Gate Crasher

 Just thought I would list some of the little tips I have picked up along my travels around this great earth.

Travel off-peak and weather wise.
 If you’re not constrained by school holidays, kids or any work issues, traveling during off-peak periods can save you a lot of money. Flights, accommodation and attractions all drop in price during off peak times. Do your research though - some destinations have low seasons and religious holidays can mean everything’s closed once you get there.

Won’t Haggle!?!
 The price you are quoted for your flights isn’t what you have to pay; it’s what they think they can get you to pay. Play hardball. Also whilst on the street trying to buy some souvenirs or catch a cyclo down a few blocks, don’t pay the first offer. However in retrospect don’t expect to pay the same as locals. Be generous, but not a sucker.

Le Tour.
Not all tours are bad. If you have limited time and expenses, picking a reputable tour company can normally ensure you see a lot of the sights in your available time frame. You’ll also meet plenty of like-minded people, and this is great if you plan to travel alone. You do get what you paid for though, ask other travelers what they have seen and what tours they have been on to get some feedback.

Take some tunes.
Take a MP3 player, walkman, or gramaphone. You may not be absorbing the cultural atmosphere, but sometimes 30 people crammed in a bus for 20 hours screaming in languages you can’t understand is something you might not wish to absorb. I find it’s also good to listen to new albums so when you return home and listen to the same album you associate it with your trip.

No Reservations?
It can be pouring rain, pitch black at night or a searing hot day. Either way you probably want to spend little time bouncing from hotel to hostel to hotel trying to find some vacant accommodation. Book ahead, call ahead and send an email to make sure there a room when you get there.

Know how to order a coffee in 10 different languages?
You should always know how to ask “Do you speak English?” in the native language of the country you’re in. Not to mention a few pleasantries. Good morning, Hello, Please and Thank you will go a long way and most cultures will be pleased you are making an effort to embrace their life.

Post stuff home

So you have gone shopping and have half a dozen tailor made suits. Unfortunately these are the kind of things you don’t want to roll into your back pack or lug around for the rest of your trip. Find the local post office and send it home. You will find that after paying the postage you will still come out way a head for the prices you would pay back home.

Caution

Take all the travelers cautions you can before your trip. Register with your native embassy at the country you are traveling so they are aware you are there, how long for and how you can be contacted whist there. This can be done online, or through a phone call. If there is a flood or riot you’re family will be thankful when they contact the embassy and find you left 2 days ago. Also photocopy your flight dates and times, passport, credit cards and insurance details so you family has a copy and you can get any info via them if you have items stolen.

Feel free to add your own in the comments