Due to current economic conditions, you might be under pressure to save more money and hold off on taking a vacation. This article is the perfect starting point for the economical traveler.

When traveling abroad, be on the lookout for criminals who may be posing as law or government officials. Never give them your original passport as you may never see it again. If someone demands that you go to an office, walk. Do not get into a vehicle with strangers at home or abroad.

When traveling by air, do not count on the airline to provide for your needs, even on a long flight. If you feel like it, bring sleeping items like a pillow or headphones. It is also wise to bring some snacks, so you will have food that you enjoy eating if you are hungry.

Whenever possible, purchase tickets for admission to attractions online, then print them instantly or opt for will-call. You will generally pay a nominal fee for this service, but you won’t have to wait in ticket lines when you arrive. Also, parks sometimes offer timed entry, and if they do, you can use your tickets to get right to the admission line.

On a red-eye flight, sleeping pills may be helpful. It is often hard to get much rest on airplanes, given the cramped seating, machine noise and people milling about. A sleeping tablet may be just what you need, so that you can sleep while the flight is in progress. However, do not take the pill before takeoff, just in case there is a problem or delay that requires the plane to return.

Sort out your desintation’s visa requirements as quickly as possible. Sometimes a visa can be time consuming to get, so it is always a good idea to begin the process of applying for one as soon as you can. Don’t forget that without the right visa, you will not be able to enter some countries.

Make sure you get the latest e-newsletters of the airlines you use. These emails may provide information on exclusive deals, offers and discounts for subscribers. It’s true, this means one more email to fill your inbox, but the amount of money you can save could by well worth it.

National Parks

You should get the National Parks Pass if you go to these type of parks often. It is relatively inexpensive, $50 total, and it gives you open access to all national parks for a year.

When staying at a hotel, be sure you have travel candles. This will make both the room and your luggage smell better. It is relaxing and romantic, and may even help you fall asleep easier. You can buy these candles in miniature sizes, and they are usually drip free.

Staying awake until about 8pm in local time will help you to adjust better in the new time zone. Even if you feel like you must go to sleep, avoid going to bed too early when you travel across time zones. If you do, you may prolong your jet lag as your body will not have adjusted to the new time. Getting over jet lag quicker will give you more time to enjoy your vacation.

Avoid waiting until you arrive to obtain local currency. Getting foreign currency can be done in a better way. 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.

As discussed earlier, many people feel compelled to do without a yearly vacation in light of the unfavorable economy. If you use the advice contained in this article, you will have no problem getting that next vacation set up.