There are no golden rules in travel. There isn’t a “best time to travel” and no two itineraries are the same. You don’t have to limit yourself to a single hotel or single airline, although you may identify favorites over time. However, in the spirit of sharing a few words of wisdom, allow our travel tips to assist when planning your journey.

Travel Light, Travel Often

My first trip outside the United States was to Costa Rica as part of a school field excursion. In preparation for the 14 day adventure, I packed a suitcase as large as my body filled with two shirts and two shorts…per day! I was certainly prepared for everything, except for traveling. The lesson learned- pack smart and stay nimble. You can’t prepare for everything! And don’t try to fit it all in one trip! It’s not realistic. Instead, travel light, travel often!

Booking Airfare

There is no magic bullet when it comes to booking airfare. However, this is a true case of “time is money.” If you have advanced notice, you will likely have options to select the best possible travel dates for your money. Leverage sites such as Trip Advisor to receive travel alerts to track changes in airfare. If you have time, shop around! Compare airline quotes on various different websites. Bing Travel and CheapOAir are both highly recommended!

To find the best deals, we recommend shopping around Tuesday evenings! It may be a myth, but in the words of Adele, “rumor has it” airlines offer new travel deals on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Conversely, booking travel on the weekend presents the highest priced fares.

And finally, don’t be afraid of last-minute travel. Life is unpredictable- so are your travel plans. Rather than deal with costly airline change fees, delay booking travel until your plans are relatively certain. You can often find last minute travel deals from 2 weeks to the day prior your departure.

Lodging

Be open minded! Luxury hotels are great! But, so are boutique hotels and hostels. Your lodging decision should depend on the needs of your trip. We recommend a Hotels.com, HotelTonight, Booking.com, AirBnB, and VRBO to assist in your search.

Be sure to read “Traveler Reviews.” You aren’t the first to travel to your intended destination- we promise! Read reviews posted by actual travelers- people much like yourself (not just the vendor). Travelers will be honest- and that’s what you need to help plan your trip! TripAdvisor is a great resource for reviews.

Packing

  • Travel with carry-on sized luggage if possible. This will be a benefit for travel by plane, train, or automobile, and especially when on foot!
  • Pack a small Ziploc bag. This will come in handy for moving liquids and gels through the airport or on the beach!
  • Don't bring your entire bedroom. Travel vacations aren't forever- otherwise, it would be called "moving." Bring what you need- not everything you own.
  • Save a little room! You might have an extra item or two to commemorate your trip!
  • If you forget an item or two, remember- people live where you're going! There's a good shot that you will see a store or local shop that can help you out along the way!

Save Money

  • Book travel that others might find undesirable. Fly on a holiday, rather than the day before. Also, no one likes early or late flights. Wake up early or be willing to arrive in the late evening to save a little change.
  • Avoid airport purchases. Toothpaste will be cheaper wherever you’re going!
  • If you have the time, consider a shared ride service. It will be cheaper but longer.
  • Do a Google search of your destination followed by the word “free.” As an example, if traveling to Chicago, enter “Chicago Free.” See your options for opportunities at tourism at a discount.
  • Take advantage of Travel Perks. Register to receive frequent flyer miles on one, two, or for each airline you use. Do the same for rail travel and car rentals. However, don’t limit yourself to just one vendor. Over time, you will save more money selecting the cheapest fare for each trip!

Before You Go

  • Notify your bank of your travel dates!
  • Make a copy of important identification such as passports or visas.
  • Add an international plan if you plan to use your cell phone while traveling out of the country.
  • Withdraw a sufficient amount of cash if traveling outside the country or if you won’t have access to a bank or ATM.
  • Do your research on local transportation. Catching a taxi or taking the train isn’t the same across the globe.
  • Consider learning a few basic words and phrases if needed to communicate effectively. Consider ordering food, asking for directions, and local manners as priorities.