TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Generally, if you want to bring liquids on a plane, they need to be in containers that are 3.4 oz or less.

If you're traveling with a baby, you will be happy to know that the 3.4 oz rule does not apply to breast milk, baby food, baby formula, and medication.

You are allowed to bring more than 3.4 oz of these items on board a plane, but you need to be sure to let the security personnel know about these items as you go through Security.

When you're running through the airport, weaving through a maze of people with your luggage, you can wind up in a frenzied and frazzled state by the time you reach security or reach your gate.

You can help smooth the process a bit by investing in a pouch that can hold your passport, plane tickets, ID, money, and anything else that is small and flat. These holders can go around your neck or around your waist. They're really handy for easy access to those essential papers that you'll need as you weave your way through the airport.

If you have a long layover at an airport, you can check out a directory of the shops, restaurants, wi-fi access, etc that the airport has to offer online before you leave. This can help you get situated and know what to expect during a long layover.

For instance, if there appears to be a good restaurant at the airport, you can plan to eat a meal while you're waiting for your next flight.

Almost all airlines these days offer online check-in. This makes flying a snap. You can check in online, from the comfort of your own home, usually starting about 24 hours before departure. Then you just go to the self check-in line at the airport to quickly drop off your baggage, and you can go off to your flight gate. This can save you lots of time at the airport, because you don't need to wait in a long line to check in.

Also, if you didn't get an assigned seat when you bought your plane ticket, you can often choose a seat during online check-in, which is another bonus.

Depending on the location of your destination airport, you might be planning on taking a local public bus to get to your airport after your arrival. You'll definitely save some money, and it might give you a chance to chat up a local sitting next to you.

But in some cities, the buses will not let you on as a passenger if you have too much luggage. A bag or two will likely be fine especially if the bus isn't busy. If you are traveling with 2 or 3 large suitcases, don't be shocked if you are denied access to the bus.

Don't make a fuss if it happens. They have these rules for a reason. Just accept it, and go flag a taxi.

When you're buying a plane ticket and the flight path requires a layover, double check that the ticket allows enough time for you to disembark the plane, navigate through the airport, and reach your next gate with plenty of time before boarding.

This is important, because sometimes when you book tickets, the airline will only leave you a small window of time for changing planes. It's up to you to gauge whether you feel you have enough time or not. Most of the time it will work out, but occasionally you may not have enough time to make your next plane if the layover is too tight.

This is especially true if the first plane winds up late for whatever reason. This happened to me on a flight to Europe, with a layover in New York. I had to run through the airport with a heavy pack and the airline almost didn't let me on the plane because I was late!

Also, take into account whether you might want to eat a meal during your layover. If you're really on a long-haul trek, spending a few hours in an airport might be good for you to get some exercise, eat a decent meal, and get to your flight gate in a leisurely fashion.

It might be tempted to put a small lock on your checked luggage, but it will almost always get the attention of airport security and can end up getting cut off so your luggage can be more thoroughly searched.

Save yourself the trouble, and skip the suitcase lock.