When it comes to travel, whether for business or just pleasure, you should always make your plans well in advance. These tips will help you out.

When you travel in different countries, use ATM machines to withdraw pocket money instead of exchanging your currency with local currency. Typically, banking institutions can get lower exchange rates than individuals can. This will save you some money.

Carrying an excessive amount of valuables can put you at risk for theft or interrupt the fun of your trip if they are lost or damaged. The more valuables you bring with you, the more chance you have of losing one or more of them or possibly having them stolen.

When looking for the best prices for a flight, look at each airline’s official website offering flights into your final destination. There are many sites that offer low prices on flights, but sometimes the best prices are found on the sites actually belonging to the airlines.

Always keep your most important belongings on hand when travelling. Carry your purse securely under your arm. In addition, try to avoid bags that have an easy-access zipper that someone might be able to unzip easily on a subway or crowded public transit area. Select a travel bag that will help you keep your belongings safe.

Carry your hotel’s business card or matchbook with its logo on it when you’re tooling around the city. If you are in a foreign country or city and you get lost, you will have something to show to others to help find your way back to the hotel. This is especially useful if you don’t speak the language fluently.

Melt hotel ice to have filtered water in your morning coffee. Tap water is not always the best tasting option, so fill up the ice bucket with lots of ice to melt overnight. The next morning you should be ready to brew your coffee with better tasting water.

Take sleeping pills if you need helping sleeping through a flight. Many people cannot sleep on a plane because of the unfamiliar surroundings, the uncomfortable seats, and the noise from the plane and passengers. If you want a surefire way to make it through your flight, try taking a sleeping pill in order to relax, calm down and sleep through it. Don’t take any pills until after the plan has taken off. If there is an issue or delay you would be sleeping in the terminal!

When using traveler’s checks, be sure to cash them prior to eating out or shopping. Many places abroad do readily take traveler’s checks, but it can be a pain to use them as they are. Be safe and make sure you get local currency before buying so that you don’t get shorted.

While you need to be 18 to rent most cars, some companies have an age minimum of 25. Additionally, many car rentals charge a higher rate if you’re under 25, and most require a credit card to be on file. Certain laws prohibit seniors from renting a car. When you book a car, ask about any age requirements.

You will be comfortable when you are prepared. This will reduce the amount of stress that you will face.