Traveling alone can make for a great experience, but can also make you more vulnerable to crime. There are plenty of ways to keep that from happening, though. Keep reading this article to stay safe when you’re away from home.

Air travel requires a bit of planning. If an airport is in a major city, it can be quite difficult to get to, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its heaviest. Make sure to have your luggage packed and waiting on the night before you leave. Do not procrastinate preparing for your flight. Missing your flight will cost you precious time and money.

Use a price watcher. That way, you can enter your favorite destinations and receive updates on prices and offers. This can save you loads of money. This saves you from checking the site daily.

Before getting off the cruise in a port city find yourself a hotel with free parking. Be sure to ask about parking deals in case they are not published.

Purchase tickets on the Internet in advance and print them at home when you have a specific destination, like a theme park, in mind. The small fee per ticket for this service is well worth it when you consider the lines that you can avoid. Also, check to see if the attraction offers timed entry, as these can allow you to skip lines within the park as well.

If it just won’t do to leave your cherished pet at home, figure out how she can come along! Pet-friendly vacations are growing more and more popular, and some places offer deals for pet lovers. You will find that while many chain hotels allow pets, you can even take them to some Las Vegas casino hotels and on some cruises. Do not hesitate to bring your pet along – just ask if it is okay before you book.

Workout at the gym prior to your flight. This will help you avoid the tediousness of long flights. Sitting in the same position for long periods of time can cause leg and back cramps. This is why hitting the gym or at least stretching before boarding a flight can lessen or completely eliminate any cramps.

Share your travel itinerary with a family member or a trusted friend. This assures that someone will know how to contact you, if necessary. Stay in touch with that contact to maximize your own safety. They won’t worry if you stay in touch with them.

It is not uncommon to provide the housekeeper and bell hop with a tip. It is usually acceptable to pay $1 for each bag that you have, and about $2-$5 each day for housekeeping. Doing this will not only show that you appreciated the work they did, but it will also foster a good relationship with them.

Deserts are a place unlike any other, with sunny weather and a unique ecosystem. There is something especially memorable about deserts for the first-time visitor, and no one should go their entire lives without experiencing the austere majesty of the desert.

If you plan to rent a car during vacation, make sure that you review your auto insurance before leaving home. Rental car staff is trained to sell additional insurance, and you might not need it. In many cases, insurance policies on vehicles also include basic coverage in the case of a third party liability. Check your policy in advance to save extra money.

Ask for local hotel rates when you travel. Hotels often provide special deals to local citizens in an attempt to fill their rooms. You could contact anyone you know who lives in that area and ask them to find out if there are any special deals for local people. This simple step can end up saving you a lot of money.

Give your itinerary to a friend, neighbor, or relative when traveling. It should include the names, addresses and phone numbers of your destinations and any people you expect to visit. Make sure you leave copies of your passport information and your flight itinerary.

If your plane or bus ride is very long, get up and walk around at least once every hour. Just walk around the cabin or go to the bathroom. Sitting for too long can harm your muscles and, in some cases, create blood clots.

Before you head off on a trip, make copies of your most important documents. Keep these copies of passports, insurance information, and any other pertinent documents in a safe place as backups for the originals. Leaving another set with a trusted friend or family member is a good suggestion in case your primary and backups are lost or misplaced.

When purchasing traveler’s insurance, it is important to be honest. If you are ill, be sure to let your provider know about it. If the insurance company is able to show you’re sick when you bought the insurance, the claim can be denied due to it being a preexisting condition. This will leave you with a large medical bill to play.

Traveling is fun, and safer in a group. Of course, there is safety in numbers, but if you are alone, there are many things you can do to appear less vulnerable to potential criminals. Use the advice you learned here to stay safe as you travel.