Vacation is becoming more and more expensive. Here are ten common sense tips to help you save money on your next vacation.

1.Rent a car. What sounds expensive can actually often save you money. Consider renting a car instead of using the airport shuttle. Many times the cost of the shuttle is more than that of a modest car rental – and you have the flexibility of having available transportation. Also, if you are driving to your destination, renting a car instead of using your own vehicle is often cheaper than the extra wear and tear on your own car. Take advantage of coupons to upgrade to a larger, and more comfortable, vehicle.

2.Eat breakfast where kids eat free and split meals. This can mean an enormous saving for a family of four or larger. Children are many times too excited or tired to eat much at a time. Restaurants that are kid friendly are more than happy to accommodate special requests for extra plates.

3.Eat lunch in your room. You will be surprised how good a peanut butter sandwich, chips, and fresh fruit tastes away from home, and everyone gets a needed break from the heat and crowds of tourist destinations.

4.Take advantage of coupons. Whether it is for lodging, food, or attractions – coupons SAVE money! Find them everywhere… online, in local newspapers, at convenience stores, motels, etc. Always read the fine print carefully for terms of the coupon.

5.Bring your own stroller. This can save $7 to $10 a day at some of the attractions.

6.Bring along individual refillable water bottles. These can be refilled at the hotel and at attraction water fountains. A family of four could easily spend $20 or more a day buying water.

7.Take advantage of multiple day passes at the attractions. This is especially a good deal when they can be used anytime.

8.Make your own reservations. Many hotels and airlines offer additional discounts and specials for booking online.

9.Give each child a set amount to spend. You can tame the “gimmes”, and your pocketbook at the same time, by giving children a preset spending limit for souvenirs. Also, invest in an autograph book (about $6 at most attractions) and watch the fun as the children collect the “autographs” of their favorite characters. My girls still cherish their “Barbie” autograph obtained at Epcot several years ago.

10.Spend the day away from the attractions. You are paying for that hotel swimming pool… use it! Spend the day at the beach or a nearby museum. The shopping areas near the major attractions (like Downtown Disney) have children’s play areas, providing an inexpensive day of fun for the little ones.

In case of accidents and physical injury, call for help from local people and passerby. Contact your country’s embassy. They will release official orders and local administration will be duty bound to help you out. Be sure to have some identification on you at all times, including contact details of the people at home, your tour group, your hotel and your itinerary.

Cheap travel means you get to go more often, go on longer trips or just save some of your money for other things. Fortunately, it doesn’t mean low-quality travel. If you find a way to get a cheaper plane ticket, for example, you might be flying on the same plane as with the more expensive tickets.

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Tourists being unaware of the place or inattentive to their luggage are easy victim of smart thieves. Curious natives trying to befriend and offering some help may end up stealing goods. Some natives offer themselves as tourist guides at cheap rates by making false claims of being a needy student or unemployed.

They often speak good English. First they win your confidence and then get away with your valuables. If you want services of a tourist guide, pick one from an authorized tourist center and try to get their credentials verified by the appropriate authority.

Here are some precious travel tips for safety of luggage and valuables

1. Baggage Travel Insurance Is First and Must

Start your safety with insurance. Insuring your baggage may not bring back your favorite items, but it will bring you the peace of mind in your financial terms.

2. Never Display Huge Amount of Cash in Public

You must carry smaller amount and change in your front pocket for frequent use. Keep your purse and wallet close to your body. One simple trick is to tie a rubber band across the purse, which will hinder it from being pick-pocketed.

3. Keep Limited Number of Credit Cards with You

Make sure you remember the credit card number and the phone number to report any loss of card immediately.

4. Women’s Travel Safety Tips

Women should take special care of jewelry. Do not display expensive jewelry. It is better to wear artificial jewelry or no jewelry at all while traveling. Try to use compact ornaments, which cannot be pulled away easily.

5. Travel Safety Tips for Senior Citizens

Senior people should carry very light bags. It is suggested to purchase cheap clothes in the destination country and dispose them off. Heavy bags with attractive items such as camera and mobile phone in hands of senior and weak people easily tempt criminals and burglars.

