I’d consider myself a seasoned traveler and if not a professional, then at least a first round draft prospect. I traveled about 50,000 miles per year for work and leisure. During those trecks back and forth across the globe, I have discovered a few obvious and not so obvious tricks to help make my life just a little bit easier. This web site is about travel to a specific destination, but I think these ideas are worth sharing for travelers to any destination.

1. Have a plan. This goes without saying, obviously, but there is simply no excuse for not knowing all the details ahead of time. Know where you are going, what you will be doing, what the weather may be like, how long you will be there and what possible unexpected circumstances you may face.
For example, you may be responsible for departure taxes when leaving a foreign nation. This is often cash only. Find out what it is ahead of time and stash that cash away.

2. Pack wisely. I once did a three-day business trip where an associate checked two bags, one for clothes, and one for shoes. At today’s baggage check rates, that could be an extra $45 US each way! By contrast, I managed an eight day trip with a backpack (for my computer) and a carry-on suitcase. That probably isn’t practical for most trips and most travelers, but it illustrates the critical point of this item – pack wisely. You can fit an awful lot into a single suitcase. Careful planning for what you plan to wear, what you need, what you would like to bring and what you simply cannot leave behind will help immensely when it comes to cramming everything into a 8” x 16” x 24” container.
Fold things carefully, and seek out nooks and crannies to stuff fillers like socks and underwear. These items tend to take up much more space than they should when tossed in haphazardly.
Finally, pack at least two days worth of clothes in a carry on bag. I have fond memories of bumming around in the clothes I traveled in for two days because my luggage was lost – during the monsoon season.

3. Be aware of airport security measures. In the US, the TSA has deliciously obnoxious requirements. The 3-1-1 rule is currently in effect. It stipulates that you must limit the size of liquid, gel and paste containers (such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) to no more than 3.1 oz and they all must fit into a single one quart transparent plastic bag. Not much. So stop by your local department store and pick up a few travel sized containers.
Also, in the US, passengers must remove laptops and DVD players from their bags and pass them separately through the metal detectors. Shoes must also be removed and run through. All of these minor requirements can lead to a number of problems when trying to catch your flight. Problems include: increased blood pressure, fear, panic, rage, thoughts of assault, battery and murder of other passengers and a strong desire to write your federal government representative and give him/her a piece of your mind. Know the requirements and procedures. Check them out ahead of time and be prepared to follow them to the letter. There is no skipping out on this one.
For US domestic and international travel, here is a link to the latest requirements: http://www.tsa.gov/

4. Funds and back up funds. Have cash, have traveler’s cheques, have debit cards and have credit cards. Always, always, always ensure you have some cash in your debit account. In 2006, while traveling in Trinidad, I ran out of cash. Credit cards are still something of a luxury there. Seven days into a 10 day visit, I was out of cash and looking at no options (other than emergency cash advances from credit cards). Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Obviously, you aren’t as foolish as I, if you’re planning an exciting trip and hope to make it home alive. But there are always opportunities to mess up a good plan. Contingencies and alternatives are as critical to the sanity of an international traveler as they are to the survival of a campaigning army.

5. Documentation. Photocopy credit cards and passports. Make 2-3 copies of each. Give one copy to a trusted friend. Give one copy to a friend you trust even more than that one. Keep a copy of your passport with you, because no one is more trustworthy than yourself, right? If you lose a passport, a photocopy taken to your local embassy will expedite the processing of a new one. If others have copies, you’re that much more likely to get one in the hands of the consulate. Photocopies of your credit cards will help your friends have fun while you’re away. If they have copies, they can not only buy themselves that really great stereo, but also help you get access to credit (or protect what’s left of your limit) in the event of an emergency.

6. Immunizations, tropical diseases and other infections. Certain tropical environments come with certain tropical diseases. Many of these can be avoided with certain precautions. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers good guidance for international travel http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/. Otherwise, use some common sense: bug spray is a necessity, get a tetanus shot, and get the mumps, measles and chicken pox while you’re still young. No longer a child, eh? Get your shots then.