In light of the recent state of the economy, you may be feeling like you need to scale back your finances and skip your vacation this year. This article is full of great ideas for traveling on a budget.

Take the time to make a packing list. 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. Creating a list is a great way to stay organized, and even if you procrastinate, it will be useful to get packing done quickly.

When traveling on an airplane, don’t rely on the airline for any of your comfort needs, even if it’s an international flight. Travel with your own blanket, pillow and entertainment if you believe that you may need them. Don’t forget to pack a few snacks to make sure you have some food that you enjoy during the flight.

Throw a few clothespins into your suitcase. While they may not be something you would normally pack, clothespins can come in very handy.

Give your bellhop and maid a nice tip. Generally, you will give one dollar per piece of luggage, and anywhere between two and five dollars a day for housekeeping. This will keep your relationship with the employees a cordial one and your stay pleasant.

When traveling by air, wear lightweight, comfortable shoes that can be easily slipped on and off. Security checks at airports now require you to remove your shoes. Your level of comfort is crucial. When traveling by plane, you do not need shoes that offer a great deal of support; you will spend most of your time sitting. Sandals and flip-flops are best for traveling.

Always look at the expiration dates that are printed on your passports. Review passport rules for the country you are visiting. Some of them have very strict guidelines that must be followed. Even if it is still valid, if it expires soon, you may have problems. These tend to range from three to six months, but in some cases can reach eight months or even a year.

Subscribe to the e-newsletters of the major airlines. E-newsletters show you any special discounts or last-minute offers they have available. Yes, they will fill your inbox more, but the rewards and savings can be worth it.

National Park

Purchase the National Park Pass if national parks are something you and your family visit quite often. They only cost $50 and remain good for use that year at any national park.

For sheer time savings, making your travel arrangements on the Internet beats the competition hands down. Travel websites require little effort from your part, when it comes to planning your trip. Many of these sites enable you to simultaneously book your flight, lodgings and a rental car. All major travel websites have images of the hotels in their listings. They also include ratings and reviews by users who have stayed at the hotels. You can also save a good bit of money and make last-minute plans on the cheap by using travel sites.

A tight budget is no reason to give up the idea of traveling for fun. If you use the advice that was provided to you in this article, you are taking the first steps of planning an affordable vacation.