Travel Tips That Will Make Your Journey Safe And Trouble-Free

Travel Tips

Travel Tips for Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle-free trip.

Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.

1.  Always book tickets on a reliable airline. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.

2.  Find out details regarding size of baggage and weight allowed. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys.

3.   As a precaution pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.

4. Follow to a “t” all security rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous objects like razors, scissors, and so on must be  put in your check in luggage.

5.  All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.

6. Take along a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.

7.  Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots.

8. Always check the flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you won’t have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.

It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Don’t get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.

How To Travel Responsibly

Responsible travel is a broad term but in essence, travelling responsibly means treating people in other countries with the same respect you would expect from others in your own community or country. The responsible traveller is interested in preserving cultures, communities, local way of life, wildlife, habitats and the environment as a whole in every region he or she travels to.

So how can someone interested in responsible travel help to minimise their travel footprint and help sustain local communities and environments? There are a number of steps an individual can take in this ever changing world where mass tourism has had such a destructive effect on the environment. One of the biggest concerns at present is carbon dioxide emissions and green house gases in general. By reducing the number of flights or taking alternative transport wherever possible, carbon emissions from planes can be reduced which will benefit your own community as well as others as there are no country boundaries where pollution is concerned.

Even before arriving at your destination, it is always advisable to research the area to gain a greater understanding of the local culture and customs through the internet, books, email or by phoning. Try to find hotels, businesses and schemes which are eco friendly. Also, by learning a few words of the local language or by using a phrase book, it will be easier to immerse yourself in the local culture and have a deeper experience than travelling with hordes of people from your own country.

Once you arrive at your destination, keep an open mind and try to experience the local culture without making comparisons with life back at home. Use local resources with care such as water and electricity which are in short supply in many regions of the world. Simple steps like switching off the tap while brushing your teeth or taking a shower instead of a bath can help save water. Switching off lights, mobile phone chargers, televisions and a whole host of modern electronic equipment can save electricity.

Respect the local culture and always obey the local laws even if you disagree with some of them. Follow dress codes to avoid offence and avoid the temptation to drink and drive just because you are on holiday. Never accept packages from strangers or recent acquaintances especially if you about to travel through an airport. Obeying local laws and customs on drinking and taking drugs is especially important as many travellers are tempted to drink heavily while on holiday causing havoc in the local community.

Many people want to support the local community by purchasing local produce and products and while this is beneficial in most cases, it’s essential to avoid purchasing animal skins or products produced from the slaughter of endangered species such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, elephants, rhinos, hippos, reptiles, birds and many other animals. The same applies to protected plant species. Many countries now have severe penalties for anyone importing illegal plants or animals. Whenever possible, buy locally grown produce and crafts from local family businesses or fair trade companies.

To minimise pollution and to have a better experience of the local community, walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible. Support the local infrastructure by using local buses and taxis. Use trains or boats instead of planes for longer journeys to minimise carbon emissions.

Finally, volunteering is a great way to give something back to the environment and help local communities through various educational and non-profit schemes. The benefits are not all one way as many volunteers gain new skills, achieve a better understanding of themselves, gain added confidence through social interaction and gain a greater sense of self-worth through helping others.

By travelling responsibly, you are more likely to have a richer more immersive experience with the knowledge that you have minimised your impact on the environment and in some cases, helped to improve some areas. With more communities and environments being threatened with pollution and extinction, to travel responsibly is not only essential but it may help to form part of the solution in preserving environments and wildlife for future generations.

Air Travel tips

What to pack

The worst part of traveling by plane is deciding what to pack, and how many pieces of luggage to bring.  It’s best to pack lightly wherever possible, and take only what you’ll need.  Remember, you’re going to have to tote your own luggage as you navigate a massive airport, so be wise about it.  You don’t want to throw you back out, or hurt someone else with your wayward bags.   Bring one outfit for each day that you’ll be away, and pack an extra change of clothes, plus necessary medications and personal items, in your carry-on.  This way, you’ll still have the things you need on your first day, even if you and your luggage are separated.  Pack according to your reason for flying.  If your trip is for pleasure, then bring your vacation clothes.  If traveling for business, pack appropriate attire. 

Motion sickness

Some people get sick of air travel. Literally.  If you easily become nauseous while riding on an airplane, prepare beforehand to east your pain.  Most of the drugs used to help motion sickness are designed to stop it before it starts, so take anti-nausea medication well before the airplane leaves the ground.  Don’t eat too much beforehand, or drink alcohol.  Snack on crackers or dry bread with water or juice of you’re feeling ill.  Remember, the bags are always there if you need them.

Arrive early

The best air travel advice you can get is to arrive early.  Airport security is so tight that you are sure to get held up, possibly at more than one checkpoint.  If you don’t give yourself enough time, you could miss your flight.  Allow lots of time for any possible delays that can come up at any unexpected time. 

Pack for fun

The entire air travel experience can be extremely boring, especially if you are traveling alone or with children.  Packing books, crossword puzzles, handheld games and headphones are a very good idea.  These activities can combat boredom, and relieve nervousness.  Colouring books and drawing pads are great activities to keep kids busy on the plane, and during the long wait for the plane.

Air travel is generally quick, but not always easy.  Knowing what to bring on board and what to do at the airport will help to make your air travel experience a smooth ride.