Handy little travel tips

[Apple]

Hope to see lots of tips by the next time I can take a large vacation (hoping for a WWII trip in a couple years when the house is completed)...

We don't "journal" but I've found it easy to pick up a post card from wherever we happen to be that day, jot down what we did/where we went, etc, put a stamp on it and mail it home. When we get home we have a post card for every day waiting in the mail box and I slip them into an album.

When we went on our "big" vacations (two weeks in Ireland/UK and a week in Rome) I took a sheet of pre-addressed labels with us. I made several for Gramma/Grampa, aunts, uncles, teachers, etc and when it came time to address post cards DS could just peel the label and stick it on. Made everything go much faster/easier.

I save the socks with holes and older underwear for travel. At the end of the day we just toss it in the trash so we don't have to bring home dirty socks, also making room for souvenirs.

Breakable souvenirs get wrapped in tissue or a t-shirt and stuffed into a shoe (if it will fit).

I put two pieces of cardboard in one of my suitcases. When I bought pictures I was able to put them between the pieces so that they didn't get bent or creased.

Anyone else have easy tips?

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

Bring a bottle of Immodium Ad.

[TrixAre4Kids]

Feb 21, 2011 23:21:14 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

Bring a bottle of Immodium Ad.

Or a bottle of pepto bismol tab's.

[chiver78]

I save the socks with holes and older underwear for travel. At the end of the day we just toss it in the trash so we don't have to bring home dirty socks, also making room for souvenirs.

I will also save mostly-empty full sized toiletries for this same reason. (I travel a lot, so it's not wasted cabinet space to me) travel-sized bottles annoy me to no end, and I'm checking luggage anyway so I don't worry about the 3-1-1 rule.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

Pack any liquids in a zip-lock bag. We once had a shampoo bottle leak in the suitcase, it made a real mess.

[wvugurl26]

It helps if you seal the ziploc bag too. I had mousse or something get on some stuff. Lucky it was mostly contained in the ziploc bag, just got on one bikini top and a shirt.

[Deleted]

My aunt started collecting sand from all of her trips as a souvenir. It is not only free, it turns out the sand in different places is significantly different in colour and texture. She has a display on a shelf in her bathroom. The sand is put in decorative bottles, kind of like spice bottles and labelled where it is from. I am going to do the same thing.

For souvenirs for others I take pictures with a message saying "Hi Jane, wich you were here". I write it either in the sand on the beach or on a white sheet with black marker. I stole both these ideas but people like them way better than a t-shirt or spoon or whatever.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

If you are planning to travel abroad, call your credit card company and let them know. It could avoid having your cards shut off because they think your card number may have been stolen.

[MittenKitten]

I bring along a few plastic garbage bags. Then if we have dirty clothes we put them in there and the clean clothes don't get contaminated. Also great for if you have wet/damp items.

And bring an empty container and fill it with water in the airport. Then you not at the mercy of the flight attendants if you are thirsty.

I also like to use a money belt.

[tcu2003]

Ditto the call your credit/debit card company and let them know when/where you'll be traveling. I also bring a Nalgene bottle with me when I'm traveling to refill (though foreign travel is hit or miss with this - depends on how safe the water is).

I'm a picky eater, so I always pack snacks. I try to bring nuts, granola bars, crackers, and maybe PB. Then, if I can't find something I want to eat, I still have options to tide me over.

If you're traveling internationally, make 3 copies of your passport before you leave. Leave 1 at home with someone you trust, one in your suitcase, and one in a second bag - just in case your passport gets stolen/lost, it'll be easier to replace if you made copies.

[Apple]

Oh, similar to the extra copies of the passport, when travelling with DS I have to have a copy of his birth certificate, proof of custody, and a court order saying I'm allowed to take him out of the country in addition to the passport. What I did when we went to Rome was scan all of them and saved them to a flash drive that I carried in my money belt--just in case.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Take extra credit cards, even if you don't plan on using them.

The first time I went to Europe, I had my corporate AmEx, a VISA with about a $1000 limit and a M/C with a $5000 limit. I had called all companies to let them know I'd be out of the country and using the cards. The first week of my 4 week trip was my research meeting in Glasgow and that went on my AmEx. 3 weeks later, my VISA was about 75% full, so I moved to my M/C in France, checking into a hotel with it.

Near the end, I went to buy a train ticket to my next location - a week in Germany, at a friend's house (so no major hotel expenses). Unfortunately, my m/c bounced back. Hmmm, maybe the hotel had put a hold on the card?? So I used the VISA for the ticket. I went to check out of my hotel and again my m/c was declined. Fortunately, I had my AmEx card so was able to pay the hotel bill - otherwise it would have eaten up the rest of my cash.

When TD and I went to Turkey, both of us had several cards with us. I gave him one of mine and I got one of his. That way, if either of us got robbed, we'd have an extra card to use until things got straightened around.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Donna Freedman (Smart Spending Host/Moderator) is currently on a "frugal" trip to the UK and I know she's got some great frugal travel trips (I keep up with her Surviving and Thriving Blog!) You should definitely contact her when she gets back.

[Clifford]

We try to always pack a hard-shelled cooler. You can pack whatever you want in there, use it to keep beverages cold or picnic while you are travelling, and it is great for breakable souvenirs on the way back.

[reader79]

I think it was Budget Travel where I read that when traveling out of country, you should scan and email copies to yourself of your passport, ID's, and the front and backs of all of your credit cards. That way you can access them on the go if needed.

[kdamron]

If you want plenty of room in your suitcase for souveniers coming back consider packing up some of your heavier dirty clothes near the end of the trip and having them shipped back. Gives you room, and the suitcase is much lighter to haul around.

Having been on a ten day trip to Scotland with absolutely no luggage (it was lost for two full weeks before being sent to the house) definitely take a small carry-on with at least one change of clothes (preferrably something easy to interchange like a pair of jeans and a couple of tops, NOT a bright pink VS sweatsuit) and a CHANGE OF SHOES!!! Oh, and at least a roll brush. I didn't look good the first morning in Orlando (unexpected stop) when I tried to dry my hair without a roll brush.

And best tip, whatever happens keep a good attitude!

[kdamron]

For souvenirs for others I take pictures with a message saying "Hi Jane, wich you were here". I write it either in the sand on the beach or on a white sheet with black marker.

Later - I'm going to steal this idea too! I love it.