If you have ever had one of those trips where everything went wrong and you were totally scatterbrained, we have a few tips for you. This article is just what you need to get your vacation head on straight and plan the trip of your dreams: one that is hassle free.

A great tip for traveling is to go shopping for snacks and drinks for your lodging place in your hometown. This saves hundreds of dollars over the course of your travels because every time you stop to sleep in a hotel, the multiple trips to vending machines and the store located in the hotel that has frozen dinners and soups will leave you with a lighter wallet.

Plan clothing for your trip so that everything can be worn together. This reduces the need to pack individual “outfits” and allows you to plan for the number of days you’ll be traveling. If all of your clothes match, you don’t have to worry about which are clean when you’re doing laundry.

If you’ve got a long flight coming up, it may be tempting to take a sleep aide to make the travel time go faster. But wait until your plane is up in the air before you take it. If you doze off before it’s in the air, you may miss important announcements or worse, be asked to disembark to switch planes.

Don’t let the bedbugs bite. Bedbugs have become prevalent at hotels and motels. When you arrive at your hotel room, instead of tossing it onto the bed or sofa, put your luggage on a hard surface like a dresser, table, or luggage stand. This will prevent bedbugs from crawling into your suitcase and traveling home with you. Also, before you tuck yourself in, do a thorough check of your sheets for signs of bedbugs.

A traveler should try to learn some of the language spoken at his or her destination if there is sufficient time to do so. Fluency in any language is difficult to achieve, but any dedicated traveler can get familiar with some useful phrases. Learning a bit of the lingo will enhance the traveler’s experience or even prove helpful in case of unexpected difficulties.

If you are traveling with children, it is best is they can have a suitcase with wheels. This way, they can really help with the luggage and it’s super easy to pull. They will also feel a sense of independence and will be happy to help out with the luggage.

If you are staying at a hotel while traveling, be sure to figure out where all of the emergency exits are located. You never know when there might be a fire drill or even a fire. Your map reading skills aren’t going to be at their best when you are woken by the alarm at 4 AM, so it’s better to know in advance.

If you are traveling abroad, it’s a wise idea to sign up with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free government service for citizens of the United States who live in a foreign country or are planning to visit one. Providing STEP with your contact information and some details on your trip allows them to contact you in the event of an emergency and to advise you of travel warnings and alerts.

Ask the hotel for an electronic air filter when you are traveling. Many rooms have windows that will not open, and they have a tendency to smell a little funny. An air filter does a great job of moving and cleaning the air, allowing you to relax and feel comfortable in your room. It also provides some background noise that could be helpful as well.

Pillow cases can serve many functions during your trip, so bring one or two. If you need a bag for laundry, grab the pillow case. If you need a towel for a quick clean up and none are available, grab your pillow case. If you need a clean or more comfortable pillow case, you just happen to have one available.

If you are traveling overseas, purchase a local newspaper to wrap the souvenirs up in that you buy for family and friends. Foreign newspapers make an interesting and unique wrapping paper for small gifts, especially if the newspaper is in a foreign language. If you know someone that is particularly interested in the country you are visiting, consider buying them a whole newspaper as a souvenir.

When traveling internationally, make sure that you have data roaming turned off on your wireless devices including your cell phone. Data roaming charges can get very expensive. Instead, take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots available at places like airports, hotels, and restaurants. You can also use your free Internet connection when available to make cheaper calls through applications such as Skype.

Wear a money belt when you are traveling. Though these may not be the most fashionable accessory to your wardrobe, they can be a life saver. Keeping your money, as well as any important documents, next to you at all times, will decrease the likelihood that you will find yourself without these important items.

Make sure you pack all of your necessary medications, and carry additional documentation regarding your medical conditions if necessary, but don’t pack your luggage with items you can easily purchase at your destination. Most countries will sell some form of Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as sunscreen, band-aids, and other travel essentials. Save the space in your luggage and purchase those items when you arrive!

Pack solid shampoo bars and powder toothpaste. Though this might not be what you normally use, it can add to the convenience factor when traveling. Avoiding liquids will make your trip through security easier. It will also speed up any baggage checks. In addition, you can pack larger quantities of these items in your carry on than you can liquid items.

Do you feel calmer now? Hopefully you have found this information to be helpful and informative. Now you can make those travel plans with the confidence that you need to know this will be a great trip. You work hard and deserve to take a break. Go make it happen.