How familiar are you about travel? Have you created a travel plan for yourself? And if you, would you like to make it better? Do you have yourself prepared for emergencies or anything unexpected? If not, try reading the tips below.

Be careful when getting into a taxi in another country. You have to be certain that the taxi is real. It doesn’t take much to place a “taxi” ad on a vehicle, but you really don’t know who you might be dealing with or what their intentions are.

Take clothespins when you travel. It is an unusual item to consider packing, however they can be quite useful.

Always remember to tip any hotel staff. You should give about a dollar per bag and 2 to 5 dollars per day of housekeeping. This will keep your relationship with the employees a cordial one and your stay pleasant.

Luggage Tag

While you should use a traditional luggage tag, you should also put your info somewhere inside the luggage. The luggage tag may be ripped off during transit. Place your contact information and itinerary in your luggage in case it gets lost.

Carry a match book or business card from the hotel you’re staying wherever you go. If you get lost, this item will help to show someone where it is you need to get back to. If you are unfamiliar with the language, this is really really helpful.

Make sure your passports are up-to-date by checking the expiration date. Most countries have passport regulations with which you must comply. Some countries won’t allow you to come to their country if your passport is about to expire. This can be from 3-6 months of your trip, though there are some places where that time frame can be 8-12 months.

One of the first things you should do before traveling to a foreign country is to determine whether or not you must have a visa. Some countries have an extensive process to grant visas. Apply for the appropriate visas long before your departure. Once again, without having the right kind of visa, you won’t be able to get into certain countries.

Sign up for the e-newsletters of all the major airlines. Their online newsletters often include last-minute discounts, special offers and other promotions not offered to any other consumers. Yes, they will fill your inbox more, but the rewards and savings can be worth it.

If visiting National Parks is in the cards for your vacation, consider purchasing an official National Park Pass. These passes only need to be renewed annually and are fifty dollars total.

Are you more informed when it comes to traveling? Have you made a plan, or improved a plan that you already had in place? Are you able to work within your budget and capabilities? Are you ready for the unexpected things that might come your way? Hopefully you are better prepared to answer these questions after having read this article.