Before You Go

1. Immunization Tips

Hepatitis A and B, malaria, typhoid fever, anyone? These are among the most serious diseases travelers can prevent with vaccination or pre-trip medication. Yet more than half of U.S. travelers headed to high-risk disease areas fail to seek travel health information prior to departure—a costly move, considering the bad bugs out there. Although most medical insurance plans don't cover vaccines or prophylaxes for the following illnesses, an ounce of prevention is worth a few hundred dollars and often will last throughout multiple trips. For under $200, a series of Hepatitis A and B vaccines provide protection for at least 15 years. Mosquito-borne malaria is prevented by daily pills such as the inexpensive Doxycycline or the pricier Malarone. Contaminated food and drink could cause typhoid fever; an injection or oral vaccine helps stave off this infection. To avoid being vaccinated at the border (or possible quarantine) check entry requirements before departure and carry proof of vaccination. If you shouldn't get a vaccine for health reasons, be sure to carry a doctor's signed waiver. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for additional information.

2. Passports/Visas

Passports cost $85-100 and have a turnaround processing time averaging six weeks (expedited service costs an extra $60). Plan ahead as some countries require passports to be valid at least six months prior to your arrival. Parents, keep in mind a State Department rule: Young travelers (age 14 and under) must apply in person for a passport or renewal. Acquiring a visa can also be a challenge. Don't assume you don't need one: Call your destination's embassy in advance to learn visa requirements, fees, and application processing times as they can vary widely. Australia, for example, has a simple online visa application. For a country-by-country list of document requirements and American passport guidance, visit the U.S. Department of State online.

3. Essentials to Go

Among handy items to pack, you'll find that Ziploc bags are the most useful—good for satisfying TSA regulations as well as storing wet swimsuits, medication, and dirty laundry. Duct tape (wrap a few feet around a pen) comes in handy if the strap on your favorite sandals breaks or the handle on your suitcase snaps. Avoid camera calamities and pack extra batteries in addition to extra memory cards or film. A Swiss army knife (keep it in your checked luggage) has multiple uses on the road, and a pocket calculator helps with figuring out tips and taxes on local purchases. Jennifer Smith, a frequent traveler who roams the country on business, includes "antibacterial pads to wipe the phone, TV remote, and light switch in hotel rooms, even in five-star hotels." A lint roller will freshen up your dark clothes, and spot remover will save you from a trip to the dry cleaner. Bring a copy of your medicine and eyeglass prescriptions in case you need to refill them during your trip. Other things to have on hand: Deet-based bug repellent, antacid tablets, 24-hour non-drowsy cold and flu medicine, and Band-Aids. Finally, bring an extra shoulder bag to carry purchases home.

4. Don't be a Pack Rat

Sharpen your packing skills and save yourself loads of travel stress. Be prepared for the loss of your checked luggage by keeping small essentials like toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Pack your bags a day before your trip, then remove five to ten items. Choose light, wrinkle-free layers, but don't forget about air-conditioning in the summer—bring something to keep you warm in chilly restaurants or museums. Pack clothing that does double-duty: a sarong can be a skirt and beach cover-up. Use local, neighborhood laundry facilities (as opposed to the usually pricier hotel option), or wash them yourself (use hotel shampoo). Not enough room in your suitcase? Try any of the space-saving products out there, like PackMate VacuSacs, which allow you to place your clothes in a plastic bag and squeeze out excess air. Just make sure you have access to a vacuum before the trip home, or you might find yourself needing one suitcase there and two suitcases back. Always pack a swimsuit, and wear layers on the airplane (which saves room in your suitcase). And stop stressing: As long as you have your wallet and passport, anything you really need can usually be bought on the road.

5. One Room, Three Prices

"You really have to shop around to find a great rate on a hotel room," says Traveler contributing editor Christopher Elliott. Start with discount websites, such as Quikbook.com, but also go to the hotel's website to compare, then call the hotel, and inquire about available promotional rates or discounts for AAA, AARP memberships, or credit card programs. Also ask if they have a best-rate policy, where they guarantee other outlets won't beat them. "Hotels don't like to see lower prices than theirs on someone else's website," says Elliott. If you do book through a third-party website, always call to confirm your reservation directly with the hotel before arriving.

