Traveling can be a once in a lifetime experience. Whether you are seeking inexpensive lodging or transportation options, the information below should be useful.

Before you travel, make a list of what you will pack. Make your packing list weeks before you leave for your trip. Even if you won’t have time to pack until the last minute, having a list will keep you organized.

Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. Keep your passport on you at all times, and do not hand it over to anyone. If an officer or official asks you to come to their office, do so on foot. Never get into a car with a strange local.

TIP! Be aware that in some foreign cities many criminals will pose as policemen. Do not let anyone have your personal documents, such as your passport or license.

To stay on budget when planning your trip, plan it with plenty of time. You will save money this way. Try not to do things at the last minute in order to have more money left in your budget later.

Depending on where you travel, there may be some medical requirements before you are allowed entry. If this is the case, ensure that you have the proper documentation stating that you have been treated for all possible illnesses that they claim you should have received a shot for. You may need this if you try to enter or exit a country, and even when you go from city to city. With no certificate, there is no way to prove to the authorities that you have been vaccinated, and you could be quarantined.

Be cautious when traveling to foreign destinations. Criminals may pose as government or police officials. Never hand over your original passport, as you might not get it back. If you are asked to go to an office with them, walk. Do not get into the car of someone you do not know.

When planning a trip, select your digital camera with the needs of your trip in mind. For example, if you plan to backpack, a rechargeable battery will be of no use. This will save you a lot of time and hassle on your trip.

TIP! When putting a trip together, choose the right digital camera for the particulars of your trip. For example, if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you probably don’t want a camera that has a rechargeable battery.

Bring a good digital camera for the vacation that you are taking. If you will be backpacking, for instance, a rechargeable battery wouldn’t be ideal. Many people find point and shoot cameras are best to use while traveling.

When flying on a plane, you should plan ahead because an airline won’t always be able to meet your basic needs, even when the flight lasts for many hours. Bring anything you need to keep yourself entertained and comfortable. Perhaps you should bring some snacks if it is allowed.

Bring a doorstop with you when you are staying in a room that makes you feel less than comfortable about security. You can use them to keep doors closed too.

When traveling through smaller airports, check their websites to discover every airline that offers service there. Charter airlines often operate out of smaller airports; their rates, which may be cheaper than those of the bigger airlines, do not always appear when you do a rate search.

TIP! If you will be traveling through a smaller airport, check which airlines offer services there. Smaller airports will often feature charter airlines.

When taking a long trip with kids, take along some cookie sheets. You can use this to play cards with your children. They also work great in tandem with bright magnetic numbers and letters.

Take lots of breaks when driving with kids. Breaks give you the opportunity to stretch your legs and use the bathroom. You’ll also prevent kids from getting motion sickness this way. It may take a bit longer to get there, but the trip will be a lot less stressful.

Many people get jet lag when they travel to different time zones. This is something that is very hard to avoid. You should also try sleeping during the flight.

When visiting a foreign country, use caution when taking a taxi. You should make an effort to ensure it’s a legitimate taxi before you actually enter the vehicle. Anyone can put a sign that says “taxi” on a vehicle; you have no way of knowing who the person is or where you might end up.

TIP! When you go overseas, be careful of the taxis you take. Make sure you are taking a taxi that is legit.

Plan for service stops when going on a road trip. When traveling by car, you may have long periods when there are few options for vehicle service. Plan your route and while doing so look for viable service stations that can handle maintenance on your vehicle. Make sure you have the phone numbers of companies to call in case you need emergency roadside assistance.

If a travel site has an E-tracking option, utilize it. This will provide you with the most current and cheapest methods of travel. You will get an alert by email if the flight you want or have already booked has dropped in price.

Remember to bring along your medications. It can be easy to forget important things, and your medication can be one of the most important. After reaching your final destination, you may find it very hard to get replacement medication.

Make sure to tip the bell station and the housekeeper appropriately. You should tip the bell hop around one dollar per bag that they carry. If you treat the staff well, then they will treat you well.

TIP! Always tip the housekeeper and bell station. You should tip the bell hop around one dollar per bag that they carry.

Traveling will be a wonderful experience for you and your loved ones. You might already know a few things about planning a trip, but there are always ways to improve. Regardless of your reasons for traveling, the advice here can help you enjoy yourself a bit more.