Some tips on traveling safer and smarter is a great place for new travelers to start with planning their trips. Below is just such a collection that will hopefully assist the eager novice into eventually becoming a pro when it comes to traveling.

If you are in another country, get money from the ATM. In most cases, banks and other financial institutions are able to get far better rates of exchange that you ever personally could alone. You may end up realizing significant savings in this way.

Always plan ahead when traveling by air. Most major airports are situated in busy cities, so driving to an airport can take a very long time during periods of heavy traffic. Pack up all your suitcases the night before you travel. Make the necessary preparations prior to flying. You want to do everything possible to avoid arriving late for your flight.

Make plans way ahead of time when you travel, to keep costs as low as possible. No matter the different costs you will incur for your travels, most share the same standard: they are less expensive the sooner you purchase. You can avoid excessive expenditures during travel by planning properly.

Pack lightly and take only what you need, when traveling. When you carry less items with you, there is less of a chance of having items stolen or losing them. Don’t take too many shoes, as they are usually the heaviest and biggest things you’ll take.

Before getting off the cruise in a port city find yourself a hotel with free parking. Ask hotel staff about any parking deals if there aren’t any published.

Carry a doorstop with you to give your hotel stay a little bit of extra security. Greater security can help you sleep better. If your door doesn’t contain a chain or deadbolt, place a doorstop under the door.

Taking a vacation away from your home can result in you wanting to take something from home with you. Only take the things you truly need. Write down the ones that you definitely need. Pack other valuables on your trip, as well.

Travel can be a very educational experience for every member of the family. If you take reasonable precautions, there is no reason to fear travel to the developing world. It can be a great chance to show your children how the world outside of your country works. You can gain understanding and tolerance for different cultures while abroad.

Share Experiences

Try joining some forums and social networks that are focused on travel. Locating a group of fellow travelers to socialize and share experiences with gives you a great way to research an upcoming trip. You can meet people and share experiences to help you avoid mistakes or miss seeing an important sight at your destination.

If you are planning a trip with young children, pack a cookie sheet or two. These sheets make a great flat surface for kids to color on or play cards. If you are travelling with little kids, think about bringing magnetic toys like educational numbers and letters.

Make sure that your vacation is environmentally friendly at all times. For example, choose a hotel which offers energy efficient fixtures and recycling programs. When you know where to look, you can find many ways to stay green when you are on the road.

If you hope to avoid potential delays, aim for early flights. Since airports fill up to capacity, when one plane gets delayed, usually the plane behind it will also be delayed since it must wait until the gates open. If you take the first flight of the day, you reduce your chances for a delay.

When traveling to other countries, pack bottled water. Some countries do not purify or distill their water, and as a result it is rich in dangerous bacteria. Use bottled water any time you need water such as when you brush your teeth. You can get sick from the tap water this way, as well.

Email Alerts

Sign up for the email alerts that some travel sites offer. They will give you the most up-to-date information on travel fees. Email alerts will be sent to you if your travel interests has had a price drop or can be found elsewhere at a cheaper price.

Always tip generously. As you board the cruise, tip $20 to your steward. There is a good chance the crew you see in the beginning will be the ones taking care of you the entire time, so if you tip them well, you are sure to get good service in return.

Make sure the room you get is on a high level of the place you will be staying. Bottom and ground floor rooms are more accessible to potential thieves. You should also avoid staying in rooms with sliding doors. Sliding glass doors are, unfortunately, quite easy for thieves to get open.

Give your itinerary to someone you know. List all places you intend to visit, as well as all relevant contact information. Leave copies of your passport and tickets, too.

Always bring the kids’ car seats if you are going to rent a car for a road trip. If you do not bring them with you, you will likely have to purchase new ones just for the trip.

Wait until you reach your destination to save money on your currency exchange. You should exchange a bit of currency before you leave to go on vacation if you do not think you will have access when you get there.

Attach a label with your name and contact information to your luggage and place another one on the inside. Should your luggage get lost and handle tags have been removed, your luggage hopefully will find you. You can avoid permanently losing your stuff by doing this.

This advice should have taught you a lot about planning a successful trip. Read them carefully, and use them during the planning process.