6. Travel Safety Tips for Kids

Kids should not be handed over big amount of cash, credit cards, jewelry or expensive electronic goods. Try to get them cheap local watches instead of expensive watches. This will not only save money but also save them from being harassed.

7. Bus Travel Safety Tips

While traveling in a bus, make sure the luggage is stored and tied up safely. If you have a seat beside window, keep the window closed while bus is halted or caught up in traffic jams.

For many travelers, one of the central sources of angst and confusion is how to tip in a manner that is neither miserly, nor extravagant. Travelers run into far more situations where tipping is a concern than they would in their everyday life at home. And it’s made more uncomfortable due to the fact that when visiting abroad, the customs are foreign and easily misunderstood. Taxi drivers, porters, valets, waiters, and barbers/hairstylists are just some of the people you will encounter who will provide you with a service, and may or may not expect or require a gratuity.

The first key to understanding tipping is realizing the situation at hand. Starting with restaurants, the general rule is between 10-20% of the bill before taxes. Some people choose to tip extra if they feel the service is outstanding, while many will leave a small tip or not tip at all if they feel the service is terrible. However, not leaving a tip because the service did not meet expectations can often lead to a confrontation. It is often better to leave some kind of a tip; but be sure address the situation with the manager. It is also vital to know the local customs when it comes to tipping. In America, tipping is expected, and we are known to be some of the most generous tippers around. Many people in the service industry depend on tips to supplement their wages, which are often set artificially low in expectation of the tips they will receive. The key thing to remember is that tipping is a personal decision, but it affects others. So the idea of treating others as you would want to be treated clearly resonates. Be wary of restaurants that add a tip to the bill automatically: no one should pay two tips for the same meal.

In Europe, workers in the service industries are generally paid higher wages than in America, and therefore tipping is not always customary. When people do tip they generally tip less than in the states. However, it varies from country to country. Central European countries like Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Holland tip between 5-10% as a common practice, although it is not always required to tip. Countries like Spain and Italy are not advocates of tipping. In France and the Scandinavian countries, a service charge is included in the bill, while Ireland and the U.K. generally adhere to an optional tipping policy. When traveling in Europe, unless you are in Spain or Italy, it is generally a good idea to leave a tip close to 10% unless the charge is included, or the service was not satisfactory.

Traveling in Asia is often a culture shock, and this is magnified when it comes to tipping. While most of the globe follows the thinking that gratuities are required, or at the very least expected, many countries in Asia strictly forbid it, and many service workers will be offended if you attempt to tip them. Tipping is not the custom in India, China, Korea, Taiwan, and especially Japan. Likewise, in Australia and New Zealand, tipping has not historically been a custom and it is not expected, although the practice is growing, and has become especially common in the tourist areas.

Other parts of the globe also have some guidelines for tipping. Canada is very similar to the U.S., as is Mexico. The key thing to keep in mind when traveling is to be respectful of the customs in the country you are visiting. It is also better to lean towards generosity rather than stinginess when in doubt. Also, keep in mind that many restaurants and hotels add on a charge for gratuity, so carefully inspect the bill before leaving a tip. Furthermore, if you are traveling on business it is especially important that you represent yourself well. Always be sure to tip well when it is called for, and give your client the impression that you are interested in seeing others succeed. Tipping is definitely a touchy subject for many, but if you can master it, then you will enjoy yourself far more, and also ensure the happiness of those around you.

It’s challenging to choose a travel destination but with planning you can cater to the interests and budgets of your traveling companions.

Check all traveling documents before traveling. Make sure they are in order and passport is way before traveling expiry date. Make photocopy of your passport, credits cards and driving license. Some countries require you to have a passport valid 6 months after traveling date.

Check up on transport timetables before you travel. Certain schedules exist only for certain season. Have an alternative travel plan in mind in cases of transportation plans change.

Keep your luggage in sight. Don’t give your luggage to strangers. If you have to put your bag on ground, always keep hold of handle with one foot.

If you are detained by an official, ask for identification. Stay calm and if situation worsen, ask to see his superior. If there is language barrier, try to dial the visitors hotline or police to get more help.

Leave contact details for your family in case of emergency.

No gold jewelries, expensive rings and branded watches in plain view. A word of advise, leave your jewelry at home.