Whether you are experienced with traveling or you are a new traveler, there are many decisions that must be made. Luckily, planning a trip is a relatively easy process as long as you know where to begin, and possess the right knowledge. The following article is filled with helpful hints and tips on traveling for both the novice and the veteran.

You must plan ahead if you are going to fly. It can take much more time then expected to get to airports in major cities because of traffic. Pack your bags, including your carry-on, before you go to bed. Make the necessary preparations prior to flying. With good preparation, you are sure to make your flight and not have to worry about missing it.

List what you intend to take with you on a trip. Sometime well before your trip, at least a week or more, write down all of the items that you must pack. Having a list will keep you organized and clutter-free, even if you don’t actually pack until the last minute.

Always carry an updated color photo of your child with you. This will come in handy if they are ever lost. Losing your child can be a scary prospect. Sometimes though, this may happen. Having a photo of your child handy in case they get lost in a crowd could end up making a huge difference.

Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. Generally speaking, it is about a dollar for each piece of luggage, and between $2 to $5 for cleaning the room. This will help ensure that you maintain a good relationship during your stay.

When traveling by air, wear loose, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily. You are going to have to take them off at the security checks. Comfort is very important. On planes and in airports, you will walk a little but sit a lot, so heavy-duty support is not necessary. The ultimate shoes for travel are sandals or flip flops.

Join travel forums and social networks. Getting involved with others that travel is a great way to get prepared for your trip. You can meet people and share experiences to help you avoid mistakes or miss seeing an important sight at your destination.

Sleeping Pill

Sometimes, the best way to deal with a red-eye flight is to have a sleeping pill to take once you are settled on the plane. People often have difficulty sleeping on planes due to small spaces, aircraft noises, and fellow passengers. Take a mild sleeping pill to get you through the flight. Nothing too strong, but enough to make you drowsy. Never take sleeping pills before your plane is up in the air, there may be a delay or some other unforeseen problem.

Is your hotel less than glamorous? If you aren’t happy with your hotel, take along a doorstop. Just wedge the doorstop underneath the door and secure the deadbolt and chain. It is more difficult to get past these than locks.

While some car rental companies ask that drivers be at least 18, others require that their drivers be 25 years old. A higher rate may be offered to you if you are not yet 25, and you may need to provide a credit card. Certain locations don’t let senior citizens rent cars. When you are making your reservation be sure to ask the age restrictions.

As this article has spelled out, the are a number of things that a traveler needs to think about. It can seem like a lot of work just to enjoy a relaxing trip. However, by having good travel advice and information, planning for a trip will be a lot easier. Use the information here to make your next trip the best one yet.