Traveling can be an exciting time, but getting ready for the big vacation can be stressful. With so many items to remember to pack it’s easy to forget things. The following article will give you some great advice about packing for your trip, and help to make it a more pleasant experience.

When traveling, travel as light as you possibly can. If you can, avoid checking baggage. This will help speed things up when you’re getting on and off planes. The less you take with you, the less chance you have of something getting lost or damaged in transit. If you can, try and travel with only a carry-on bag.

When traveling overseas, take written documentation of your important information. You should have contact information for your embassy or consulate in your destination locale. Your nation’s embassy or consulate needs to be your first contact if you wind up in local trouble. They can help with the issues you experience.

Asking for a better hotel room when you are checking in will most probably get you one! If you would prefer a better view, a quieter room or maybe one closer to the ice-machine, chances are very good that one is available. It takes but a moment to ask and will most definitely improve your stay.

When traveling, bring only the essentials and keep your bags light. This will help you avoid having anything lost. Pay attention to the number of shoes you bring, they tend to be large and heavy.

Reach out to your network. Social networking sites make it simple to get suggestions from your friends and pick their brains for information. Post a question about your destination and you’ll likely garner many responses. These instant answers are especially helpful when you are on your trip and looking for a place to eat ASAP.

Scan your passport and email a copy to yourself. It rarely happens, but in the chance that you lose your passport during your travels, this will be a lifesaver. Getting a replacement passport can be a headache and having a copy can make the process much faster and less traumatic.

If you are traveling on a budget, make use of the in-room amenities to cook your own food. The coffee maker that is usually provided in even the cheapest hotel rooms can double as a hot plate. You can heat plain water in the carafe for ramen or soup, or use the hot plate itself to make bacon.

Drive through windows at fast food places almost inevitably give you too much or too little sugar or other sweetener when you order coffee or tea. When traveling, don’t throw the extra away! Tuck into a baggie or maybe a little tin and keep it for the next time you are shorted. It sure beats having to turn around and go back through the drive through!

As stated at the beginning of the article, packing for a vacation can be a stressful time. The last thing you want to stress out about is forgetting a toothbrush while getting ready for your trip. After reading this article, you should have some great ideas to help make packing for your trip easier and even a little fun.