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Every journey begins with a dream—of new vistas, discoveries and experiences. Turning your dreams into reality is a journey in itself, from sorting through vacation ideas, picking a destination, getting travel documents in order and deciding on travel gear. We’ll help you get started with a travel checklist packed with handy tips.
Research Best Times to Travel
It’s no secret that high summer (July and August), prime winter months (Dec. & January) and holidays bring out the traveling masses—plus peaks in hotel occupancy and travel cost. To avoid the crowds and benefit from lower prices, plan trips during “shoulder season”—the months between a destination’s high and low seasons—when you can still catch some great weather. The key factors in finding deals are timing and destination.
Autumn travelers may see fares of 15–20% less as well as stellar weather in many areas of the world.
– Think sightseeing in Europe, a stay in Provence or a visit to a national park.
– Or, a beach escape to Mexico after hurricane season ends (Nov. 30) but before the hordes arrive
for Christmas.
In April, consider skiing in parts of North America when most people have left the slopes.
In May or June, hit Italy’s vineyards, and linger in the blissful calm before the tourist storm.
Research holiday calendars, festivals and special events to avoid price peaks.
Consult guidebooks and hotel and travel websites for the best value seasons.
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Seasonal Car Rental & Hotel Prices
Getting good travel deals usually depends on the timeframe between when you book and your dates of travel. It may also depend on the season (high, low or shoulder), what day of the week you are traveling and whether your trip coincides with any holiday, convention or festivals. To get started:
Research peak travel times at your destination well in advance and book accordingly—a year in advance for peak season and special events, and at least a month in advance otherwise.
Use sites like Expedia®, KAYAK and Travelocity® for ballpark prices and comparisons.
Find reviews on Hotels.com® and TripAdvisor® to read about what others have experienced.
Bidding sites like Priceline.com® and Hotwire® offer outstanding deals at larger hotels in major metropolitan areas.
If you own a home, consider a house exchange/home swap—it can save you thousands in hotel bills. Home Exchange®, HomeLink International and Love Home Swap offer inspiring country, urban and suburban properties worldwide.
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Cash & Credit Cards for Travel
Approx. 90% of credit cards quietly assess a foreign transaction fee (usually 2%–3%) on each purchase or transaction made abroad. Debit card ATM withdrawals often incur an extra charge as well.
Find a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit and/or debit card, such as Capital One Venture®, Marriot Rewards® Premier or Bank Americard Travel Rewards.
Be sure to call your credit-card company and/or bank before departure to inform them of your travel dates. Sudden international use may be flagged as suspicious and cause your account to be shut down just when you really need it. It’s a good idea to carry a second one, just in case.
Food stands, shops, cabs, buses, and hotels and restaurants in the countryside or off the beaten path may not accept credit cards (or even larger denomination bills). Be sure to carry some cash in small denominations in case an ATM isn’t readily available or doesn’t work.
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Find the Best Luggage for Your Trip
If you’ll be staying in one place for your whole trip or traveling first-class, a regular suitcase will do just fine. If you plan on moving around, less is always more.
Rolling bags are invaluable in airports, rail stations or when you need to walk with your luggage in tow.
If you’re headed out on safari, an overland trip or a cruise, soft bags and duffels are better to stuff into tight spaces, car trunks or overhead racks, as well as small train and ship compartments.
Get a daypack or tote for outings.
Be prepared to carry your bag. Escalators or elevators may not work (or even exist). You may have to maneuver your suitcase over cobblestones in Europe; on dirt roads in the countryside; up and down the stairs at small inns and bed-and-breakfasts; or from one platform to another at railway and subway stations.
Check out our entire array of travel gear & luggage.
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Budget for Baggage Fees
When planning a trip and finding deals, don’t forget to take weight restrictions and luggage fees into account. They may have some impact on what you pack or what you’re actually paying to get to your destination. At the time of this posting:
Southwest Airlines is the only U.S. carrier that still allows passengers two free checked bags domestically.
JetBlue allows one free checked bag for domestic flights—$50 for a second bag.
On all other airlines, plan on paying $20–$55 per checked bag for domestic routes.
Allegiant Air, Frontier and Spirit Airlines have implemented carry-on bag fees.
On international flights, most airlines still let you check one or two suitcases for free, but stricter weigh-ins (usually a 50-lb. limit) with hefty penalties are now the norm.
Check with your airline for the latest info, and see our handy Carry-On & Check-In Guidelines.
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Valid Passports are Key
Since a U.S. passport is generally valid for 10 years and not used daily, it’s easy to forget about it until you need it.
Always check the expiration date of your passport well ahead of an international departure. Increased security means longer wait times for passports to be issued or renewed. The U.S. Dept. of State recommends beginning the renewal process nine months before your passport expires.
Keep in mind that many countries require a passport to be valid at least six months beyond your dates of stay; if it isn’t, you may have to pay a penalty. Airlines may also bar you from boarding your flight.
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Check Visa Requirements
Overseas travelers may need a visa to enter certain countries. Many countries do not require a visa application for tourists, but some do. Always check well in advance of travel for entry requirements of the countries you plan to visit to make sure you have ample time to apply for a visa. Foreign consulates and embassies vary in speed and efficiency, and often suffer the same bureaucratic red tape as other government offices.
See Part 2 of our Fall Travel Checklist for more tips coming soon…
The post Travel Checklist – Before You Go appeared first on TravelSmith: TravelCenter.
