TOP TRAVEL TIPS AND TRICKS

1. Peak Season vs Non Peak Season

When choosing travel dates, often we book because of something we’ve seen that inspires us to visit. More times than not those eye-catching inspo videos or pictures are from the peak season for that area. Of course, peak season means it typically costs more money. And of course, non-peak season would cost less. But sometimes you can review the “typical” weather for the off-season of that area to validate if going when it is less crowded warrants saving money. This is one of my favorite travel tips and tricks — budget and experience both matter!

2. Booking Time Frame

For international travel, it’s best to book ahead of time 8–10 months to obtain best rates and best excursion options. Airline tickets are typically best to purchase 4–6 months prior to flight for best rate. For domestic U.S. travel, 3–6 months ahead of time is a good time frame to book. If you are traveling during peak tourist season, you may want to consider booking closer to the 6-month time frame to avoid paying higher rates. Domestic airline tickets can fluctuate but I would tend to purchase 4–5 months prior if traveling during high tourist seasons.

3. Flights

There are a few ways I like to track flight prices. I use Google Flights and Skyscanner for review of flights and airlines with best connections, times, and price. I monitor these flights on these websites until I feel pretty comfortable about booking, then I always go to the airline and book direct. With airlines, if booking through a 3rd party website, you have to go back through the 3rd party for any changes, cancellations, missed flights, etc. (This would include booking through a travel agent — only they can make the change.) It can create an extra level of aggravation if something goes wrong and you need immediate assistance. If booking direct, you go through your airline for any of these changes and it’s immediate.

4. Accommodations

There are several different ways to secure accommodations. The main 3 are booking direct with the hotel, using a 3rd party site, or through a travel agent. I like using good reliable 3rd party sites. My favorites are Booking.com and VRBO. I’ve been using Booking.com for about 18 years for hotel or villa type accommodation. Lots of options — I typically choose an option with no prepayment (pay upon check-in) or no cancellation fee, which makes booking easy. In all these years I haven’t experienced any inconveniences or mistakes with my bookings. VRBO is more for home-away-from-home style stays. Lots to choose from. I’ve been using them for 15 years without any issues. Typically, the rating is pretty accurate when choosing which place is right for me. I recommend taking timestamped photos when you arrive and when you leave to ensure you have proof of conditions while you occupied the residence — a great travel tip to protect yourself.

5. Excursions

It takes a bit of time to decide what to do in any given city. My thought is I want to experience the area in ways that are above and beyond the typical tourist. I find many of my excursions on Viator. Although, I do read through many blogs and social media posts to capture the things that are unique and add a little extra to my trip’s experience.

6. Space in Between

Putting an itinerary together takes time and thought. A piece of advice when planning: try to allow an activity for the day that gives you the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere for a moment. Whether it’s during or after your excursion — walking the streets or shops of the city, having a local meal, or taking a bit of time at the end of the day to soak it all in — makes packing everything into the trip and the go-go-go not seem so rushed. That’s the secret to a custom travel itinerary that doesn’t feel overwhelming.

7. Travel Insurance

It is always a good idea to secure travel insurance when paying a sizable amount toward a vacation that otherwise would not be refunded in the event of a cancellation. Allianz Travel Insurance is a trusted resource and typically inexpensive.

8. Transportation

Decide how you will get around once you arrive at your destination. I find in the U.S., some places it is easier to use Uber or Lyft, while other areas require you to secure a rental car. In Europe, I have found it’s often better to depend on local trains and public transit.

9. Create Packing List

It is a good idea to start a packing list for your travels. This will keep all your thoughts, needs, and required items in one place. I find when I have a list, there are often times I see I forgot to add something I know I’ll need or want!

10. Packing Clothes

I am not one of those last-minute packers. I like to check weather and go through my wardrobe about 2–3 weeks out to see if I need to do any last-minute shopping for my trip’s outfits. It also gives you a chance to pack things that you’ll like looking back on in the memories captured in pictures!

11. Print Itinerary

So many of us these days use an app or several apps for all of our bookings. Having it all in one place — phone or tablet — is a great place to start. I always print every booking, reservation, and travel document to ensure that if I cannot obtain cellular reception, I have a hard copy of everything. (This has come in handy a time or two when phone Wi-Fi wasn’t really good.)

12. Confirm Bookings

It is a nice routine to go through all of your bookings to make sure your reservation didn’t cancel for any strange reason. It’s not fun to show up and be told that you do not have a reservation in their system. Takes a couple of minutes for peace of mind.

13. Airport Transportation

About a week or so before travel, secure your transportation to and from the airport. Ensure you calculate enough travel time to make it to the airport with time for check-in and getting to your gate.

14. Travel Documents

Make sure your photo ID or passport is valid during the required time of your travels. (Passports must expire more than 6 months after your trip for international travel.) Europe just activated a foreign travel document to enter any country in the European region — check the latest requirements before flying.

15. Download Travel Apps

Yes, I did recommend printing all of your travel documents and itinerary. But it is convenient to have your apps when you travel. Apps I include are: Airline, Booking.com, VRBO, Viator, and Google Maps. (If traveling internationally, you’ll want to pay for an international travel pass with your cell carrier so you can use apps off Wi-Fi without crazy charges.)

16. Alert Bank of Travel

Always check with your bank or credit card company if they require you to notify them of travel. With so much fraud nowadays, you do not want to be on vacation and have your payment method locked due to fraud alerts.

17. Check in Flight

Check into your flight as soon as check-in becomes available. This secures your flight as well as your seat — and can sometimes save you baggage fees too!

18. Pack Important Items in Carry-On

Items like medications, electronics or earphones, and one quick-change outfit should always be packed in your carry-on bag. You can replace most things if your luggage is delayed, but some items you’ll want right away.

19. Additional In-Flight Items for Carry-On

Pack a snack, hand sanitizer, travel pillow, gum, and maybe a book. Download music, a show, or a movie on your entertainment apps to use in flight (don’t forget earphones or wireless earbuds). Bring a water bottle too — just empty it at security and refill at the gate. Having water without waiting for flight service is a nice convenience.

20. Have a Good Time

Remember, you chose this vacation and you paid for it! You’re traveling to a place where the people you encounter are living their daily lives. Respect, kindness, and joy will give locals a reason to treat you well. Choose to have patience while on vacation. Something is bound to not go as planned — embrace it. The “No Worries” attitude will make for a better trip experience overall!