It doesn’t matter where you go, planning is key to make the trip the best it can be. The following advice in the article below is a great start to ensure you plan a solid trip.

When you travel to foreign countries, watch the taxis you enter. You should make an effort to ensure it’s a legitimate taxi before you actually enter the vehicle. Always be mindful of taxis when you are traveling abroad; the person may not be legitimate.

If you have to drive a distance to the port to get on a cruise,drive there the night before and stay at a hotel that has free parking. You can check with staff at the hotel for unpublished parking deals.

When traveling, be vigilant about protecting your possessions. Tourists are easy marks for criminals. Carry your purse securely under your arm. Also, try not use a bag that is easily accessible in a crowded area like a subway. You should keep these things in mind when trying to find a travel bag that will be reliable for you.

Make sure that someone you trust back home knows your travel itinerary. This assures that someone will know how to contact you, if necessary. In addition, regularly call, text or email that family member so they know everything is okay with you. If they hear from you regularly and know your location at all times, there won’t be any reason to worry.

Keep your travel items together. You can waste a lot of time looking for items scattered about your house, like your shampoo and conditioner, power cords and pillow. Buy a cheap “travel” bin and store all necessary items there. A container is great for storing many different objects.

When out and about on vacation, bring the hotel’s business card (or something with their name on it) with you. If you are out on the streets of a foreign city and find yourself lost, this small item will be very useful when trying to get directions from a taxi driver or a local on the street. It’s quite helpful for those who are not familiar with the local language.

Expiration Date

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Passport rules can vary among different countries. Depending on the expiration date of your passport, a country may not let you visit. Typically if your passport is due to expire in 3-6 months you will be denied visitation. However, this time frame can extend to 8-12 months.

If you need reminders during a trip, use a dry-erase marker on a mirror. Notes on the mirror are hard to miss, while notes jotted down on a piece of paper can be lost. You will be able to easily remove the note with a tissue, making it easy to clean up.

Attempt to get the “local” hotel rate when traveling. Some hotels cut locals a break. Call to see what offers they have available. You can save a lot of money by doing this.

Look into all kinds of transportation. Many bus lines have package deals to make it even easier. Not only are buses clean and cheap, but some even have outlets and WiFi. You can sometimes find packaged deals on lines that will make planning your trip much easier.

Exchange Rates

You can save yourself a little money while traveling abroad by avoiding the currency exchange process. Check with your bank before you leave, and notify them you are traveling overseas. They will help you find the best way to purchase and also let you know the exchange rates for using your credit card or ATM overseas. Before you travel find out if the area you are traveling to has bank ATM machines available. They have better exchange rates and are generally cheap than exchanges.

No matter how ambitious your traveling plans, there are always ways to make a trip less stressful and more fun. Use the advice found above, and your trip can be a true joy.