Travel can be rewarding and broadening, but it can also be expensive and stressful. It can be a challenge to get the most out of a vacation when you have to budget money and time, but here are some tips to make traveling easier so you can have fun without breaking the bank.

1. Take a Cruise From a Less Common Departure Point

There may be cruises from places that you do not expect. For example, you may be able to save a little money by taking cruises from NJ, and you can still take the opportunity to do some sightseeing in New York City prior to your departure.

2. Rent a Car Well in Advance

The earlier you can arrange your car rental before you need it, the more money you can save. Therefore, this is one of the first things you should arrange when planning your trip, and if you can book the rental months in advance, it will be to your benefit. You can also save money on car rentals by picking up and dropping off at the airport.

3. Bring an Empty Water Bottle to the Airport

It is important to stay hydrated while flying, but because of the threat of terrorist attacks, you cannot bring a full bottle of water to the airport with you. You could buy bottled water at the airport and leave it sealed until you get on the plane, but that would be unnecessarily expensive. There is no rule about bringing an empty water bottle through security, and you can fill it up after you pass that checkpoint.

4. Download Google Maps

Internet access may not be reliable everywhere you go, especially if you plan on visiting some remote locations. Find locations on your itinerary on Google Maps and then download them so you can refer to them offline later when you need directions.

5. Email Copies of Important Documents to Yourself

If you lose important documents, such as your passport or vaccine card, while you are traveling, it can cause major headaches. If you take pictures of them and email copies to yourself, it can make it easier to replace them.

6. Roll Clothes When Packing

Rolling clothes instead of folding them and stacking them in your suitcase helps to save room. This means that you can pack more stuff or possibility save some room for souvenirs that you purchase during your trip.

7. Be Judicious About Sharing Details of Your Trip

Credit cards are a convenient way to pay when you are traveling. You don't have to worry about exchanging your money and most credit cards are accepted just about everywhere. However, if you are traveling a long way from home, you should inform the credit card companies beforehand. Otherwise, it may look to them as though someone has stolen your card and absconded with it, and they may cancel your card in an attempt to protect you.

You should also share details of your itinerary with a few people you trust and check in with them frequently during the duration of your trip to let them know you are all right. If they don't hear from you, they can alert the authorities that something may have happened to you. However, you should not broadcast details of your travel itinerary on social media. It would be easier for someone to commit a crime against you in an unfamiliar place if they knew where you were going to be and when.

Furthermore, it would be easier for people to burglarize your house if they knew that you weren't going to be home.

Even if you are traveling to an area where crime rates are low, you should take steps to keep yourself safe. Avoid drawing attention to yourself by wearing a lot of fancy jewelry or carrying around expensive electronics. This isn't exactly a hack, but it is good advice that is important to mention.

Image Credits:

Image 2: Image by Chatree Petjan on StockSnap

Get the Latest & Recommended articles in your Inbox

Subscribe!