In today’s struggling economy, money may be tight for you and your family. You make think that this year’s vacation is out of reach. This article is full of great ideas for traveling on a budget.

Don’t bring extra valuables that you don’t need. If you bring a lot of valuables with you, you have a greater chance of losing them or having them stolen.

Create a list of what needs to be packed. Anywhere from a week to a few months before you go on your trip, make a list of the things you absolutely need to pack. This will enable you to pack only the things that you really need and it can also ensure that you will not leave anything behind.

Always keep a picture of your child on you. Not knowing your child’s whereabouts is frightening. However, in case it happens, you should be prepared. If you have a good quality photograph to show the people at your location, or the police, it can make getting your child back that much easier, and faster too.

Be aware of people pretending to be officials in a foreign country. Don’t give anyone your original passport; you will probably never see it again. If they want you to come with them to a police station, make sure that you walk there. Do not get into the car of someone you do not know.

When flying, never assume that the airline will tend to your every need, even on lengthy flights. Bring your own blanket, pillow and headphones if your trip is going to be a long one. You may also want to think of bringing your own food so you can eat what you want.

Always remember to wear light, comfy shoes for air travel – shoes which you can slip off easily. Security procedures require you to take your shoes off. Comfort is extremely important. You will be sitting a lot, so a great deal of support is unnecessary. Sandals or flip-flops are footwear that is ideal for air travel.

You will pay more money for these projects that do not save you as much space as you think. Try to find a better and more space efficient way to pack your clothes. These tips and tricks can help you to create more space in your bag as you pack.

Make sure your passport isn’t expired. Many countries have specific rules concerning your passport. Many will not allow you entry into the country if it expires soon. Normally, this range is between three and six months, but it can even be eight months to a year.

National Parks

If you enjoy visiting the gorgeous National Parks and plan to do so often, consider investing in an affordable National Park Pass. The cost is only 50 dollars and good for admission to all national parks for the one year time frame.

You can save yourself a little money while traveling abroad by avoiding the currency exchange process. You can get a better exchange rate at home. Get foreign money from an ATM of a bank. If you are able to use a bank ATM machine, you will be able to find a more affordable exchange rate and less fees.

If you are on a long travel journey, make sure you get up and stretch your legs every hour. Sitting for too long reduces blood flow and can lead to blood clots.

As stated in the beginning of this article, you may be feeling like you need to skip your vacation this year, due to the recent state of the economy. Armed with the suggestions from this article, you should have no trouble making your next trip as affordable as it is memorable.