TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Practical shoes are a must for any traveler, on many levels.

First, if you are flying, you will almost always need to take them off as you go through security. Keep this in mind, because you may spend awhile unlacing those thigh-high boots, if that's what you choose to wear on board!

Second, if you are on a long flight, you may want to give your feet a rest by taking your shoes off (assuming that your feet are not smelly). This is another point where it's helpful to have shoes that are easy to take on and off.

Third, you are likely to spend a lot of time walking on your trip. Therefore, choose shoes that are comfortable. It's best to choose shoes that are already worn in, so that you avoid blisters.

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.

If you pack any battery powered items in your checked luggage, you should take the batteries out before packing. With all the bumping around, they may get turned on accidentally which would leave you with a dead battery on arrival.

Or worse, it could be an item that makes noise (like an electric shaver or a pocket fan). Airport security aren't going to be too happy with a buzzing suitcase. I speak from experience on this one.

With identity theft getting so much attention, credit card companies are always on the lookout for strange transactions on your credit card. While it can be nice to know someone is watching out for you, it can also mean that when you intentionally do something out of the ordinary, it will raise red flags.

So to keep your credit card from being suspended while on vacation (a potential disaster!), call the company and let them know of your plans. Be specific too. Tell them precisely where you are going and when.

If you lost your credit card while on vacation, would you know who to call to cancel it? There is an inquiries phone number printed on the back of your card, but that's not going to do you much good if the card is gone.

So plan ahead and write the number down, just in case. And don't keep it in your purse or wallet. That would kind of defeat the purpose, if it's stolen.

Many people understandably lock their luggage before checking it in. If you do this, you need to be aware that Security might unlock your bag, if the electronic screening process shows anything that is even remotely suspicious.

There are certain locks that are approved by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), because these locks can be opened by their master key.

However, if you use a lock that is not approved by the TSA and they cannot open it with their master key, they may cut open your lock if they have to.

Therefore, you're better off either buying a TSA-approved lock, or leaving your lock unlocked when it's checking in, and locking it up once you get it back at your destination.

With all the recent changes in airport security procedures, one thing remains fairly constant: the metal detector scan. It's just part of travel life, so plan for it and make your trip through security quicker.

Don't wear clothing with too many zippers, snaps or metal buttons. Don't have your pockets filled with keys, change, phones or other gadgets. Try to have such odds and ends in a single purse or bag so security can check it all quickly without you having to dump each pocket out as you go.

For body jewelry that you can't simply remove for the flight, have any metal jewelry removed beforehand and replaced with plastic or bone pieces so you don't set off the detector.

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.

This one is for the more adventurous tourists who enjoy seeing a foreign country in its wild state, by hiking or walking outside the main cities. You really should not take any routes that might take you near the border of the country you are in. Borders can be poorly marked, or not marked at all. If you are caught on the wrong side, there could be trouble.

You might simply be guided back over, or you could get arrested for entering a country illegally. Two American women crossed into North Korea for less than a minute, and ended up being sentenced to years in a forced labor camp.

I'd say that is an extreme example of what may happen, but the risk is there.