If you are suffering financially due to the bad economy, you might be tempted to nix your travel plans this year. Read on for some great tips for the traveler on a budget.

Don’t bring a lot of valuables on any trip. If you bring a lot of valuables with you, you have a greater chance of losing them or having them stolen.

Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. Show officials your passport, but do not give it to them. If you are asked to travel to any offices, insist on walking. Never get into a car with a strange local.

When taking a cruise, find a good hotel in the port city that provides free or low cost parking and make plans to arrive the day before your departure. Check with the hotel staff about parking deals even if none are published.

Throw a few clothespins into your suitcase. A couple of clothespins can be very handy when traveling.

Trying getting in a big workout before you board the plane. This can reduce the monotony of a long flight. In addition, having to sit in one spot for hours can cause your back and legs to severely cramp up. If you workout or stretch before the flight, the probability of getting cramps is greatly reduced.

It is customary to tip any hotel staff that makes your stay easier. Standard tipping rates are a dollar per bag carried, and around $2-5 per day to the maid. That ensures that the people in charge of your service are happy and helpful.

You will pay more money for these projects that do not save you as much space as you think. Try simple folding and packing tricks to expand your luggage space instead. By applying these methods of packing, you will have considerable more space in your luggage.

Are you traveling overnight via an airplane? Take some sleeping pills with you. People often have difficulty sleeping on planes due to small spaces, aircraft noises, and fellow passengers. Take a sleep aid to help yourself get through a long flight much simpler. Nonetheless, don’t take pills before takeoff. This could be bad for you in case the plane needs to return to the airport due to a problem.

The newsletters of major airlines are great sources for travel deals. These newsletters are often the best way to get exclusive offers and discounts. The potential savings makes it worth handing out your email address.

National Parks

It’s a good idea to get National Park passes if you often visit National Parks. It is relatively inexpensive, $50 total, and it gives you open access to all national parks for a year.

You can conveniently create almost all your vacation and travel plans online. Online travel sites will assist in planning your travel itinerary. Booking flights, hotels or rental cars can all be done on the Internet. Many of these sites offer package deals that can save you a lot of money. Some travel web sites will offer deals if you book your trip, such as discounts.

Jet Lag

To avoid jet lag, try to stay up until about 8pm local time. Though you may be exhausted, succumbing to sleep earlier than you should may end up making your jet lag worse because you have not allowed your body to recalibrate. Focus on your adjustment to local time, and you will decrease your jet lag quickly.

Weather can be a huge factor in your travel plans. Check forecasts so that you know what the weather will be during your stay. This way, you can prepare for unpleasant surprises and plan alternate activities if the beach is too frigid or the ski slope is sweltering.

As discussed in the article, you may feel as though you should pass on your yearly vacation because of the economy. Follow these tips to design a vacation you can afford.