Traveling can be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. You need to do all of your research so that you don’t forget to pack something important, see what the best methods of transportation are, etc. There are some tips listed below to help you begin.

Shop around for the best deal. Often, a shift in a day or two from your departure or return can amount to a significant savings of several hundred dollars in your transportation cost. Many websites can check this automatically for you. As a general rule, if you can avoid travelling on Fridays or Sundays, you will save a pile of money.

Request samples online. Instead of paying for miniature travel-size versions of all your toiletry items, do an online search for free samples. Companies regularly offer samples of new products that will be mailed right to your home. Request everything from toothpaste to shampoo to cosmetics and keep a small stash in your travel bag so you are ready for your next trip.

When traveling by airplane, look for shops in the airport that have swap shelves. These shelves are for travelers to brings books and exchange them for other books. So if your flight is delayed and you finished your book already, head over to a swap shelf and exchange it for one you’ve been wanting to read!

If you are going on a long plane ride and the person in the seat next to you has a lot to say, and you really don’t want to hear it, just pretend to nod off. When they see that you are sleeping, I would hope that they would get the idea and be quiet.

Pack some plastic bags when going on a longer trip. Plastic bags always come in handy when you spill something, for toiletries or if you have some dirty laundry. Meanwhile, some places have laundry opportunities, so it is always useful to carry a plastic bag with you to keep your dirty laundry in.

Don’t tempt robbers! Especially when traveling abroad or in unsafe areas, don’t make your belongings look tempting to steal. Instead of carrying around shiny new backpacks and gear, use older things. If you don’t have any older gear that will work, stick some duct tape on your new pack to give the impression that it is older.

Some hotels have video games in them for you to use. If you’re traveling with kids, ask the front desk to disconnect these. Most of the time as soon as they’re turned on they’ll bill you for playing them. So if you take a shower you may not notice your kids have been playing them until you get your bill at checkout.

Traveling can be very rewarding, but it can also be a lot of work and planning. Regardless, if you know what to do and how to travel smarter, you can have a great trip. So, do yourself and apply the above tips to all of your future travel plans.