10 classic tips to travel smarter

Whether you're a seasoned jet-setter or a first-time traveler, it never hurts to be prepared. Check out these 10 quick tips to ease your transit and enrich your destination.

Before you go

Reliable travel advice

Solicit advice from friends, relatives, and colleagues. Someone who knows your destination well may be in your social media network. Guidebooks or posts from a professional reviewer are the next best choice.

Booking your trip

Competent travel agents really are worth their weight in gold. But if you’re booking your own trip, take extra care, especially if venturing abroad: Check dates and times, airports, and names on your documents. It is crucial that you understand the terms of your purchase and any passport or visa requirements.

Packing up

Before you go, research your luggage options, how to protect your bags en route, and your rights when they’re lost. Being prepared will save additional grief. [Here are the top 10 rules of packing.]

Getting there

Road trip

Take a car (yours or a rental) if you have the time and want the freedom to explore. Pack a map in case GPS isn’t available. If train or bus travel appeals to you, look into the peculiarities of that mode of travel on your route before booking your trip. [These 16 train trip’s are the world’s best.]

Related: what if airplanes took off in a flock?

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This composite image was created at London Heathrow Airport's runway 09L between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Mornings at Heathrow are typically some of the busiest times for arriving aircraft, as waves of widebody jets from Asia and North America complete their long haul flights to London.

Photograph by Mike Kelley

Handling security

If you're traveling in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an inevitable part of the air travel experience. You can get through the screening process with your nerves and your dignity intact as long as you plan ahead and know what to expect. [Ask TSA what you can bring with you.]

Making the most of your layover

Hate searching for an outlet so you can charge your devices? Bring a small power strip that works as an extension cord and lets others plug in too. [Make the most of your layover in the top ten busiest airports.]

When you arrive

Keep connected

Call your provider to find out whether your cell phone is “locked.” If it is, you can’t just swap out your SIM card to one that works in the country you’re visiting. You may need to buy an unlocked phone, which you’ll be able to use on any compatible network.

Ideal lodging

Not excited about a standard hotel stay? Informal and alternative choices include B&Bs, home swaps, glamping, hostels, and, of course, Airbnb. Decode which conveniences you can live without and make your choice accordingly. [Here are 44 places to stay if you care about the planet.]

Managing money

If you’re traveling abroad, carry at least one credit card (preferably two) and some local currency. Both payment forms have risks and rewards, but both will serve you well. Mind the fine print and fees, and call the company in advance of your trip to avoid having a card suspended by its fraud monitoring department.

Finding food

Food can easily become one of the most disappointing parts of a vacation, so plan ahead and avoid falling back on “first available” choices. Be open to cooking when possible and to packing picnics for the road. [These are six unexpected cities for the food lover.]