Whether making arrangements to travel by car, plane, or train, planning a recreational getaway can be very overwhelming to even the most seasoned traveler. Fortunately, there are millions of seasoned travelers who are willing to share their best travel tips and tricks to make the process more manageable and enjoyable for everyone.

If you are a student planning travel to a foreign country, consider getting an international student identification card before you leave. Many restaurants, museums, and tourist stops offer discounts when you show student identification. Although the card costs money to obtain initially, the savings you achieve are often far greater than the base cost.

Be respectful and patient towards security checkpoints and customs officials. In most cases, these exist for your safety. If not, being upset still won’t help you get through any faster. In fact, making a fuss at the security checkpoint is almost always a ticket to the express lane for the extra search.

Luggage is often a large problem when people travel. While it might seem like a good idea to buy your children small size luggage, remember that they are entitled to a full size carry-on on most major air carriers. This extra luggage space can often save you from checking an extra piece of baggage. This will save you from $25 to $50 on most airlines!

When traveling to a different area, make sure that you’re open to different local customs. Some ideas might be strange, but be respectful of other cultures. Not showing respect and not paying attention to local customs can be a real downer for your trip causing you to not feel welcomed in a city.

Select a hotel in an older, more central part of town if your travel budget will possibly allow it. While these centrally-located hotels are usually more expensive, they are also much more vibrant and memorable. They are right in the middle of the action. Suburban hotels can be cheaper, but the hassle of their isolated locations often offsets your savings.

Many of the most exotic, romantic travel destinations are in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Certain disasters are seasonal – late summer and fall are hurricane season in the Caribbean, for example. Travelers headed for areas that may be subject to seasonal disasters should be aware of that fact, just in case they find themselves in an evacuation situation.

Do not inadvertently recline onto someone. Always check to see what the person behind you is doing, and politely ask if you can recline before doing so. Reclining your seat without warning results in spilled drinks, broken laptops, and injured passengers, so you may want to make sure that they aren’t doing anything important.

It is essential to join a car-rental club before traveling. While hotel loyalty programs give you various “extras” like free breakfast, car-rental clubs help you avoid long lines and eliminate endless paperwork. They also keep you from constantly getting up-sold. A car-rental club helps you avoid stress and frustration, leading to a better traveling experience.

Traveling long distance in a car with children can be challenging. Take along a variety of activities for the kids to play with such as coloring books, crayons, toys, etc. It is also fun to play games with the kids such as trying to find license plates from all the states, or playing I Spy.

If you’re a novice flyer and you find yourself about to board an airplane, bring some gum and a music player. When the plane is taking off and landing, slip your headphones on and chew some gum. The music will keep you calm and relaxed while the gum will prevent your ears from popping.

Select lightweight luggage that has a pull handle and roller wheels. Making your way through an airport can be a long walk and having lightweight luggage that you can easily pull behind will surely save you some grief. Make sure that it will stand up on its own, so as you are checking in, it will stay stable.

Try to book on flights that nobody generally wants. It’s a much cheaper option for air travel. These flights are generally the ones that leave very early or the last flights of the day. They obviously vary by area, but you can generally find some great deals because they are not as popular.

Remember to bring all necessary paperwork with you when traveling. Other than your passport and identification, it is important that you bring the name, address and phone number of the hotel in which you are staying. Have it readily available in your handbag or or your carry bag, so you can give the taxi driver the appropriate information.

Try to avoid jet lag during your trips by following these simple things. Start by resetting your watch before boarding your plane. Make sure that you stay incredibly hydrated before, during and after the flight. Try exercising and sleeping well days before your trip. Fly on morning flights if you cannot sleep on a plane. Seek and avoid light as you need it until your body adjust to the time differences.

When packing a backpack for your trip, try to pack it smartly and securely. Try placing lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones at the top. This will cause your backpack to feel lighter on your back and shoulders. It is also a good idea to place things that you will use or need on the top. Dirty clothes can be easily placed on the bottom too.

Have your favorite music on hand for road trips. Take favored CDs, MP3s and cassettes to enjoy during the long journey. Bringing music along gives you a constant source of enjoyment, unlike the radio which can have interference at times.

With so many resources available for travelers, there is no reason to let your impending trip leave you stressed out and anxious. Rather than allowing yourself to miss out on the excitement and spontaneity of a recreational trip, remember the advice in this article to make the most out of your time abroad.