What?s Your Best Travel Tips ?
This could be anything from packing to airports, Hotels,anything to do with Travel. Go on share it with us!

seahatch

Go with the flow and have fun!

GP

Always make sure you have at least a change of clothes and your essential toiletry items in your carry-on bag. If your bags have ever been delayed, you'll understand why.

Lowered expectations = greater enjoyment.

My best Travel Tip is to use the search function on fodors to find all the other Travel Tip threads.

Wear sensible shoes.

Do the active stuff early in the trip, and do your must-sees in the first day or two after arriving. (Sounds obvious, but ....) If you are with a group, get everyone's list of priorities in advance and work up at least a partial schedule.

Pack anything liquid (gel, shampoo, etc.) inside a ziploc bag so it won't leak all over your clothes.

Don't rely too much on others to do the basic research for a trip and don't overthink every decision.

1.Research, research, research.
2. Make an itinerary.
3. Arrive at destination and throw itinerary in the trash.
4. Go with the flow and see what develops.

if you need daily meds pack matching med sets. one in your checked baggage and one on your person. the peace of mind alone is worth it.

Easy. Stay drunk.

reasonable expectations + an understanding that things may be very different from what you are used to and that different does not = bad.
DO SOME RESEARCH but do not be stuck in a rigid itinerary.
good maps
good walking shoes
as little luggage as possible
If you want to get a feel for the country you are in - do not stay at big hotel chains. Small guesthouses and B&Bs will give you more of a local "feel".
Outside of the big cities (if you can afford it) rent a car - it opens up so much more of the countryside.

If at all possible, carry on luggage only.

I also like to pack as much black as possible because I can take less with me.

--Be open to new experiences, cuisine, products, etc. Nothing worse than traveling with someone who complains all the time, compares everything to home and is extremely picky.
--Bring extra bag to put bought goods in that is hearty, easy to carry or check.
--Research where you are going so you don't miss something special.

Pack as light as possible. So what if you have to re-wear a few things?

Forget about a duffel bag-save your back and shoulders and get something with wheels.

Keep a toiletry bag at home which always has everything you need for a trip, and just throw it in your luggage whenever you go somewhere.

Plan only a couple of things to do each day. It's amazing what you can see and learn just by wandering around a city all day. Be spontaneous!

And my best travel tip:
BRING EARPLUGS

Best hint I've received and given (and thanked for btw)... an inexpensive shoe bag. Hang it over a door (bathroom) and keep shoes, toiletries,hair dryerm first aid kit, flashlight,shoes, and whatever.. keeps things off the floor and easier to find.. Sadly, I don't travel light..lol

These are tips for families. Buy film, phone card, and travelers checks (eliminate need for atm). Have id for all family members. Have neighbors pick up mail and if a car is available park in driveway/space. If possible set timers for tv/radio/lights. (Not all at one time-vary every night). Pack a laundry bag (one with a pull cord). Take a bunch of one dollar bills. Upon arrival if possible go to nearest grocery and purchase drinks/more snacks, plastic cups, coffee, etc. Purchase a styrofoam cooler. Have fun and by all means act like tourists, the locals like to impress. (Btw -Great tip GoTravel on the black.

These are good ones! I can relate from personal experience about the earplugs and good maps. We've learned from stressful experience to make sure you have food and water in the car with you and enough gas. Being from the east, we're used to a 7-11 or such within a 5 min. drive of anywhere. Not so out west! Our first time in Oregon we planned on stopping at a 7-11 for lunch before a 7 mile hike. Well, we passed no stores whatsoever and ended up hiking with a bottle of water and small box of cereal each. I was salivating over other hikers' bananas and packed sandwiches. We also drove a few stressful miles on a nearly empty gas tank in the middle of nowhere not knowing when we would find another town with a gas station. Distances out west are much different than what we're used to.

A few things which make the trip more relaxing:
1. thick socks for the plane(the kind with a soft sole work well).
2.medium sized throw(stashed in carryon), big enough to share with s/o
3. small bottled waters, oranges are good and multi-purpose- they will kill certain odors from those around you, be it bad cologne, smelly feet or lack of deodorant(yes, even "up front" these things occur!)
4.good reading material
5. face atomizer and moisturizer(done on the sly, but dry skin is common on long flights
6. for my two boys, who sit with each other, a fresh book on their favorite subjects, aviation and military facts. One will share his cd player, or swap it for his brothers Gameboy(both used with a headset).
7. Last, but most important, a little note to hubby, hinting about risque activities once we arrive at paradise!