, along with addresses and phone numbers. In addition, leave copies of your airline tickets and passport identification page.

When you are going to go on a road trip, bring along your favorite CD’s, cassettes or your MP3 player, so that you can enjoy your music on your trip. That way you don’t have to hunt for a good radio station.

Be honest when you take out travel insurance. Obviously, if you become sick, let the insurance provider know. If your illness worsens while traveling, the company will deny any claim because of your pre-existing condition. In such a circumstance, you will have to foot the bill alone.

As stated in the above article, no matter how far you travel, it is always important to plan out your trip accordingly to get the most out of this adventure. The advice here will make it a great experience.