Your adventures with travel don\’t have to be the horror stories that so many people you know have probably told you. Most people are able to get to their destination, experience their trip and come home without so much as a single negative event. This article will give you more ideas of how you can make sure that this is the way it goes for you as well.

Never be satisfied with the rate you are given when making reservations at hotels or rental vehicles. Many times there are discounts that you may not have thought of and it is not the responsibility of the service provider to list those for every transaction. By asking you can prompt them to check, which they should be happy to do.

One of the best ways to save money on airline travel is to be flexible. If you are willing to fly out a day or so earlier or later than your original plan, or choose another airport other than your first choice, you could save yourself some money. Sometimes airlines offer specials; you just need to be flexible enough to take advantage of them. If you can remain flexible with your travel plans and schedule, you can save some resources.

When you\’re taking a trip that requires a passport or any type of paperwork for that matter, make sure that you have a second copy available. Go to your local photocopy shop and make a copy of all of your documents. This is a great way to stay safe, even if you lose your original documents or if they are stolen.

When planning a trip, don\’t count on a single booking website to show you the lowest fares. Compare prices across a variety of sites, including meta-searchers if you can find them. Also check with the airline and hotel directly, as they may actually be able to offer you a better rate than the website.

To get the most relaxation while you travel, make sure to bring things to do in your down time. People often think that a vacation means they will be on the go the entire time. In reality, there is time to unwind at night, waiting in lines, and during travel time. Bring a book you have been dying to read and see how much you can accomplish.

To help you avoid paying excess airline baggage fees on your return trip, when you are more likely to have souvenirs to bring home, pack old clothing and shoes that you might want to give away. Then, when you are packing to come home, you can leave or donate the old clothing and shoes to make room in your luggage if necessary.

Take your time comparing prices for your flights. Many websites allow you to find information from different airlines and ranks your results in function of prices. Check out websites such as Kayak.com, Orbitz.com or Expedia.com for the most extensive results. Do not use one website only, as results can vary.

When you are going on a camping trip, make sure you get there early and set up camp before dark. This will help you avoid a lot of trouble, when you are setting up. If you think you won\’t make it before dark, do not take the chance. Just wait.

Make sure you keep your receipts. Saving receipts and keeping them organized while traveling is always a smart idea, especially if your trip is business related. Not only is it a good idea for financial reasons, they can also serve as a journal of sorts and can even make nice mementos from your trip.

You should take any opportunity to avoid dealing with customer service at the airlines that you can. Airlines are beginning to charge fees for almost anything. Fees for checking your bag at the airport instead of online, handling fees and some are even considering charging for using the bathroom on the plane. You can\’t avoid the latter if it happens, but anything else you can take care of, without a human to help you, should be done.

Keep prescription medicine in their original bottles. While space is often at a premium when packing, it is important to keep your medications in their properly labeled containers, especially when traveling internationally. Each country\’s drug laws can vary, and if you are prescribed a narcotic (which are more closely regulated), get a letter from your doctor to avoid potential legal troubles.

Social networking sites can serve as wonderful resources while you\’re traveling. A quick Tweet or Facebook status update asking such questions as: Where\’s a great place for ice cream in New York? or Which coffee shop should I check out in Rome? can provide you with a wealth of instant information.

Consider alternative destinations before taking your next vacation. Too many people just buy into the all inclusive package when picking a vacation. Some of the most unique vacations involve destinations off the beaten path. Choosing a bed and breakfast or a self-service apartment instead of a hotel can give you a unique and local perspective of a location.

When you plan to take an extensive travel time and own a home, it may be in your best interest to rent out your home to make sure it is well kept while you are gone. This will ensure that bills are paid, utilities still on, and not make you lose money while you travel.

As a traveler with a disability, you should be careful to take time to research the countries you intend to visit. Some knowledge of the infrastructure, modes of travel, types of architecture, and cultural biases you may encounter will be invaluable to you in planning a happy and successful trip. You can find information online or in book or audio formats.

Keep hand sanitizer in your purse or pocket. When traveling, keeping hand sanitizer with you is a great idea. If you go through a lot of it, considering buying small reusable bottles. Buy one of the larger sizes of hand sanitizer and just continue refilling the small, reusable bottle.

They just vary in terms of location, costs, activities, and more. All it takes to decide what will work for you is some research, browsing, and asking around to get the best deals so that you can focus on the excitement of the trip.