The following tips will help you on your trip, whether you choose to travel by train, plane or car. This advice will help you from start to finish.

Before packing, make a list. Well in advance, you need to craft a clear list of everything that you are going to need. Even last minute packing won’t be as stressful, when you have a list to reference. It will also take the panic out of forgetting anything.

In some countries, criminals will pose as the authorities to get the jump on you. Keep your passport on you at all times, and do not hand it over to anyone. If you are asked to go to an office with them, walk. Never get into a car with a strange local.

When traveling to foreign countries, you should be aware of the taxi companies in the city. You should make an effort to ensure it’s a legitimate taxi before you actually enter the vehicle. Anybody can place “taxi” on a car, and you don’t know if they really are or where they could take you.

When embarking on a cruise, find a hotel nearby that has free parking, and spend the night before the departure. Inquire about reduced-rate parking at the hotel, regardless of whether you have seen any advertisements.

When you are going to some type of attraction, print online tickets in advance. The small fee per ticket for this service is well worth it when you consider the lines that you can avoid. Some parks offer things, such as timed entry, which will allow you to skip the long lines at the admission gates.

Take clothespins along the next time you travel. A couple of clothespins can be very handy when traveling.

Hotel etiquette calls for tipping the bellhop and housekeeping staff. Standard tipping rates are a dollar per bag carried, and around $2-5 per day to the maid. Tipping will show your appreciation for their work, and will help you maintain a good relationship with hotel staff.

Most car rental outfits do not rent to those under the age of 18, and some do not rent to those under 25. You may also need to bring a credit card with you. There are some cities that disallow seniors from renting cars. Make sure that you know this in advance.

Dream vacations can turn into a nightmare without planning. Use the Internet to find reviews from persons who have traveled to the destination previously. You can find others who have taken the same vacation and their tips can be helpful.

Bring an extra passport picture when you take a trip abroad. If you happen to lose your passport or it gets stolen, getting a new one may take a long time. Having a spare photo is one step on the way to speeding this process up. Photocopies of all your documents could really come in handy in case yours are lost or stolen.

Be sure to give your itinerary to someone you trust. Write down the places you plan to go, as well as addresses and phone numbers for anyone whom you intend to visit. Make sure you leave copies of your passport information and your flight itinerary.

If you are renting a car for your trip and have kids, bring car seats! Chances are that you will not get a high quality car seat with a rental car, which is why it is more beneficial if you bring your own.

When you have small kids and are taking a car trip, take snacks for them. If you plan on traveling with kids in your car, bring along plenty of munchies. These will also help keep them busy while you are driving. This prevents them from causing mayhem on the road. Just a little bit of junk food is not a bad thing every now and then.

When you travel, don’t forget to pack a plastic contact case. This is a good way to carry lotion and gel with you if you only require a little amount. Be sure to check with the airline regarding flight rules and regulations.

Tell the truth when you take out travel insurance. Let the insurance provider know if you are sick. If you get sicker as a result of traveling, your insurance isn’t likely to cover it. That means you will be responsible for the bill in full.

Think about insurance if you are going on a remote or exotic trip. The farther away from civilization you’ll be, the more peace of mind this insurance will give you.

Now is the time to start packing and planning for your next trip. This advice can help you along your journey, all the way there and back again.