12 Travel Tips To Save Time, Money and Headaches

VACATIONS AND TRAVEL TIPS

Who is ready to travel?  Yes, everyone is busy working and carrying on with life but now and then we need a break.  We need a break to reset our minds, our bodies and help us feel refreshed.  Vacations are necessary.   But let’s be real, vacations cost money.  That’s where I come in with these handy travel tips to help you save money.  Plus you’ll also save time and headaches.  Who doesn’t love that?

Before we get into it though, let me just preach about why travel is so important. This blog began a few years back when my husband and I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.  We moved to Europe.  Along the way, we’ve met amazing people and have had incredible experiences.  Personally, I’ve discovered I am passionate about helping others find their purpose in their daily lives.  In part, it’s thanks to our travels.  Travel has fed my curious spirit with memories that can never be bought.  I want to help others do the same.  So, let’s get started with a few travel tips below to help you take on your travel journey.

12 TRAVEL TIPS

1.  Keep an open mind.  Traveling never goes according to plan. If it does, thank your lucky stars.  Understand that you can prepare your heart out, but sometimes things happen. A large number of variables are out of your control and stressing will not fix anything. Flights are delayed or canceled. Gates change at the last minute. Late connecting flights and running across the airport like a mad person. Luggage placed on a different plane.  Yep, it’s happened to me.  Accidentally booked the wrong flight. Oops! Did that too.  The room is not ready. Food poisoning. The city goes under a hurricane watch; it was a scary situation while we were in Punta Cana.  You get the picture. Keep an open mind because according to Murphy’s Law, something is bound to happen.  Instead, remind yourself why you booked the trip.  Know adventure awaits on the other side of chaos. The best part will be, you’ll make great memories, and all the craziness will be worth it.  Plus think of it this way, you will have a hell of a story to tell.
2. Budget. For those of you where money is not an object, please feel free to donate to me. Haha! Kidding. If you’re not worried about budgeting that’s awesome. But for those of us who are, remember to budget for meals and entertainment. Going back home with racked up debt is not fun.
3. Call the credit card company and provide travel dates ahead of time. If not, the fraud department will be alerted, and your credit card will most likely be flagged and deactivated. Not having any access to your funds while on vacation is frustrating.
4. Look up the weather beforehand. It’s helpful to know the weather beforehand, but not crucial. You don’t want to wear shorts in the midsts of a cold front because it’s the only option you have.  Freezing your tail off while trying to explore is a serious buzz kill. Having a general idea of the weather can save you some frustration.   PRO TIP:  Plan outfits according to the weather.
5. Make a list of sites and restaurants to visit. It’s a good tactic to create a list of what you want to see, where to eat, and what to experience. Some people go as far as planning every detail, by day.  It may work for some, and it may not work for others. I make a short list of places I want to see and pick out one restaurant to eat on that day; the rest I leave up to “the adventure.” I say this because I’ve learned you can only plan so much and then life happens. I end up running into cute shops or a museum, and they are still fun.  Accidental places make the best stories too.
6. Place all relevant documents in a central location. (Passport, DL, Credit Cards, etc.). If traveling with a partner, ask them to remind you to double check for documents before stepping out the door.  Cecil does this for me while we carry our suitcases to the car.  PRO TIPS: 1. Make copies of passport(s), and DL(s)  then place them in a different location (leave one copy at home in a safe and take one copy with you), in the case of loss.  2. Make a checklist on your phone.
7. Pack light.  When in doubt, pack light. It doesn’t matter where you’re traveling try to pack light. Picture yourself hauling a heavy suitcase. YEAH, hassle. Wah, wah!  A heavy bag will put a damper on your vacation so fast; especially if you’re planning on a city *hopping.  *When you go from one place to another. That’s what I call it. Kind of like your college days when you went bar hopping, but this time you have money so can city hop. I’ve overpacked before.  We’ve all done it.  It’s all excitement that drives the overpacking on my end.  Sounds silly, but we all get so giddy (with reason) about the trip that we throw just about every cute piece of clothing we own in the suitcase. NO!  Stop that. I know it’s hard but think logically. Depending on what you’re doing, plan your outfits accordingly. And don’t forget jeans go with different tops, so BAM, you just consolidated!
8. Wear Comfortable shoes.  This is a MUST! Shoes can either make or break a vacation. Sure you can always buy a pair of comfy shoes while on vacation, but remember point number two? You’ll have to cut those funds out of your fun budget. A funny story: When I traveled to Europe my first time, I packed so many cute outfits.  Leggings, undershirts, the neighbor’s cat, you name it, it was in the suitcase. I had a pair of shoes for every outfit. Rookie! Never did I stop to think: “Hey, were are going to be walking everywhere. Maybe I should pack only a few comfy pairs.”  I paid for it! Have you ever stepped on cobblestone in 4-inch heels? Yeah, not fun. And Europe has cobblestone streets everywhere. Walking becomes difficult, and you’ll probably look like you’ve had one too many glasses of wine.  Also, don’t wear new shoes. You will most likely end up with blisters, and you might as well throw in the towel after that.
   PRO TIP: wear comfortable shoes on a plane or car ride; especially if the trip is long. I say this because feet tend to swell when you don’t move much, and wearing tight shoes is painful.
9. Avoid carrying too much cash, and use your credit card when possible. I don’t recommend cashiers checks; I find then inconvenient (but that is my personal opinion). Most places accept credit cards, well in Germany, cash is still king. Do a little research on the city you’re visiting, and you should be ok.
10. Make a cash withdrawal at the airport or a reputable bank near you, if you must have cash.  Airports are convenient and will most likely offer an ATM with similar fees as the ones in the city. If you’re in a different country, the credit card company may charge a conversion fee and a foreign transaction fee per withdrawal.  Remember to call or look up prices. Taking care of this ahead of time will avoid you going into shock when you log in to your online banking later that day.
11. All cities offer some form of transportation. Stick with registered or official transport such as taxis, trains, buses, etc. If you’re traveling to Europe, know that the train system is fantastic and a bit confusing to a foreigner. The train system consists of different types of trains: fast trains, night trains, city trains, and the list goes on. Ticket purchasing can be made online for some while for others it’s only at the train station. Storytime: Cecil and I took a night train from Paris to Venice, and it was an adventure. We spent a wild night in a tiny six-person cabin. Long enough for an average person to fit laying down and wide enough for knees to grace creepily with strangers. And by wild, I mean “what in the world were we thinking?” This story will always get a good laugh out of both of us.
12. Have fun and leave work at work.  Take a mental break from all the stresses of life and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.  I know it is difficult but try not to think about work, worry about whatever is going on at home or stress about things that are out of your control.

TRAVEL OUTFIT

My go-to travel outfit always consists of a pair of leggings, a light sweater, and a pair of stylish sneakers.  I wear sweaters because I always get cold on the plane.

ADAPT AND KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET

One thing is for sure, travel never goes according to plan, unfortunately.  The best we can do is prepare to the best of our ability and keep a positive mind about whatever situation we find ourselves facing.  Mindset after all, in any case, will determine how you feel and react.  Keep a positive state of mind and you will be alright. As far as vacations go, enjoy them and be in the moment because you’ll never get those hours back.

Based on your experience, what would you add to the list?  Did I miss anything you think is crucial?  Let me know in the comments below.

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Thank you so much for reading!

With love and gratitude,