In Transit
19. Music to Travel By
A great way to chew up idle hours while traveling is to soak in the sounds of your next destination. Load your MP3 player with destination-inspired playlists and you'll not only feel culturally closer to the place you're visiting, but you'll also arrive relaxed and rejuvenated. Check out RoughGuides.com for thousands of song selections—from salsa and Sri Lankan tunes to music from Macedonia and Malawi.
20. Food on the Fly
Many airlines have stopped serving meals on domestic flights and decided to charge restaurant rates for floppy sandwiches, making it essential to pack good food for the journey. Stay away from snacks that contain sugar and white flour—they make a "vicious circle" of craving and crashing, says co-author of Healthy Highways David Goldbeck. Start with a good breakfast and carry healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, and cheese cubes. The fruit gives you a satisfying energy boost, and the nuts and cheese provide hunger-preventing protein. Try unsalted nuts and drink plenty of fluids, since staying well hydrated on planes keeps headaches, fatigue, and general crankiness at bay.
21. Car Rental Rates and Fees
If you need to rent a car for more than four days, it's usually cheaper to rent for the entire week. Reserve your car early—there's no penalty to cancel, but there is usually a discount for renting in advance. And don't go straight for an economy car thinking it's the cheapest; sometimes midsize car costs are just as low. Ask if the rental agency will upgrade your car for the same price. Also ask about car fueling costs—some companies offer gas cheap by the gallon, but charge a one-time fee for filling up if you return the car anything other than full. If you've only used a ¼ tank, you should fill it up yourself to avoid the fee, but if you're running on empty it's more cost-effective to return it that way. If riding in unfamiliar terrain, many companies now offer GPS systems with navigation. These are invaluable to the traveler: The freedom and relaxation derived from knowing you'll never be lost is worth the extra price.
22. Airline Dos and Don'ts
To avoid catching a cold or flu on an airline flight, request a seat as far up front as possible—where the air is cleanest. To lessen the effects of turbulence, try sitting in the center of the plane where motion is usually not as strong as in other areas. Seats in front are quieter because engines are in the rear or over the wing. They also allow for a quick departure if you need to make a flight connection. Avoid the seats in the last row, which do not recline and have no window.
23. Luggage Logic
"The best packing question a traveler can ask is: Do people where I'm headed live without this item?" says Doug Dyment, whose website, One Bag, offers packing tips. In brief, you'll be better off with less. Additional tips: Never check luggage containing valuables (cash, credit cards, cameras, jewelry); fragile items (eyeglasses, bottles); or critical items (medicine, keys, travel vouchers). Even if your checked luggage isn't lost, it is subject to routine hand searches en route, and thus increased opportunity for theft. Stick a copy of your travel itinerary in an outside pocket of your luggage so that if it's lost the airline has a better chance of tracking you down while you're traveling. To insure your luggage, ask for "excess valuation." With this you can bump up the liability, and give the airline more incentive not to lose your luggage. And don't forget the suggestion to keep essential toiletries and a change of underwear/clothes in your carry-on; if you have to track down lost luggage, you might as well be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the task.
24. Leave Jet Lag Behind
Jet lag happens when the body's inner clock falls out of sync with daily cycles of light, meals, and rest. Some medical experts estimate that travelers require a day of recovery for every time zone crossed—but who can wait that long? Minimize the effects by getting several good nights of sleep before your trip. Set your watch to your destination time when you board the plane, and adjust sleep and meals accordingly. During the flight, do isometric exercises, eat light meals, and keep hydrated, but avoid sugary, alcoholic, or caffeinated drinks. On arrival, shower and throw yourself into your new schedule—avoid naps. No-Jet-Lag (available at both Whole Foods Market and REI) is a homeopathic supplement that eases transitions to new time zones. The active ingredients are leopard's bane, daisy, wild chamomile, ipecac, and clubmoss.
25. Expedite the X-ray
Navigate airport security like a pro by checking the Transportation Security Administration website for the latest information on what to pack and how to pack it. Also, speed through the process with these quick tips: While waiting in the airport security line, pack a small zippered bag with your watch, jewelry, keys, change, cell phone, and belt. This will keep your valuables together and enable you to reassemble in peace—not in public. Have your boarding pass and driver's license ready for security personnel. Wear metal-free shoes. Pack your laptop so that it can easily be removed from your bags—and label it with your name, phone number, and e-mail address. Pack prohibited items (liquids, pocketknives, scissors, etc.) and most metallic or sharp objects in your checked baggage. Don't overstuff carry-on baggage, and consider stowing personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that screeners will have to handle them. To avoid having to unwrap a gift at a security checkpoint, wrap it after you arrive at your destination.
26. In-Flight Wisdom
Wear layers on the plane to guard against cabin temperature changes. Stretch in your seat, breathe deeply, and amble up and down the aisle. Avoid the seduction of in-flight movies: Eight hours of cinema might sound tempting, but sleep will undoubtedly prove more rewarding. Preparation for smart flying begins a day before your long haul: "Reduce preflight stress," says Manhattan-based Dr. Ronald Primas, a travel medicine specialist.
"Pack ahead of time and don't race off to the airport at the last minute." To aid personal comfort while cabin-bound, bring skin cream to ward off dryness, Blistex to moisten lips, earplugs to aid sleeping, and saline solution to keep eyes lubricated.
27. Unexpected Layovers
Flight delays and the need to arrive at airports early often leave travelers with time to kill, and airports have improved the passenger experience by providing more amenities. Inquire at the airport's information booth about art exhibits, outdoor terraces, and other on-site offerings. For example, Miami International Airport's hotel has a gym and swimming pool; London Heathrow Hilton has a spa and showers; San Francisco International Airport has a mini aquarium.
28. Foreign Currency
Nearly every airport will have an ATM, and if you feel comfortable chancing it, your best bet is to take out currency at an ATM once you arrive at your destination. You can also exchange money at your departure airport, but only exchange enough to cover cab fare and incidental expenses at your destination as fees will be high—they are lower at a bank in your arrival city. Another option: Order foreign currency online and have it delivered to your door before your trip. Wells Fargo offers online purchase of 14 foreign currencies. Travelex Currency Services more than 100 foreign currencies; exchange rates and a free quote for services are available on the Travelex website.
