Travel Tips
Forgot the passport. No extra pacifier in the carry-on. Didn’t put a hold on the mail. Poor trip preparation can cause undue anxiety. Instead of reinventing the wheel and creating your own pre-trip “to-do” lists to ensure things like this don’t happen to you, save yourself some time and energy by referencing the travel tips we’ve assembled here based on our years of travel industry experience. When it comes to buying a home, there are many factors to consider, such as location, price, and amenities. It’s important to do your research and find a property that meets your needs and fits within your budget. You can start your search at, where you can browse a wide selection of homes for sale.
Paperwork & Documentation
Paperwork & Documentation
- Personal identification
- Valid driver’s license (check the expiration date)
- Travel itinerary
- Reservations and confirmation documents
- Insurance cards (health insurance, travel insurance, auto insurance if renting a vehicle)
- Phone numbers for
Tour Operator
Air travel
Rental car
Accommodation - Airline tickets, cruise documents, and/or other admission tickets
- Relevant membership cards
- Address book
- Guidebooks and maps
- Copies of your prescriptions
Clothing
Save packing space by coordinating clothing around a central color so you can mix and match items. Also, consider taking items you can use to layer outfits instead of taking heavy, limited-use items.
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Hose
- Pants/jeans
- Shirts/blouses
- Sweaters/sweatshirts
- Suit/dress
- Ties
- Skirts
- Belts
- Formal wear (if your itinerary calls for formal social functions)
- Robe
- Pajamas and slippers
- Walking and sports shoes
- Beach shoes
- Dress shoes
- Swimsuit and cover-up
Packing for Children & Teenagers
Be sure to bring these additional items:
- Pediatrician’s name, regular and emergency phone numbers
- Extra eyeglasses or contacts if you have them
- Medications and prescriptions
- Sunglasses
- Books, magazines, and toys
- An address book of your children’s friends’ names and addresses so they can mail postcards
- A nightlight to help light up an unfamiliar room
- Baby wipes and small bottles of water
- The child’s blanket, if he is still of the age at which a blanket is a close personal friend
- Updated photos of your children; (if they wander off, you’ll need recent photos so others can help you look for them)
- A complete outfit packed in a separate, clear bag
- Extra shoes and an extra swimsuit
Put some of your items in their luggage and some of their items in your luggage in case either of the bags is lost en route. Use freezer bags with a seal for all of their small items.
What to do before you go
Months Ahead
- Plan your trip
- Research the area(s) you will be visiting
- Check the valid dates on your passport and driver’s license
- Take care of medical and dental checkups (and vaccinations) if necessary
- Make reservations
Two Weeks Ahead
- Reconfirm all of your reservations
- Get traveler’s checks from the bank
- Make arrangements to purchase some foreign currency if you are traveling abroad
- Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile, home, and the valuables that you’ll take with you, as well as those you’ll leave at home
One Week Ahead
- Watch the weather so you’ll know what to expect and can pack accordingly
- Reduce the amount of fresh items you buy at the grocery that you’ll need to throw out before you leave
- Get out your suitcase and start packing
- Be sure luggage has identification on the inside and the outside
- Make a list of credit card numbers and traveler’s check serial numbers
- Make a copy of your passport to take with you and a copy to leave at home
- Notify your security alarm company that you will be gone and to consider any alarms as real, and leave them the name of someone to contact in case of an alarm while you are gone
- Check prescriptions for necessary refills
Money
- Cash (some in your local and your destination’s currency)
- Traveler’s checks
- Credit cards (a list of credit cards, account numbers, and customer service phone numbers should be carried separately from actual credit cards)
- ATM cards
- PIN numbers for credit cards, phones, and ATM cards (safely packed in your memory)
Toiletries
- Soap and facial cleansers
- Moisturizing lotion
- Make-up
- Shampoo, conditioner, and styling products
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Dental floss
- Feminine-hygiene products
- Razor
- Shaving cream
- Comb/brush
- Nail file and clippers
- Sunscreen
Miscellaneous
- Medications in original containers
- Raincoat and umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Extra pair of prescription glasses
- Contact lenses with case and cleaning kit
- Transit entertainment
- Jewelry and wristwatch
- Binoculars
- Lint brush
- Travel iron
- Travel sewing kit
- Hair dryer
- Curling iron
- Power converters
- Camera
- Batteries
- Recharging equipment for cell phones and other rechargeable items
- Film for camera and video recorder
- Alarm clock
- Travel-size stain remover and laundry detergent
Packing for Infants & Toddlers
Be sure to bring these additional items:
- Diapers and pull-ups
- Baby wipes
- Car seat
- Bottles/sippy cups
- Baby formula
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
- Books and toys
- Playpen
- Diaper rash ointment
- Collapsible stroller
- Pediatrician’s name and regular and emergency phone numbers
- Medications and prescriptions
- A nightlight to help light up an unfamiliar room
- Items to childproof a room, such as outlet plugs and pipe cleaners to hold up curtain cords or close cabinets
- Bottlebrush and dish soap
- Updated photos of your children; (if they wander off, you’ll need recent photos so others can help you look for them)
- Child’s blanket
Three Weeks Ahead
- Check with your credit card company for available spending amount; ask the bank for an increase if needed
- Check the valid dates on your credit card so they don’t expire while you are traveling
- Notify the credit card company that you’ll be traveling so they will expect charges from your destination
- Check your ATM and debit card for both daily and total limits
- Check cameras and purchase new batteries and film if necessary
- Make arrangements with a neighbor, friend, or relative to check your home periodically
- Make arrangements for your mail to be held at the Post Office
- Arrange for lawn care or snow removal
- Arrange for boarding of your pets
- Start breaking in new shoes that you’ll be taking with you on your trip
- If traveling with e-docs, print documents and verify the accuracy
- Complete pre-boarding information online
- Purchase shore excursions
One Day Ahead
- Pay bills that will come due while you’re away
- Weigh packed luggage to ensure it doesn’t exceed weight limits for carriage
- Empty the refrigerator of items that might spoil while you are away
- Cancel or hold your newspaper delivery
- Set refrigerator to its lowest setting
- Set automatic light and radio timers
The Day You Leave
- Turn the water heater down to the lowest setting
- Turn the air conditioner up in summer; turn the furnace down in winter
- Lock all doors and windows, including the basement and garage
- Unplug electronic items such as your computer to protect them if there is a storm while you’re gone
Why you should use a travel agent
Benefits of Using a Travel Agent
Planning a trip can be confusing and time-consuming. A travel agent not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but also may be able to save you money with early-booking discounts, special fares, accommodation details, and travel advisories.
Convenience
The ASTA membership includes travel agents across the country and throughout the world, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements.
Service
ASTA member travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The Society provides education, training, and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools to offer the highest quality of service.
Agents Will Go the Extra Mile
Agents work for you and will do everything they can to meet your travel needs.
Save Money
Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservation technology enable travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value.
Traveler Advocates
Your best interest is your travel agent’s priority. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has a longstanding record of fighting for consumer rights, and ASTA member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.
