However you choose to travel, and wherever you choose to travel to, there are a few tips that can come in handy on your journey. Keep reading for the best tips on traveling, from packing to booking a hotel room.

Make a packing list. You should start this list at least one week in advance, preferably earlier than that. The list should include all of your necessities for the trip. Having a list will keep you organized and clutter-free, even if you don’t actually pack until the last minute.

When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Never give them your original passport as you may never see it again. If you are asked to go to an office with them, walk. Do not get into a vehicle with strangers at home or abroad.

Are you concerned about the safety of the hotel you are staying at? Take along a doorstop. The little rubber or wooden wedges can be used to keep your door shut, although they are often used to keep doors open.

When traveling with a toddler, you have to bring along things that will keep him interested and happy during the trip. Bring along some of their favorite toys. It’s a good idea to buy something new, so that it will be sure to keep the attention of your little one for a long period.

Keep your most important information and items close to you at all times. If you are carrying a purse, be sure to have it tucked neatly 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. When buying a travel bag, keep this in mind.

Don’t forget to pack a rain coat. You can never be certain about weather changes. With its multi-use, a raincoat can be a windbreaker in cool weather and even a bathrobe after a shower in the hotel room.

Melt a bucket of ice if you want to have fresh water for morning coffee. Rather than drinking bad-tasting tap water, get a bucket, fill it with ice, and let it melt as you sleep. You can brew your coffee in the morning with fresh filtered water.

There are many beautiful vistas and unusual fauna and flora in a desert. Deserts offer a special experience for the first time visitor. It should be the goal of anyone interested in the world to experience the wonder of the desert at least once.

Lots of travelers have to economize on lodgings. If you aren’t comfortable with the area but have no choice, pack an ordinary rubber doorstop. It can be wedged under the door overnight, along with the chain and lock. Intruders won’t just have to break the lock and chain, they will have to get past rubber firmly wedged beneath the door.

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Most countries have passport regulations with which you must comply. You are usually not allowed to enter a country if your passport expires soon. Normally, this range is between three and six months, but it can even be eight months to a year.

Prebook your parking at the airport if you plan to leave your car there. Parking can be more expensive when booked the day of the flight. If you live nearby, consider taking a taxi to the airport instead.

While you need to be 18 to rent most cars, some companies have an age minimum of 25. Additionally, many car rentals charge a higher rate if you’re under 25, and most require a credit card to be on file. There may also be restrictions against senior citizens. In the early stages of making your reservation, inquire if these apply to you.

If you have booked a hotel room, don’t forget to pack some travel candles. This can make your room smell a bit better. In addition to promoting romantic relaxation, you might even sleep easier. A lot of retailers carry these candles, which sell in sizes convenient for travel and devoid of wax drips.

When taking a long road trip, plan for service stops along the way. When you’re on road trips, often you may find long stretches of road that don’t offer much car service if you need it. It is important that you have a solid route planned where you know there will be service stations along the way that can help should the need arise. Keep these numbers on you just in case.

Foreign Currency

It is not a good idea to exchange currency while in a different country. There are other, easier ways to exchange cash for foreign currency. Get your foreign currency out of a bank’s ATM. If you are able to use a bank ATM machine, you will be able to find a more affordable exchange rate and less fees.

When traveling, ask for a room located on one of the highest floors possible. As meaningless as this sounds, you don’t want to give thieves easier access by having a room on the ground floor. If you can, request a hotel room that has only windows and no sliding glass doors. The doors make these rooms easier for thieves to enter.

Start packing your bags and creating an itinerary using these tips. By using the advice you’ve just read, your trip is sure to be a smooth and more enjoyable one, every step of the way.