Just about everyone looks ahead to a vacation as something enjoyable. But, you may get stressed when traveling. It is always possible for something to go wrong, whether it is booking the trip, packing or catching the plane or train. The following is some helpful advice that can make your vacation travels less stressful.

Before packing, make a list. Start as soon as you can before your trip, that way you can add your must-have items to the list as you think of them. This way, you can avoid clutter and panic, even if you have to throw things together on short notice.

Use the ATM to obtain spending cash in the local currency. The exchange rate should be better. This can save you a substantial amount of money over time.

TIP! If you are in another country, get money from the ATM. You can lose money if you do otherwise.

It is often wise to choose an aisle seat. While you can see well out of the window seat, that is about all it does for you. Sitting on the aisle allows you to reach your luggage and easily get up to go to the bathroom.

When going to foreign countries, be smart about food allergies. If you are allergic to certain foods, you should know what the name of the food is in the native language. This will allow you to communicate to others what foods you are trying to avoid.

When venturing abroad, be cautious about getting into taxis. Prior to getting into a taxi, be sure it is legit. Anybody can add a taxi sign to their car, but they might not be legitimate.

It is important to document certain information if you are traveling abroad. Keep copies of your travel documents with you, and make sure that you always have all the contact info for the US embassy that is located in the areas you will be traveling. This is your first point of contact if an issue arises. They have much experience with the issues travelers face, and they’ll help.

TIP! When traveling abroad, keep a note of all important information. Include the name and contact information of where you will be staying as well as that of your embassy or consulate in the country you are traveling to.

Research ahead of booking. This will put you in the most comfortable position when flying or driving. If you know someone who has already visited this destination, ask them about their experiences. Conducting such research helps you understand what the trip might be like, and it helps you determine an appropriate itinerary.

Try to wear comfortable and light shoes when air traveling – shoes that you can slip out of easily. When you go through security checks, you will be required to take them off. They should always be comfortable. You do not need particularly supportive shoes as you will be spending most of your time sitting. Wearing sandals like flip flops or Crocs is a great way to stay comfortable on your flight.

Join forums and social websites that are travel-centric. Looking for fellow travelers that you can share your time with and talk to is a great way to prepare for your trip. Not only will you make new friends by sharing your travel experiences, but you will also learn new things and may even learn about a hidden gem you check out while on vacation.

It’s important to plan ahead when traveling by air. If an airport is in a major city, it can be quite difficult to get to, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its heaviest. Have your bags packed well in advance. Make all the preparations you need well before your flight. Missing a flight is a horrible experience that you never want to go through.

TIP! Planning ahead is the number one rule of flying. The trip to the airport requires that you give ample time to deal with traffic, rush hour conditions and other unexpected delays.

A lot of car rental companies require their renters to be at least 18 years old, and some even require them to 25. Drivers younger than that usually pay higher rates and have to give a credit card number as security. Certain locations don’t let senior citizens rent cars. When reserving a car, make sure you ask about age restrictions.

Should you be likely to forget items in hotels when you travel, use a dry-erase marker to make notes on the mirror as reminders. Paper notes can be lost easily, but those written on mirrors are hard to forget or lose. You can use toilet paper to remove your note from the mirror. How easy is that?

Whenever you have a long flight ahead, it pays to pack some snacks. Fruit, nuts or granola make excellent options. Not only will you save a bundle by not buying that expensive airport food, but you will have a great conversation opener with any nice-looking neighbor, eyeing your snacks!

Be sure to have a good, clear, color photo of your child on hand to be prepared in the unhappy event your child becomes lost. Losing a child is traumatic for any parent. Though it certainly feels devastating, it is a reality for many. When you have a photo of the child with you, it can make a big difference in finding them fast if they become lost.

If you sleep light, try using some earplugs. Many times the walls in your hotel are very thin. Earplugs will block the noise and help you sleep.

When traveling with young children, pack nutritious snacks. You should probably pack more that you think they will eat. These will also help keep them busy while you are driving. This prevents them from causing mayhem on the road. Sometimes, even a bit of junk food is okay.

These tricks and tips from the experts will make your trip more enjoyable. As you plan your next trip, remember to take another look at these tips. They can reduce some stress and help you travel easier.

To assist in minimizing your travel budget, purchase arrangements far in advance. There are many things you purchase for travel, most of them are cheaper, the earlier you buy them. Minimizing your travel expenses will give you more to spend while you’re actually on the trip.