6. The Price of a Free Ticket

Some people call them "frequent frustration miles" because, as exciting as a free flight might sound, it can be maddening to redeem frequent-flier points for tickets. Limited capacity, inconvenient scheduling, expired miles, frustrating point requirements, and processing fees contribute to making point savings more hassle than helpful. A few tips: The best practice is to focus your spending on a single airline-affiliated credit card; you'll accrue miles more quickly and turn them into tickets more easily. US Airways, for example, offers a Visa card that awards customers who spend $25,000 in one calendar year with 10,000 miles that go toward their preferred status. Unaffiliated travel-reward credit cards (not endorsed by any airline) tend to lack the mileage-earning power of airline-affiliated cards, and the earned miles typically can't be combined within a frequent-flier program. Websites such as FrequentFlier.com and InsideFlyer.com offer comparisons of many of the major travel rewards cards. When redeeming frequent-flier miles, take into account blackout dates, peak travel periods, length-of-stay restrictions, alternative airports or partner airlines, and all the other annoying fine print. Don't overlook alternative redemption options, such as exchanging miles for products and college-savings plans.

7. Background Check

If you're not satisfied with the State Department's briefing on your next travel destination, contact a travel security company, such as iJET Travel Risk Management, which briefs you on health care and transportation risks at your destination for a small fee; Intelliguide offers up-to-the-minute security analyses for a slightly larger fee; International SOS gives you the scoop on local medical care and access to doctors and medical evacuation; or GlobalOptions, which asks on-the-ground personnel to evaluate the security risks of your itinerary and provides escorts by the hour.

8. When to Take a Pass on Rail Passes

Multiple-stop train passes don't always save you money. Depending on your itinerary, you could end up paying more for passes when standard point-to-point tickets would be preferable. Railpass options (single or multiple country, passenger class, number of allowable stops, discounts for traveling groups, Rail 'n Drive packages) sometimes add to the confusion. Begin comparison shopping on Rick Steves's Guide to European Railpasses, which details bargains by country and provides rough fare maps; also included are itineraries, tips on making the most of your pass, and purchasing options. The European Railway Server's website provides links to the timetables of most of Europe's national railways, so you can begin planning your trip (to the minute!) from home. For more information and railpass purchases, visit Rail Europe online.

9. Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Most trips have steep penalty charges for canceling at the last minute. If you think there are reasonable odds that you might not be able to make the trip (medical condition, unstable situation in your destination) or if you're traveling with a group of friends, travel insurance is a smart option. Base your decision on the amount of money you're spending, your tolerance for financial risk, and the cost of the policy. Marketing consultant Mark Kantor says trip cancellation insurance is worth considering, especially given destinations with political uncertainty. But read the fine print carefully, because each policy is slightly different. Most policies include medical coverage, trip protection, baggage loss, and medical evacuation. But policies differ in coverage of weather disasters, terrorism, and preexisting medical conditions. No policy will refund your money if you change your mind about taking a trip. Policies cost between 5 and 7.5 percent of the trip's cost (most base rates start at under $100). Top trip insurance providers include: Travel Guard, Travelex, and Global Alert.

10. Fare Strategies

Airlines once offered their best fares on Wednesdays. But big sales, which induced fare wars by midweek, are less common now, says Traveler contributing editor Christopher Elliott. Comparison shopping is a must if you're looking for the best deal. Try online consolidators, such as One Travel, Priceline, Hotwire, where airlines can disguise their low rates. Don't forget to look at the airline's own website, call its toll-free number, or ask a travel agent who may have access to consolidators' fares. Clearing the private data on your browser before hitting "search" often results in the lowest fare—some sites use search and purchasing histories to jack up prices, and you can outsmart them by simply deleting your Internet history.

