Mark your bags with for quick identification.
Solid color suitcases are by far the most popular types, and if yours do not stand out, then you can expect a number of other people to handle your bag thinking it maybe theirs.
Some people will use painters tape of different colors to make a giant X across both faces of the suitcase. Others tie different things to the outside. This one is really not recommended as it can be caught on things and could cause a problem once inside the system that transports bags from place to place.
Anything you can do to mark your suitcase or bag as yours will go a long way towards speeding up identification of your belongings once you reach your destination. It should also keep people from handling your bags.
Don’t forget to bring old currency with you.
If you’ve been someplace before, and you’re going back, don’t forget to take any left over money back with you. This can possibly save you a trip to an ATM or conversion fees at a money exchange. At the very least it may give you enough money to pay for a taxi so that you can use an ATM outside of the airport where the fees are likely to be lower.
Know your hotel information.
For a number of different reasons you will want to have your hotel information with you before you get on your flight. One thing I always recommend is to call your front desk (use Skype to save on international calls) and ask them what it should cost to take a taxi from the airport.
Now when you are haggling fairs with a taxi driver you will know if there is a legally set price, or if not, about what you should pay.
It’s also good advice so that you have something to show your taxi driver in case your phone dies on the flight.
Bring essentials with in your carry-on.
One of the worst things that can happen when traveling is to be in 1 place and have your bags in another. It sounds impossible, but it happens more than you think. A common way this happens is to simply miss your flight after you’ve checked in for it. Another is to have a short layover where your bag doesn’t have time to move as quickly as you did through the airport to get to your next flight.
If this happens you’ll want a change of clothes, or important medication or anything else you will need to feel fresh for at least one day without your luggage. If you can pack a full change of clothes in your carry-on. At a minimum a fresh change of undergarments will be a relief for day two.
Get a ride to the airport
Parking your car at the airport for any length of time is a risky idea. Long term parking (anything more than a few hours) at an airport can range from as low as $9 a day to as much as $39 a day. Even worse is the thought that cars parked in these lots are prime targets for thieves. If your car is broken into or stolen it could be days before you are even aware of it.
In almost every case it is cheaper or a better idea to take a taxi, an Uber, a bus, an airport shuttle or to have a friend drop you off. Even if you must pay full price for a regular taxi at least you’ll know that you’ll avoid all the extra fees, and that your car will likely be in the same condition you left it in before your trip when you return.
Beware of pickpockets
The obvious thing for men is to not have a wallet and to use a money clip and keep it in your front pocket. Front pockets are often harder to pick than back ones. If you have a pocket with a zipper or even better a button or two that’s even better. You want to make it harder to steal from you than from someone else so they avoid you.
For women you will want a smaller purse that you can keep close to you. If it has a zipper to shut it, and another piece that can fold over the top with a latch you will make it much harder for someone to get their hands in it. It still happens from time to time that someone will attempt to steal the entire bag, so if at all possible try to bring one that is well attached to the straps so you have a better chance to keep it if they try to pull and dash.
A last bit of warning, it’s known that some pick pockets will wait near “beware of pickpockets” signs. They like to people watch because after people will read this sign they will often check their pockets where they keep their phone or money. This lets the thief know exactly where to strike and help them pick their mark.