11. Combo Deals

Buying your trip as a package (hotel and flight, plus car) can reduce the cost of buying the components individually by up to 30 percent. Airlines and hotels are willing to offer websites, such as Expedia, Travelocity, and Priceline, discounts on package rates in part because the sites do not divulge the prices of the individual parts of the package, says Expedia spokesperson Melissa Derry.

12. ATM Awareness

ATM cards are better than credit cards, cash advances, or hassling with travelers' checks. Plus, get the best exchange rate and avoid standing in long bank lines. Before you pack your bags, check with your bank about incurring ATM fees on both ends, says veteran travel journalist Laura Powell. Typically, there's a $2-3 fee per transaction, but as long as you're not pulling out, say, $20 each time, you'll save money. Many European ATMs have only numbers, not letters, on their keypads, so work out the numeric equivalent of your password beforehand. Stick to ATMs affiliated with major international banks to avoid poor exchange rates and inflated fees. Access cash (in U.S. dollars, euros, or pounds) at select ATMs with an American Express Travelers Cheque Card. The prepaid, rechargeable card isn't linked to a bank account and can be replaced within 24 hours if lost or stolen. Finally, alert your issuer to your whereabouts to avoid having your account frozen for "abnormal" use. Carry a few cards with you (preferably separately) in case one is stolen or lost.

13. Hidden Hotel Costs

Inquire about the local tax rates on lodging and food when considering the budget for your next trip. Hotel occupancy tax can be as high as 17 percent (Houston), and taxes on restaurant meals can be as high as 11 percent (cities in Virginia). Try to be as clear as possible about what you expect to pay when you check out—you'll be less likely to get a bill you didn't anticipate.

14. Off-Season Bargains

Save money and serenity by traveling when others don't. In the U.S., for example, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are swamped in the summer—exactly when many Mexican and Caribbean destinations offer discounts. Shoulder seasons (the periods before and after peak travel season) also promise reduced traffic and deals. A few seasonal tips: Caribbean cruises are better priced in the fall than in winter or spring; National Park lodges are cheapest in the winter; dude ranches offer better deals in the spring and fall (and don't always require a week-long stay). Europe's best deals come between Thanksgiving and Easter (airfare specials usually appear in early fall).

15. Money Where It Matters

"No one travels to London to spend the night near Heathrow or Gatwick," says filmmaker Gregg Helvey. "The money you save by sleeping at a cheaper hotel on the fringes of a city is quickly gobbled up by tube and taxi fares, and the time you waste in transit detracts from the quality time you can spend exploring London." Travel is about balancing costs and opportunities. Although most hotels in the city center charge more than outlying inns, the price difference is easily compensated by the comfort and convenience of being able to say, "My hotel's just up the street." The money you save by not renting a car can easily cover the premium on pricier accommodations.

16. Navigating the City

Tour your destination like a local by following the advice of Don George, global travel editor for Lonely Planet and author of Traveler's monthly Trip Lit online column. Research your destination before you go and arrive with a good map and a list of the areas you want to visit. And don't forget to plan how you are going to get from the airport or train station to your hotel. Doing this before you arrive means not standing awkwardly in the airport, trying to calculate the best way to get from A to B. He also champions taking walking tours led by a resident to get the "inside flavor" of a city. Chicago, New York City, Tokyo, Melbourne, and other international cities offer greeter programs, usually run through the local tourism office. Visit the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory online.

17. Hostel Makeovers

Forget those bare-bones, barracks-style hostels of long ago. Many are now friendly and accommodating, and while they may be called youth hostels, most welcome travelers of all ages. Members of Hostelling International USA ($28 annual dues for ages 18-54; $18 annually for ages 55+ and free under 18) receive discounted rates, but you don't have to join to get a room. The organization's website links you to hundreds of hostels around the world. Two favorite hostels in the U.S.: The Clay Hotel's hostel in Miami Beach offers 120 bright rooms two blocks from the beach in the art deco district, deluxe private rooms feature television, refrigerator, and daily maid service. Hostelling International Point Montara Lighthouse on the coast south of San Francisco has five private rooms (shared baths). They fill up quickly, so book two months in advance, especially for weekend stays.